PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

N Meneveau

Publications and source records attributed to N Meneveau.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Predictive value of admission hyperglycaemia on mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

RATIONALE AND AIM: In patients with an acute myocardial infarction, admission hyperglycaemia (AH) is a major risk factor for mortality. However, the predictive value of AH, when the risk score and use of guidelines-recommended treatments are considered, is poorly documented. METHODS: The first fasting plasma glucose levels after admission, risk level, guidelines-recommended treatment use and 1-year mortality were recorded. Patients with first fasting glucose level after admission > 7.7 mmo/l were considered to have AH. RESULTS: Three hundred and twenty patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 404 with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) were included. One hundred and seventy-five (24%) patients had pre-existing diabetes (diabetes group), 154 (21%) had AH (AH+ group) and the remainding 395 (55%) had neither diabetes nor AH (AH- group). The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score was lower in the AH- group, but the use of guidelines-recommended treatment was comparable in all groups. At 1 year, the mortality rate was higher in the AH+ group compared with the AH- group (18.8 vs. 6.1%, P < 0.01) and similar to that in the diabetes group (18.8 vs. 16.6%, P = NS). The relation between glycaemic status and mortality remained strong [AH+ vs. AH-, OR = 3.0 (1.5, 6.0) and diabetes vs. AH-, OR = 3.6 (1.7, 6.6)] after adjustment for the GRACE risk score [OR = 2.4 (1.8, 3.1) per 10% increase] and for treatment score [OR = 0.7 (0.6, 0.8) per 10% increase]. CONCLUSIONS: In patients without a history of diabetes, the presence of AH indicates an increased risk of 1-year mortality, similar to that of patients with diabetes, even when the risk score and use of guidelines-recommended treatment are controlled for.

Aged↗

[When to suspect pulmonary embolism in a patient with deep venous thrombosis?].

The approach to take in trying to establish or disprove a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in the presence of deep vein thrombosis is the subject of some controversy nowadays. Systematic perfusion lung scan can be proposed, given the mediocre specificity of the clinical symptoms of embolism or the high frequency of asymptomatic pulmonary embolism. This strategy, however, is not validated in terms of cost-efficacy. In practical terms, favourable evolution and the low rate of recurrent embolism observed with a well executed anticoagulant treatment pleads against systematic scintigraphy. Because of its moderate sensitivity, systematic echocardiography probably should not be an element of the assessment of asymptomatic pulmonary embolism. The advent of spiral CT scan in the management of such patients could however make it necessary to reconsider this position, by allowing complete venous and pulmonary examination in thrombo-embolic disease.

Echocardiography↗

False lumen patency as a predictor of late outcome in aortic dissection.

Aortic dissection (AD) is a disease with a high-risk of mortality. Late deaths are often related to complications in nonoperated aortic segments. Between 1984 and 1996, we retrospectively analyzed the data of 109 patients with acute AD (81 men and 28 women; average age 61 +/- 14 years). All imaging examinations were reviewed, and a magnetic resonance imaging examination was performed at the time of the study. Aortic diameters were measured on each aortic segment. Predictive factors of mortality were determined by Cox's proportional hazard model, in univariate and multivariate analyses, using BMDP statistical software. Follow-up was an average of 44 +/- 46 months (range 24 to 164). Actuarial survival rates were 52%, 46%, and 37% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively, for type A AD versus 76%, 72%, and 46% for type B AD. Predictors of late mortality were age >70 years and postoperative false lumen patency of the thoracic descending aorta (RR 3.4, 95% confidence intervals 1.20 to 9.8). Descending aorta diameter was larger when false lumen was patent (31 vs 44 mm; p = 0.02) in type A AD. Furthermore, patency was less frequent in operated type A AD when surgery had been extended to the aortic arch. Thus, patency of descending aorta false lumen is responsible for progressive aortic dilation. In type A AD, open distal repair makes it possible to check the aortic arch and replace it when necessary, decreases the false lumen patency rate, and improves late survival.

Adult↗

Use of dobutamine stress echocardiography in detecting silent myocardial ischaemia in asymptomatic diabetic patients: a comparison with thallium scintigraphy and exercise testing.

AIMS: Silent myocardial ischaemia is frequent in diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomography (201Tl SPECT) coupled with exercise stress testing (EST), and dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) in the detection of asymptomatic coronary artery disease. METHODS: Fifty-six asymptomatic diabetic patients, with a known duration of diabetes > 15 years for Type 1 and > 5 years for Type 2, having at least three added risk factors, but without rest ECG abnormalities, were enrolled in this prospective study. All of them were submitted to DSE with a maximum infusion rate of 40 microg/kg per min dobutamine +/- i.v. atropine, and to 201Tl SPECT coupled with EST. Coronary angiography was performed if at least one test was abnormal. RESULTS: Diabetic patients were 37 males and 19 females, aged mean (sd) 60 +/- 10 years, 10 Type 1 and 46 Type 2, with a known duration of disease of mean (sd) 17 +/- 9 years. Feasibility of DSE was 91%. No serious complication occurred during the test. Coronary angiography was performed in 26 patients (47%); 17 were abnormal (30% of the whole group): six patients had a one-vessel, six a two-vessel and five a three-vessel disease. Predictive positive value was 69% for DSE, 75% for 201Tl SPECT and 60% for EST. DSE was falsely negative in four cases vs. eight for 201Tl SPECT and nine for EST. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic coronary disease is common in diabetes associated with other risk factors. DSE appears useful in its detection and a good alternative to 201Tl SPECT.

Adult↗

Lack of agreement between left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction determined by two-dimensional echocardiography and contrast cineangiography in postinfarction patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the agreement between left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction (EF) determined by two-dimensional echocardiography (2-D echo) and by cineangiography in postinfarction patients. DESIGN: LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes indexed (EDVI and ESVI) to body surface area as well as EF were determined by both methods in all patients. SETTING: Multicenter trial conducted in five university hospitals. PATIENTS: 63 patients, 61 male, two female, mean age 55.5 +/- 10.4 years, suffering from a recent myocardial infarction. Eighty-one pairs of measurements were available. METHODS: The results of biplane 2-D echo measures, using apical four-chamber (4C) and two-chamber (2C) views were compared to those of a 30 degrees right anterior oblique cineangiography projection, using either the apical method of discs or the area-length 2-D echo method. Moreover, eyeball EF was estimated at 2-D echo and cineangiography, and was compared to the conventional methods. The agreement between results was assessed by the Bland and Altman method. RESULTS: The agreement between 2-D echo and cineangiography results was poor. Mean differences (MD) were -21.8 (EDVI, ml/m(2)), -9.5 (ESVI, ml/m(2)), and -0.9 (EF, %), respectively for 2-D echo method of discs versus cineangiography, and -23.2, -9.3, and -5.7 for area-length 2-D echo versus cineangiography. For EF (%), MD was -3.6 for eyeball cineangiography versus cineangiography, -1.3 for eyeball 2-D echo versus method of discs, and +0.30 for eyeball 2-D echo versus area-length 2-D echo, respectively. Two-dimensional echo is likely to underestimate LV volumes compared to cineangiography, especially for largest volumes. Even for EF, discrepancies are large, with a lack of agreement of 21%-25% between conventional methods, but agreement is better between eyeball EF and usual methods. CONCLUSIONS: Even with modern echocardiographic devices, agreement between 2-D echo and cineangiography-derived LV volumes and EF remains moderate, and both methods must not be considered interchangeable in clinical practice.

Adult↗

Cytomegalovirus, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies and restenosis after stent implantation: an angiographic and intravascular ultrasound study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of previous infection with cytomegalovirus, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Helicobacter pylori on neointimal proliferation after coronary angioplasty with stent implantation. DESIGN: The study population was made up of 180 patients who had stent implantation in a native coronary artery with systematic angiographic and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) follow up at six months. Quantitative coronary angiography was used to assess the late lumen loss. The mean area of neointimal tissue within the stent and the ratio of neointimal tissue to stent area were assessed from IVUS images. Previous cytomegalovirus, C pneumoniae, and H pylori infection was identified by IgG antibody determination. RESULTS: Previous cytomegalovirus infection was detected in 50% of the population, previous C pneumoniae in 18%, and previous H pylori in 33%. Mean (SD) reference diameter was 2.94 (0.48) mm and mean minimum lumen diameter after stent implantation was 2.45 (0.42) mm. At six months, the mean late loss was 0.74 (0.50) mm, the mean neointimal tissue area was 3.8 (1.7) mm(2), and the average ratio of neointimal tissue area to stent area was 45 (18)%. None of these variables of restenosis was linked to any of the three infectious agents. By multivariate analysis, lesion length was the variable best correlated with mean neointimal tissue area, the ratio of neointimal tissue to stent area, and late loss, explaining respectively 31%, 39%, and 8% of their variability. CONCLUSIONS: Previous infection with cytomegalovirus, C pneumoniae, or H pylori was not a contributing factor in the process of restenosis after stent implantation.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Predictors of event-free survival after repeat intracoronary procedure for in-stent restenosis; study with angiographic and intravascular ultrasound imaging.

AIMS: Lumen enlargement during repeat percutaneous coronary intervention for in-stent restenosis has been shown to be the result of both stent over-expansion and decrease in neointimal tissue. How these two different mechanisms of action may influence outcome and target lesion revascularization after repeat intervention for in-stent restenosis is unclear. METHODS: Intravascular ultrasound guided repeat intervention for in-stent restenosis was carried out either with balloon angioplasty, or with a combination of rotational atherectomy plus balloon angioplasty. Clinical follow-up at 1 year, including death, myocardial infarction, or need for revascularization, was obtained. RESULTS: Seventy patients were included in this study; 40 were treated by balloon alone, and 30 by combination of rotational atherectomy plus balloon. Event-free survival probability was 76+/-5%. The mechanism of lumen enlargement, be it stent over-expansion or tissue removal, had no influence on long-term clinical evolution. The only independent predictor was the minimal lumen cross-sectional area at the end of the procedure, the larger the lumen cross-sectional area, the higher the event-free probability. The cut-off point of the lumen cross-sectional area was set at 4.7 mm(2)by discriminant analysis. Event-free survival was 69+/-15% in patients with <4.7 mm(2)lumen cross-sectional area and 91+/-8% in patients with >4.7 mm(2)lumen cross-sectional area (P=0. 008). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the only independent predictor of late clinical outcome after percutaneous re-intervention for in-stent restenosis was final lumen size, no matter which means were used to achieve it.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Local delivery of nadroparin for the prevention of neointimal hyperplasia following stent implantation: results of the IMPRESS trial. A multicentre, randomized, clinical, angiographic and intravascular ultrasound study.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that intramural delivery of nadroparin, a low molecular weight heparin, would prevent in-stent restenosis by inhibiting neointimal hyperplasia in an angioplasty model free of arterial remodelling. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a prospective randomized multicentre trial, 250 patients submitted to balloon angioplasty followed by stent implantation were randomized into control group (no local drug delivery) or intramural delivery of nadroparin (2 ml of 2500 anti-Xa-units/ml with a microporous catheter). An ancillary intravascular ultrasound substudy was performed to supplement angiographic data with specific measurements of in-stent neointimal hyperplasia. The primary end-point was the late loss in minimal luminal diameter on the 6 month follow-up angiogram. Secondary end-points included feasibility and safety of local nadroparin delivery, and major adverse cardiac events at 8 weeks and 6 months follow-up. Local delivery of nadroparin was successful in 124 patients (99.2% success rate) and was not associated with an increase in stent thrombosis, coronary artery dissection, side branch occlusion, distal embolization or abrupt arterial closure. At angiographic follow-up, the late loss in lumen diameter was 0.84 +/- 0.62 mm in the control group compared to 0.88 +/- 0.63 mm in the nadroparin group (P=0.56). Angiographic restenosis rate (defined as a >50% diameter stenosis) did not differ in the control group (20%) compared to the nadroparin group (24%). The average area of neointimal tissue within the stent was 2.86 +/- 0.64 mm(2) vs 2.90 +/- 0.53 mm(2) (P=0.57), control vs nadroparin groups. There was no difference in major adverse cardiac events at any time (88.8% vs 89.6% event free survival at 6 months, control vs nadroparin). CONCLUSION: Intramural delivery of nadroparin with a microporous catheter after stent deployment was feasible and safe but had no effect in reducing restenosis or the occurrence of major adverse clinical events over 6 months.

Adult↗

Effects of increasing balloon pressure on mechanism and results of balloon angioplasty for treatment of restenosis after Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation: an angiographic and intravascular ultrasound study.

Repeat balloon angioplasty is a widely used therapeutic option for in-stent restenosis, but the optimal balloon inflation pressure has not yet been determined. We used angiography and intravascular ultrasound imaging to assess the mechanism and results of lumen enlargement at various inflation pressures. Thirteen consecutive patients with restenosis post-Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation were submitted to a four-step balloon angioplasty using increasing balloon pressure of 2, 4, 8, and >12 atm. As a global result, the lumen size was only 80% of that observed at stent implantation. Significant changes in angiographic minimal lumen diameter, minimal lumen cross-sectional area, and lumen volume were observed after each step except after the highest-pressure inflation. At low inflation pressure (<8 atm), the decrease in neointimal tissue and the stent over expansion explained the lumen enlargement, whereas after further high inflation pressure (>8 atm), only additional stent over expansion was observed. These results suggest that only moderate balloon inflation pressure (up to 12 atm) is needed for angioplasty of post-Palmaz-Schatz stent restenotic lesions.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Sustained Intramural Retention and Regional Redistribution Following Local Vascular Delivery of Polylactic-Coglycolic Acid and Liposomal Nanoparticulate Formulations Containing Probucol.

BACKGROUND: Probucol reduces restenosis after angioplasty, provided oral administration is begun 1 month before the procedure. Local vascular delivery of a nonoparticulate formulation of probucol may obviate the need for drug loading by acutely raising arterial intramural concentration while providing sustained intramural retention. To test this hypothesis, we compared the retention and redistribution of (35)S-probucol encapsulated in either liposomal or polylactic-coglycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles after local vascular delivery. METHODS: Nanoparticles were delivered using a Crescendo microporous infusion catheter (Cordis, Warren, NJ) after balloon angioplasty of rabbit iliac arteries (n = 12-18 arteries per formulation per time point). Animals were euthanized on day 0, 3, or 7 after delivery. Iliac arteries, perivascular fat, and downstream tissues were harvested and the radioactivity disintegrations per minute was measured. Autoradiographic and confocal microscopic analyses of tissue sections were performed to evaluate intramural distribution of probucol. RESULTS: Immediately after delivery, radioactivity in the iliac arteries (log[dpm/mg], mean +/- SEM) was greater with PLGA (2.72 +/- 0.08) than with liposomal encapsulation (2.10 +/- 0.08, P = 0.001). Intramural retention of probucol was 23% at 7 days using liposomes and 10% using PLGA, corresponding to a probucol concentration of 0.1 ng/mg tissue for both formulations. By the third day after delivery, radioactivity in peri-iliac fat, femoral arteries, and hindlimb muscle increased by 88%, 29%, and 154%, respectively. Thereafter, radioactivity decreased to 56%, 43%, and 134% of initial dpm respectively, by day 7. CONCLUSIONS: although delivery efficiency was superior with PLGA encapsulation, intramural probucol concentrations were similar on day 7 using both formulations. Radial and axial redistribution of probucol was observed, indicating that this technique can be exploited to increase adjacent tissue delivery.

Journal Article↗

Efficacy of a synthetic pentasaccharide, a pure factor Xa inhibitor, as an antithrombotic agent--a pilot study in the setting of coronary angioplasty.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the antithrombotic properties of SR90107/ORG31540. a sulfated pentasaccharide, which enhances specifically antithrombin III mediated inactivation of factor-Xa, in a clinical setting known to promote arterial thrombosis, i.e. coronary angioplasty. METHODS AND RESULTS: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was carried out with conventional balloons with a single 5 min intravenous infusion of 12 mg pentasaccharide, and 500 mg intravenous aspirin. Heparin was not allowed before, during PTCA, and within 24 h after PTCA. The primary end point was the rate of abrupt vessel closure during and within 24 h after the procedure. The sample size was set at 60 evaluable patients, in order to be able to conclude with a good level of confidence (>95%) that the abrupt vessel closure rate was less than 10%, if less than 3 abrupt vessel closures were observed. Seventy-one patients were included in the study, of whom 10 needed elective stenting, and were not considered as evaluable for efficacy. Two out of the 61 remaining evaluable patients experienced acute vessel closure during the study period [3.28%, 95% confidence interval (0.4%; 11.4%)]. No major bleeding occurred. The drug plasma concentrations reached 1.91+/-0.39 mg/], 10 min after pentasaccharide injection, and decreased on average to 1. 18+/-0.27 mg/l at 2 h, and to 0.36+/-0.11 mg/l at 23 h after administration of pentasaccharide. Activated clotting time (ACT) and activated partial thromboplastin (aPTT) time remained within normal range. Thrombin-antithrombin complex levels fell from 22+/-17.1 to 4.5+/-3.4 microg/ml, prothrombin fragment 1+2 levels decreased from 2.15+/-1.01 to 1.73+/-0.87, and activated factor VII levels decreased from 43.4+/-16.8 mU/ml to 18.9+/-7.3 mU/ml respectively from baseline to 2 h following injection of the tested drug. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of pentasaccharide led to the inhibition of thrombin generation without modification of aPTT and ACT. The rate of abrupt vessel closure was within range of rates reported in historical series. Thus we conclude that the anti-thrombotic activity of pentasaccharide, as shown in this pilot trial in the setting of coronary angioplasty, deserves further investigation.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of in-stent restenosis with high speed rotational atherectomy and IVUS guidance in small <3.0 mm vessels.

The management of in-stent restenosis remains a subject for debate because no one revascularization option is considered the most appropriate. Since a high restenosis rate still occurs after repeat balloon angioplasty, new techniques are attempted in order to reduce this rate. A combination of high speed rotational atherectomy (HSRA) and adjunctive balloon angioplasty is likely to achieve good results. In small (<3.0 mm diameter) vessels, the risk of interaction between the burr and the stent increases. We thus used intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance in the treatment of in-stent restenosis with HSRA in small <3.0 mm small diameter vessels. Nine patients with in-stent restenosis in small vessels were referred for repeat angioplasty. Initial IVUS examination was used to assess the minimal stent struts diameter and to guide the burr size selection. A combination of HSRA and additional balloon angioplasty was performed under IVUS and angiographic guidance. Mean angiographic reference diameter was 2.25 +/- 0.35 mm and mean stent struts diameter was 2.38 +/- 0.20 mm. Burr size was selected approximately 0.5 mm smaller than stent struts diameter and ranged from 1.75 to 2.5 mm, with a 0.88 +/- 0.12 mean burr/artery ratio (range 0.71, 1.08). In two patients, a second larger burr was used. In 4/9 patients, the burr size chosen under IVUS guidance was close to angiographic MLD at stent implantation and thus larger than what would be used without IVUS guidance. Additional balloon angioplasty was decided in all cases, using a 1.1 +/- 0.15 balloon/artery ratio. No complication occurred. Mean relative gain in minimal lumen diameter (MLD) was 94 +/- 90% after HSRA and 54 +/- 34% after balloon angioplasty (total relative gain 180 +/- 100%). IVUS guidance allowed safe management of in-stent restenosis in small vessels using combination of HSRA and balloon angioplasty. Long-term follow-up and comparison with other techniques are necessary to assess whether this technique should be used routinely.

Adult↗

Comparative efficacy of a two-hour regimen of streptokinase versus alteplase in acute massive pulmonary embolism: immediate clinical and hemodynamic outcome and one-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare the efficacy of 2-h regimens of alteplase and streptokinase in acute massive pulmonary embolism. The primary end point was immediate hemodynamic improvement, and secondary end points included early clinical efficacy and safety, as well as 1-year clinical outcome. BACKGROUND: Several thrombolytic regimens have been compared for the past 10 years in randomized studies, showing that 2-h infusion regimens of alteplase or urokinase lead to faster hemodynamic improvement than former 12- to 24-h administration protocols in acute massive pulmonary embolism. Many trials have focused on immediate hemodynamic and angiographic outcomes, but none has addressed long-term follow-up after thrombolysis. METHODS: Sixty-six patients with acute massive pulmonary embolism (Miller score > 17 and mean pulmonary artery pressure >20 mm Hg) were randomly assigned to receive either a 100-mg 2-h infusion of alteplase (n = 23) or 1.5 million IU of streptokinase over 2 h (n = 43). In both groups, heparin infusion was started at the end of thrombolytic infusion and adapted thereafter. Total pulmonary resistance was monitored over a 12-h period. Pulmonary vascular obstruction was assessed 36 to 48 h after thrombolytic therapy. One-year follow-up information included death, cause of death, recurrent pulmonary embolism, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, stroke and bleeding. RESULTS: Both groups had similar baseline angiographic and hemodynamic characteristics of severity, with maintained cardiac output in 64 (97%) of 66 patients. The results (mean +/- SD) demonstrated that despite a faster total pulmonary resistance improvement observed at 1 h in the alteplase group compared with the streptokinase group (33+/-16% vs. 19 16%, p = 0.006), a similar hemodynamic efficacy was obtained at 2 h when both thrombolytic regimens were completed (38+/-18% vs. 31+/-19%). There was no significant difference in either pulmonary vascular obstruction at 36 to 48 h or bleeding complication rates. One-year event-free survival was similar in both groups, as most events were related to concomitant diseases. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a 2-h regimen of streptokinase can be routinely used in patients with massive pulmonary embolism and maintained cardiac output without obviously compromising efficacy or safety.

Acute Disease↗

Impact of intravascular ultrasound guidance in stent deployment on 6-month restenosis rate: a multicenter, randomized study comparing two strategies--with and without intravascular ultrasound guidance. RESIST Study Group. REStenosis after Ivus guided STenting.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the impact of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided stent implantation on the 6-month restenosis rate, which has not yet been fully established in randomized trials. BACKGROUND: The 6-month angiographic restenosis rate was compared in patients with symptomatic ischemic heart disease who were randomly allocated to angioplasty and stent deployment, with versus without IVUS guidance. METHODS: After successful stent implantation, patients were randomized into two groups: Group A had no further dilation, and Group B had additional balloon dilation until achievement of IVUS criterion for stent expansion. The study group consisted of 164 patients, assuming a 50% reduction of the restenosis rate in Group B (15% vs. 30%) (alpha = 10%, beta = 20%). RESULTS: We enrolled 155 patients. Overdilation was carried out in 31 (39%) of 79 Group B patients, with the IVUS criterion being achieved in 63 (80%) of 79. No significant difference was observed in the minimal luminal diameter (MLD), but the stent lumen cross-sectional area (CSA) was significantly larger in Group B (mean +/- SD) (7.16 +/- 2.48 vs. 7.95 +/- 2.21 mm2, p = 0.04). At 6 months, there was no significant difference in the restenosis rate, (28.8% [21 of 73] in Group A vs. 22.5% [16 of 71] in Group B, p = 0.25), but according to the observed difference in the restenosis rate, the power of the study was only 40%. The difference in MLD was also nonsignificant (1.60 +/- 0.65 mm in Group A vs. 1.70 +/- 0.64 mm in Group B, p = 0.20), whereas the lumen CSA was 20% larger in the IVUS-guided group (4.47 +/- 2.59 vs. 5.36 +/- 2.81 mm2, p = 0.03). Lumen CSA was the only predictor of restenosis by multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A nonsignificant 6.3% absolute reduction in the restenosis rate and a nonsignificant difference in MLD were observed in this study. Nonetheless, we still cannot rule out a beneficial effect of IVUS guidance, although this may have gone undetected owing to a lack of statistical power. A significant increase was observed in immediate and 6-month lumen size, as detected by IVUS, indicating that ultrasound guidance in stent deployment may be beneficial.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Simplified percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty with the Inoue balloon.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty with the Inoue balloon is conventionally performed with double vascular access: arterial and venous. However, in patients with a good echogenic window it may be performed with venous access only and the procedure monitored by 2D-echocardiography and colour flow mapping. This should result in early ambulation and hospital discharge with reduced arterial complications. AIMS: To compare retrospectively the immediate results of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty with the Inoue balloon in two groups of patients: Group I: venous access only (no arterial access, n = 102) and Group II: conventional double vascular access (arterial and venous access, n = 275). METHODS AND RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of the two groups were comparable for age, sex, clinical, echocardiographic, radiological and haemodynamic variables. The mitral valve area (Group I: 1.1 +/- 0.3 to 1.85 +/- 0.5 cm2 vs Group II: 1.05 +/- 0.2 to 1.85 +/- 0.5 cm2, P = ns) and transmitral gradient (Group I: 11 +/- 4 to 4.7 +/- 2 mmHg vs Group II: 12 +/- 4 to 4.8 +/- 2 mmHg, P = ns) before and after mitral valvuloplasty were not statistically different. A good immediate result, defined as mitral valve area > 1.5 cm2 and mean mitral gradient < 5 mmHg with mitral regurgitation < or = 2+ at the end of the procedure, was observed in 77% of the cases in the venous-only group and 79% in the double access group (P = ns). The incidence of severe mitral regurgitation (Grade III or IV) was not statistically significant. Procedural duration (71 +/- 24 min vs 109 +/- 26 min, P < 0.01), fluoroscopic time (12.5 +/- 5.5 min vs 18.5 +/- 6 min, P < 0.01) and hospital stay (2.8 +/- 1.5 days vs 4.8 +/- 2.6 days, P < 0.001) were significantly shorter in the venous-only group than in the conventional Inoue series. CONCLUSION: Single venous access balloon mitral valvuloplasty is as equally safe and effective as double vascular access. The additional advantages of single venous access are shorter procedural duration, fluoroscopic time and hospital stay. We recommend that it be performed by an experienced operator (minimum of 100 trans-septal punctures) in patients without major thoracic deformity and a good echogenic window.

Adult↗

Predictors of event-free survival after percutaneous mitral commissurotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long term functional result after percutaneous mitral commissurotomy and identify the predictors of event-free survival following 10 years of experience. DESIGN: Analysis of clinical, echocardiographic, and haemodynamic variables at baseline and after the procedure by univariate and multivariate analyses (Cox model). SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: 532 consecutive patients receiving percutaneous mitral commissurotomy in the same institution. RESULTS: The mean (SD) follow up was 3.8 (4.0) years. Survival at 3, 5, and 7.5 years was 94%, 91%, and 83%, respectively; event-free survival was 84%, 74%, and 52%. Mitral valve anatomy was identified as the strongest independent predictor of event-free survival. Age, cardiothoracic ratio, mean pulmonary artery pressure, and mean echocardiographic mitral gradient after commissurotomy were also found to be independent predictors of long term functional results. Event-free survival was 92%, 84%, and 70% at 3, 5, and 7.5 years in patients with favourable anatomy (echo score = 1), 86%, 73%, and 34% in patients with intermediate anatomy (echo score = 2), and 45%, 25%, and 16% in patients with unfavourable anatomy (echo score = 3). In patients aged < or = 65 years, the event-free survival rate was 80%, 70%, and 45% at 3, 5, and 7.5 years v 52%, 38%, and 17% in patients aged > 65 years. CONCLUSIONS: The anatomical form of the mitral valve and the patient's age were the most powerful predictors of event-free survival. Patients with intermediate or unfavourable anatomy and those aged > 65 years have low 5 and 7.5 year event-free survival rates. This must be taken into account when discussing the indications for percutaneous mitral commissurotomy; immediate mitral valve replacement is a reasonable alternative to balloon mitral commissurotomy in patients with higher risk of functional deterioration after the procedure.

Age Factors↗

Effect of nadroparin, a low-molecular-weight heparin, on clinical and angiographic restenosis after coronary balloon angioplasty: the FACT study. Fraxiparine Angioplastie Coronaire Transluminale.

BACKGROUND: Experimental studies suggest that the antiproliferative effect of heparin after arterial injury is maximized by pretreatment. No previous studies of restenosis have used a pretreatment strategy. We designed this study to determine whether treatment with nadroparin, a low-molecular-weight heparin, started 3 days before the procedure and continued for 3 months, affected angiographic restenosis or clinical outcome after coronary angioplasty. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a prospective multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial, elective coronary angioplasty was performed on 354 patients who were treated with daily subcutaneous nadroparin (0.6 mL of 10,250 anti-Xa IU/mL) or placebo injections started 3 days before angioplasty and continued for 3 months. Angiography was performed just before and immediately after angioplasty and at follow-up. The primary study end point was angiographic restenosis, assessed by quantitative coronary angiography 3 months after balloon angioplasty. Clinical follow-up was continued up to 6 months. Clinical and procedural variables and the occurrence of periprocedural complications did not differ between groups. At angiographic follow-up, the mean minimal lumen diameter and the mean residual stenosis in the nadroparin group (1.37+/-0.66 mm, 51.9+/-21.0%) did not differ from the corresponding values in the control group (1.48+/-0.59 mm, 48.8+/-18.9%). Combined major cardiac-related clinical events (death, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization) did not differ between groups (30.3% versus 29.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with the low-molecular-weight heparin nadroparin continued for 3 months after balloon angioplasty had no beneficial effect on angiographic restenosis or on adverse clinical outcomes.

Adolescent↗

[Late intestinal complications of adjuvant radiotherapy of rectal cancers].

Pre or postoperative pelvic irradiation has demonstrated a definitive efficacy in reducing the local failure rate of rectal cancer treated with surgery alone. However it can induce late small bowel morbidity that could alter the therapeutic ratio. The clinical pictures of radiation enteritis include obstruction and diarrhea/malabsorption. Prognostic factors that increase the risk of late small bowel complications include extended fields out of the pelvis, irradiation dose, inappropriate irradiation technique, and increased small bowel irradiated volumes. The addition of chemotherapy increases acute but not late toxicity. Recommendations concerning the clinical practice are described. Radiotherapy may also alter the residual sphincter function and we recommend to assess correctly these complications.

Combined Modality Therapy↗