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Jean-Eric Wolf

Publications and source records attributed to Jean-Eric Wolf.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Relation of hyperglycemia to ST-segment resolution after reperfusion for acute myocardial infarction (from Observatoire des Infarctus de Côte-d'Or Survey [RICO]).

Hyperglycemia has been shown to be a powerful predictor of worse outcome after ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which could be related to impaired myocardial reperfusion. This study investigated the association between hyperglycemia and ST-segment resolution (STR) after thrombolysis. From the French regional Observatoire des Infarctus de Côte-d'Or survey, admission glucose in 371 patients with STEMIs who were treated by lysis<12 hours was analyzed. The single worst lead electrocardiogram before and 90 minutes after lysis was analyzed, and patients were divided into 3 groups according to the degree of STR: none (<30%), partial (30% to 70%), or complete (>or=70%). Of the 371 patients, 101 (27.2%) had no STR, 124 (33.4%) had partial STR, and 146 (39.4%) had complete STR. STR decreased with increasing glycemia (p=0.029), and patients with hyperglycemia (glycemia>or=11 mmol/L) were more likely to have no STR. Moreover, hyperglycemia was an independent predictor of incomplete STR even after adjustment for potential confounders (odds ratio 2.348, 95% confidence interval 1.212 to 4.547). In conclusion, the present study suggests a strong association between hyperglycemia and electrocardiographic signs of reperfusion in patients with STEMIs after lysis and suggests the usefulness of evaluating early glycemic control in the setting of reperfusion for acute myocardial infarction.

Aged↗

Mutations in myosin heavy chain 11 cause a syndrome associating thoracic aortic aneurysm/aortic dissection and patent ductus arteriosus.

We have recently described two kindreds presenting thoracic aortic aneurysm and/or aortic dissection (TAAD) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and mapped the disease locus to 16p12.2-p13.13 (ref. 3). We now demonstrate that the disease is caused by mutations in the MYH11 gene affecting the C-terminal coiled-coil region of the smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, a specific contractile protein of smooth muscle cells (SMC). All individuals bearing the heterozygous mutations, even if asymptomatic, showed marked aortic stiffness. Examination of pathological aortas showed large areas of medial degeneration with very low SMC content. Abnormal immunological recognition of SM-MHC and the colocalization of wild-type and mutant rod proteins in SMC, in conjunction with differences in their coimmunoprecipitation capacities, strongly suggest a dominant-negative effect. Human MYH11 gene mutations provide the first example of a direct change in a specific SMC protein leading to an inherited arterial disease.

Adult↗

Low-frequency electrical stimulation increases muscle strength and improves blood supply in patients with chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of low-frequency electrical stimulation (LFES) on muscle strength and blood flow in patients with advanced chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with CHF (n=15; age 56.5 +/- 5.2 years; New York Heart Association III - IV; ejection fraction 18.7 +/- 3.3%) were examined before and after 6 weeks of LFES (10 Hz) of the quadriceps and calf muscles of both legs (1 h/day, 7 days/week). Dynamometry was performed weekly to determine maximal muscle strength (F(max); N) and isokinetic peak torque (PT(max); Nm); blood flow velocity (BFV) was measured at baseline and after 6 weeks of LFES using pulsed-wave Doppler velocimetry of the right femoral artery. Six weeks of LFES significantly increased F(max) (from 224.5 +/- 96.8 N to 340.0 +/- 99.4 N; p<0.001), and also PT(max) (from 94.5 +/- 41.5 Nm to 135.3 +/- 28.8 Nm; p<0.01). BFV in the femoral artery increased after 6 weeks from 35.7 +/- 15.4 cm/s to 48.2 +/- 18.1 cm/s (p<0.05); BFV values at rest before and after 6 weeks of LFES did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS: LFES may improve muscle strength and blood supply, and could be recommended for the treatment of patients with severe CHF.

Biomarkers↗

Electrical stimulation of skeletal muscles. An alternative to aerobic exercise training in patients with chronic heart failure?

The aim of this study was to investigate whether electrical stimulation of skeletal muscles could represent a rehabilitation alternative for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Thirty patients with CHF and NYHA class II-III were randomly assigned to a rehabilitation program using either electrical stimulation of skeletal muscles or bicycle training. Patients in the first group (n = 15) had 8 weeks of home-based low-frequency electrical stimulation (LFES) applied simultaneously to the quadriceps and calf muscles of both legs (1 h/day for 7 days/week); patients in the second group (n = 15) underwent 8 weeks of 40 minute aerobic exercise (3 times a week). After the 8-week period significant increases in several functional parameters were observed in both groups: maximal VO2 uptake (LFES group: from 17.5 +/- 4.4 mL/kg/min to 18.3 +/- 4.2 mL/kg/min, P < 0.05; bicycle group: from 18.1 +/- 3.9 mL/kg/min to 19.3 +/- 4.1 mL/kg/min, P < 0.01), maximal workload (LFES group: from 84.3 +/- 15.2 W to 95.9 +/- 9.8 W, P < 0.05; bicycle group: from 91.2 +/- 13.4 W to 112.9 +/- 10.8 W, P < 0.01), distance walked in 6 minutes (LFES group: from 398 +/- 105 m to 435 +/- 112 m, P < 0.05; bicycle group: from 425 +/- 118 m to 483 +/- 120 m, P < 0.03), and exercise duration (LFES group: from 488 +/- 45 seconds to 568 +/- 120 seconds, P < 0.05; bicycle group: from 510 +/- 90 seconds to 611 +/- 112 seconds, P < 0.03). These results demonstrate that an improvement of exercise capacities can be achieved either by classical exercise training or by home-based electrical stimulation. LFES should be considered as a valuable alternative to classical exercise training in patients with CHF.

Bicycling↗

Usefulness of MRI in the follow-up of patients with repaired aortic coarctation and bicuspid aortic valve.

BACKGROUND: The long-term outcome of repaired aortic coarctation may be complicated by dilatation of the ascending aorta notably in patients with bicuspid aortic valve. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to compare the size of the ascending aorta in patients with bicuspid or tricuspid aortic valve. METHODS: In 50 patients with a repair of aortic coarctation, the size of the ascending aorta was measured in a bicuspid aortic valve group (n=11) and a tricuspid aortic valve group (n=39). The aortic diameter was measured at the level of the sinus of Valsalva and at the widest part of the ascending aorta using magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: The mean age of patients at surgical repair was respectively 2.2+/-3.3 years for the bicuspid aortic valve group and 2.5+/-3.5 years for the tricuspid aortic valve group (p=NS) and the mean age at the time of the magnetic resonance imaging was 10.2+/-4.7 years and 9.3+/-5.9 years (p=NS) respectively. A significant difference in the aortic diameter was found between the bicuspid aortic valve group and the tricuspid aortic group both at the level of sinus of Valsalva (34.8+/-8.2 mm, 19.5+/-4.4 mm, respectively, p<0.01) and at the level of the ascending aorta (36.8+/-7.2 mm, 16.9+/-3.4 mm, respectively, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of ascending aortic dilatation is significantly associated with the presence of a bicuspid aortic valve. This requires long-term follow-up, which can be effectively performed by magnetic resonance imaging.

Aorta↗

Mapping of familial thoracic aortic aneurysm/dissection with patent ductus arteriosus to 16p12.2-p13.13.

BACKGROUND: Three loci have been shown to be responsible for nonsyndromic familial thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) and aortic dissections (ADs). We recently described a large family in which TAA/AD associates with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and provided genetic arguments for a unique pathophysiological entity. METHODS AND RESULTS: Genome-wide scan was performed in 40 subjects belonging to 3 generations in this large pedigree. Using the 7 TAA/AD cases as affected, we observed positive 2-point LOD scores on adjacent markers at chromosome 16p, with a maximum LOD score value of 2.73 at theta=0, a value that increased to 3.56 when 5 PDA cases were included. Multipoint linkage analysis yielded a maximum LOD score of 4.14 in the vicinity of marker D16S3103. Fine mapping allowed the observation of recombinant haplotypes that delimited a critical 20-cM interval at 16p12.2-p13.13. Automatic determination of aortic compliance with cine MRI showed that all subjects bearing the disease haplotype, even asymptomatic, displayed a very low level of aortic compliance and distensibility. Aortic stiffness was strongly associated with disease haplotype with a marked effect of age, indicating subclinical and early manifestation of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic analysis of this family identified a unique locus responsible for both TAA/AD and PDA at chromosome 16p12.2-p13.13 with aortic stiffness as an early hallmark of the disease. TAA/AD with PDA is a new monogenic entity among the genetically heterogeneous group of TAA/AD disease.

Aorta↗

Automatic fuzzy classification of the washout curves from magnetic resonance first-pass perfusion imaging after myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate the diagnostic ability of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) perfusion in acute reperfused myocardial infarction. The study used fuzzy logic to automatically classify signal intensity-time curves from myocardial segments into 3 categories: normal, hypointense, and Hyperintense. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with myocardial infarction underwent short-axis cine-MRI and contrast-enhanced MRI to provide data on wall thickening and the transmural extent of infarction. Of these, 17 had a second cardiac MRI to ascertain the functional recovery in each segment. RESULTS: The fuzzy logic based classification performs well (kappa= 0.87, P < 0.01) in comparison with a visual approach. Segments providing "hypo" curves do not recover (Delta = 0.11 SD = 0.96) whereas segments demonstrating the other curve types recover (Delta = 1 SD = 1.98 for "hyper" curves and Delta = 1.54 SD = 1.77 for "normal" curves). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed automatic signal intensity-time curve classification has a prognostic value when studying the functional recovery of pathologic segments and clearly identifies the no-reflow phenomenon known to induce poor recovery.

Adult↗

Visual estimation of the global myocardial extent of hyperenhancement on delayed contrast-enhanced MRI.

MRI with paramagnetic contrast agent allows the assessment of the extent of myocardial tissue injury after infarction. Visual segmental scoring has been widely used to define the transmural extent of myocardial infarction, but no attempt has been made to use visual scores in order to assess the percentage of the whole myocardium infarcted. By summing all the segmental scores using a 17-segment model, a global index of the size of the infarcted myocardium is easily obtained. The entire left ventricle of 60 patients with a recent myocardial infarction was scanned using an ECG-gated gradient echo sequence after injection of gadolinium contrast agent. The global score was defined as the sum of the scores on each segment, and expressed as a percentage of the maximum possible score. This index was compared with a planimetric evaluation of hyperenhancement, expressed as a percentage of the left ventricle myocardial volume. There is a good correlation between the two methods (r=0.91; y=1.06x+0.20), and the Bland-Altman plot shows a high concordance between the two approaches (mean of the differences =1.45%). A visual approach based on a 17-segment model can be used to evaluate the global myocardial extent of the hyperenhancement with similar results to planimetry.

Adult↗

Late neointimal tissue growth behind the stent after intravascular gamma-radiation.

PURPOSE: To determine the nature of the changes of the vascular wall after intravascular brachytherapy in stented arteries leading to incomplete stent apposition. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Stents were implanted in the infrarenal aortas of rabbits, and gamma-intravascular brachytherapy (18 Gy) or a sham radiation procedure was immediately implemented. The arteries were harvested at 6 months for histologic analyses. RESULTS: The external elastic lamina area, as well as the vascular wall area behind the stent, were significantly greater in irradiated vs. control arteries (8.94 +/- 0.68 mm2 vs. 6.87 +/- 0.40 mm2 [p <0.001] and 1.56 +/- 0.13 mm2 vs. 0.72 +/- 0.07 mm2 [p <0.001], respectively). The ratio of the intimal area behind the stent related to the total intimal area was greater in the irradiated segments (control vs. irradiated: 9.0% +/- 5.9% vs. 55.3% +/- 15.5%, p <0.05). Neointimal growth of the irradiated vessels outside the stent was characterized by marked fibrin depositions and an inflammatory response around the stent struts. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed the presence of a neointimal layer specifically located behind the stent, which represented the result of an unhealed fibrin-rich tissue growth process 6 months after intravascular brachytherapy.

Animals↗

Impaired fasting glucose and cardiogenic shock in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: In-hospital outcome after acute myocardial infarction (MI) has not yet been evaluated with regard to the new category of Impaired Fasting Glucose level (IFG) patients defined by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). METHODS: Nine hundred and ninety-nine patients with acute MI from the RICO survey were included in the study. Fasting blood glucose was measured after admission. Patients were grouped according to ADA definitions: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) (FG >/=7mmol/l or personal history of DM); IFG (FG 6.1 to 7mmol/l); NFG (normal FG <6.1mmol/l). RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-one patients (38%) had DM, 145 (15%) IFG and 473 (47%) NFG. Mortality in the IFG group was twice that of the NFG group (8% vs 4%, P=0.049). A significant increase in cardiogenic shock (12% vs 6%, P=0.011) and ventricular arrhythmia (15% vs 9%, P=0.035) was observed in the IFG vs NFG group. IFG, after adjustment for confounding factors (age, sex, anterior location, and LVEF), was a strong independent predictive factor for cardiogenic shock (P=0.005). CONCLUSION: MI patients with IFG had an overall worse outcome, characterized by a higher risk of developing cardiogenic shock during their hospital stay.

Aged↗

The extent of myocardial damage assessed by contrast-enhanced MRI is a major determinant of N-BNP concentration after myocardial infarction.

AIMS: To evaluate the relationship between N-terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (N-BNP) level and contrast-enhanced MRI in patients after acute myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: Eighty-two patients were studied. Venous blood samples were obtained 3 days after MI and MRI was performed from 2 to 7 days after MI, with determination of left ventricular function and acquisition of perfusion data after injection of gadolinium-DTPA. First-pass images (FPI) and Delayed contrast-enhanced (CE) images were analyzed using a 17-segment model, and the extent of transmurality was determined by a visual score. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that age (P<0.001), sex (P<0.02), Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) <45% (P<0.002), creatinine (P<0.05) and delayed CE-MR images (P<0.006) were predictors of a supramedian N-BNP level. FPI was not a predictor in this univariate analysis (P<0.078). In a multivariate model, only age, LVEF <45% and delayed CE-MRI were associated with an increased N-BNP level. CONCLUSION: After MI, high N-BNP levels are dependent on the LVEF but also on the myocardial infarct size derived from the delayed CE-MR images.

Aged↗

Familial thoracic aortic aneurysm/dissection with patent ductus arteriosus: genetic arguments for a particular pathophysiological entity.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection (TAA and AD) are an important cause of sudden death. Familial cases could account for 20% of all cases. A genetic heterogeneity with two identified genes (FBN1 and COL3A1) and three loci (3p24-25 or MFS2/TAAD2, 5q13-q14 and 11q23.2-24) has been shown previously. Study of a single family composed of 179 members with an abnormally high occurrence of TAA/AD disease. A total of 40 subjects from three generations were investigated. In addition to five cases of stroke and three cases of sudden death, there were four cases of AD and four cases of TAA in adults. In all, 11 cases of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) were observed, two of which were associated with TAA and one with AD. Segregation analysis showed that the distribution of these vascular abnormalities was more likely compatible with a single genetic defect with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. There were no clinical signs of Marfan, Elhers-Danlos vascular type or Char syndromes. Genetic linkage analysis was performed for seven genes or loci implicated in familial TAA/AD disease (COL3A1, FBN1, 3p24-25 or MFS2/TAAD2, 5q13-q14 and 11q23.2-q24), Char syndrome (TFAP2B) or autosomal recessive PDA (12q24). Using different genetic models, linkage with these seven loci was excluded. Familial TAA/AD with PDA is likely to be a particular heritable vascular disorder, with an as yet undiscovered Mendelian genetic basis.

Aortic Dissection↗

Beneficial effects of direct call to emergency medical services in acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the impact of an emergency medical services call on the management of acute myocardial infarction, considering time intervals for intervention and revascularization procedures. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected from January 2001 to October 2002 from 531 patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation and a pre-hospital delay of less than 24 h. RESULTS: Only 26% of patients called the emergency medical services at the onset of symptoms (n=140). Other patients (n=391, 74%) called another medical contact. Baseline characteristics and cardiovascular history were similar in the two groups, except for the percutaneous coronary intervention history (10% in the emergency medical services group versus 4% in the other medical contact group, P<0.05). Time intervals from the onset of symptoms of myocardial infarction to call or to medical intervention, as well as the time interval from medical intervention to hospital admission were significantly shorter in the emergency medical services group. The early reperfusion rate was also significantly greater in the emergency medical services group (77%) compared with the other medical contact group (64%), mainly because of a greater incidence of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (36 versus 26%, P<0.03, respectively). Multivariate analysis adjusted for sex and age showed that less than three medical care providers [odds ratio (OR) 5.042, P<0.001], percutaneous coronary intervention history (OR 2.462, P<0.05), as well as rhythmic disorders (OR 2.105, P<0.05) and complete atrioventricular block (OR 2.757, P<0.05) were independent predictors of emergency medical services care. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that a call to the emergency medical services is underutilized by patients with symptoms of myocardial infarction, and documented the beneficial effects of an emergency medical services call by reducing pre-hospital delays and increasing early revascularization therapies.

Emergency Medical Services↗

Bacterial endocarditis complicating mitral annular calcification: a clinical and echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Although described in a number of necropsy studies, endocarditis on mitral annular calcification (MAC) has rarely been reported during life. The study aim was to assess the frequency and specific features of bacterial endocarditis complicating MAC. METHODS: Data relating to 62 cases of infective endocarditis of the native mitral valve diagnosed with multiplane transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) over a five-year period were collected prospectively. RESULTS: Among 62 patients, 15 (24%) had vegetations originating from a calcified mitral annulus (group 1), while 47 had classic leaflet endocarditis (group 2). Group 1 patients differed significantly from group 2 patients with regard to: (i) higher incidence of diabetes mellitus and cancers; (ii) initial clinical presentation, with febrile coma or meningoencephalitis in 53% of cases; (iii) echocardiographic features, with significantly greater vegetations, presence of calcium-dense echoes within the vegetation, high frequency of ring abscess, and high frequency of para-annular ventriculoatrial leakage; and (iv) poorer clinical outcome, with 53% in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: MAC appears to be an underestimated predisposing factor for a particularly severe type of bacterial endocarditis. The use of multiplane TEE should improve current knowledge of this disease.

Adult↗

[Aortic dissection].

Most often revealed thanks to chest pain, acute aortic dissection must be suspected and diagnosed without losing anytime, because of their evolutive risks and their specific treatment in a specialised unit. Once the early management is over, survivers must be closely followed, specially for their blood pressure to be kept normal, and to screen for secondary complications that would require surgery. Owing to the improvement of early management and follow up, facilitated by the new non-invasive imaging techniques of the aorta, the severe prognosis of this disease has significantly improved.

Aortic Dissection↗

Glucose insulin potassium infusion improves systolic function in patients with chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the effects of glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) by echocardiography in stable patients with ischemic dysfunction. METHODS: Twelve male patients with stable coronary disease (SCD) and ejection fraction (EF) <45% were studied for systolic function. GIK (glucose 30%, 300 insulin units and KCl 6 g/l) was infused at 1 ml/kg per h over 20 min. Hemodynamic and echocardiographic measurements were recorded at rest (T(0)), at the end (20 min) of GIK infusion (T+20), 20 and 40 min after the end of the infusion (T+40 and T+60). RESULTS: At T+20, a significant decrease in WMSI (wall motion score index) was observed compared with T(0) (2.16+/-0.14 vs. 2.30+/-0.16: P<0.05). An increase in EF was reported at T+40 and T+60 compared with T(0) (44.1+/-7.8% and 53.3+/-11.6% vs. 35.6+/-4.5%, respectively: P<0.01). A decrease in WMSI was observed at T+40 and T+60 compared with rest (2.02+/-0.17 and 1.93+/-0.11 vs. 2.30+/-0.16, respectively: P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our present work suggests that GIK infusion improves systolic function in patients with SCD and ejection fraction <45%. Further studies are needed to determine if short-term GIK infusion could be useful for therapeutic or diagnostic strategies in these patients.

Adult↗

Automatic determination of aortic compliance with cine-magnetic resonance imaging: an application of fuzzy logic theory.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Aortic compliance is defined as the relative change in aortic cross-sectional area divided by the change in arterial pressure. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful imaging modality for the noninvasive evaluation of aortic compliance. However, manual tracing of the aortic contour is subject to important interobserver variations. To estimate the aortic compliance from cine-MRI, a method based on fuzzy logic theory was elaborated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven healthy volunteers and eight patients with Marfan syndrome were examined using an ECG gated cine-MRI sequence. The aorta was imaged in the transverse plane at the level of the pulmonary trunk. A method based on fuzzy logic was developed to automatically detect the aortic contour. RESULTS: Through our robust automatic contouring method, the calculation of aortic cross-sectional areas allows an estimation of the aortic compliance. CONCLUSION: The aortic compliance can be obtained from a fuzzy logic based automatic contouring method, thereby avoiding the important interobserver variation often associated with manual tracing.

Adolescent↗