PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Nuno Fonseca

Publications and source records attributed to Nuno Fonseca.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Transesophageal echocardiography-guided cardioversion of atrial fibrillation. Selection of a low-risk group for immediate cardioversion.

INTRODUCTION: In patients (pts) with atrial fibrillation (AF) of more than 48 hours' duration, electrical cardioversion (ECV) should only be performed after 3 weeks of effective anticoagulation. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) allows earlier ECV; however, despite exclusion of thrombi in the atrium and left atrial appendage (LAA), cases of thromboembolism related to ECV have been documented in AF. To define a low-risk group for cardioversion without previous anticoagulation, pts were selected for immediate ECV if no thrombi or dynamic spontaneous echo contrast (auto-contrast) were found after TEE and if LAA velocity was more than 0.25 m/sec. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed TEE in 31 consecutive pts referred for ECV for AF of more than 48 hours' duration and without previous anticoagulation. After TEE the pts eligible for immediate ECV began anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin (enoxaparin), subcutaneously in therapeutic doses, together with warfarin immediately before cardioversion. Enoxaparin was continued until an INR of over 2 was reached. Based on the TEE findings, the pts were divided in 2 groups: immediate ECV, group A, 20 pts with a mean age of 62 +/- 13 years, 6 female; and conventional therapy with warfarin before ECV, group B, 11 pts, mean age of 67 +/- 10 years (p < 0.05), 2 female. None of the pts in either group had mitral stenosis or previous episodes of thromboembolism. The mean transverse diameter of the left atrium in the 31 pts was 47 +/- 4.5 mm, without statistically significant differences between the 2 groups. Of the 11 pts in group B, 3 had a thrombus in the LAA, 6 dynamic spontaneous echo contrast and the remainder LAA velocities of less than 0.25 m/sec. ECV was achieved in all the pts, with no complications. Oral anticoagulation was maintained for at least a month. At one month, sinus rhythm was maintained in 75% of group A and 45% of group B (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In pts with AF of more than 48 hours' duration and no previous history of thromboembolism, the use of our exclusion criteria during TEE enabled stratification of a low-risk population for immediate ECV, which was accomplished effectively and safely in 2/3 of the pts. This strategy is associated with early symptomatic improvement, and may contribute to maintenance of sinus rhythm after one month, which was significantly better than in the pts who had prolonged therapy with warfarin before ECV, despite the differences found in age and left ventricular function.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Acute myocardial infarction in patients aged under 45 years.

INTRODUCTION: Coronary artery disease (CAD) becomes an important cause of morbidity and mortality after the age of 45 years. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the epidemiology and clinical features of all patients under 45 years old admitted with myocardial infarction. METHODS: We studied 595 patients admitted with myocardial infarction between January 2000 and December 2002. We analyzed risk factors for CAD, clinical profile, therapeutics and complications (arrhythmic, mechanical and ischemic). The patients were divided into two groups: A--under 45 years old and B-- aged 45 or over. RESULTS: Group A--56 patients (9.4%); group B--539 patients (90.6 %). There was a higher prevalence of smoking in group A (57% vs. 23.6%; p < 0.01). Hypertension, diabetes and history of CAD were significantly more common in group B. There were no differences in hyperlipidemia (group A: 43% vs. group B: 43.5%). Fibrinolysis was performed in 28 patients (70%) from group A compared to 40 patients (45.9%; p < 0.01) from group B. Use of digitalis and inotropic agents was greater in group B. No differences were found in other pharmacological therapeutics. We found more complications in group B (24% vs. 11%). CONCLUSIONS: There was a higher prevalence of smoking in patients under 45 years old and of hypertension, diabetes and CAD in patients aged over 45. The high rate of hyperlipidemia in both groups highlights the importance of primary prevention. Fibrinolysis was performed more frequently in younger patients. There were more complications in older patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Combined percutaneous treatment for pulmonary valve stenosis and atrial septal defect in an adult patient.

Pulmonary valve stenosis and atrial septal defect are common forms of congenital heart disease; however, their association is relatively rare. When the two conditions are present simultaneously, significant left-to-right shunt is often prevented by the outflow obstruction, which protects the pulmonary bed until adulthood. This work describes a case of simultaneous percutaneous treatment of both congenital malformations. Although these procedures have been applied in isolation as methods of treatment, this case demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of a combined percutaneous treatment.

Atherectomy↗
PubMed2003

Hyperhomocysteinemia--case report.

The authors present the case of a 25-year-old female patient, white, with mental retardation and proptosis, and a history of repeated cerebrovascular events. During investigation elevated levels of homocysteinemia and homocystinuria were demonstrated. The authors present a review of related literature.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Non invasive hemodynamic monitorization for AV interval optimization in patients with ventricular resynchronization therapy.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: In patients (pts) with dilated cardiomyopathy and intraventricular conduction disturbances, resynchronization therapy improves cardiac function and functional capacity. Determination of the optimal AV interval is essential to optimize the therapy results and various methods have been used in daily practice to obtain such an interval. The aim of this work is to assess optimal AV determined by impedance cardiography and compare it to the interval previously obtained by transmitral flow Doppler echocardiography. PATIENTS: Seven pts were evaluated, five men, mean age of 61 +/- 10 years, with dilated cardiomyopathy, intra-ventricular conduction disturbances and heart failure, New York Heart Association functional class III or IV. Four pts had ischemic cardiomyopathy and three idiopathic. All pts had an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator with cardiac resynchronization. METHODS: The optimal AV delay was estimated by transmitral flow pulsed Doppler using the method previously described by Ritter. Subsequently, cardiac output (CO) was determined by impedance cardiography. CO was estimated for different AV delays, beginning with 80 ms until occurrence of fusion QRS. The optimal AV delay was defined as the value corresponding to the highest measured CO. The ideal AV interval was compared between the two methods used. RESULTS: The AV delay determined by echocardiography varied between 120 and 170 ms (134 +/- 17 ms). The optimum AV delay based on CO estimation varied between 110 and 190 ms (137 +/- 26 ms). There was a correlation between the delays determined by the two methods (r = 0.844; p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: In pts undergoing ventricular resynchronization therapy, AV delay optimization based on CO determined by impedance cardiography is comparable to that measured by transmitral flow pulsed Doppler. However, impedance cardiography seems a more objective and simpler technique.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy on right ventricular function--evaluation with tissue Doppler echocardiography.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Ventricular resynchronization therapy improves cardiac function in patients (pts) with dilated cardiomyopathy and intraventricular conduction disturbances. The effects of ventricular resynchronization on right ventricular function have been poorly studied. Tricuspid annular motion can be studied with tissue Doppler echocardiography, which enables quantitative assessment of right ventricular function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ventricular resynchronization on right ventricular function with pulsed tissue Doppler. PATIENTS: We studied ten pts, eight male, mean age 65 +/- 10 years, with dilated cardiomyopathy, intraventricular conduction disturbances and heart failure, New York Heart Association functional class III or IV. Five pts had coronary artery disease and the others idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. All pts had an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator with ventricular resynchronization. METHODS: Before and one month after device implantation right ventricular function was evaluated with pulsed wave tissue Doppler study of tricuspid annular motion. The maximum velocity of the S wave (MV-S), E wave (MV-E), and A wave (MV-A), E/A ratio, isovolumetric contraction time (IVCT) and ejection time (ET) were determined. Right ventricular size and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) were measured. Functional class before and after implantation was assessed. RESULTS: MV-S, MV-E and MV-A did not change significantly. The E/A ratio decreased significantly (p = 0.017). There were no differences in IVCT and ET, nor in right ventricular size before and after resynchronization. EF improved in all but one patient (p = 0.003). All pts had an improvement in functional class, except the one without increased EF. CONCLUSIONS: Ventricular resynchronization therapy does not appear to have a deleterious effect on right ventricular function in pts with dilated cardiomyopathy and intraventricular conduction disturbances. The main beneficial effect of this type of therapy appears to be improvement in left ventricular function.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Tissue Doppler echocardiography for evaluation of patients with ventricular resynchronization therapy.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Ventricular resynchronization therapy optimizes cardiac function and induces reverse remodeling of the left ventricle (LV) in patients (pts) with dilated cardiomyopathy and intraventricular conduction disturbances. Improvement of LV mechanical synchrony seems to be the predominant mechanism. There is a growing interest in objective quantification of desynchronization. This study aims to evaluate the effect of ventricular resynchronization therapy on LV remodeling and on LV desynchronization, assessed by tissue Doppler echocardiography. PATIENTS: We studied ten pts, eight male, mean age 65 +/- 10 years, with dilated cardiomyopathy, intraventricular conduction disturbances and heart failure, New York Heart Association functional class III or IV. Five pts had coronary artery disease and the others idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. All pts had an implanted cardioverter, defibrillator with cardiac resynchronization therapy. The LV pacing electrode was placed in the lateral or posterolateral vein. METHODS: Before and one month after resynchronization therapy the following parameters were measured with conventional Doppler echocardiography: LV end-diastolic (LVd) and end-systolic (LVs) size, ejection fraction (EF) and mitral regurgitation (MR) area. For diastolic function the maximum velocity of the E wave (MV-E) and A wave (MV-A), E/A ratio, LV filling time (LV-FT) and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) were meadured. Mitral longitudinal motion was studied with pulsed tissue Doppler. Maximum velocity of the systolic S wave (MV-S) and isovolumetric contraction time (IVCT) were measured in the tissue Doppler curve of the septum and lateral, inferior and anterior walls. To evaluate the degree of desynchronization the RV index was calculated for each patient, based on the difference between the maximum and minimum IVCT, normalized for the maximum IVCT. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in LVd and MR. EF increased significantly (p = 0.003). There were no differences in diastolic function parameters. MV-S did not increase significantly. IVCT increased significantly at the lateral wall (p = 0.037). The RV index demonstrated a significant reduction in ventricular desynchronization (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ventricular resynchronization therapy induces reverse remodeling and improves LV function in selected pts. Improvement of mechanical LV synchrony seems to be the predominant mechanism. Ventricular desynchronization can be measured by tissue Doppler echocardiography.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava--a very rare case report.

The authors present a case report of a patient with abdominal pain that began 6 months before hospital admission. Ambulatory abdominal echography and computed tomography (CT) revealed partial thrombosis of the inferior vena cava (IVC) with right atrial extension. During hospitalization, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed aspects suggesting a tumoral lesion of the right atrium, rather than a thrombus, with tumoral extension to the IVC. The echocardiogram showed images suggesting a right atrial tumor. Transesophageal echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis. During surgery, an IVC tumor was found invading the right atrium, which histopathology confirmed as a leiomyosarcoma. The authors present this case because this type of tumor is rare (21 cases worldwide at this anatomic site), it is difficult to diagnose, and its management has not been adequately described. The authors review the literature relevant to this case.

Heart Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Predictors of failure in direct stenting in the real world.

INTRODUCTION: Stent implantation without predilation simplifies a large proportion of coronary intervention procedures, with a significant reduction in costs and procedure time. OBJECTIVES: To determine the variables associated with a higher probability of failure in direct stent implantation in daily practice in a wide range of clinical contexts and types of lesions. POPULATION AND METHODS: Over a period of 28 months, direct implantation of 931 stents was attempted in our Center (811 patients, 83% male, mean age 62 +/- 12 years; 1.1 stent per patient). In 59 patients (7.3%), balloon predilation was necessary, and the factors associated with direct implant failure were determined. RESULTS: The vessels treated were: anterior descending (373 lesions: 40.1%), right coronary artery (306 lesions: 32.9%, circumflex (210 lesions: 22.6%), saphenous vein (35 lesions: 3.8%), left main (5 lesions: 0.4%) and internal mammary artery (2 lesions: 0.2%). 54% of the lesions were of type B2/C (ACC/AHA classification). The characteristics significantly associated with, or with statistical tendency towards, a lower success rate in direct stent implantation were: Lesion in the circumflex (11% vs. 5.5%, p = 0.012); reference vessel diameter less than 3.0 mm (9.8% vs. 6.2%, p = 0.097); age over 65 years (8.5% vs. 4.5%, p = 0.017); left main disease, irrespective of the vessel treated (23.5%% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.023); B2/C lesion (7.8%, vs. 4.8%, p = 0.086); calcification (9.9% vs. 4.9%, p = 0.012); vessel angulation greater than 45 degrees (9.9% vs. 4.9%, p = 0.009); and Express stent implant (19.6% vs. 6.0%, p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, independent predictors of failure in direct stent implantation were: left main lesion (RR 6.6; 95% CI 1.73-24.93; p = 0.013), presence of calcium (RR 1.9; 95% CI 1.02-3.37; p = 0.049), vessel curvature (RR 2.0; 95% CI 1.13-3.64; p = 0.018), reference vessel diameter less than 3 mm (RR 2.2; 95% CI 1.15-4.32; p = 0.023), lesion type B2/C (RR 1.9; 95% CI 1.0-3.52; p = 0.044) and Express stent (RR 2.7; 95% CI 1.07-6.79; p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: In a large and heterogeneous series of patients, direct stenting was not possible in 7.3% of cases, which required balloon predilation. Certain clinical and angiographic features can predict when this is more like to occur.

Equipment Failure↗