Introduction to myocardial doppler imaging

Introduced in 1989, the myocardial doppler tissue imaging has now many clinical applications. Doppler tissue imaging explores the proper systolic and diastolic regional function of myocardial fibers. We can measure myocardial velocities by recording signals of low velocitiy and high magnitude, the strain and the strain rate are then derived from velocities. Specific software is therefore necessary. There are many ways of recording and representing myocardial doppler tissue parameters. Diagnostic and prognostic value of myocardial doppler tissue imaging is now proved and this method has many applications in ischemic cardiopathy and in cardiomyopathies. The development of powerful software is promising for the applications of the strain in the future.     

Coronary disease in hypothyroidism. 10 case reports

The hypothyroidism and coronary disease are tightly related. Our retrospective study, based upon the data from ten patients with hypothyroidism and coronary disease, aimed to assess the diagnosis, the prognosis and the therapeutic measures in these patients. Our population aged in average 60 years and was almost composed with women. Acute Coronary syndrome was a circumstance to discover hypothyroidism three patients. Bi and tritruncular stenosis were found in seven of the patients. The mean number of coronary lesion by patient is 2, 1. Myocardial reperfusion was proposed in seven of the patients. The three remainders were treated medically. Among the six operated patients, three were insufficiently prepared by the opotherapy. One of these patients died in preoperative period. The only patient who underwent angioplasty presented an uneventful period. At short and long term follow-up the evolution of all survivors patients was satisfactory on the both coronary and thyroidal sides. During the course of hypothyroidism coronary lesions are more extended, complex and severe. The management of such patients is difficult because of destabilisation of affection by the treatment of the other one. Preventive measures seams to warrant the best result.