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X Borrás

Publications and source records attributed to X Borrás.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Comparative study of echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of left ventricular mass].

AIM OF THE STUDY: Echocardiography is a widely applied technique for the estimation of left ventricular mass, although magnetic resonance is considered as a reference method for this purpose. Both techniques were compared in the present study and the usefulness of a simplified method of calculation by magnetic resonance was also tested. METHODS: Left ventricular mass was determined in 42 patients by M-mode echocardiography by the application of two equations: the so-called Penn's convention and that proposed by the American Society of Echocardiography. Magnetic resonance studies were also performed, left ventricular mass being estimated from an anatomical method (summation of contiguous transverse ventricular slices) that was considered as a reference, and also by means of a geometrical method (planimetry on a single longitudinal view). RESULTS: Echocardiographic studies were judged as technically inadequate in 3/42 (7%) patients, while magnetic resonance was performed in all cases. Comparison between each echocardiographic method and the anatomical method of magnetic resonance showed a coefficient correlation of r = 0.70 (Penn's convention formula), and r = 0.71 (American Society of Echocardiography), with an overestimation being observed, particularly with Penn's convention method. The geometrical method of magnetic resonance showed an excellent correlation with the anatomical technique (r =0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance is more applicable for the estimation of left ventricular mass than M-mode echocardiography, with the latter showing an overestimation when compared with magnetic resonance, particularly with the Penn's convention method. A simplified method of geometrical estimation of left ventricular mass by magnetic resonance is a reliable alternative to the anatomical method.

Adolescent↗

[Patency study of internal mammary artery grafts: the usefulness of echo-enhancers for identifying the flow signal by color Doppler echocardiography].

OBJECTIVES: a) To study the capacity of the technique of high-frequency color Doppler to detect flow signal of left internal mammary artery grafts; b) to assess the usefulness of an echo-enhancer agent to facilitate the detection of the signal, and c) to evaluate the patency of the graft according to its pulsed Doppler velocity profile pattern. METHODS: 39 consecutive patients were studied. A Hewlett-Packard 5500 echocardiograph was used, with a high-frequency probe (S12) applied at the high left parasternal border. When a graft signal was not elicited after a predetermined 5-minute check period, an intravenous dose of 4 g of Levovist (Schering España) at 400 mg/ml was administrated. According to previous studies, a pulsed Doppler flow profile with a predominantly diastolic pattern was considered a normal graft patency, while a systolic one was deemed as abnormal. RESULTS: Graft flow was identified by color Doppler in 33/39 patients (85%). The additional use of an echo-enhancer in 6 patients with no detected signal increased this proportion to 38/39 (97%). Normal flow patterns were seen in 34/38 (89%). Among the four patients with abnormal pattern, 1 case of early myocardial infarction was observed, while angiographic studies showed distal occlusion of the graft in 1 or the presence of competitive flow in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The high-frequency color Doppler technique allows the detection of a flow signal from internal mammary artery grafts in most patients. The administration of an echo-enhancer agent is useful in those with non detectable signals. An abnormal pulsed Doppler velocity pattern indicates graft malfunction.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Myocardial cell damage in human hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to investigate the presence of myocardial cell damage in patients with systemic hypertension and its relationship with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). BACKGROUND: Although initially compensatory, LVH adversely affects myocellular integrity and contributes to congestive heart failure in hypertensive patients. Noninvasive detection of myocardial damage can be of value. METHODS: We performed imaging studies with 111In-labeled monoclonal antimyosin antibodies to identify myocardial damage in 39 patients with systemic hypertension and variable degrees of LVH. Three groups were considered: 16 asymptomatic patients with normal echocardiographic left ventricular mass (LVM) (group I); 14 asymptomatic patients with LVH (group II) and 9 patients with symptomatic hypertensive heart disease and advanced LVH (group III). The severity of myocardial damage was represented as heart-to-lung (target-to-background) antibody uptake ratio (normal: <1.55). RESULTS: Mean LVM index was 105+/-14 g/m2 in group I, 124+/-24 in group II and 174+/-29 in group III. Heart-to-lung ratios of antimyosin uptake were: 1.45+/-0.14 in group I, 4 of the 16 (25%) patients showing an abnormal scan; 1.50+/-0.07 in group II with abnormal scans in 2 of the 14 (16%) patients and 1.77+/-0.16 (p < 0.001) in group III, all 9 patients presenting with abnormal antimyosin scans. On multivariate regression analysis LVM index was the main variable that independently correlated with the degree of myocardial uptake of antimyosin (r = 0.815; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first in vivo evidence of myocyte damage in patients with hypertension. The severity of myocardial damage can be related to the magnitude of LVH.

Aged↗

Usefulness of the I/D angiotensin-converting enzyme genotype for detecting the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy in pharmacologically treated hypertensive men.

The insertion/deletion polymorphism (I/D) of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been associated in some studies with a higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), but few of them were performed on pharmacologically treated hypertensive patients. The present study was undertaken to determine whether ACE genotype determination could help in the identification of pharmacologically treated hypertensive patients at a higher risk of LVH. Ninety-six consecutive men with essential hypertension were selected for the study. Left ventricular mass (LVM) was assessed by echocardiography and indexed by body surface area and 82 patients were considered suitable for the study. Three groups of patients were defined on the basis of their I/D ACE genotype: DD (n = 39), ID (n = 33) and II (n = 10). There were no statistically significant differences between the three groups regarding to the severity of hypertension at diagnosis, degree of control of blood pressure or type of antihypertensive drug therapy used. No statistically significant differences were found between the three groups regarding to LVM index (total 124 +/- 31, DD 121 +/- 29, ID 127 +/- 35 and II 122 +/- 18 g/m2), relative wall thickness (total 0.5 +/- 0. 2, DD 0.5 +/- 0.3, ID 0.48 +/- 0.07 and II 0.47 +/- 0.04) or prevalence of LVH (total 34%, DD 31%, ID 39% and II 30% by Cornell criteria and total 39%, DD 33%, ID 45% and II 40% by Framingham criteria). Furthermore, the I and D allele frequency distribution was similar in the whole group of patients, in patients with LVH, and in a control group of healthy volunteers. Our data do not support that the I/D ACE genotype determination helps in identifying treated hypertensive patients at higher risk of LVH. Journal of Human Hypertension (2000) 14, 327-331

Adult↗

[Evaluation of the patency of left internal mammary artery graft by transcutaneous Doppler flow velocity analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the features of Doppler flow velocity curve of left internal mammary artery by-pass grafts in relation with their permeability as assessed by selective angiography. METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive patients with a left mammary artery graft were studied by angiography and transcutaneous Doppler technique. From the Doppler tracings, peak velocity and time-velocity integral of the systolic and diastolic components were determined. Patency of the graft and the characteristics of the distal native coronary artery were evaluated at angiography. RESULTS: Doppler flow signal was obtained in 23 (92%) of 25 analyzed patients. The graft was angiographically patent in 17 (68%) of 25 patients; in 15 (88%) of them the Doppler flow velocity signal was mainly diastolic and in only 2 (12%) it was predominantly systolic. In 8 (32%) of the 25 patients the graft was angiographically occluded, 6 (75%) of these patients showing a predominantly systolic Doppler signal, while the remaining 2 (25%) patients were those in whom the signal could not be elicited. Sensitivity and specificity of a predominantly diastolic Doppler flow pattern for the presence of graft patency was 88% and 100% respectively, with a predictive positive value of 100% and a negative one of 80%. CONCLUSIONS: Doppler flow velocity pattern of internal mammary artery by-pass grafts is related with patency of the graft, the presence of a predominantly diastolic curve being highly indicative of a patent graft.

Aged↗

[Acute myocardial infarct studied by magnetic resonance with gadolinium-DTPA contrast compared to echocardiography].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Gadolinium-DTPA used as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging allows the detection and quantification of the necrotic area in acute myocardial infarction. The aim of the present study is to assess the value of this method for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction in comparison with clinical and echocardiographic data. METHODS: Contrast magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiographic studies were performed on 16 patients during the first week after admission for acute myocardial infarction. Necrotic and total myocardial mass were calculated from magnetic resonance images and this was compared to the extension of the myocardial infarction assessed by electrocardiography and the peak level of total creatinine-phosphokinase serum enzyme. The number and localization of myocardial segments showing contrast uptake was related to segments with contractile abnormalities at the echocardiographic exam. RESULTS: The mean value of the mass of myocardial necrosis calculated from the total area of gadolinium-DTPA uptake in each patient was 25 g (range: 2-67 g), corresponding to 17% of the total myocardial mass (range: 1-45%). This value correlated with the peak serum level of total creatinine-phosphokinase enzyme (r = 0.714; p < 0.003) and with the number of Q waves present at the electrocardiogram (r = 0.69; p < 0.005). A very good agreement between the location of the myocardial infarction by ECG, echocardiography and magnetic resonance was evidenced, and a satisfactory correlation existed between myocardial segments with gadolinium-DTPA uptake and akinetic echocardiographic segments (kappa = 0.65). CONCLUSIONS: The detection and quantitation of the necrotic area in the acute myocardial infarction with gadolinium-DTPA contrast magnetic resonance shows a good correlation with clinical and echocardiographic data.

Aged↗

Short-course thrombolysis as the first line of therapy for cardiac valve thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the clinical and echocardiographic criteria of thrombolytic therapy for mechanical heart valve thrombosis. METHODS: Nineteen consecutive patients with 22 instances of prosthetic heart valve thrombosis (14 mitral, 2 aortic, 3 tricuspid, and 3 pulmonary) were treated with short-course thrombolytic therapy as first option of treatment in absence of contraindications. The thrombolytic therapy protocol consisted of streptokinase (1,500,000 IU in 90 minutes) (n = 18) in one (n = 7) or two (n = 11) cycles or recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (100 mg in 90 minutes) (n = 4). RESULTS: Overall success was seen in 82%, immediate complete success in 59%, and partial success in 23%. Six patients without total response to thrombolytic therapy underwent surgery, and pannus was observed in 83%. Six patients showed complications: allergy, stroke, transient ischemic attack, coronary embolism, minor bleeding, and one death. At diagnosis, 10 patients evidenced atrial thrombus by transesophageal echocardiography, 3 of whom experienced peripheral embolism during thrombolysis. Four episodes of rethrombosis were observed (16%). The survivorship was 84% with a mean follow-up of 42.6 months. CONCLUSIONS: A short-course of thrombolytic therapy may be considered first-line therapy for prosthetic heart valve thrombosis. The risk of peripheral embolism may be evaluated for the presence of atrial thrombus by transesophageal echocardiography at diagnosis.

Drug Administration Schedule↗

Comparison of morphologic assessment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by magnetic resonance versus echocardiographic imaging.

To compare the value of echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of the amount and extent of hypertrophy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) and, second, to correlate the degree of hypertrophy, as assessed by MRI, with clinical and electrocardiographic parameters, 30 consecutive patients (16 men and 14 women, aged 20 to 74 years) with HC were studied. Measurements of left ventricular wall thickness were performed at 11 predetermined segments (5 basal, 5 midventricular, and 1 apical) by 2-dimensional echocardiography and MRI. Two parameters derived from MRI studies were considered as indicators of the degree and extent of hypertrophy: (1) mean of the measured wall thickness at the 11 segments, and (2) the number of segments with thickness > 15 mm. Results showed that, from a total of 330 myocardial segments, thickness could be measured by echocardiography in 221 (67%), whereas MRI allowed measurement of 320 segments (97%). When compared with clinical and electrocardiographic data, no correlation was found regarding mean wall thickness and number of hypertrophied segments by MRI except for the presence of an abnormal electrocardiographic repolarization pattern. It is concluded that MRI allows a better assessment of the degree and extension of left ventricular hypertrophy than echocardiography in HC. Despite the precise information on hypertrophy provided by MRI, the amount and degree of hypertrophy bears no correlation with most of the clinical data in these patients.

Adult↗

Doppler-derived gradients in normally functioning Monostrut Björk-Shiley prostheses.

In summary, reference values of Doppler gradients obtained in a large number of patients with normal-functioning mitral and aortic Monostrut Björk-Shiley prostheses are reported. It is shown that the value of the transprosthetic gradient increases with decreasing valve size in patients with aortic prostheses. No individual significant variations of the transprothetic Doppler gradient during a 3-year follow-up were observed.

Aged↗

Findings on Doppler echocardiography in asymptomatic intravenous heroin users.

To detect potential cardiac abnormalities induced by intravenous heroin use, 68 persons without a previous episode of infective endocarditis were studied by Doppler echocardiography. A control group of 41 normal subjects was studied for comparison. The following measurements were considered: (1) diameter of heart chambers, (2) systolic left ventricular function, (3) morphologic valvular abnormalities, (4) presence of valve regurgitations, (5) Doppler indexes of diastolic function, and (6) estimation of pulmonary arterial resistances. Results showed no significant differences regarding the size of the heart chambers or systolic left ventricular function. A significantly higher incidence of valvular abnormalities (focal thickening or valve prolapse) was found in drug addicts (p = 0.0009) at the mitral and tricuspid valves, as was valvular regurgitation detected by Doppler (p = 0.04). Also, a significantly prolonged deceleration time of mitral and tricuspid early diastolic Doppler flow was found in the study group (p = 0.0001 and 0.027, respectively) although a different hemodynamic condition in the study group (pharmacologically reduced preload) precluded these findings to be attributable to an actual diastolic dysfunction. No differences were observed in pulmonary arterial resistances. It is concluded that mitral and tricuspid valve abnormalities can be detected by echocardiography in asymptomatic intravenous heroin users, whereas no apparent effects are observed in morphologic or functional parameters of cardiac structures other than the valves.

Adolescent↗

The Monostrut Björk-Shiley valve. Seven years' experience.

The results of cardiac valve replacement with the Monostrut Björk-Shiley prosthesis (Shiley, Inc., Irvine, Calif.) during a 7-year period are presented. A total of 984 valves were implanted in 820 patients from May 1983 to April 1990. Aortic valve replacement was performed in 378 patients, mitral replacement in 294, and multiple replacement in 148. In addition, 180 patients (22%) underwent associated procedures. Mean age was 52.6 +/- 11 years. Operative (30 days) mortality was 5.9% (49 patients): 3.9% (15 patients) for aortic, 7.8% (23 patients) for mitral, and 7.4% (11 patients) for multiple valve replacement. All patients were given long-term anticoagulation therapy. Follow-up was 99% complete (eight patients were lost to follow-up), with a closing interval of 3 months, and totaled 2422 patient-years. Valve-related complications, expressed as percentage event-free (+/- standard error) at seven years were as follows: structural deterioration, 100%; nonstructural dysfunction, 98.3% +/- 0.6%; thromboembolism, 90.2% +/- 1.7%; anticoagulant-related hemorrhage, 88.7% +/- 2.8%; and prosthetic valve endocarditis, 98.1% +/- 0.8%. There were no cases of valve thrombosis. Actuarial survival (free from operative, valve-related, and sudden death) was 88.4% +/- 1.2% at 7 years. Freedom from reoperation was 96.8% +/- 0.1%. Probability of being free from all valve-related morbidity and mortality was 70% +/- 3%, and 708 (93%) of the survivors were in New York Heart Association class I or II. Serial Doppler echocardiograms were done prospectively in 243 patients (with 154 aortic and 120 mitral prostheses), both postoperatively and at regular intervals up to 3 years. Mean prosthetic gradients ranged from an average of 20.9 to 7 mm Hg in the aortic prostheses (21 to 29 mm) and from 6.1 to 4.8 mm Hg in the mitral prostheses (25 to 31 mm). The gradients in each patient did not change significantly during the follow-up period. Our 7 year's experience with the Monostrut valve shows a low rate of valve-related complications, a durable design, and good hemodynamic and functional results.

Actuarial Analysis↗

[Short-term treatment of thrombosis of heart valve prostheses with high doses of streptokinase. Presentation of 5 cases].

Five cases of thrombosis of cardiac prosthetic valves were treated with high dose fibrinolytic drugs during a short period of time. There were 3 mitral, one tricuspid and one pulmonary prosthetic valves. In 3 cases the treatment was successful without significant complications. Another patient, a woman in early pregnancy, died shortly after the treatment. The last patient required surgery as the cause of valve obstruction was a fibrous pannus virtually without thrombus formation. This diagnosis was intraoperative. The reported therapeutic modality permits a rapid resolution of valve obstruction. If this is not the case, surgery may be immediately carried out when the hemodynamic condition of the patient is still adequate.

Adult↗