New approaches to the treatment of patients with idiopathic mitral valve prolapse

AIM: To assess efficiency of magnerot, magnesium orotate, in patients with idiopathic mitral prolapse (IMP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 84 patients with IMP were randomized to the study group (43 patients) and control group (41 patients). Patients of the study group received magnerot tablets (Germany) containing 500 mg of magnesium orotate (daily dose 3000 mg) for 6 months. The examination performed before the treatment and 6 months after it included: modified clinical and phenotypic records, echocardiography, 24-h ECG and AP monitoring, spectral analysis of cardiac rhythm variability, evaluation of quality of life according to Visual Analog Scale and Disability Scale and of treatment results according to Clinical Global Impression scales, measurements of magnesium in the hair by plasmic nuclear emission spectrometry, histological and histochemical skin tests. RESULTS: IMP patients appeared to suffer from magnesium deficiency which is responsible for many symptoms in mitral prolapse. 6-month therapy with magnerot completely or partially reduced the symptoms in more than half the patients. Positive changes were registered primarily in clinicofunctional manifestations. Morphological changes in the skin correlating with the disease severity alleviated. CONCLUSION: Good objective and subjective response to magnerot 6-month therapy (3000 mg/day) is demonstrated.     

严重器质性二尖瓣反流患者肺动脉压的预测因素

目的 探讨严重器质性二尖瓣反流患者肺动脉收缩压(PASA)升高的预测因素及与左右心室收缩、舒张功能的关系.方法 二尖瓣脱垂或连枷样引起的中-重度二尖瓣反流患者694例,男361例,女333例,年龄17～57岁,均行常规超声心动图检查并行组织多普勒(TDI)分析,根据三尖瓣反流速度测算PASP;合并EF%<55%及原发性肺动脉高压患者予以排除.根据PASA数值由低至高分成四组,作相关因素分析比较.结果 PASP平均为(40±15)mmHg,与年龄(r=0.36,P<0.01)、MR(r=0.30,P<0.01)、二尖瓣瓣环E/E(侧壁,r=0.40,P<0.01;室间隔,r=0.41,P<0.01)、左心房内径指数(r=0.50,P<0.01)、右心室内经指数(r=0.30,P<0.01)、左心室及右心室舒张功能参数均有很好的相关性,这些变量随PASP的增加而增加;PASP与二尖瓣瓣环TDI收缩期速度、左心室射血分数、左心室短轴缩短率的相关性则较差.多变量分析结果提示,年龄、MR、左心房大小,以及左心室充盈压指标E/E(侧壁、室间隔)是PASP升高的独立性预测因子.结论 二尖瓣脱垂或连枷样二尖瓣引起中-重度器质性二尖瓣反流且左心室收缩功能尚正常的患者,年龄、MR、左心房内径、左心室充盈压及左、右心室舒张功能指标对PASP有预测作用.     

Blood pressure decrease prior to initiating pharmacological therapy in nonemergent hypertension

In order to characterize the decrease in blood pressure that occurs in the emergency department (ED) setting in cases of nonemergent hypertension before beginning pharmacological therapy, 94 consecutive cases of hypertension seen at the University of Illinois Hospital were reviewed. Each patient in the analysis had a triage blood pressure recorded by the nursing staff and second blood pressure reading taken between 10 minutes and 2 hours after the triage pressure before pharmacological therapy was begun. Patients with diastolic pressures less than 90 mm Hg were excluded, as were patients with acute end-organ pathology secondary to hypertension. In the remaining 54 cases, the mean arterial pressure fell by 6% (P less than .003), the systolic pressure fell by 6% (P less than .022), and the diastolic pressure fell by 6.4% (P less than .003), suggesting that in nonemergent hypertension, a significant decrease in blood pressure occurs in the ED before pharmacological therapy is begun. The blood pressure decrease was not statistically different when sex and age were considered, but when patients were grouped into those with diastolic pressures between 90 mm Hg and 114 mm Hg and those with diastolic pressures greater than or equal to 115 mm Hg, there was a statistically significant decrease in systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures only in patients with diastolic pressures greater than or equal to 115 mm Hg. Our findings suggest that patients with nonemergent hypertension do not always require immediate and aggressive pharmacological intervention in the ED setting and are best observed for a short period and then reassessed before beginning pharmacological therapy.     

二尖瓣脱垂与感染性心内膜炎38例患者的临床分析

目的分析二尖瓣脱垂患者中感染性心内膜炎的临床和超声心动图特点。方法本院1988年1月至2006年12月住院原发性二尖瓣脱垂(MVP)并发感染性心内膜炎(IE)患者共38例,回顾分析其临床资料。结果MVP并发IE占同期IE发病总数的15.0%,均有发热、心尖部3～4级收缩期杂音。20例(52.6%)有Osler结或肢端皮下出血,15例(39.5%)有大动脉栓塞表现。50%有白细胞增高,平均12.06×109/L;95.7%的病例红细胞沉降率加快,平均48.2 mm/h。11例(28.9%)有不同程度贫血。血培养阳性者20例(52.6%),多为链球菌(80.0%)。二尖瓣前叶脱垂者占78.9%,后叶脱垂者占39.5%,前后叶均脱垂者占18.4%,发现二尖瓣前叶有赘生物者占71.1%,后叶有赘生物者占26.3%;无赘生物者5例,占13.2%,前后叶均有赘生物者5例,占13.2%。1例因脑疝导致死亡。结论MVP是IE的常见病因,其临床特点为起病隐匿,体循环栓塞等并发症的发生率较高。超声心动图检查对于诊断具有重要价值,经食管超声心动图检查对于发现瓣膜赘生物有较高敏感性。     

Mitral valve prolapse: comparison of diagnosis by physical examination and echocardiography

To determine how well physical examination findings suggestive of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) correlate with echocardiographic evidence of MVP, we retrospectively reviewed the charts of 104 patients referred to an Air Force Cardiology Clinic for echocardiography to rule out MVP. In each case, the referring physician's specialty and his findings on cardiac physical examination were recorded. All patients had M-mode echocardiography, and half of the patients had two-dimensional echocardiography. Sensitivities, specificities, and likelihood ratios for the physical examination were calculated using echocardiography as the comparison standard. The combination of a systolic click and a systolic murmur was the physical examination finding most predictive of echocardiographic MVP, with a positive likelihood ratio of 2.43. Other combinations of physical findings yielded likelihood ratios close to 1. No differences were found based on the specialty of the examining physician. We conclude that when practicing physicians find a systolic click and murmur, MVP is likely to be present on echocardiography, though one third of the patients will have normal echocardiograms. Other combinations of physical findings are of little help in predicting echocardiographic MVP.     

Echocardiographic and clinical abnormalities in patients with psoriasis

We investigated the incidence and severity of echocardiographic and clinical abnormalities in patients with psoriasis and their relationship to the severity, duration and type of psoriasis and other related factors. A total of 216 psoriasis patients and 216 control subjects were included in this study. Left and right heart dimensions, wall thicknesses, wall motion abnormalities, valvular disturbances, and systolic and diastolic functions were examined using two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic techniques. Left ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular wall motion abnormalities and valvular pathologies, especially mitral and tricuspid valve prolapse, were significantly more frequent in patients with psoriasis. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher in psoriasis patients. Significant correlations were found between: (i) psoriasis vulgaris and tricuspid valve prolapse; (ii) palmo-plantar psoriasis and valvular pathologies; and (iii) disease duration and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Physicians should be aware that cardiovascular abnormalities are common in patients with psoriasis.     

Differences in blood pressure: does the length of time between measurements have an effect?

Taking blood pressure measurements correctly is essential in order to successfully evaluate a patient's blood pressure from the initial measurement and subsequent measurements over time. With the purpose to determine if the time between blood pressure measurements in an office or clinic bears an influence on any variation in measurement, a study was carried out under which two blood pressure measurements five minutes apart were taken using an automatic instrument in order to evaluate the existence of any differences as well as to identify which arm should be the control arm and to evaluate the absolute measurements between both arms. During this study, the authors observed a decrease in the mean for the repeated blood pressure measurement of 7.7 mmHg (IC 95%: 4.7-10.7 mmHg, p < 0.0001) for the systolic measurement and of 2.9 mmHg (IC 95%: 1.6-4.2 mmHg) for the diastolic measurement. 78% of the patients in this study registered a difference between the two measurements, either systolic or diastolic > or = 5 mmHg. It was not possible to establish a significant relationship between the decrease in these blood pressure measurements and factors such as age, sex, cardiac frequency or hypertension. The control arm was the right arm in 59.3% of the patients. The absolute mean of the differences between both arms was 8.4 mmHg (IC 95%: 6.8-10 mmHg) for the systolic measurements and 5 mmHg (IC 95%: 3.9-6.1 mmHg) for the diastolic measurements. 26 patients, 44.1%, registered a difference in pressure between their arms > or = 10 mmHg.     

Central and peripheral hemodynamics in patients with essential hypertension on a fasting diet

Effectiveness of an antihypertensive action of fasting therapy was studied in 147 patients with arterial hypertension stage I-II. Estimation of systolic and diastolic functions of the left ventricle in patients with arterial hypertension was carried out using stress echocardiography with isometric loading. Dynamics of systolic and diastolic arterial pressure (AP) and changes in the hyperbaric index for diastolic AP were assessed at 24-h AP monitoring. The course of fasting therapy consisting of a 2-week fasting period and the recovery period of the same duration resulted in a statistically significant reduction of weight, a decrease of average daily systolic and diastolic AP, lowering of the hyperbaric index of diastolic AP and improvement of the diastolic reserve of the left ventricle. 24-h AP monitoring and stress echocardiography within 3 months showed a high clinical effectiveness of fasting therapy.     

Indenolol in hypertension

After a complete washout 14 hypertensive inpatients were given placebo for 3 days. Undistinguishable 30- or 60-mg indenolol tablets were then given twice daily for 14 days in a double-blind, randomized manner. Supine and standing arterial pressure and heart rate were measured at rest three times a day. Indenolol decreased systolic and diastolic arterial pressure as well as heart rate in subjects in supine and standing positions. Placebo had no effect. The effect of indenolol on systolic arterial pressure was dose and time related, but independent of the intensity of hypertension. No dose-effect relationship was found on diastolic arterial pressure. Decrease of heart rate was dose and time related, although bradycardia was never noted. Indenolol was well tolerated.     

Midodrine. A new agent in the management of idiopathic orthostatic hypotension and Shy-Drager syndrome

Five patients with idiopathic orthostatic hypotension, two of whom had central nervous system manifestations (Shy-Drager syndrome), were treated with midodrine, an investigational alpha-adrenergic agonist, in a dosage of 2.5 to 5 mg three times daily. Significant improvement was observed in the standing systolic and diastolic blood pressures at the end of 1 week of therapy in all patients and has been maintained for 10 to 15 months in all patients. No symptomatic side effects were noted. Supine systolic hypertension occurred in two patients and was treated with small doses of metoprolol.     

Delayed papillary muscle rupture after radiofrequency catheter ablation: A case report

BACKGROUNDWith an increased number of surgical procedures involving the mitral annular region, the risk of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) has also increased. Previous studies have reported that worsening of MVP occurred early after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) at papillary muscles in ventricular tachycardia (VT) patients with preoperative MVP. CASE SUMMARYWe report a case where MVP and papillary muscle rupture occurred 2 wk after RFCA in a papillary muscle originated VT patient without mitral valve regurgitation or prolapse before. The patient then underwent mitral valve replacement with no premature ventricular contraction or VT. During the surgery, a papillary muscle rupture was identified. Pathological examination showed necrosis of the papillary muscle. The patient recovered after mitral valve replacement. CONCLUSIONToo many ablation procedures and energy should be avoided.     

Effect on Ventricular Performance of Direct Current Electrical Shock for Catheter Ablation of the Atrioventricular Junction

In ten patients undergoing catheter ablation of the atrioventricular junction (CAVJ) because of therapy refractoriness of supraventricular arrhythmias, the effect of repeated high energy direct current (DC) shock on left ventricular function has been investigated. End-systolic pressure-volume relation (ESPVR) and the positive first derivative of ventricular pressure (dP/dt) have been used as indices of left ventricular systolic function, while the time constant of isovolumic pressure decay, the diastolic stiffness, and the negative dP/dt represented the diastolic function parameters, respectively. Each patient received at least two and no more than three DC shocks for successful CAVJ, with an energy of 360 joules. Significant acute reduction of both systolic and diastolic function was noted after each DC shock, with a slow partial recovery of both phases. The recovery process involved the systolic phase earlier and more completely than the diastolic one. The alterations observed could not be predicted from preablation values, but were significantly related to cumulative energy dose index for body weight. In conclusion, repeated high energy DC shocks acutely, but reversibly, impair left ventricular function; in addition, the ventricular function reduction is primarily related to the total ablation energy indexed for body weight.     

Effect of insulin therapy on blood pressure in NIDDM patients with secondary failure.

OBJECTIVE--To assess the effect of insulin therapy on blood pressure in NIDDM patients with secondary failure. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--The influence of insulin treatment on blood pressure was assessed retrospectively in a group of 80 NIDDM patients with secondary failure to diet and maximum doses of oral hypoglycemic agents. Weight, blood glucose, and blood pressure were recorded over a 3-mo period before and after the initiation of insulin therapy. RESULTS--There was a significant rise in systolic (131.8 +/- 1.7 to 148 +/- 1.9 mmHg, P less than 0.05) and diastolic (80.9 +/- 0.9 to 89.2 +/- 1.0 mmHg, P less than 0.02) blood pressures with insulin treatment. Insulin treatment was associated with a significant decrease in blood glucose (18.36 +/- 0.28 to 10.4 +/- 0.34 mM, P less than 0.01) and an increase in weight (72.1 +/- 1.6 to 78 +/- 1.7 kg, P = 0.01). A control group of 80 NIDDM patients matched for age, weight, BMI, and duration of diabetes demonstrated no significant change in blood pressure over a matched period of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS--This study has shown that insulin therapy is associated with significant elevation of both systolic and diastolic blood pressures.     

Tricuspid valve prolapse: A common occurrence in the click-murmur syndrome

Isolated mitral valve prolapse (MVP) may represent one end of a spectrum of disease involving dysfunction of multiple cardiac valves. Eighty-nine consecutive patients with MVP diagnosed by two-dimensional echocardiography (2-D echo) were prospectively studied specifically to determine the incidence of tricuspid valve prolapse (TVP) and its clinical correlations. Criteria for prolapse of the atrioventricular (A-V) valves by 2-D echo included extension of the valve leaflets behind an imaginary line defining the valve annulus. Forty-one of 82 patients with MVP had associated TVP. No significant differences existed between patients with isolated MVP and combined A-V valve prolapse with regard to sex, clinical history, symptoms, or physical examination. The parasternal long axis view was more sensitive than the apical four chamber view in diagnosing prolapse of either mitral or tricuspid valves. Thus, TVP is a frequent concomitant of MVP and occurs with equal frequency in both young and old patients.     

Effect of levosimendan on right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions in patients with ischaemic heart failure

OBJECTIVES: Levosimendan is a novel positive inotropic calcium sensitiser agent used in acute left heart failure. In this study, the effect of levosimendan on the right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions was evaluated by tissue Doppler comparing them with dobutamine in patients with ischaemic heart failure. METHODS: Patients having an acute decompensated heart failure with ischaemic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular ejection fraction <40% were included in the study. Before and 24-h after treatment, peak systolic (Sa), peak early (Ea), peak late (Aa) diastolic annular velocities and Ea/Aa ratio from tricuspid lateral annulus by tissue Doppler and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) were measured. RESULTS: Sa, Ea and the Ea/Aa ratio were significantly increased in the levosimendan group whereas SPAP was significantly reduced. In the dobutamine group, no significant differences were observed in the Sa, Ea, Aa and Ea/Aa ratio in spite of a significant reduction in SPAP. Decrease in SPAP was greater in the levosimendan group (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Levosimendan improves right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions.     

苯溴马隆联合碳酸氢钠治疗高尿酸血症合并原发性高血压

目的 探讨苯溴马隆联合碳酸氢钠治疗高尿酸血症合并原发性高血压的临床疗效。 方法 选择高尿酸血症伴原发性高血压患者126例,按照随机数字表方法分为A组、B组和C组,各42例。A组为苯溴马隆给药组,B组为碳酸氢钠给药组,C组为苯溴马隆加碳酸氢钠给药组。比较治疗前后3组患者的的血肌酐、血尿酸（UA）、24 h尿UA、尿素氮、甘油三酯、24 h平均收缩压与舒张压等指标的变化。 结果 治疗5周后,3组患者的血UA、24 h收缩压与舒张压均低于治疗前（P<0.05）,尿UA高于治疗前（P<0.05）;且治疗后C组患者的血UA、24 h平均收缩压与舒张压低于A组和B组（P<0.05）,尿UA高于A组和B组（P<0.05）,以上均差异有统计学意义。 结论 苯溴马隆联合碳酸氢钠治疗高尿酸血症合并原发性高血压,能有效降低患者的血UA、24 h平均收缩压和舒张压,增加尿UA的排泄,临床效果显著,值得推广应用。       

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Lower-Dose Indapamide Therapy in the Treatment of Patients with Mild to Moderate Hypertension

Previous clinical studies with indapamide, an indoline antihypertensive drug with diuretic and vasodilating activities, have shown a dose relationship associated with potassium loss. Two placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel clinical studies were, therefore, done to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a low dose (1.25 mg) of indapamide and to determine if an improved safety profile could be produced while maintaining efficacy with a 1.25-mg dose in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. Four hundred seventeen (417) adult patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension (sitting diastolic blood pressure greater-than-or-equal 95 mmHg and less-than-or-equal 110 mmHg) were enrolled in two clinical studies; 209 patients were randomized to indapamide 1.25 mg and 208 patients to placebo. Patients received single-blind placebo for a 4-week washout period followed by an 8-week double-blind treatment period during which patients received either indapamide 1.25 mg or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean change from baseline to week 8 in sitting diastolic blood pressure. Secondary efficacy variables were the proportion of patients whose sitting diastolic blood pressure had decreased greater-than-or-equal 10 mmHg and/or had a sitting diastolic blood pressure of less-than-or-equal 90 mmHg (treatment success) at all visits and at endpoint, mean changes from baseline in sitting diastolic blood pressure at designated timepoints and at endpoint, and mean changes from baseline in standing diastolic blood pressure and in sitting and standing systolic blood pressure at all visits and at endpoint. Results of these trials were pooled in order to have a larger patient population in an attempt to detect trends not readily apparent with a smaller sample size. In the primary analysis, indapamide produced statistically significantly (p = 0.0001) greater reductions in sitting diastolic blood pressure than placebo after 8 weeks of therapy. In the secondary analysis, the percentage of indapamide-treated patients who achieved treatment success after 8 weeks of therapy was statistically significantly (p < 0.0001) higher compared to placebo-treated patients. In addition, indapamide produced a statistically significantly (p = 0.0001) superior reduction compared to placebo in sitting systolic and standing systolic and diastolic blood pressure after 8 weeks of therapy. The incidence of drug-related adverse events between patients in the indapamide and placebo groups was similar. There were no clinically meaningful differences in laboratory values, including serum potassium, between the patients in the indapamide and placebo groups. Low-dose (1.25 mg) indapamide proved to be safe and effective in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension.     

Efficacy of quadropril (spirapril) vs capropril in treatment of essential hypertension

AIM: To compare the efficacy of monotherapy with quadropril (spirapril) vs captopril in essential hypertension. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 20 female patients aged 55 +/- 2 years with moderate hypertension (WHO classification) were included in the study. 16 patients had congestive heart failure stage II NYHA and 4 patients stage III NYHA. ECG and echocardiography were performed in all the patients. Two patient groups of 10 patients were treated for 6 weeks. Group 1 received 6 mg quadropril once daily. Group 2 received 25 mg captopril 3 times daily. The therapy was considered to be efficient if diastolic pressure (BP) was reduced to 90 +/- 5 mm Hg and systolic BP to 140 +/- 10 mm Hg from baseline values in the range of 210/120-170/100 mm Hg. RESULTS: The hypotensive effect of quadropril resulted in stabilisation of BP during the second week of therapy. A significant BP decrease was achieved at the end of 6 week therapy. Systolic BP fell from 178.8 +/- 3.2 to 145 +/- 5.6 mm Hd and diastolic BP from 109.7 +/- 1.2 to 92.4 +/- 1.7 mm Hg. Central and cardiac hemodynamic parameters improved. In one patient the condition improved from CHF stage III to stage II NYHA. No adverse effects were observed. A hypotensive effect of captopril reduced significantly systolic blood pressure from 182.1 +/- 2.7 to 150 +/- 4.6 mm Hg and diastolic BP from 110.4 +/- 1.1 to 100.1 +/- 1.9 mm Hg. Two patients developed adverse effects: cough and chest dyscomfort. CONCLUSION: Quadropril monotherapy showed to be more effective in diastolic BP decrease compared with captopril monotherapy and had advantages in one daily dose regimen, absence of the first dose effect and side effects.     

动态三维超声重建评价二尖瓣脱垂的临床意义

目的 评价动态三维超声重建对二尖瓣脱垂的意义。方法 应用动态三维超声重建对20例二尖瓣脱垂患者进行研究,其中男性13例,女性7例,年龄15－56岁。观察脱垂的二尖瓣瓣膜与腱索,测量瓣膜脱垂的范围。结果 收缩期脱垂的二尖瓣表面粗糙并向左房膨出,可伴有腱索异常。瓣膜反流的程度与脱垂范围的大小无正相关,与腱索损害的严重性有关。结论 应用动态三维超声重建二尖瓣脱垂能较客观地反映脱垂的情况,有明显的临床意义。     

The impact of echocardiographic results on treatment decisions for patients suspected of mitral valve prolapse

Although echocardiography is frequently ordered in ambulatory settings for patients suspected of mitral valve prolapse (MVP), its impact on their subsequent management is unknown. We studied the relationship between the results of echocardiography for outpatients suspected of MVP, and two frequent medical decisions: treatment with beta blockers and the recommendation of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent bacterial endocarditis. A medical record audit was performed on 274 outpatients referred to a university medical center echocardiography laboratory to rule out MVP. Although echocardiographic evidence for MVP significantly influenced the decision to recommend antibiotic prophylaxis (P less than 0.001), symptoms were more likely to be used as indications for beta-blocker therapy in patients suspected of the condition. We conclude that echocardiographic results are used for recommending antibiotic prophylaxis to outpatients suspected of MVP, but not for beta-blocker therapy.