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B Gallet

Publications and source records attributed to B Gallet.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Use of echocardiography in mitral regurgitation for the assessment of its mechanism and etiology for the morphological analysis of the mitral valve].

Echocardiographic assessment of mitral regurgitation allows the diagnosis of its mechanism and cause which are major determinants in the feasibility of mitral valve repair. This assessment is based on a systematic analysis of the different structures of the mitral valve apparatus: mitral annulus (enlargement, calcification), mitral valve morphology (thickening, calcification, floppy valve, vegetations, perforation), mitral valve motion (restriction, identification of the prolapsed leaflets and scallops in patients with mitral valve prolapse or flail leaflets), subvalvular apparatus (ruptured chordae, thickening), papillary muscles, and left ventricular wall. This analysis can diagnose the mechanism of mitral regurgitation according to the Carpentier classification, and can clarify its cause: degenerative lesions (prolapse or flail leaflet with or without ruptured chordae), rheumatic lesions (thickened valves with restricted motion), endocarditis (vegetations, perforation, ruptured chordae), ischemic mitral regurgitation (restricted valve motion with inferior or posterior left ventricular wall asynergy), or functional mitral regurgitation (annular dilatation, displacement of papillary muscles with restricted leaflet motion). Transthoracic echocardiography with harmonic imaging usually allows a comprehensive assessment of functional anatomy of mitral regurgitation. Transesophageal echocardiography is indicated if transthoracic echocardiography is inadequate. It is also indicated just before surgery and as an intraoperative procedure. Real time 3D echocardiography should probably complete the evaluation of mitral regurgitation in the near future.

Echocardiography↗

[Quantification of valvular regurgitation by the convergence zone method].

The convergence zone method is currently used routinely to quantify valvular regurgitation, particularly mitral insufficiency, but also aortic and tricuspid regurgitation. It is quick to perform, requires relatively little training and remains valid in the presence of atrial fibrillation and in the association of regurgitation-stenosis. It relies on the measurement of output at the level of an isovelocity hemisphere and allows calculation of the regurgitant orifice surface (SOR) and the regurgitant volume per beat (VR). It is reserved for severe regurgitation corresponding to angiographic grade 4: SOR > 40 mm2 and VR > 60 ml for mitral insufficiency, SOR > 30 mm2 and VR > 60 ml for aortic insufficiency, and SOR > 40 mm2 and VR > 40 ml for tricuspid insufficiency.

Atrial Fibrillation↗

[Atrophic involution of juvenile xanthogranulomas].

INTRODUCTION: We report an unusual atrophic involution of juvenile xanthogranulomas. CASE REPORT: A newborn boy presented with 5 papular, nodular and necrotic lesions located on the upper part of the body. The diameter of the lesions ranged between 1 and 3 cm. Light microscopy showed an infiltrate with foamy and Touton cells. Langerhans' cell histiocytosis was eliminated because none of these cells showed reactivity for S100 protein and CD1a. At the age of 8 years, all the lesions had spontaneously regressed leaving unusual atrophic scars that had the same size as the active lesions. DISCUSSION: We compared the clinical, histological and evolution data of our patient with 251 published cases. The most significant clinical feature of juvenile xanthogranuloma is the spontaneous involution without any trace. However, hyperpigmentation, anetoderma or atrophy may occur. Atrophy is not frequent and can result from 2 mechanisms. Inflammation of the hypodermic tissue, which becomes atrophic and atrophy that may also result from collagen remodeling anomalies during the scarring process.

Atrophy↗

[Acute coronary syndromes in patients treated with HIV protease inhibitors].

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular complications occurring in patients infected by the human immunodeficient virus (HIV) have considerably changed since the appearance, in April 1996, of highly active antiretroviral tri-therapy (HAART), associating reverse transcriptase and protease HIV-1 inhibitors. The spectacular efficacy of anti-proteases has led to the almost complete disappearance of these opportunistic complications. However, in May 1998, acute coronary accidents were reported in the literature, thus questioning the possible responsibility of antiprotease treatment in the occurrence of accelerated atheroma. METHOD: We report a series of 8 seropositive patients in whom an acute coronary event had occurred between February 1997 and February 1999. RESULTS: The patients were young and all exhibited cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, dyslipidemia) and were treated with HIV-1 protease inhibitors. Six patients presented myocardial infarction, one patient unstable angina and one patient effort angina. COMMENTS: A rise in triglycerides was observed principally on ingestion of ritonavir and a rise in cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol with all the antiprotease agents. Glucose intolerance was observed with indinavir. The occurrence of acute coronary events appeared to be related to antiprotease treatment (at the origin of metabolic disorders, endothelial dysfunction...), although it was impossible to say whether the antiprotease agents were responsible for the early atheroma or whether they simply contributed to the event. The coronary lesions were characterized by their number (single artery) and their topography (proximal or median). Nelfinavir may carry less cardiovascular risks than the other antiproteases. Mean term prognosis was relatively good, after therapeutic adjustment (change in antiprotease, strategic measures against cardiovascular risk factors, introduction of anti-anginal treatment...). CONCLUSION: Larger and longer studies would help to specify the role of antiproteases in the occurrence of early coronary events. Rigorous monitoring (lipid and glucose measurements, tests to search for myocardial infarction,..) together with the development of new antiretroviral molecules would reduce the number of coronary events in this type of patient.

Adult↗

[Perforation of the aorta after percutaneous closure of an atrial septal defect with an Amplatz prosthesis, presenting with acute severe hemolysis].

We report a case of aortic perforation three weeks after transcatheter occlusion of an atrial septal defect (ASD) by an Amplatzer device. Revealed by acute hemolysis, this complication needed an emergency surgical operation. The fistula between the no coronary Valsalva sinus of the aorta and the left atrium was repaired. The ASD was closed by patch. This serious accident should consider a short antero-superior rim as a risk factor for aortic perforation in transcatheter closure for ASD.

Acute Disease↗

Severe intermittent intraprosthetic regurgitation after mitral valve replacement with subvalvular preservation.

Preservation of the subvalvular apparatus during mitral valve replacement preserves left ventricular function and improves long-term survival. Complications of subvalvular preservation include left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and prosthesis impingement. We report a case of severe intermittent intraprosthetic mitral regurgitation detected by transesophageal echocardiography after mitral valve replacement by a bileaflet mechanical prosthesis with subvalvular preservation. Intravalvular prosthetic valve regurgitation was caused by remnants of the subvalvular apparatus, which were shown at reoperation to interfere with prosthetic leaflet motion and which were excised. Postoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed neither abnormal mitral regurgitation nor residual mass. The use of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography could enable the detection of this rare complication.

Aged↗

[Dynamic left ventricular obstruction associated with a pheochromocytoma reversible after tumor ablation].

The association of dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and pheochromocytoma is rare with only about fifteen previously reported cases in the literature. The association may be the result of chronic increased catecholamine secretion which induces intra-ventricular obstruction in a hypertrophied ventricle due to hypertension. The authors report a new case in which the intraventricular gradient on Doppler echocardiography was particularly high at 120 mmHg. The gradient totally regressed after removal of the pheochromocytoma. The finding of a systolic murmur in a patient with pheochromocytoma should lead to the prescription of Doppler echocardiography and diagnosis of left ventricular tract obstruction must lead to the association of betablocker and alphablocker therapy before surgery. The removal of the pheochromocytoma is usually followed by the complete regression of left intraventricular obstruction, as in this case.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

[Cardiac side effects of anti-HIV agents].

Both nature and prognosis of cardiac complications occurring in patients infected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) have changed considerably since the introduction of highly acive and anti-retroviral triple therapy ("HART"). Opportunist cardiac infections have thus been displaced and side effects of drugs now occupy the primary aetiological role. Torsades de pointe may be exceptionally triggered by anti-infectious agents such as pentacarinat or trimethoprime-sulfamethoxazole, as are those induced by the association of ketoconazole and terfenadine or cisapride, the dangers of which are well known and the prevention more effective, especially with the association with HIV antiproteases which inhibit the cytochrome P450. The diagnosis of iatrogenic myocardial dysfunction is more difficult, except when it occurs acutely as with phosphonoformate (Foscarnet), or interleukine-2. Progressive cardiomyopathy caused by -interferon and dideoxynucleosides (zidovudine, didanosine and zalcitabine), reversible on withdrawal of the drug responsible in half the cases, should be distinguished from those due to the HIV itself (therapeutic relay) or to another associated cause (alcohol, coronary artery disease). The coronary complications of diseases treated by antiproteases usually occur in smokers whose cholesterol and triglyceride levels are rapidly increased with HAART. In a series of 9 patients (amongst 700 treated with the antiproteases), after the acute phase of myocardial infarction during which the interventional approach is often preferred, the medium-term prognosis is relatively good, on condition that the patients correct the hyperlipidaemia and give up smoking.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

[Transesophageal echocardiography before electric cardioversion for supraventricular arrhythmia].

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the risks of electrical shock cardio-version in the treatment of supraventricular rhythm disorders when administered under effective-dose but short duration anticoagulation in patients with no intracavitary thrombus detectable by transesophageal echocardiography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred nineteen patients, mean age 66 years, with permanent arrhythmia due to atrial fibrillation (n = 102), atrial flutter (n = 16) or atrial tachycardia (n = 1) and taking no long-term anticoagulant therapy were treated by electrical shock cardioversion. The patients were given heparin at an effective dose 72 hours prior to cardioversion. A transthoracic and a transesophageal echocardiography were performed less than 24 hours prior to cardioversion. RESULTS: Twenty-one thrombi were evidenced in 16 patients (14.6%) including 18 in the left auricle, 1 in the left atrium and 2 in the right atrium. A spontaneous contrast was visualized in 38 patients (32%). Cardioversion was performed in 103 patients without thrombus and later in 9 of the 16 patients with thrombus after absorption under anticoagulant therapy as evidenced on the control transesophageal echocardiography. A sinus rhythm was obtained in 82% of the cases. All patients were given anti-vitamin K anticoagulants for one month. There were no clinical manifestation of ischemic vascular events during cardioversion nor during the one-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Early use of electrical shock cardioversion in patients with supraventricular rhythm disorders can be proposed without long-term anticoagulation therapy if the absence of thrombi is demonstrated by transesophageal echocardiography and short-term heparin is given followed by oral anticoagulants for at least 4 weeks. A large-scale randomized prospective study comparing the conventional strategy with the protocol used in this study would be required to definitively validate this approach and determine its possible advantages.

Adult↗

[Calculation of the regurgitation fraction in mitral insufficiency by Doppler echocardiography using a study of the zone of flow convergence].

The aim of this study was to propose a new method for calculating the regurgitation fraction of mitral insufficiency by the proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) method and to compare it with the value of the catheter regurgitation fraction. Thirty-five patients (21 men and 14 women) aged 59 +/- 13 years with isolated mitral insufficiency were studied. Analysis of the proximal isovelocity surface area enabled calculation of an instantaneous maximum regurgitant flow, surface of the regurgitant orifice and the regurgitant volume. The regurgitant fraction was calculated by dividing the regurgitant volume by the sum of the regurgitant volume and aortic stroke volume measured by Doppler echocardiography. These parameters were compared with the corresponding catheter data and the angiographic grade of mitral insufficiency. The echocardiographic and catheter studies were performed within 1.7 +/- 1.2 days. There was a statistically significant correlation between the instantaneous maximum regurgitant flow calculated by the PISA method and the catheter regurgitant flow (r = 0.88; p = 0.0001); between the regurgitant volume calculated by the PISA method and the catheter regurgitant volume (r = 0.85; p = 0.0001) and the regurgitation fraction calculated by the PISA method and the catheter regurgitant fraction (r = 0.82; p = 0.0001). A regurgitant fraction by the PISA method of > 45% corresponded to severe mitral regurgitation (> or = angiographic grade 3 and/or a catheter regurgitant fraction > or = 50%) with a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 100%. The PISA method should form part or routine quantification of mitral insufficiency.

Adult↗

[Study of hypertrophic cardiomyopathies with Doppler echocardiography].

The aim of this review is to demonstrate the usefulness of Doppler echocardiography in the study of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Two-dimensional imaging enables confirmation of hypertrophy and identification of its type (usually asymmetrical), site and extent. Intraventricular obstruction can be confirmed by echocardiography (mesosystolic aortic closure, systolic anterior mitral movement with prolonged septal contact) and Doppler (intraventricular obstruction flow). This obstruction may be obvious (present under baseline conditions), latent (appearing during provocative tests) or absent. The maximum velocity of obstruction flow can be used to calculate intraventricular gradient by application of Bernouilli's equation. This intraventricular obstruction flow must be distinguished from apical obliteration flow (with which it may be associated) and from left mid-ventricular stenosis flow (which may cause diastolic obstruction associated with the systolic obstruction). Mitral insufficiency is usually a consequence of intraventricular obstruction (loss of systolic coaptation of the mitral leaflets secondary to systolic anterior mitral movement). Ejection parameters are increased because of a fall in left ventricular afterload (hyperdynamic state). Left ventricular diastolic function is most often abnormal (relaxation anomaly). Doppler echocardiography can also be used to seek associated abnormalities, in the evaluation of family members and to monitor progress (treated or not treated). Doppler echocardiography thus enables complete anatomical and functional study of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Invasive hemodynamic investigations are justified only if a diagnostic problem persists, if surgical treatment is considered or if coronary arteriography is thought necessary.

Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic↗

[Left ventricular dilatation after primary transmural anterior myocardial infarction. Influence of the percentage of akinesia on echocardiography].

The aim of this study was to determine whether the percentage of akinesia on echocardiography during the acute phase of transmural anterior myocardial infarction could predict secondary left ventricular dilatation. The study group comprised 24 patients (18 men and 6 women) with an average age of 59 years. The patients underwent two echocardiographic examinations, the first during the acute (< 72 hours) phase and the second, 6 months later. Ventricular volumes were calculated by the ellipse monoplane method in the apical 4 chamber view. The percentage of akinesia was defined as the ratio between the length of the akinetic segment and the left ventricular end diastolic perimeter in the apical 4 chamber view. An increase in end diastolic volume (83 +/- 25 vs 62 +/- 18 ml/m2; p < 0.01) and in end systolic volume (51 +/- 27 vs 34 +/- 11 ml/m2; p < 0.01) was observed 6 months after infarction without a significant change in ejection fractions (42 +/- 17% vs 44 +/- 10%). The percentage of akinesia in the acute phase was > 30% in 15 patients (Group I) and < 30% in 9 patients (Group II). The increase in ventricular volumes at 6 months after infarction was significant in Group I (p < 0.02) but not in Group II. At 6 months after infarction, the end systolic volumes were greater (60 +/- 27 vs 37 +/- 22 ml/m2, p < 0.5) and the ejection fractions were lower (35 +/- 13% vs 53 +/- 18%, p < 0.01) in Group I than in Group II.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[Myocardial bridge of the left anterior descending coronary artery and myocardial infarction: does coronary spasm play a part?].

The association of a myocardial bridge of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery and myocardial infarction is rare. The mechanisms by which the myocardial bridge could predispose to myocardial infarction are tachycardia (reducing the duration of diastolic coronary filling), thrombosis at the site of the myocardial bridge, and coronary spasm which, however, has never been demonstrated in the context of infarction. The aim of this study was to detect coronary spasm by provocative ergometrine testing in 4 patients, all male, aged 21 to 49 years, average 39 years old, who had anterior myocardial infarction associated with myocardial bridging of the LAD artery without atheromatous coronary stenosis. The ergometrine tests were performed during (2 cases) or after coronary angiography (2 cases). The systolic narrowing due to the myocardial bridge ranged from 25 to 95% (average 70%). The ergometrine test was strongly positive in 1 patient and negative in the other 3. Repermeabilisation of a thrombus was suggested in these 3 patients by the recording of an accelerated idioventricular rythm in the acute phase of infarction (2 cases) or by the demonstration of abnormal platelet aggregation (1 case). This is the first report of coronary spasm in a patient with myocardial bridging associated with infarction. However, it is not possible to determine the respective roles of spasm and myocardial bridging in the genesis of the infarct. We suggest systemic provocative ergometrine testing in this situation to orientate the most appropriate treatment.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗