Archives des maladies du coeur et des vaisseaux
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Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss · Dec 1997
Comparative Study[Cardioversion of atrial fibrillation with low energy internal electric shock].
The efficacy and safety of low internal cardioversion for the reduction of atrial fibrillation was assessed prospectively in 104 consecutive patients. Sixty-two patients had chronic atrial fibrillation (Group I). 16 patients had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (Group II) and 26 patients had induced atrial fibrillation (Group III). The average duration of the current episode of atrial fibrillation was 9 +/- 19 months in Group I, 4 +/- 2 days in Group II and 18 +/- 7 minutes in Group III. ⋯ There were no ventricular proarrhythmic effects in the 686 shocks synchronised on the R wave. This study shows that internal cardioversion of atrial fibrillation is feasible with low energies under simple sedation. These results support the concept of an implantable atrial defibrillator.
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Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss · Dec 1997
[Prolonged endotracheal intubation after open heart surgery under the age of one year].
The aim of this study was to determine the impact of prolonged endotracheal intubation after open heart surgery in neonates and babies with respect to the cardiac diseases most frequently responsible and the reasons for delayed extubation and the related mortality. Intubation was considered to be prolonged if lasting over 48 hours. This was a retrospective study of all cases of open heart surgery performed before one year of age between 1991 and 1996. ⋯ The mortality rate was 4.5% (12/266) in cases of prolonged intubation and 5.2% (32/617) for all infants operated during the first year of life. The authors conclude that a large number of infants undergoing open heart surgery undergo prolonged intubation because of their poor preoperative status and the particularly severe effects of cardiopulmonary bypass at this age. However, the associated mortality was low in this series.
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Deep hypothermia with circulatory arrest is the usual method of cerebral protection during replacement of the aortic arch. However, this technique only gives the surgeon a limited period of time to carry out aortic repair. It also requires that cardiopulmonary bypass be prolonged to rewarm the patient which may cause many complications. ⋯ In the authors' experience, the technique of selective anterograde perfusion of the brain with cooled blood during surgery of the aortic arch has shown its value. It does not require prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass and does not limit the time available to repair of the aorta. It should therefore be considered to be the method of choice for cerebral protection during this type of surgery.
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Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss · Nov 1997
Case Reports[Paradoxical embolism and thrombosis trapped in the foramen ovale. Role of transesophageal echocardiography].
The authors report a case of paradoxical embolism presenting with syncope and a transient cerebrovascular accident. A large thrombus was observed entrapped in the foramen ovale during transthoracic echocardiography and confirmed at transoesophageal echocardiography. Despite the recent cerebrovascular event surgery was successfully performed. This clinical situation, and a review of the literature illustrate the diagnostic value of transoesophageal echocardiography, the finding of an intra-atrial thrombus being a possible surgical indication when the clinical context is favourable.
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Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss · Oct 1997
[Cardiovascular manifestations of Horton disease: an underestimated disease in cardiology].
Horton's disease is a giant cell arteritis well known for its presentation as temporal arteritis. It is, in fact, a systemic disease which affects over 1% of the general populations after 50 years of age. With the exception of the risk of blindness by occlusion of the ophthalmic artery, the cardiovascular manifestations of Horton's disease are not well known and probably underestimated by clinicians. ⋯ In the long-term, Horton's disease may be complicated by aneurysms, dissection of parietal rupture of the thoracic aorta. Treatment is based on steroid therapy, sometimes associated with antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants during the initial phase of treatment. Long-term follow-up is justified because of the risk of late aortic complications.