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José Luis Rodrigo

Publications and source records attributed to José Luis Rodrigo.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Which method should be the reference method to evaluate the severity of rheumatic mitral stenosis? Gorlin's method versus 3D-echo.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have shown a wide variability among different methods to determine the valve area in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis. Our aim was to evaluate if 3D-echo planimetry is more accurate than the Gorlin method to measure the valve area. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with mitral stenosis underwent 2D and 3D-echo echocardiographic examinations and catheterization. Valve area was estimated by different methods. A median value of the mitral valve area, obtained from the measurements of three classical non-invasive methods (2D planimetry, pressure half-time and PISA method), was used as the reference method and it was compared with 3D-echo planimetry and Gorlin's method. RESULTS: Our results showed that the accuracy of 3D-echo planimetry is superior to the accuracy of the Gorlin method for the assessment of mitral valve area. CONCLUSIONS: We should keep in mind the fact that 3D-echo planimetry may be a better reference method than the Gorlin method to assess the severity of rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Prognostic significance of functional mitral regurgitation after a first non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

AIMS: The development of mitral regurgitation (MR) after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a recognized and frequent complication and its negative impact on survival has been observed. However, few data exist regarding MR after non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTSEACS). Our aim was to investigate the incidence, clinical predictors, and prognostic implications of MR in the setting of NSTSEACS. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 300 consecutive patients (71.7% men, mean age 66.9+/-13 years) admitted to our coronary care unit for an NSTSEACS. Every patient underwent an echocardiographic study during the first week after the index NSTSEACS and was clinically followed up. MR was detected in 42% (126 patients; 88 men, mean age 71.3+/-11 years). Mean follow-up was 425.6+/-194.8 days. Only age and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) were found as independent markers of the development of MR; no variable was found as an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality and only MR was found as an independent predictor of long-term outcome. CONCLUSION: MR is frequent after an NSTSEACS. Age and a low LV EF are factors associated to its development. The presence and degree of MR confer a worse long-term prognosis to patients after a first NSTSEACS. Thus, the presence of MR should be specifically assessed in every patient after an NSTSEACS.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Disagreement between tissue Doppler imaging and conventional pulsed wave Doppler in the measurement of myocardial performance index.

AIM: Myocardial performance index (MPI) is usually measured with pulsed wave Doppler (PWD). Our aim was to assess the degree of agreement between PWD and a method based on tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-five patients with prior myocardial infarction and 20 healthy subjects underwent measurement of time intervals and MPI with PWD and pulsed TDI at septal and lateral sides of mitral annulus. MPI and TDI-MPI at septal side showed the best intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC=0.54; p<0.0005). Ninety-five percent interval of agreement ranged from -0.27 to 0.22. These differences were attributed to discrepancies in isovolumic contraction and relaxation times. In the healthy group the results were similar (ICC=0.44), although the 95% interval of agreement was lower (from -0.13 to 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: The agreement between PWD and TDI in the measurement of MPI is only moderate. This should be taken into account in the interpretation of studies in which TDI is used for this measurement.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Comparison of left ventricular volumes and ejection fractions measured by three-dimensional echocardiography versus by two-dimensional echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with various cardiomyopathies.

End-diastolic volume and end-systolic volume were measured in 35 consecutive patients with cardiomyopathy using 2-dimensional (2-D) and 3-dimensional (3-D) echocardiography (2, 4, and 8 planes) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Three-dimensional echocardiography correlates better with magnetic resonance imaging than does 2-D echocardiography. Its accuracy improves with the increase in the number of planes used. Two-dimensional echocardiography underestimates volumes, mainly in the subgroup with an ejection fraction of <50%, whereas 3-D echocardiography does not, if enough planes are used. However, in patients with an end-diastolic volume > or =150 ml, the underestimation of 3-D echocardiography is statistically significant. Increasing the number of planes to 8 reduces this bias. Conversely, patients with an end-diastolic volume <150 ml are accurately studied with just 4 planes.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Long-term prognostic importance of transient left ventricular dilation during pharmacologic stress echocardiography.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the prognostic significance of left ventricular (LV) transient ischemic dilation (TID) for patients with a positive stress echocardiogram (SE). BACKGROUND: TID during SE has been related to the presence of extensive coronary artery disease, but its long-term prognostic implications have not been reported. METHODS: In all, 99 consecutive patients with a positive SE comprised the study group. LV volumes were evaluated according to the modified Simpson's rule. TID during SE was defined as the presence of an increase in LV end-diastolic volume during the stress test. A clinical history was fulfilled for each patient and all of them were followed up. RESULTS: Of 99 patients, 32 (32.3%) showed TID. Mean age was 65.8 +/- 9.8 years for non-TID group and 70.2 +/- 8.4 for TID group (P = .048). Baseline characteristics and subsequent treatment were similar in both groups. Mean follow-up was 21.4 +/- 15.8 months. In non-TID group the mean survival free of acute myocardial infarction was 47.28 months and 39.7 months in TID group (log rank = 0.012). In the univariate and multivariate analysis only TID and the wall motion score index were found as independent predictors related to long-term prognosis (risk ratio = 6.9; 95% confidence interval = 0.8-59.6; P = .042; and risk ratio = 0.4; 95% confidence interval = 0.18-0.89; P = .047, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: LV TID during SE is an easy and independent prognostic marker. It helps to select patients with increased risk.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Usefulness of real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography in the assessment of infective endocarditis: initial experience.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to provide an initial description of the usefulness of real-time 3-dimensional (3D) echocardiography when evaluating patients with infective endocarditis. METHODS: For this purpose, we describe 3 cases in which the usefulness of real-time 3D echocardiography is shown. RESULTS: Better definition of the morphologic characteristics of the vegetation and valvular apparatus was achieved with real-time 3D echocardiography. Furthermore, the information provided by the real-time 3D echocardiogram to the surgical team was accurate and direct because it was not based on detailed verbal information for performing a 3D mental reconstruction but was a simple image similar to what would be found in the operating room. In all cases, the information provided by the real-time 3D echocardiography was confirmed during surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Real-time 3D echocardiography is an important tool for aiding diagnosis or for fine tuning a suspected diagnosis when traditional echocardiography is not completely clear for both medical and surgical decision making.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Infective endocarditis: mid-term prognosis in patients with good in-hospital outcome.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aim was to analyze the mid-term prognosis of infective endocarditis (IE) in patients managed with medical therapy during the in-hospital phase and who had a good initial outcome. Comparison was made with the prognosis of patients treated surgically during this period. METHODS: A total of 151 patients diagnosed with IE was studied, and in-hospital outcome, clinical characteristics and mid-term follow up data were analyzed. The main end-point was a composite of death and need for surgical repair. RESULTS: Among 151 patients, 84 (56%) underwent surgery or died during the in-hospital phase, while 67 patients (44%) received medical treatment and were discharged clinically stable with a final diagnosis of healed infective endocarditis. A better baseline profile was seen in the medically treated group, but outcome in this group showed extensive mid-term morbidity/mortality. In total, 52.2% of patients underwent surgery to correct complications and 60% died as a consequence of the disease. The event-free survival rate was 20% at five years. CONCLUSION: Despite a favorable in-hospital clinical course and successful medical treatment, patients with IE are at risk of late complications that result in a need for surgical repair, or in death. A close follow up should be made in order to treat late complications.

Aneurysm, False↗
PubMed2004

Prognostic influence of mitral regurgitation prior to a first myocardial infarction.

AIMS: Mitral regurgitation (MR) following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) confers an adverse prognosis during long-term follow-up. There are no studies evaluating the influence of pre-AMI MR in the short- and long-term prognosis of such patients. Our aim was to assess the prognostic value of pre-AMI MR in the short- and long-term follow-up of patients who suffered a first AMI and to assess its influence on left ventricular haemodynamics. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-eight consecutive patients with a first AMI and an echocardiographic study before AMI (<3 months) were included in the study. The pre-AMI echo was performed for various reasons. Of these 68 patients, 42 had pre-AMI MR (Group 1) and 26 showed no pre-AMI MR (Group 2). The presence of degenerative changes at the level of the mitral valve was confirmed in all cases. Patients with any other cause of MR were excluded. Clinical and echocardiographic variables for both phases (pre-AMI and post-AMI) were analysed and patients were followed up. Mean age was 75.5+/-9.5 years; there were 38 males (55.9%). There were no statistical differences in baseline clinical variables between the groups, except for the presence of pre-AMI atrial fibrillation, which was more frequent in Group 1 (21.4 vs. 0%; P = 0.01). After AMI, only end-diastolic left ventricular diameter was significantly larger in Group 1 (54.9 +/- 4.7 vs. 48.1 +/- 5.6 mm; P < 0.001). During long-term follow-up, median survival times were 912 days (interquartile range: 690 days) in Group 1 and 1423 days (interquartile range: 520 days) in Group 2 (Log-rank P = 0.02). The multivariable analysis showed that the presence of pre-AMI MR relates to a statistically significant relationship with a worse post-AMI evolution [relative risk (95% confidence interval): 3.8 (1.1-13.1); P = 0.037]. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that the presence of pre-AMI MR is an independent prognostic marker among those patients suffering a first AMI.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Almost sharp fronts for the surface quasi-geostrophic equation.

We investigate the evolution of "almost sharp" fronts for the surface quasi-geostrophic equation. This equation was originally introduced in the geophysical context to investigate the formation and evolution of fronts, i.e., discontinuities between masses of hot and cold air. These almost sharp fronts are weak solutions of quasi-geostrophic with large gradient. We relate their evolution to the evolution of sharp fronts.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Differences in regional systolic and diastolic function by Doppler tissue imaging in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hypertrophy caused by hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Doppler tissue (DT) velocity abnormalities have been described in patients with pathologic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Impaired myocardial function has been suggested as a primary disorder in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and differences in DT parameters have been reported to be distinguishable from other LVH causes. We evaluated DT differences for patients with LVH caused by hypertension and patients with HCM, assessing regional systolic and diastolic function. METHODS: A total of 62 participants were studied: 21 with HCM; 22 with LVH secondary to hypertension; and 19 control subjects. DT was used to record mitral annulobasal segment motion in the longitudinal axis. Systolic and diastolic velocities were measured at lateral and septal sites, and well-known ratios were obtained for diastolic assessment. A new global function index (GFI) that evaluates both systole and diastole was also calculated (GFI = [Emi/E(DT)]/S(DT) [s x cm(-1)], where mi is mitral inflow, E is E wave, and S is systolic wave). RESULTS: Comparison showed significant differences in all parameters evaluated at the septal-basal segment and a GFI value of 1.77 showed 85% sensitivity and 75% specificity for detecting HCM when interventricular septum thickness was increased. CONCLUSIONS: In the presence of unexplained LVH, markedly decreased DT velocities at basal septum efficiently detect myocardial dysfunction at this segment, and a calculated GFI > 1.77 strongly supports the diagnosis of HCM.

Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic↗
PubMed2004

Non-invasive assessment of mitral valve area during percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty: role of real-time 3D echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: In the last decade, multiple studies depicted discrepancies between mitral valvular orifice area (MVA) measurements obtained with the pressure half-time (PHT) method and invasive methods during the immediate post-percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) period. Our aim was to assess the accuracy of Real-Time 3D echo (RT3D) to measure the MVA in the immediate post-PMV period. The invasively determined MVA was used as the gold standard. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 29 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis from two centres (27 women; mean age 48.2+/-11.3 years), all of which had underwent PMV. MVA was calculated before and after PMV using the PHT method, 2D echo planimetry, RT3D echo planimetry and invasive determination (Gorlin's method). The RT3D MVA assessment showed a better agreement with the invasively derived MVA before and in the immediate post-PMV period (Bland-Altman analysis: Average difference between both methods and limits of agreement: 0.01 (-0.31 to 0.33) cm(2) and -0.12 (-0.71 to 0.47) cm(2)) before and immediately after the PMV, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: RT3D is a feasible and accurate technique for measuring MVA in patients with RMVS. It has the best agreement with the invasively determined MVA, particularly in the immediate post-PMV period.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Infective endocarditis in patients with chronic liver disease: clinical and prognostic assessment].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic liver disease increases the susceptibility to bacterial infections and infective endocarditis. Our aim was to determine the clinical and microbiological features and the prognosis in patients with chronic liver disease who also had infective endocarditis. PATIENTS AND METHOD: One hundred and seventy-four consecutive inpatients at our institution were recruited and followed. Thirty of them had chronic liver disease. Clinical, microbiological and echocardiographic variables were analyzed and, in some cases, histological variables were also recorded. RESULTS: Patients with chronic liver disease were younger (36 11 vs 54 18 years; p < 0.01) and had a larger proportion of intravenous drug users (73 vs 16%; p < 0.01), HIV infection (47 vs 10%; p < 0.01), right valve involvement and spleen enlargement, but heart failure appeared less often (7 vs 34%; p = 0.003). Thirty percent of the patients with and 51% of patients without chronic liver disease underwent surgery for infective endocarditis. Total mortality among patients with and without chronic liver disease was 40% and 31%, respectively. After adjustment for age and for the incidence of congestive heart failure, chronic liver disease doubled mid-term mortality with a RR = 2.45 (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic liver disease has a significant impact on the prognosis in patients with infective endocarditis, and these patients should therefore be considered a high risk group.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Imaging diagnosis in acute aortic syndromes].

Acute aortic dissection is a clinical emergency. Its prognosis is related mainly with prompt and accurate diagnosis, as well as rapid treatment. In this paper we review the importance of different imaging techniques in the diagnosis of patients with acute aortic syndrome. Aortic dissection, intramural haematoma, and penetrating aortic ulcer are discussed.

Aortic Arch Syndromes↗
PubMed2002

[Stress echocardiography in the pre-operative evaluation of patients undergoing major vascular surgery. Are results comparable with dypiridamole versus dobutamine stress echo?].

INTRODUCTION: [corrected] Perioperative cardiovascular complications are an important cause of post-surgical morbility and mortality in patients undergoing major vascular surgery. Dobutamine Stress Echo is considered one of the methods of choice in the detection of coronary artery disease in this subgroup of patients. OBJECTIVES: . Our aim was to analyze if dipyridamole stress echocardiography could be used as an alternative to Dobutamine Stress Echo in the perioperative evaluation of patients in need of major vascular surgery. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The result of consecutives dypiridamole and dobutamine stress exams prior to vascular surgery were reviewed. We analyzed if those patients with a positive stress echo presented a higher number of cardiac events during and after surgery than those with negative stress echo. The negative and positive predictive values were calculated for both techniques. RESULTS: 133 stress exams were analysed: 39 with dobutamine and 94 with dipyridamole. Of the 39 dobutamine studies 2 were positive, 29 negatives and 8 non conclusive. Of the 94 dypiridamole studies 13 were positive and 81 negatives. None of the patients with a positive dobutamine echo underwent surgery. The negative predictive value for dobutamine echo was 96.5%, quite similar to that of dypiridamole stress echo (97.5%). CONCLUSION: Dipyridamole stress echocardiography is a valid alternative to dobutamine echocardiography in the pre-surgical evaluation of patients undergoing major vascular surgery.

Dipyridamole↗
PubMed2002

[Coronary Spasm after Administration of Propranolol during Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography].

Dobutamine stress echocardiography, a highly useful and safe challenge test for myocardial ischemia, is being used increasingly. We report the case of a 37-year-old man with rest angina, repolarization abnormalities in precordial leads and normal coronary arteries who was referred for dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography, which was negative for ischemia. However, after testing, upon injection of propranolol, the patient suffered chest pain associated with ST elevation and severe regional systolic abnormalities. After intravenous nitroglycerin administration, chest pain and electrocardiographic abnormalities disappeared quickly, and systolic motion became normal. This complication was interpreted as a coronary spasm. We discuss the causes for the spasm and the role that might have been played by the drugs employed.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed2002

Better prognosis of elderly patients with infectious endocarditis in the era of routine echocardiography and nonrestrictive indications for valve surgery.

OBJECTIVE: It has been reported that endocarditis in the elderly may have a poor outcome. Our aim was to assess the different features and prognosis, if any, in the present time. METHODS: Of 103 patients with proven endocarditis, 31 were 65 years or older and 72 were younger than 65 years. Degenerative heart disease was seen more frequently in the elderly (22.5% vs 2.7%, P =.003). Drug abuse and immunodeficiency virus infection were more common in the younger group, as was tricuspid endocarditis (26.3% vs 0%, P <.001). At clinical presentation cardiac failure (41.9 vs 19.4%, P =.02) and leukocytosis (61.2% vs 40.2%, P =.049) were seen more frequently in the elderly. RESULTS: Despite other similar clinical features, it took longer to diagnose older patients (7.2 +/- 6.2 vs 3.2 +/- 3.5 days, P <.001). Enterococcus infected the aged more often (32.2% vs 13.1%, P =.001). During hospitalization, heart failure and embolization tended to be more common in the elderly and the younger group, respectively. There were no significant differences in the incidence of anatomic complications, the need for operation, and overall mortality. CONCLUSION: Although a worse prognosis has been reported in elderly patients with infective endocarditis, the early use of transesophageal echocardiographic examinations and equal therapeutic options provides a similar outcome when compared with younger subjects.

Aged↗