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R Mechmèche

Publications and source records attributed to R Mechmèche.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

[The first Tunisian cardiovascular diseases register: processes and results].

BACKGROUND: In Tunisia, cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death (30%) and a few studies conducted in the population have demonstrated that the level of their risk factors is increasing. For policy makers, the health system impact of these diseases is currently a crucial issue. The National Public Health Institute has identified the implementation of a morbidity register as a priority. METHODS: A CVD morbidity register is implemented since 2001, in 3 different geographical populations having contrasted levels of health status (Tunis, Ariana and Ben Arous). The 3 regions are covering about 2 millions inhabitants which is the fifth of the overall Tunisian population. All coronary heart events occurring among adults 25 years old and above in the 3 populations are recorded. The diagnosis of events, case fatality and classification are defined according to MONICA criteria. The data are recorded from public and private hospitals, death certificates and autopsies. RESULTS: During the year 2001, the total number of myocardial infarction events was estimated at 942: in men, the age-standardized rates were 163.8/100000 in Tunis population vs. 161.9 in Ariana and 170.5 in Ben Arous. In women, the rates were respectively 43.4, 61.1 and 44.6. Medical causes of death registration was the most crucial problem in spite of the implementation of the death certificate designed according to WHO model. Specific surveys for clinical assessment and surveillance of risk factors were conducted in the register populations. CONCLUSION: It is the first time that data on coronary heart disease incidence and fatality are available in Tunisia through this experience which highlights the practical difficulties experienced in registering and coding coronary events in a developing country. The data source quality should be improved and the register should be integrated in the local health system.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Congenital Valsalva sinus aneurysm opening into the right ventricle. Two operated cases].

Congenital sinus of valsalva aneurysm is a rare cardiac lesion. Once the aneurysm has ruptured, a large left-to-right shunt is created. Prognosis is grave unless operative intervention is undertaken. The authors present 2 cases (2 male) of congenital aneurysm of the right sinus of valsalva ruptured into the right ventricle. The first patient (52 years) have a history of strenuous exertion followed by acute precordial pain and dyspnea. The second patient (25 years) was asymptomatic. The diagnostic was made by 2D and color doppler echocardiography. The defect was closed with a patch with good postoperative course. The authors emphasise the possible rupture of the congenital aneurysm of the sinus of valsalva after 50 years of age. Echocardiography is certainly the best method for diagnosing the condition and for following up these patients. The prognosis after surgical repair has usually been satisfactory.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Percutaneous mitral commissurotomy: how can it be made simpler and more efficacious?].

The authors report the results of a simplified method of percutaneous mitral dilatation from 936 procedures. This method introduced in our service since 1997 consists in progressively increasing diameters inflation of Inoué balloon, using echographic control and without any arterial procedure. Our population consists on 683 women (73%) and 253 men with a mean age 34 +/- 15 years (extremely 9 and 80 years) with subgroups composed of 26 pregnant women, 32 children less than 17 years, 59 restenosis after closed heart mitral commissurotomy, 14 restenosis after open heart mitral commissurotomy, 74 restenosis after percutaneous mitral commissurotomy, 5 tricuspid and mitral dilatation, 2 coronary and mitral dilatation (with stenting), 2 patients with a history of surgical mitral valvuloplasty for pure mitral regurgitation. The mitral area passed from 1 +/- 0.2 cm2 to 2.1 +/- 0.1 cm2. A surgical mitral regurgitation was observed in 3 cases. The time of fluoroscopy was 6.4 +/- 3.3 min. The hole time procedure was 19 +/- 9 min. The delay of hospitalisation was one day in 97% of patients. The decreased cost was about 20%. The patient comfort and the large diffusion of this method predicts a good future of this simplified technique.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Percutaneous closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defect using an Amplazter device. Report of the first 5 Tunisian cases].

We report our initial expérience with percutaneous closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defect using Amplatzer device. Between september 2000 and july 2001, five devices were implanted in 5 patients, 4 female and 1 male. Age ranged from 18 to 66 years. A large atrial septal defect with significant shunting was diagnosed by trans thoracic echocardiography. Procedures were performed under general anesthesia with trans esophageal echocardiography guidance. Stretched diameter of atrial septal defects was determined by balloon sizing, ranged from 21 to 32 mm. Amplatzer devices of 20 to 32 mm were respectively deployed. No complications occurred during the procedure. Total occlusion of interatrial communication, was observed in one patient, immediately after the procedure, and in 3 patients 24 hours later. First 3 patients were controlled at months follow up were free of complications. Closure of atrial septal defect with Amplatzer device appears feasible and safe. However, long term results in comparison to surgery remain to be determined before definite conclusion regarding its use can be made.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Evolution after 5 years of percutaneous pulmonary valvulotomy: report of 47 cases].

47 patients aged from 2 to 59 years affected by valvular congenital or mixed pulmonary stenosis including three fallot trilogies and one patient with right congestive cardiac failure are treated by percutaneous pulmonary valvulotomy between october 1986 and december 1990. All patients have been controlled with a mean follow-up of 6.5 +/- 1.1 years. The total gradient rate between pulmonary artery and right ventricule decrease from 112 +/- 55 mm Hg to 20 +/- 8 mm Hg on the last control with disappearance of infundibular inflammation and inter auricular shunt in all the concerned cases. We observe the regression of right cardiac failure symptoms with disappearance of tricuspid insufficiency in the cases of advanced pulmonary stenosis with right ventricular dysfunction. Percutaneous pulmonary valvulotomy by its simplicity and harmlessness, its long term efficiency is a good method of treatment of pure valvular or mixed pulmonary stenosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Percutaneous mitral commissurotomy: simplified new method].

We report a new simplified method of mitral dilatation done on 146 patients. This technique use the Inoue balloon with progressive diameters under ultrasonographic control, avoiding the arterial part of the dilatation. The population include 9 pregnant women, 13 children, 13 with restenosis and closed heart and 12 restenosis after dilatation. Mean age is 32 +/- 16 years (9 to 72) and sex ratio 3.7 (114 F/32 M). Three groups are individualized according to histopathologic exam of mitral structure, group I (26%) concern good indication and III (32%) bad indication for this technique, group II (42%) contain intermediate indications. Commissurotomy increase the mean mitral square for 0.2 to 1.9 +/- 0.1 cm_. We observe 3 cases of chirurgical mitral insufficiency needing remplacement recruited for 2 patients from the group III. Mean fluoroscopic exposition time is 5.2 +/- 3.3 mn and procedure duration 18 +/- 11 mn. Hospitalisation duration is one day for 95% of the patients. This method remaining simple, efficient and safe permit a gain in time of 70% with a good comfort for patient and a return to work on the 4th day.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Treatment of chronic refractory cardiac insufficiency with enalapril].

The objective is here to study the long and intermediate term clinical and haemodynamic effects of enalapril during chronic heart failure resistant to the classic digitalis-diuretics treatment. The study involves 16 patients (12 males and 4 females), with a mean age of 50 years. Before being given enalapril, 12 patients were at stage IV and 4 patients at stage II of the NYHA; the mean capillary pressure was quite elevated (30 +/- 6.3 mmHg), the cardiac index has collapsed (2.12 +/- 0.38 l.min.m2) and the stroke fraction (SF) is 0.28 +/- 0.08. At the 1st month control, there is a definite functional and haemodynamic improvement of the pre-charge as well as the post-charge. This improvement is still present at 6 months. The ventricular function is improved (SF = 0.38 +/- 0.13; p less than 0.001). The clinical tolerance of enalapril is excellent and the only adverse reaction is a transient deterioration of the renal function in a patient with diabetic glomerulopathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Percutaneous transluminal aortic valvuloplasty using a balloon catheter. A new therapeutic option in aortic stenosis in the elderly].

Aortic valvular dilatation with a balloon catheter was performed in 44 patients, 20 men and 24 women, most of whom were very elderly (average age 77 years). The indication for valvular replacement had not been retained in these cases because of surgical contra-indications or a very high operative risk and in 3 cases because of patient refusal. Twenty-nine patients were in functional classes III or IV of the NYHA classification; 12 had syncopal episodes and 18 had invalidating angina. The dilatation was performed by a femoral arterial approach in 34 cases, and by a brachial arterial approach in 10 cases. MEDI-TECH catheters with 15, 18 or 20 mm diameters when inflated were used in the majority of cases. Several inflations lasting 10 to 240 seconds were performed in each case with balloons of increasing size. This was well tolerated in all but one patients who had a sharp syncope. The immediate results confirmed valvular dilatation. The average transvalvular pressure gradient fell from 76 +/- 25 mmHg to 30 +/- 13 mmHg (p less than 0.001). The aortic valve surface area calculated by the Gorlin formula increased from 0.5 +/- 0.18 cm2 to 1 +/- 0.42 cm2 (p less than 0.01). After dilatation the gradient was less than or equal to 40 mmHg in 37 cases; aortic valve surface area was greater than or equal to 1 cm2 in 14 cases and less than or equal to 0.7 cm2 in only 5 cases. The left ventricular ejection fraction increased immediately after valvuloplasty from 44 +/- 16 p. 100 to 49 +/- 15 p. 100 (p less than 0.01). In the 18 cases in which it was less than 40 p. 100 before valvuloplasty, it increased from 30 +/- 6 p. 100 to 36 +/- 9 p. 100 (p less than 0.02). Residual aortic regurgitation was only observed in one case. Two patients died in the hospital period (4.6 p. 100). There were no other serious complications. During an average follow-up period of 60 days (3 weeks to 6 months) there was a big improvement in symptoms in the great majority of cases and, in particular, syncopal and anginal attacks disappeared. Only 4 patients remained in functional classes III or IV after valvuloplasty. Percutaneous aortic valvuloplasty is a new, relatively simple, low risk, economic and very effective therapeutic procedure in all cases in which aortic valve replacement is contra-indicated or refused by the patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1978

[Clinicopathological study of the causes of mortality during the acute phase of myocardial infarction (author's transl)].

Clinical and autopsy study of 100 cases of patients dying during the first 3 weeks of hospitalisation for myocardial infarction revealed the following causes of death: cardiac failure in 59 cases (including 40 of cardiogenic shock), rupture of the heart in 29 cases (24 of rupture of the ventricular wall, 4 of the septum and 1 of a mitral papillary muscle). 4 ventricular arrhythmias and 6 haemorrhagic or embolic complications. In 2 cases, the cause of death could not be accurately determined. In cardiogenic shock, death usually occurred early. It was later in cases of refractory left ventricular failure. Conduction disturbances were much commoner in cases of myocardial infarction complicated by fatal cardiac failure (57.6%) than in the presence of any other complication (17.1%) (p less than 0.001). The responsible infarction was often extensive and recurrent. Rupture of the heart invariably occurred during the first three days of an infarction often initial (p less than 0.001), anterior (apart from septal rupture) and small in size (p less than 0.01). Other complications play only a secondary role in mortality at the present time, in particular arrhythmias, the gravity of which has greatly decreased since the reduction of delays before hospitalisation and improvements in anti-arrhythmic therapy.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Coronary artery disease in Takayasu's disease. Report of an operative case].

A 39-years-old woman with Takayasu's arteritis confirmed by histological examination was admitted in our hospital because of angina pectoris. Selective coronary arteriograms reveled a 90% isolated stenosis in the right coronary ostium. The patient underwent a right coronary artery bypass grafting using the saphenious vein. The post operative clinical course was uncomplicated. On follow-up over 14 months the patient has been completely free from anginal chest-pain.

Adult↗