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A F Chaix

Publications and source records attributed to A F Chaix.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Marfan's or Marfan-like syndrome: value of echocardiography].

The purpose of this study of 6 cases of Marfan's or Marfan-like syndrome detected in 7077 echocardiographic examinations was to investigate the clinical value of echocardiography. The mean age of the patients was 40 years, and 4 of them (66 p. 100) were female. The diagnosis was based on the 4 criteria of Marfan's syndrome in 1 case, on 3 criteria in 2 cases and on 2 criteria in 3 cases. Four patients were known to have a previous cardiac murmur. Auscultation revealed a systolic murmur of mitral regurgitation in 3 cases (associated with a diastolic murmur of aortic regurgitation in 2 of them), a diastolic murmur of aortic regurgitation in 3 cases and a systolic murmur due to calcified bicuspid aortic valve in 1 case. ECG recorded a normal rhythm in 4 cases, atrial fibrillation in 2 cases of mitral regurgitation, and left ventricular hypertrophy in 3 cases. Chest X-ray showed cardiomegaly in 3 patients and severe kyphoscoliosis in one. Echocardiography visualized dilatation of the ascending aorta, severe (60 mm) in 1 case, in 3 patients; dilatation of the pulmonary artery in 1 patient; pansystolic mitral valve prolapse in 3 patients (associated with aortic and tricuspid valve prolapse in 2 of them after the disease had progressed); isolated aortic valve prolapse due to bicuspid valve in 2 patients; intracardiac calcifications in 3 patients; subaortic septal hypertrophy in 1 patient and calcified incompetent foramen ovale in 1 patient. Aortography performed in 3 patients disclosed an aneurysm of Valsalva's sinuses in 1 case and a mild aortic insufficiency in 2 cases. Two patients underwent cardiac catheterization for severe mitral regurgitation due to mitral valve prolapse requiring valve replacement, which was successfully done. Thus, echocardiography may provide an early diagnosis of Marfan's syndrome, since cardiovascular abnormalities are frequent in infancy. It also ensures a close follow-up of the disorders and it is useful in deciding whether treatment should be medical or surgical. It may detect formes frustes in a family with Marfan's syndrome, and it may define a borderline group of patients: those with Marfan-like syndrome. In these patients the cardiovascular lesions are more preponderant and appear later than in the classical Marfan's syndrome; they are often difficult to differentiate from the lesions of Barlow's syndrome.

Adult↗

[Latent congenital mitral insufficiency caused by an isolated mitral cleft. Diagnosis by two-dimensional echocardiography and pulsed Doppler].

In this paper, the authors report the case of an 8-year-old boy with an isolated slit in his mitral valve, and who did not have a heart murmur detectable either by auscultation or by phonocardiography and who had no symptoms of heart failure. Two-dimensional echocardiography, with a left parasternal direction, in a transversal view revealed the presence of this abnormality of the endocardial leaflets accompanied by an accessory chorda tendina, and this procedure confirmed the absence of hemodynamic percussion. Doppler ultrasonography detected an abnormal turbulent systolic blood flow immediately behind the mitral valve, suggesting a minimal to moderate degree latent regurgitation. Two-dimensional echocardiography together with the Doppler ultrasound makes possible the diagnosis of an isolated slit of the mitral valve by non-invasive technique and the detection of concomitant latent mitral valve regurgitation, especially when the left atrium is not dilated and if the patient does not have low cardiac output.

Child↗

[Atypical echocardiographic aspects of cardiac amylosis].

Echographic abnormalities of cardiac amylosis are now well known and quite useful to the diagnosis. Forms that are morphologically atypical are rare. From three observations (2 hypertrophic, asymmetrical and obstructive forms, and 1 hypertrophic and dilated form) and a review from the literature, we study the nosological, diagnostic and therapeutic problems presented by these atypical echographic of cardiac amylosis.

Aged↗

[Detection and quantification of carotid atheroma. Respective value of vascular ultrasonography, spectrum analysis and digital intravenous angiography].

This retrospective study involved 37 subjects who were examined by means of intravenous digitalised angiography, vascular ultrasonography and spectral analysis of the Doppler signal. The last two examinations were found to give the most precise images and functional information. The concordances between angiography and ultrasonography on the one hand and spectral analysis on the other were 82 and 90 per cent. The authors have established a protocol in order to limit and systematize these examinations during screening for carotid atheroma: the risk factors are weighted; a score is obtained by summation; depending on the value of this score and the patient's age, the investigation procedure is pursued or not. The sequence always consists of ultrasonography followed by spectral analysis when plaque is detected and by angiography when the plaque is stenotic or ulcerated. In symptomatic patients, ultrasonography and digitalised angiography are performed routinely.

Arteriosclerosis↗

[Thrombopenia induced by heparin].

The authors report three cases of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Two cases were associated with deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and the other case was associated with arterial embolism. The clinical course was serious, with one death and one amputation of a limb. The thrombocytopenia developed suddenly, 10 to 15 days after the start of treatment; the platelet count was always below 100 000/mm3. The platelet aggregation test is an important diagnostic element, together with the rapid return to normal of the platelet count once the heparin is stopped. An anti-platelet antibody was detected in two patients, suggesting an immuno-allergic mechanism for this new complication of heparin treatment. The treatment consist of immediately stopping the heparin and replacing it with an anti-vitamin K drug or low-molecular weight heparin. The platelet count should be monitored systematically in all patients receiving heparin treatment for more than 8 days.

Female↗