Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Langella

Publications and source records attributed to B Langella.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Infarction of the right ventricle].

Anatomical studies have confirmed that isolated right ventricular and anterior biventricular infarcts are rare. However, RV extension is found in 36 to 50 per cent of cases of postero-inferior infarcts, which confirms the findings of invasive and non-invasive investigations which detect acute RV dysfunction with the same frequency after this type of infarct. It is difficult to create right ventricular infarction experimentally because of the relative protection against ischaemia of the RV. In man, this condition almost always implies an associated thrombosis of the proximal right coronary artery and significant stenosis of the IVA, which justifies the broad indications for coronary angiography. The two major haemodynamic consequences of right ventricular infarction are due to original pathophysiological mechanisms: the adiastole seems to be due to a limitation of RV dilatation by the pericardium, the reduced output is due to faulty LV filling as a result of RV systolic dysfunction and associated factors such as the absence of efficient and synchronous atrial systole secondary to AVB (60%) or to acute right atrial paralysis. The choice of treatment is based on these pathophysiological data. The diagnosis of infarction of the RV is straightforward, often suggested on clinical examination (RVI syndrome: reduced output in 45% of cases) and the surface E.C.G. (ST-T depression 1 mm in V3R-V4R-V5R). The diagnosis is confirmed by more sophisticated investigations which can evaluate the degree of systolic dysfunction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Echocardiography↗

[M-mode echocardiographic study of right ventricular involvement in the acute phase of inferoposterior myocardial infarction].

The aim of this study was to assess the value of a non-invasive technique, echocardiography, in diagnosing RV extension during the acute phase of myocardial infarction. Forty patients with an acute infero-posterior infarct were divided into two groups according to the presence (Group A) or absence (Group B) of RV akinesia on angiography. M mode echocardiography was carried out from two positions: left parasternal, for the study of quantitative parameters: RV and LV diameters, wall thickness and excursion, VCF and fractional shortening, mitral and tricuspid valve morphology, aortic and left atrial dimensions; subxostal: for the study of one parametere: RV inferior wall motion assessed as normal or akinetic. A comparative statistical study including a group of 35 controls was carried out. The results showed at comparable values in both groups, that patients in Group A had lower global LV function, hypokinesia of the LV posterior wall with minor changes in the mitral valve echo and LA dimension; akinesia of the RV inferior wall, a direct and specific sign of RV infarction, was observed in 50 p. 100 of cases; in comparison with the other two groups, despite large individual variations, there was a significant increase in RV diameter (p less than 0,001) and RV/LV diameter (p less than 0,001), and in the amplitude of systolic motion of the RV anterior wall (p less than 0,05 and p less than 0,01). Other qualitative signs were inconstant: paradoxical septal motion (7/20), pericardial separation (3/20), tricuspid B point (5/20). Dilatation of the RV was inconstant (50 p. 100 of cases) but its association with paradoxical septal motion was indicative of significant tricuspid incompetence. Akinesia of the RV inferior wall seemed to be of prognostic value: RVEDP and the extent of angiographic RV akinesia were greater in its presence (p less than 0,05). There was a slight correlation between RV dimensions (RV diameter and RV/LV diameters) and the extent of angiographic RV akinesia (R = 0,50, p less than 0,05) and with cardiac index (R = 0,60, p less than 0,05). This study shows that M mode echo provides positive direct signs of RV infarction in about 50 p. 100 of cases. The sensitivity of the technique is therefore relatively low. However, it does distinguish the more severe forms of biventricular infarction, especially when complicated by tricuspid incompetence.

Adult↗

[Prospective study of the diagnostic and prognostic criteria of right ventricular involvement in the acute phase of inferoposterior infarction].

Right ventricular involvement has been shown to be common in the acute phase of infero-posterior myocardial infarction. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of the different criteria obtained by clinical and paraclinical methods of investigation. Forty patients (35 men, 5 women: mean age 57,1 years) admitted consecutively with this type of transmural infarct without any other cause of acute or chronic volumic or barometric overload of the RV were investigated. In addition to clinical data, the following paraclinical investigations were carried out during the first three days of admission: ECG and vectorcardiogramme (VCG); transaminase levels (SGOT and SGPT), creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), alpha HBDH, serum creatinine, blood gases (pO2), M mode and 2 D echo, right heart catheterisation and cardiac output estimations, selective RV and pulmonary cineangiography centered on the LV in the monoplane 30 degrees LAO projection. Two groups of twenty patients were identified, comparable in age and sex, according to the angiographic extension of akinesia of the RV inferior wall: Group A: extensive akinesia (greater than or equal to 30 p. 100), Group B: very localised or no akinesia (less than 30 p. 100). Analysis of the results showed a number of features characterising patients in Group A: the high incidence of initial shock (45 p. 100 (A)/0 p. 100 (B] and signs of RV failure (85 p. 100/0 p. 100), higher SGOT, SEPT (p less than 0,05) and alpha HBDH (p less than 0,02) but not of CPK; much higher serum creatinine (p less than 0,01) and lower p02 (p less than 0,05); the ECG showed a high incidence (85 p. 100) and specificity (95 p. 100) of ST-T elevation in V3R and V4R, and also 2nd or 3rd degree AV block (60 p. 100/5 p. 100): there were no characteristic VCG changes. Catheterisation showed very significant increases (p less than 0,001) of mean RA, and RV end diastolic pressures, of the RA/mean pulmonary capillary pressure ratio and of Yu's index. There was a moderate increase in PCP (p less than 0,01), a drop in right ventricular systolic work index (RSSWI); adiastole was very common (90 p. 100) and very specific (95 p. 100); angiography showed an increase in RV end diastolic and end systolic volumes (p less than 0,05) and a fall in RV ejection fraction (p less than 0,05) but with a lot of individual variations; there were no significant differences between the two groups as regards the volumes, ejection fractions and p. 100 akinesia of the LV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aged↗

[Lateral ventral or Spiegel's line hernia. Apropos of 8 new cases].

Eight cases of lateral ventral hernia, or the so-called hernia of the line of Spiegel, included 2 serious cases complicated by a pyostercoral phlegmon. The principal anatomic, clinical and therapeutic features of these hernias are discussed, with emphasis of the probable underestimation of this affection and the value of parietal ultrasound imaging for its early diagnosis in patients with abdominal pain unexplained by a deep visceral lesion.

Adult↗