Echocardiographic study of hyperthyroidism based on 9 cases of Basedow's disease (author's transl)

An echocardiographic study of nine patients with graves' disease before and after treatment demonstrates changes in myocardial contractility predominantly in the posterior wall and, to a lesser extent, in the intraventricular septum. The parameters most significantly changed were: velocity of posterior wall thickening and posterior left ventricular wall relaxation rate. There was not in any of the cases neither evidence of cardiac insufficiency nor a diminution of VCF. All of the modifications regressed rapidly with the euthyroid state. These results affirm the functional character of this disease dismissing the existence of an autonome cardiomyopathy of thyroid etiology.     

Immunological study of primary non-obstructive myocardiopathies. A report on 37 cases (author's transl)

The pathogenicity of primary non-obstructive myocardiopathies remains unknown at the present time. Immunological disturbances have been demonstrated but their role is open to discussion. A comparison between 37 such patients and 37 control subjects with cardiac insufficiency, similar according to age and sex, gave the following results: circulating immune complexes levels, anti-organ or anti-tissue antibody levels, and the levels of serum complement and its fractions were the same in both groups. Serum IgA levels were significantly higher in the "patient" group, and this appears to be partly related to alcoholism. Finally, an antimyocardial cellular immunity exists. These results would appear to demonstrate that conventional immunological techniques are of limited value in primary cardiac insufficiency.     

Allergic granulomatous angitis. A report on 4 cases (author's transl)

The authors describe four new cases of allergic granulomatous angiitis presenting symptoms of bronchopneumonia with asthma, weight loss, and persistent fever. There was associated eosinophilia in each case, and the outcome was rapidly fatal. Autopsy confirmed the presence of characteristic lesions; necrotizing angitis, vein involvement, and extra-vascular granulomatous infiltration, mainly in the lungs and heart. The characteristic clinical, biological, and histological changes seen in Churg and Strauss's syndrome should enable differentiation from other granulomatous angititis affections, especially PAN. A different diagnostic approach is needed, however, as surgical biopsy of the lungs, and/or needle biopsy of the liver is necessary.     

Doxapram in stable obstructive chronic respiratory insufficiency. A prospective study on 15 cases (author's transl)

The oral form of Doxapram, a respiratory analeptic drug with central action, was tested prospectively and successively, the subject being his own control, in 15 patients with stable obstructive chronic respiratory insufficiency (OCRI), but not infected and with a high PaCO2. The efficiency of the product was judged notable nine times, medium four times; only twice was its action judged inefficient. Retrospectively, it was not possible to define the group OCRI with high PaCO2, responding or not to the oral form of Doxapram. In these conditions, the utility of prescribing this molecule is subjected to the control of gasometric efficiency before and after absorption. The frequent efficiency of the product leads to the consideration of a regular use in some obstructive chronic respiratory insufficiency.