MR imaging findings in 76 consecutive surgically proven cases of pericardial disease with CT and pathologic correlation

To describe findings of patients with surgically confirmed pericardial disease on state of the art MR sequences. Retrospective review was performed for patients who underwent pericardiectomy and preoperative MR over a 5 year period ending in 2009. Patients' records were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis of chronic recurrent pericarditis, constrictive pericarditis, or pericardial tumor. MR imaging findings of pericardial thickness, IVC diameter, presence or absence of pericardial or pleural effusion, pericardial edema, pericardial enhancement, and septal "bounce" were recorded. Patients with constriction had a larger IVC diameter (3.1 ± 0.4 cm) than patients with recurrent pain and no constriction (2.0 ± 0.4 cm). Mean pericardial thickness for the 16 patients with chronic recurrent pericarditis but no evidence of constriction was 4.8 ± 2.9 mm. Mean pericardial thickness for patients with constriction was 9.2 ± 7.0 cm with calcification, and 4.6 ± 2.1 cm without calcification. 94% of patients with chronic recurrent pericarditis had gadolinium enhancement of the pericardium, while 76% of patients with constriction had pericardial enhancement. Septal "bounce" was present in 19% of chronic recurrent pericarditis cases and 86% of constriction cases. 5 patients had a pericardial neoplasm, 1 of which was not identified preoperatively. State of the art MR techniques can identify significant and distinct findings in patients with chronic recurrent pericarditis, constrictive pericarditis, and pericardial tumors.     

Transitory effusive-constrictive pericarditis

Pericardial effusion of various sizes is a quite common clinical finding, while its progression to effusive-constrictive pericarditis occurs in about 1.4–14% of cases. Although available evidence on prevalence and prognosis of this rare pericardial syndrome is poor, apparently a considerable proportion of patients conservatively managed has a spontaneous resolution after several weeks.A 61-year-old female presented to our emergency department reporting fatigue, effort dyspnea and abdominal swelling. The echocardiography showed large pericardial effusion with initial hemodynamic impact, so she underwent a pericardiocentesis with drainage of 800–850 cm³ of exudative fluid, on which diagnostic investigations were undertaken: possible viral and bacterial infections, medical conditions, iatrogenic causes, neoplastic and connective tissue diseases were all excluded. Despite empirical therapy with NSAIDs and colchicine, after about one week she had a recurrence of pericardial effusion and progressive development of constriction. Echocardiography performed after a few weeks of anti-inflammatory therapy showed resolution of constriction and PE, with clinical improvement.If progression of pericardial syndromes to a constrictive form is rarely described in literature, cases of transitory effusive-constrictive phase are even more uncommon, mainly reported during the evolution of pericardial effusion. According to the available data, risk of progression to a constrictive form is very low in case of idiopathic pericardial effusion. We report a case of large idiopathic subacute pericardial effusion, treated with pericardiocentesis and then evolved into an effusive-constrictive pericarditis. A prolonged anti-inflammatory treatment leads to complete resolution of pericardial syndrome without necessity of pericardiectomy.     

Spectrum of pericardial disease: part II

Pericardial disease is a common disorder seen in varying clinical settings, and may be the first manifestation of an underlying systemic disease. In part I, we focused on the current knowledge and management of the more common pericardial diseases: acute pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, chronic pericarditis and relapsing pericarditis. In part II, we will focus on the knowledge and management of pericardial involvement in chylous pericardial effusion cholesterol pericarditis, radiation pericarditis, pericardial involvement in systemic inflammatory diseases, autoreactive pericarditis, pericarditis in renal failure, pericardial constriction and effusive constrictive pericarditis.     

Quantification of Left Ventricular Twisting Mechanics by Velocity Vector Imaging in an Animal Model of Pericardial Adhesions

Diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis remains clinically challenging. Untwisting of the left ventricle (LV) is essential for normal LV diastolic function. Echocardiography is able to measure LV twisting mechanics. We designed an animal model of constrictive pericarditis to determine how pericardial-epicardial adhesions impair LV twisting mechanics. In eight open-chest pigs, the heart was exposed while preserving the pericardium. We simulated early constrictive pericarditis by pericardial constriction and patchy adhesions induced with instant glue and pericardial-epicardial stitches. Using Velocity Vector Imaging™ (VVI), LV magnitudes of twisting and untwisting were measured along with hemodynamic data at baseline and after the experimental intervention. Significant decreases in end-diastolic volume, ejection fraction, stroke volume, and late diastolic filling velocity reflected the effects of the pericardial adhesions. Magnitude of LV untwisting rate decreased from –80 ± 23°/s to –26 ± 10 °/s (p = 0.0009). LV twisting rate dropped from 78 ± 20°/s to 40 ± 8°/s (p = 0.0039) and LV twist magnitude decreased from 9 ± 2° to 5 ± 2 ° (p = 0.0081). Patchy pericardial adhesions are associated with reductions in LV untwisting rate and twisting magnitude, consistent with a negative impact of constrictive pericarditis on systolic and diastolic function. Impairments in LV twisting mechanics may have a diagnostic role in the detection of early stages of constrictive pericarditis. (E-mail: belohlavek.marek@mayo.edu)     

MR imaging of the pericardium

Imaging of the pericardium requires understanding of anatomy and the normal and abnormal physiology of the pericardium. MR imaging is well-suited for answering clinical questions regarding suspected pericardial disease. Pericardial diseases that may be effectively imaged with MR imaging include pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac-pericardial tamponade, constrictive pericarditis, pericardial cysts, absence of the pericardium, and pericardial masses. Although benign and malignant primary tumors of the pericardium may be occasionally encountered, the most common etiology of a pericardial mass is metastatic disease.     

Variability of digitized left ventricular M-mode echocardiography: a study in healthy subjects and patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot

Summary. To assess possible factors affecting the variability of digitized left ventricular M-mode echocardiograms, the influence of respiration and the variability due to different beats and observers were analysed in 11 healthy subjects and 11 patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot. Left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) decreased from end-expiration to end-inspiration in the healthy subjects, but not in the patients. The maximal rate of dimension change decreased in both healthy subjects and patients from end-expiration to end-inspiration. The beat-to-beat variability assessed by the coefficient of variation (CV,%) between measurements of one cardiac cycle was twice the CV for three cycles, whereas the CV for three and five cardiac cycles was not different. The CV for intraobserver variability was less than 5.0% for dimensions and less than 13 0% for the rates of dimension change, whereas the interobserver variability had CV of 17.1% for rates of dimension changes. The influence of respiration and different observers on the variability of LV end-systolic dimension and shortening fraction was larger in the patients than in the healthy subjects. Thus, to obtain optimal technique for analysis of digitized LV M-mode echocardiograms in serial patient studies, the number of observers should be kept at a minimum and at least 3 beats at end-expiration should be used.     

AMOEBIC PERICARDITIS

Twenty-five patients with amoebic pericarditis were studiedand the clinical findings described. Two types were recognized,one with a serous effusion associated with a left lobe liverabscess and the other with a purulent effusion resulting fromrupture of a liver abscess into the pericardium. These havebeen termed presuppurative and suppurative amoebic pericarditisrespectively. The first type may progress to the second. Five patients suffered from the presuppurative variety of pericarditisand all recovered following treatment of the liver abscess. Of the 20 patients with suppurative pericarditis 12 recoveredand had no residual disability. In the eight patients who succumbed,death was due to cardiac tamponade (usually when the correctdiagnosis had not been made) or to constrictive pericarditisin which surgery was unsuccessful. It appears from this series that if suppurative amoebio pericarditisis treated by pericardial aspiration to relieve tamponade, andby the anti-amoebic drugs emetine hydrochloride and chloroquine,a proportion of patients recover fully without developing constriction.When constrictive pericarditis develops, conservative treatmentshould be continued as resolution often occurs. Pericardectomyshould be reserved for cases in which death seems inevitableunless constriction is relieved. ² The Amoebiasis Research Unit is sponsored by the followingbodies: The South African Council for Scientific and IndustrialResearch, University of Natal, Natal Pro vincial Administration,United States Public Health Service (Grant E-1592).     

Multimodality imaging for the diagnosis and treatment of constrictive pericarditis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Constrictive pericarditis can result in debilitating congestive right heart failure and has been considered an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. Multimodality imaging continues to play a fundamental role in the individual approach to diagnosis, management, and prognosis of patients with this clinical syndrome.

Areas covered: This article gives an overview of the clinical spectrum of constrictive pericardial diseases and the role of multimodality imaging in the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. There is a focus on the emerging role of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for the diagnosis, management, and prognostication of patients with constrictive pericarditis based on more recent case series, retrospective and prospective studies, which have helped to define the role of CMR.

Expert opinion: Advanced multimodality imaging assists with identification of both overt and subclinical pericardial inflammation. This allows the pericardiologist to recognize patients with potentially reversible disease, trial medical therapy, and thereby avoid mechanical removal of the pericardium. Further, pericardial characterization by CMR has provided novel information about the natural history of these pericardial conditions, which can help tailor therapy and improve prognosis.     

Clinical review: Intrapericardial fibrinolysis in management of purulent pericarditis

Purulent pericarditis (PP) is a potentially life-threatening disease. Reported mortality rates are between 20 and 30%. Constrictive pericarditis occurs over the course of PP in at least 3.5% of cases. The frequency of persistent PP (chronic or recurrent purulent pericardial effusion occurring despite drainage and adequate antibiotherapy) is unknown because this entity was not previously classified as a complication of PP. No consensus exists on the optimal management of PP. Nevertheless, the cornerstone of PP management is complete eradication of the focus of infection. In retrospective studies, compared to simple drainage, systematic pericardiectomy provided a prevention of constrictive pericarditis with better clinical outcome. Because of potential morbidity associated with pericardiectomy, intrapericardial fibrinolysis has been proposed as a less invasive method for prevention of persistent PP and constrictive pericarditis. Experimental data demonstrate that fibrin formation, which occurs during the first week of the disease, is an essential step in the evolution to constrictive pericarditis and persistent PP. We reviewed the literature using the MEDLINE database. We evaluated the clinical efficacy, outcome, and complications of pericardial fibrinolysis. Seventy-four cases of fibrinolysis in PP were analysed. Pericarditis of tuberculous origin were excluded. Among the 40 included cases, only two treated by late fibrinolysis encountered failure requiring pericardiectomy. No patient encountered clinical or echocardiographic features of constriction during follow-up. Only one serious complication was described. Despite the lack of definitive evidence, potential benefits of fibrinolysis as a less invasive alternative to surgery in the management of PP seem promising. Early consideration should be given to fibrinolysis in order to prevent both constrictive and persistent PP. Nevertheless, in case of failure of fibrinolysis, pericardiectomy remains the primary option for complete eradication of infection.     

Association of native T1 times with biventricular function and hemodynamics in precapillary pulmonary hypertension

In precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients, we sought to (1) investigate the relationship between ventricular insertion point (VIP) T1 times, hemodynamic parameters, and biventricular function, and (2) determine the predictors of anterior and inferior VIP T1 time. Twenty-two patients with precapillary PH underwent 1.5-T cardiac MR, right heart catheterization (RHC), and echocardiography. A group of 10 healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers served as controls. Biventricular function, morphology and mass were obtained from short-axis cine images. Native T1 times at anterior, inferior VIP, septum and LV lateral wall were respectively derived from all subjects. Mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO₂) was the strongest hemodynamic parameters correlating with anterior (r_p = ?0.67, P?=?0.001) and inferior VIP T1 time (r_p = ?0.81, P?<?0.001). Elevated VIP T1 times were associated with reduced right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction, RV longitudinal and transverse motion, and increased RV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume index. LV diastolic function, quantified as mitral E velocity, was negatively correlated with anterior, inferior VIP (r_p = ?0.55, P?=?0.01) and septal T1 times (r_p = ?0.50, P?=?0.02), and positively correlated with RV systolic function and wall motion. In multivariate linear regression analyses, systolic eccentricity index (sEI) was the independent predictor of average VIPs T1 time (β=?0.47, P?<?0.01), and remained significant correlation after adjustment of RHC and demographic parameters. In patients with precapillary PH, VIP T1 times are associated with biventricular function and hemodynamic parameters. Among all the parameters, sEI acts as a determinant of average VIPs T1 time.     

Constrictive pericarditis at abdominal CT: a commonly overlooked diagnosis

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate findings at abdominal computed tomography (CT) in patients with proven constrictive pericarditis. Methods The medical records of 25 patients with surgically proven constrictive pericarditis and abdominal CT examinations within 30 days of operation were reviewed. Clinical symptoms, laboratory findings and prospective CT findings were collated. The CT examinations were also retrospectively reviewed in an unblinded fashion. Results Direct CT findings of constrictive pericarditis with an abnormal pericardium were present in 23/25 patients. Only 9 of 25 (36%) patients were detected prospectively. Findings on retrospective review included pericardial calcification (10/25, 40%) or thickening (13/25, 52%), dilated IVC (20/25), dilated hepatic veins (14/25), ascites (14/25), mesenteric soft tissue stranding (12/25), mottled enhancement of the hepatic parenchyma (8/25), and cirrhosis (6/25). Anemia was present in (17/25), and an elevated AST levels occurred in 48% (12/25) of patients. The most common abdominal symptoms were pain (4/12), diarrhea (4/12), distention (3/12), and bloating (1/12). Conclusions Constrictive pericarditis can present with vague abdominal symptoms. Anemia and elevated liver function tests are common laboratory abnormalities. Indirect CT findings of dilated IVC and/or hepatic veins, ascites, or cirrhosis should prompt inspection of the pericardium. In the majority of cases an abnormal pericardium could be identified (thickened, calcified or both).     

Constrictive pericarditis: detection of mycobacterium tuberculosis in paraffin-embedded pericardial tissues by polymerase chain reaction

BACKGROUND: Although the utility of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for diagnosis of acute pleuro-pericardial tuberculosis has been well established, its use for chronic constrictive pericarditis is yet to be reported. AIMS: To define the sensitivity and specificity of PCR for diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in patients with constrictive pericarditis. METHODS: The medical records of 30 consecutive patients with constrictive pericarditis were reviewed. In addition their historical paraffin-embedded pericardial tissues were used for new histopathologic examination and PCR amplification for Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome. RESULTS: There were 23 males and 7 females with a mean age of 35+/-19.5 years. The anticipated causes of constriction included idiopathic (n=21), tuberculosis (n=5), cardiac surgery (n=2) and post traumatic (n=2). PCR became positive in nine patients. Four out of 5 patients with tuberculous granuloma had a positive test result. In addition all 4 patients with non-tuberculous constrictive pericarditis had a negative test result. Therefore considering the presence or absence of granuloma as a diagnostic criteria, the sensitivity and specificity of PCR were 4/5 (80%) and 20/25 (80%), respectively.     

快速进展型结核性心包炎的临床治疗

目的探讨不同治疗方案对于快速进展为缩窄性心包炎的结核性心包炎（快速进展型结核性心包炎）治疗效果、并发症、死亡率、患者预后的影响,以期对结核性心包炎的治疗获得更好的效果。 方法回顾性分析2014年6月至2019年5月成都市第三人民医院心脏大血管外科对38例快速进展型结核性心包炎的治疗方式、外科手术干预时机、手术方式及疗效、并发症、死亡率和随访情况等,治疗方式包括药物治疗、心包穿刺引流术、心包开窗术、心包剥脱术等。同期观察对慢性缩窄性心包炎行外科手术治疗患者115例。 结果对于快速进展型结核性心包炎采用不同的治疗方案,随访1~5年。所有患者均采用抗结核药物治疗,其中单纯药物治疗5例,全部进展为缩窄性心包炎;早期行心包穿刺引流术12例,治愈1例,其余11例进展为慢性缩窄性心包炎;早期行心包开窗术10例,进展为慢性缩窄性心包炎1例,治愈9例;早期行心包剥脱术11例,无进展为慢性缩窄性心包炎病例。全组无围术期死亡病例。与同期行慢性缩窄性心包炎外科手术治疗患者相比,快速进展型结核性心包炎外科手术治疗患者低心排综合征发生率较低（4.8% vs 24.3%,P＜0.05）,患者心功能改善情况较好（100.0% vs 80.7%,P＜0.05）,术后5年随访生存率较高（100% vs 78%,P＜0.05）。 结论快速进展型结核性心包炎单纯采用药物治疗和心包穿刺术治疗,有很高比例的患者会进展为缩窄性心包炎,从而严重影响患者的预后。早期外科干预能显著降低快速进展型结核性心包炎进展为缩窄性心包炎的概率,从而改善患者总体预后,改善患者生存质量,减轻社会负担。     

Respiratory variation of mitral and pulmonary venous Doppler flow velocities in constrictive pericarditis before and after pericardiectomy.

The objective of this study was to determine whether Doppler echocardiography is useful in assessing the effects of pericardiectomy in patients with constrictive pericarditis by studying the postoperative change in the respiratory variation of mitral inflow and pulmonary venous Doppler flows. The study population consisted of 35 cases with surgically proven constrictive pericarditis. Thirty-five patients had preoperative Doppler echocardiography, whereas 4 patients died of non-cardiac causes and 1 patient had a heart transplant before follow-up. Postoperative studies were performed at a mean of 1081 +/- 84 days (range 120-2700 days) after pericardiectomy. The mean (+/- SD) respiratory variation changed after surgery from a baseline value of 17% +/- 14% to 8% +/- 8% for peak mitral E velocity (P <.01); from 25% +/- 18% to 7% +/- 13% (P <.001) for pulmonary venous (PV) peak diastolic flow velocity, and from 21% +/- 13% to 11% +/- 13% (P =.009) for PV peak systolic flow velocity. The 23 patients who became asymptomatic after surgery had a significantly lower mean mitral and PV respiratory variation than the 7 patients who were NYHA class II (4% +/- 4% and 6% +/- 4% vs 21% +/- 6% and 19% +/- 10%, respectively, P <.0001 for both). Pulsed Doppler echocardiographic assessment of respiratory variation is useful for evaluating the outcome of pericardiectomy.     

Effects of Respiration Phase on Ventricular Defibrillation Threshold in a Hot Can Electrode System

The impedance of defibrillation pathways is an important determinant of ventricular defibrillation efficacy. The hypothesis in this study was that the respiration phase (end-inspiration versus end-expiration) mayalter impedance and/or defibrillation efficacy in a "hot can" electrode system. Defibrillation threshold (DFT) parameters were evaluated at end-expiration and at end-inspiration phases in random order by a biphasic waveform in ten anesthetized pigs (body weight: 19.1 ±2.4 kg; heart weight: 97 ± 10g). Pigs were intubated with a cuffed endotracheal tube and ventilated through a Drager SAVrespirator with tidal volume of 400–500 mL. A transvenous defibrillation lead (6 cm long, 6.5 Fr) was inserted into the right ventricular apex. A titanium can electrode (92-cm² surface area) was placed in the left pectoral area. The right ventricular lead was the anode for the first phase and the cathode for the second phase. The DFT was determined by a "down-up down-up" protocol. Statistical analysis was performed with a Wilcoxon matched pair test. The median impedance at DFT for expiration and inspiration phases were 37.8 ±3.1 Ω and 39.3 ± 3.6 Ω, respectively (P = 0.02). The stored energy at DFT for expiration and inspiration phases were 5.7 ± 1.9 J and 6.0 ± 1.0 J, respectively (P = 0.594). Shocks delivered at end-inspiration exhibited a statistically significant increase in electrode impedance in a "hot can" electrode system. The finding that DFT energy was not significantly different at both respiration phases indicates that respiration phase does not significantly affect defibrillation energy requirements.     

Assessment of the left ventricular diastolic function in constrictive pericarditis by digitised M-mode echocardiography

Digitised M-mode echocardiography was used to study the diastolic left ventricular function in ten patients with constrictive pericarditis. Each patient was matched for heart rate and stroke volume with a control patient who had normal left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and coronary arteries. All 20 patients underwent right and left cardiac catheterisation. In patients with constrictive pericarditis compared with controls, the median (range) left ventricular peak diameter lengthening rate, normalised for end-diastolic dimension, was 4.5 (2.5-8.0) s-1 and 2.9 (1.6-4.1) (p less than 0.01), and the rapid filling period fraction of diastole was 0.28 (0.18-0.37) and 0.37 (0.21-0.58) (p less than 0.05), while the mitral valve E-F slope was 20.1 (10.5-39.2) cm/s and 11.8 (7.6-14.5) (p less than 0.05), respectively. Thus, the early rate of left ventricular diameter lengthening is increased in constrictive pericarditis independent of heart rate and stroke volume, while the actual duration of the rapid filling period is decreased. These results, obtained noninvasively, extend the findings of previous invasive studies. The method may help in the difficult clinical diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis, although there is some overlap with the normal control range.     

Pericardial Disease: Diagnosis and Management

Pericardial diseases can present clinically as acute pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, and constrictive pericarditis. Patients can subsequently develop chronic or recurrent pericarditis. Structural abnormalities including congenitally absent pericardium and pericardial cysts are usually asymptomatic and are uncommon. Clinicians are often faced with several diagnostic and management questions relating to the various pericardial syndromes: What are the diagnostic criteria for the vast array of pericardial diseases? Which diagnostic tools should be used? Who requires hospitalization and who can be treated as an outpatient? Which medical management strategies have the best evidence base? When should corticosteroids be used? When should surgical pericardiectomy be considered? To identify relevant literature, we searched PubMed and MEDLINE using the keywords diagnosis, treatment, management, acute pericarditis, relapsing or recurrent pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, constrictive pericarditis, and restrictive cardiomyopathy. Studies were selected on the basis of clinical relevance and the impact on clinical practice. This review represents the currently available evidence and the experiences from the pericardial clinic at our institution to help guide the clinician in answering difficult diagnostic and management questions on pericardial diseases.CMR = cardiac magnetic resonance imaging; CT = computed tomography; CYP = cytochrome P450; ECG = electrocardiographic; ESC = European Society of Cardiology; IVC = inferior vena cava; LV = left ventricular; NSAID = nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug; RA = right atrium; RV = right ventricleThe pericardium is a thin covering that separates the heart from the remaining mediastinal structures and provides structural support while also having a substantial hemodynamic impact on the heart. The pericardium is not essential—normal cardiac function can be maintained in its absence—however, diseased pericardium presenting clinically as acute or chronic recurrent pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, and pericardial constriction can be challenging to manage and life-threatening in some cases. The etiology of pericardial disease is often difficult to determine or remains idiopathic. However, microorganisms, including viruses and bacteria; systemic illnesses, including neoplasia, autoimmune disease, and connective tissue disease; renal failure; previous cardiac surgery; previous myocardial infarction; trauma; aortic dissection; radiation; and, rarely, drugs have been associated with pericardial diseases.The diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases remain challenging because of the vast spectrum of manifestations and the lack of clinical data on which to base guidelines by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. However, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) published guidelines on pericardial disease in 2004.¹ This review aims to describe the methods of diagnosing and managing major pericardial syndromes on the basis of the literature and the clinical experience of our pericardial clinic. Searches were performed on PubMed and MEDLINE using the keywords diagnosis, treatment, management, acute pericarditis, relapsing or recurrent pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, constrictive pericarditis, and restrictive cardiomyopathy. No date limitations were set. Studies were selected on the basis of clinical relevance and the impact on clinical practice.     

Usefulness of echocardiography and doppler echocardiography in endomyocardial fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to demonstrate the usefulness of echocardiography and cardiac Doppler echocardiography (echo-Doppler) in the diagnosis of endomyocardial fibrosis, an unusual restrictive cardiomyopathy in Argentina. METHODS: Between 1980 and 1998, we studied 10 women (aged 27 to 58 years) with endomyocardial fibrosis confirmed by surgery and/or endomyocardial biopsy. Of the 10 cases of endomyocardial fibrothrombosis, 8 were biventricular and 2 were left ventricular. Six patients had only an echocardiographic study, and the last 4 patients (after 1987) had an echo-Doppler study also; 3 had a transesophageal echocardiography examination as well. Seven patients had grade III-IV dyspnea, 2 had an edematous-ascitic syndrome, and 1 had right heart failure at the first examination. Four patients died of heart failure and 1 of overimposed sepsis. Surgery was successful in 2 patients with the biventricular form of the disease. In one of them, fibrotic decortication was performed in both ventricles together with tricuspid and mitral replacement. In the other, the right side was not surgically treated because of its mild engagement. One patient was lost to follow-up, and 3 patients are awaiting surgery at this writing. RESULTS: In all 10 patients, echocardiography was the first diagnostic tool used. In M-mode echocardiography, the typical image showed the "square root" sign in the septum and posterior wall in addition to the "merlon" sign, characterized by a hypercontractile basal ventricle opposing an obliterated apex. In 2-dimensional echocardiography, inversion of the normal sized heart with obliterated ventricles and dilated atria were seen in the whole group. In 1 patient, the fibrous thrombus was limited to the apex of the right ventricle (Shaper's type 1) in a biventricular form, whereas in the left side of this patient and in the other 9 patients, the fibrous thrombus that initially occupied the apex engaged the posterior papillary muscle, pulling the posterior valve downward (Shaper's type 2) and generating tricuspid and/or mitral regurgitation that was always mild or moderate. The fibrous thrombus never altered the movement of the underlying myocardium. There were hypoechoic and hyperdense echoes inside the fibrotic material (the latter compatible with calcium), and in all 10 patients, different grades of pericardial effusion were found. Echo-Doppler showed the same minimal percentage of change in mitral and tricuspid velocities as found in healthy patients, which clearly differentiates endomyocardial fibrosis from constrictive pericarditis. Furthermore, a restrictive pattern was observed on both atrioventricular valves when both sides were engaged with a markedly short tricuspid deceleration time. Pulmonary veins showed a markedly diastolic D wave and a broad reversal A wave (the latter presented a low velocity when the wall of the left atrium was diseased) caused by an increased end-diastolic left ventricular pressure to the same extent throughout the respiratory cycle. Hepatic veins showed a markedly deep diastolic forward wave throughout the respiratory cycle and a marked reversal with inspiration. CONCLUSIONS: We showed (1) echocardiographic studies of a significant number of patients with this unusual disease, (2) the characteristic diagnostic signs in M-mode and 2-dimensional echocardiography, and (3) the common echo-Doppler patterns shared by all subjects studied with this technique.     

Quantitative echocardiographic analysis of global and regional left ventricular function: a problem revisited

We recorded two-dimensional echocardiograms simultaneously with the respiration measurements of 20 normal subjects and 20 patients with anterior myocardial infarction. The apical long-axis and four-chamber views were quantitatively analyzed. Measurement variability of global ejection fraction and regional ejection fraction of 100 regions was calculated during inspiration and at end-expiration for two observers. To minimize variability, the endocardial contour was redefined and traced with an improved computer-assisted tracing system. Variability (absolute mean difference) between two beats at end-expiration was significantly less than during inspiration (p less than 0.05): for ejection fraction the variability at end-expiration was 3.4% and the variability during inspiration was 6.4% (mean, 54%; SD, 7%); for regional ejection fraction the variability at end-expiration was 11.8% and the variability during inspiration was 21.5% (mean, 56%; SD, 15%). Intraobserver and interobserver variability values of one beat at end-expiration for ejection fraction were 3.1% and 3.8%, respectively, and 9.5% and 12.8%, respectively, for regional ejection fraction. Variability in patients with myocardial infarction was comparable. This method of recording respiration and analyzing left ventricular function at end-expiration, with a new contour definition and tracing system, provides a measurement variability that is considerably less than that reported in previous echocardiographic studies and that is comparable to angiographic methods.     

Uremic pericarditis in patients with End Stage Renal Disease: Prevalence,symptoms and outcome in 2017

The prevalence of uremic pericarditis (UP) used to range from 3% to 41%. More recently, it has decreased to about 5%–20% and to < 5% in the last decades, as hemodialysis techniques have become widely used and dialysis quality improved. The objective of this work is to determine the initial clinical picture and the prognosis of patients presenting End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) with UP. Materials: This is a retrospective study (May 2015–September 2017). Inclusion criteria targeted patients who had uremic pericarditis defined as pericarditis occurring in a patient with ESRD before initiation of renal replacement therapy, or within eight weeks of its initiation. Results: 16 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age of patients was 54 [24, 71] years and 56.2% were male. Pericardial effusion was small, moderate and large in 31.2%, 37.6% and 31.2% of cases respectively. One pericardiocentesis was performed in view of a clinical picture of impending cardiac tamponade and three pericardial drainages were performed given presentation of tamponade. Hemodialysis was initiated for all the patients and continued for 2 to 3 weeks until complete regression of the pericardial effusion. The mean number of dialysis sessions was 11 ± 3.5. One patient died of septic shock that developed three weeks after diagnosis of uremic pericarditis. Conclusion: UP is considered a rare but fatal complication of ESRD because of the risk of tamponade and its prognosis remains dependent on early diagnosis and adequate treatment of ESRD.