Cardiovascular assessment of asymptomatic patients with juvenile-onset localized and systemic scleroderma: 10 years prospective observation.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was non-invasive evaluation of the cardiovascular system in asymptomatic young adult patients with juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS) and juvenile systemic sclerosis (JSS). METHODS: A group of 34 consecutive children with scleroderma were prospectively observed in the study. The control group (CG) consisted of 20 healthy subjects. In each subject 12-lead electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, ECG Holter, and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring examinations were performed at the baseline visit and after 10 years. Additionally, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations were measured after 10 years. RESULTS: Examinations were performed in 13 patients with JLS and 15 with JSS at the final visit. Two children had died (one from each group). Four patients were alive but refused the final visit. After 10 years, a higher prevalence of ventricular extrasystoles (p = 0.01) and an elevated pulmonary arterial pressure (JLS: p = 0.04, JSS: p = 0.03) were observed in both groups, but in comparison with the controls there was no significant difference at the final visit. In JLS patients more cases of left ventricle diastolic dysfunction, hypertension, and sinus tachycardia were diagnosed at the final visit (p ≤ 0.05). More atrioventricular block episodes in both groups of scleroderma patients were observed. Over the 10 years, arterial hypertension was diagnosed in three patients from the JLS group and in two with JSS. There were no significant differences in BNP concentrations at the final visit. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study show that juvenile scleroderma seems to be more benign than adult-onset disease. This observational study shows subclinical, not severe, cardiac abnormalities in adult patients with juvenile-onset disease.

[Evaluation of antiarrhythmic efficacy of sotalol in various doses in patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias]. / Ocena skutecznosci przeciwarytmicznej sotalolu w róznych dawkach u chorych z komorowymi zaburzeniami rytmu.

UNLABELLED: Antiarrhythmic efficacy of sotalol--noncardioselective beta-adrenergic blocking agent with class III antiarrhythmic action was evaluated in 34 patients [pts] (mean age 55 +/- 11) with chronic ventricular arrhythmias and coronary artery disease, 38% with previous myocardial infarction. Two schedules of dosing were tested: 3 x 80 mg and 2 x 160 mg during 28 days of therapy. Pts with Lown class II and IV arrhythmia derived from 24-hours Holter recording were assigned. Ventricular premature complexes [VPCs] and couplets reduction by 80% and total elimination of runs defined antiarrhythmic efficacy. Proarrhythmia was defined by four times increase in VPCs, ten times increase in couplets and runs or sustained VT episodes. RESULTS: Antiarrhythmic efficacy of two doses of sotalol according to study criterion was: 31% for lower dose (3 x 80 mg) and 24% for higher dose (2 x 160 mg). Overall efficacy for both doses was 55%. According to Morganroth criterion, lower dose was effective in 29% pts and both doses, lower and higher, in 41% pts. According to other commonly used criterion: 70% VPCs reduction, 90% couplets reduction and total elimination of runs, lower dose of sotalol was effective in 32% pts and both doses in 47% pts. Significant reduction of heart rate and prolongation of QT and QTc were observed. In 3 pts QT was prolonged over 500 ms. Proarrhythmia according to Velebit criterion was suspected in one patient after one week of 3 x 80 mg teratment which caused premature cessation of therapy. No significant abnormalities in laboratory values were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Antiarrhythmic efficacy of sotalol was comparable to other studies. Its value in pts with malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias: sustained ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation requires further studies with higher number of patients.

Resolution of an aortic mobile mass with anticoagulation without evidence of arterial embolism.

The prognostic significance of aortic mobile debris detected by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients without history of embolism has not been established. A mobile aortic arch mass was found by TEE in a 59-year-old man with coronary artery disease, and with rheumatic mitral valve disease, and with no embolic symptoms. The patient was anticoagulated for 6 weeks and the mass was no longer seen on repeated TEE. He had no embolic symptoms during 9 months of follow-up. Different therapeutic approaches to mobile aortic debris are discussed and anticoagulant treatment of asymptomatic cases is advocated.

[Sensitivity of exercise echocardiography, electrocardiographic exercise test and 24-hour ekg monitoring in diagnosing and evaluating the efficacy of coronary disease treatment]. / Znaczenie wysilkowej echokardiografii, elektrokardiograficznej proby wysilkowej i 24-godzinnego monitorowania EKG w rozpoznaniu i ocenie skutecznosci leczenia choroby wiencowej.

To test the sensitivity and specificity of noninvasive tests for detecting myocardial ischemia, 78 patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation for suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) were studied in prospective blinded manner with exercise echocardiography (EE), ecg stress test (ET) and 24-hour Holter monitoring for analysis of ST-segment changes (HM). All noninvasive tests were repeated after one year follow-up period. Exercise was performed in a supine position using a bicycle ergometer. Real time 2-DE examinations were performed in the left lateral position: at rest, at the peak of exercise and immediately after exercise testing. The sensitivity and specificity of EE, ET and HM for detection of CAD were: 76%, 92%; 90%, 48%; and 80%, 71% respectively. In a group of 48 pts with the narrowing of coronary artery (CA) < 50%, the follow-up EE was negative in 45. In a group of 30 pts with significant narrowing of CA, 10 were asymptomatic within one year after PTCA or CABG; in 9 of them the follow-up EE as well as ET were negative. HM less correlated with clinical course in asymptomatic subjects: in 4 patients it was negative and in 6 - positive. The reminding 20 patients with CAD treated medically, with PTCA or CABG were symptomatic after one year. The follow-up EE, ET and HM studies were positive in 17, 19 and 17 cases respectively. We conclude that sensitivity of EE in diagnosis of CAD is comparable to ET and HM, but its specificity is higher.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[24-hour ECG monitoring by the Holter system in early diagnosis of coronary disease]. / 24-godzinne monitorowanie EKG systemem Holtera we wczesnym rozpoznawaniu choroby wiencowej.

The aim of this study was to investigate the value of continuous ECG monitoring in early diagnosis of coronary heart disease. 312 patients (59 women, 253 men, aged 20-60 years) with chest pain since 3-6 months were studied. All patients underwent clinical examination, serum lipid determination, exercise ECG test, ambulatory ECG monitoring and coronary angiography. 194 patients had normal or nonsignificant irregularities of coronary arteries, in 118 patients significant atherosclerotic stenoses were found. Sensitivity and specificity of ECG monitoring were: 46 and 54% respectively. Significantly higher frequency of changes and longer duration of depression or elevation of ST segment in patients with significant coronary artery stenosis was found. ST segment changes without angina were observed in 23,7% of patients.