[Comparison of Costs and Revenues in Conservative and Invasive Treatment in Cardiology: a Contribution Margin Analysis]. / Vergleich der Kosten- und Erlössituation invasiver und konservativer kardiologischer Behandlungsfälle: Modell einer Deckungsbeitragsrechnung.

Aim of the study: Direct costing is a specialized form of cost analysis well suited for medical areas with DRG-orientated flat rate payments. By comparing case-related variable costs and payments, it is possible to compare the economic benefits of different medical treatments. This aim was pursued by developing a direct costing concept and by its application to invasively and non-invasively treated cardiac patients. Methods: The entire database comprised 7 330 cases of a tertiary cardiac center between 2007 and 2011. It was derived from databases of the hospital information system, the materials management department and the catheter laboratory. On the revenue side, DRG payments were included. Costs related to heart catheterization such as material, personnel and maintenance expenses were considered to be variable costs. Contribution margins and relative contribution margins were calculated by introducing the length of hospital stay as a time reference. Results: During the observation period, caseload and annual revenues increased by about 20 percent. Contribution margins were higher in invasively than in non-invasively treated patients (2 097±1 590 vs. 1 614±1 105 €; p<0,001). However, the relative relation of both patient groups was not altered during the observation period. A remarkable shortening of the duration of catheter laboratory examinations was observed between 2007 and 2011 (46,2±39,1 auf 36,7±33,5 min; p<0,001). In the same period, relative contribution margins increased from 461±306 to 530±335 € (p<0,001). Conclusions: Within existing supply structures, direct costing is a useful tool for economic comparison of different treatment services. Furthermore, temporal constraints of an economic bottleneck can be easily monitored and tackled with the help of time management tools.

[Bowel perforation because of ingestion of a blister-wrapped tablet after post-interventional coronary perforation]. / Dünndarm-Perforation durch einen verschluckten Tabletten-Blister nach postinterventioneller Koronarperforation.

HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: A 70-year-old woman was admitted to hospital with progressive chest pain. Coronary angiography demonstrated a significant stenosis of the left descending artery (LAD), which was treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and stent implantation. During this intervention, a coronary perforation occurred which was remedied immediately. Five days after the intervention, the patient complained about severe atypical chest and abdominal pain with nausea and vomitting, but no fever. Physical examination revealed an acute abdomen of uncertain origin. INVESTIGATIONS: Laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis and elevated levels of C-reactive protein while cardiac enzymes were in normal range. The electrocardiogram showed no signs of acute myocardial ischemia. Abdominal x-ray was performed without any pathological findings. Further diagnostic tests, especially computed tomography of the abdomen, revealed an ingestion of a blister-wrapped tablet which had caused small bowel perforation and peritonitis. DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND COURSE: An acute abdomen due to ingestion of a foreign body was diagnosed and an emergency laparotomy was performed immediately. The blister pack was removed by ileostomy. The further course was uneventful. CONCLUSION: The clinical presentation of abdominal pain is a frequent medical condition in hospital. Determining the cause requires precise assessment and examination and implicates a variety of differential diagnosis including non-cardiac and cardiac pain. Iatrogenic causes must be considered in differential diagnosis.

[Congenital left ventricular aneurysm in a 17-year-old competitive athlete]. / Angeborenes linksventrikuläres Aneurysma bei einem 17-jährigen Leistungssportler.

We present the case of a 17-year-old competitive athlete with an asymptomatic left ventricular aneurysm (LVA). Echocardiography demonstrated hypoplasia of the septum and a large apical LVA. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detected a very thin and fibrotic wall of the LVA. Due to the potential risk of rupture the LVA was surgically resected and the apex of the left ventricle was covered with a patch plasty. The patient had an event-free postoperative course. Because of the potential risk of arrhythmia, the patient was recommended not to participate further in competitive sport.

[Echocardiographic tissue Doppler imaging analysis of the systolic and early diastolic velocities of the mitral annulus motion in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and in top-level athletes]. / Echokardiografische Gewebedoppleranalyse der Mitralringgeschwindigkeiten bei Patienten mit hypertropher Kardiomyopathie und bei Hochleistungssportlern.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Echocardiographic Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) has been proposed for the differentiation of pathological left ventricular hypertrophy (e. g. hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, HCM) and physiologic left ventricular hypertrophy (athlete's heart). The aim of this study was the TDI analysis of the systolic (S') and early diastolic (E') velocities in patients (pts.) with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and in top-level athletes in consideration of the previously published cut-off values (S' < 9 cm/s, E' < 9 cm/s). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pulsed-wave TDI of the systolic and early-diastolic velocities was performed at the lateral and septal mitral annulus in the four-chamber view in 17 HCM pts (12 men; mean age 44 ± 16 years) and 80 consecutive athletes (80 men; mean age 26 ± 5 years). RESULTS: Pts with HCM showed significantly decreased systolic velocities of the septal (S' septal: 5.1 ± 1.2 cm/s versus 9.5 ± 1.5 cm/s, p < 0.001) and lateral mitral annulus (S' lateral: 6.4 ± 2.0 cm/s vs. 10.5 ± 2.1 cm/s, p < 0.001). The early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus E' was significantly decreased in HCM, too (E' septal: 5.9 ± 2.2 cm/s vs. 13.1 ± 2.9 cm/s, p < 0.001; E' lateral: 8.2 ± 3.0 cm/s vs. 16.5 ± 3.4 cm/s, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Tissue Doppler Imaging of the systolic and early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus might be helpful as a promising additional method for the echocardiographic differentiation between pathological and physiologic left ventricular hypertrophy.

Two-dimensional strain analysis of the global and regional myocardial function for the differentiation of pathologic and physiologic left ventricular hypertrophy: a study in athletes and in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Two-dimensional strain (2DS) is a novel method to measure strain from standard two-dimensional echocardiographic images by speckle tracking, which is less angle dependent and more reproducible than conventional Doppler-derived strain. The objective of our study was to characterize global and regional function abnormalities using 2DS and strain rate analysis in patients (pts) with pathological left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) caused by non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), in top level athletes, and in healthy controls. The hypothetical question was, if 2DS might be useful as additional tool in differentiating between pathologic and physiologic hypertrophy in top-level athletes. We consecutively studied 53 subjects, 15 pts with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), 20 competitive top-level athletes, and a control group of 18 sedentary normal subjects by standard echocardiography according to ASE guidelines. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) and regional peak systolic strain (PSS) was assessed by 2DS in the apical four-chamber-view using a dedicated software. All components of strain were significantly reduced in pts with HCM (GLS: -8.1 ± 3.8%; P < 0.001) when compared with athletes (-15.2 ± 3.6%) and control subjects (-16.0 ± 2.8%). In general, there was no significant difference between the strain values of the athletes and the control group, but in some of the segments, the strain values of the control group were significantly higher than those in the athletes. A cut-off value of GLS less than -10% for the diagnosis of pathologic hypertrophy (HCM) resulted in a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 95.0%. The combination of TDI (averaged S', E') and 2DS (GLS) cut-off values for the detection of pathologic LVH in HCM demonstrated a sensitivity of 100%, and a specificity of 95%. Two-dimensional strain is a new simple and rapid method to measure GLS and PSS as components of systolic strain. This technique could offer a unique approach to quantify global as well as regional systolic dysfunction, and might be used as new additional tool for the differentiation between physiologic and pathologic LVH.

Papillary fibroelastoma prolapsing into the left ventricular outflow tract: diagnosis using three-dimensional TEE.

A 72-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with exertional dyspnea and atrial tachycardia due to atypical atrial flutter. Comprehensive three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) with offline reconstruction of the dataset (Siemens Foursight TEE, Erlangen, Germany) allowed visualization of the origin of the tumor and gave important additional information about the tumor: the tumor surface was floppy, it had the appearance of a "sea anemone", and it was attached to the endocardium of the head of the papillary muscle by a short stalk. The tumor was assessed to be 1.9 × 1.4 × 0.9 cm, and a prolapsing of the tumor into the left ventricular outflow tract during systole was demonstrated.A tumor size of 8 × 10 mm and an infiltration of the head of the anterior papillary muscle were found during surgery. The histopathological findings were typical for a papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) with involvement of the head of the papillary muscle.Our case indicates that a PFE might be difficult to distinguish from myxoma by echocardiography. Thus, the multimodal imaging approach and the three-dimensional visualization of the surface, the localization, and the attachment of the tumor to the head of a papillary muscle were very helpful for the identification of a fibroelastoma in this particular case.

Diagnostic superiority of a combined assessment of the systolic and early diastolic mitral annular velocities by tissue Doppler imaging for the differentiation of restrictive cardiomyopathy from constrictive pericarditis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Echocardiographic tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) has been proposed as diagnostic tool for the differentiation between constrictive pericarditis (CP) and restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). The aim of this study was a comprehensive TDI analysis of systolic (S') and early diastolic (E') velocities of the septal and lateral mitral annulus (MA) in patients (pts) with severe diastolic dysfunction caused either by CP or RCM. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty consecutive pts (34 men, mean age 61 +/- 11 years), 34 pts with proven CP and 26 pts with RCM due to cardiac amyloidosis, were included in the study. Forty-two of the 60 pts were in NYHA class III (70%). In pts with RCM systolic longitudinal velocity (S') was significantly decreased when compared to CP (septal MA 4.1 +/- 1.5 vs. 7.3 +/- 2.1 cm/s, p < 0.001; lateral MA 4.3 +/- 1.9 vs. 7.0 +/- 1.9 cm/s, p < 0.001). In addition, the RCM group showed a significantly decreased early diastolic longitudinal velocity (E'), both on the septal (4.1 +/- 1.6 vs. 12.9 +/- 4.9 cm/s, p < 0.001) and lateral side (4.8 +/- 1.9 vs. 11.3 +/- 3.7 cm/s; p < 0.001) of the mitral annulus. ROC analysis demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.889 (S' septal), 0.823 (S' lateral), 0.974 (E' septal), and 0.915 (E' lateral) for the differentiation of RCM and CP with a cutoff value of <8 cm/s. The combined use of an averaged S' cutoff value <8 cm/s as well as an E' cutoff value <8 at the lateral and septal MA demonstrated 93% sensitivity and 88% specificity for the diagnosis of RCM. CONCLUSION: TDI provides a diagnostic superiority and an accurate discrimination between RCM and CP by using the combined cutoff value of <8 cm/s for S' and E' at both sides of the MA.

Mitral valve disease as well as uncommon extensive epipericardial and intramyocardial calcification secondary to massive mitral annular calcification.

A 71-year-old woman with a history of childhood pulmonary tuberculosis was admitted to our hospital for exertional dyspnoea (NYHA functional class II). Transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography demonstrated moderate to severe mixed mitral valve disease due to massive mitral annular calcification (MAC) and extensive infiltrative calcification of the atrioventricular groove. In addition, a very uncommon intramyocardial calcification of the ventricular septum and the lateral free wall was diagnosed. This case demonstrates a rare combination of mitral valve disease secondary to MAC, and a small hypertrophied left ventricle, as well as epipericardial and myocardial calcification likely due either to the massive MAC with myocardial extension or to former tuberculous perimyocarditis. The multidimensional imaging approach, which has been used in this particularly case, provided an excellent visualization and clinical evaluation of this rare finding.

[Paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation: New therapy concepts for pulmonary vein isolation - First clinical experiences with the High Density Mesh Ablator (HDMA)]. / Paroxysmales und persistierendes Vorhofflimmern: Neue Therapiekonzepte der Pulmonalvenen-Isolation - Erste klinische Erfahrungen mit dem High Density Mesh Ablator (HDMA).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Interventional therapy of atrial fibrillation (AF) is often associated with long examination- and fluoroscopy times. The use of mapping catheters in addition to the ablation catheter requires multiple transseptal sheets for left atrial access. The HDMA was introduced in 2007 for the the segmental and circumferentil ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. In small experimental study groups the new catheter system was validated for its electrophysiological properties. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate feasibility and safety of pulmonary vein (PV) isolation using the High Density Mesh Ablator (HDMA), a novel single, expandable electrode catheter for both mapping and radiofrequency (RF) delivery at the left atrium/PV junctions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 40 patients with highly symptomatic paroxysmal AF (PAF, 23/57,5 %) and persistent AF (CAF, 17/42,5 %) were studied. PV isolation via the HDMA was performed using a customized pulsed RF energy delivery program (target temperature 55 - 60 degrees, power 70 - 100 Watt, 600 - 1000 seconds RF application time/PV). RESULTS: All 158 PV in 40 patients could be mapped and ablated by the HDMA. Segmental PV isolation was achieved with a mean of 3,75 +/- 1,9 RF applications for a mean of 715 +/- 375 sec. Entrance conduction block was obtained in 93,5 % of all PV. Mean total procedure and fluoroscopy time was 152 +/- 34 min and 29 +/- 10 min respectively. None of the patients experienced severe complications. After 3 month 78 % of the patients with PAF and 41 % with CAF respectively were free of AF. CONCLUSIONS: In this first study of PV isolation using the HDMA, our findings suggest that this method is feasible, and yields good primary success rates. Due to single transseptal access the HDMA simplifies the complex procedure of AF ablation, favorably impacting procedure and fluoroscopy times.

[Acute cardiogenic shock with inferior myocardial infarction associated with an abnormal origin of the coronary arteries]. / Akuter kardiogener Schock bei inferiorem Myokardinfarkt und seltener Koronaranomalie.

HISTORY: A 45-year-old previously healthy man was admitted as an emergency having suddenly gone into cardiogenic shock. He had not been on any medications. The only known risk factor for cardiovascular disease was heavy smoking. INVESTIGATION AND DIAGNOSIS: The patient was awake and responsive on admission but showed early signs of cardiogenic shock with hypotension (systolic blood pressure 70 mmHg) and a peripheral pulse rate of 25 beats/min, cold sweat, peripheral cyanosis, nausea and retching. A 12-lead electrocardiogram revealed a bradycardic idioventricular rhythm with a wide QRS and monophasic ST segment elevation in the inferior and posterolateral leads. TREATMENT AND COURSE: The patient required resuscitation immediately after admission because of ventricular fibrillation and was intubated. Cardiopulmonary measures of resuscitation had to be continued while an emergency coronary angiography was performed. This demonstrated an anomalous origin of both coronary arteries from the right sinus of Valsalva and proximal occlusion of a dominant right coronary artery (RCA). Several episodes of ventricular fibrillation required repeated DC cardioversion until a regular rhythm was maintained. Closed-chest cardiac compression had to be continued until percutaneous coronary angioplasty had re-established flow in the artery and a long stent had been inserted, with subsequent hemodynamic stabilization and restitution of a normal cardiac rhythm. The patient was extubated 3 days after admission. CONCLUSION: Sudden onset of cardiogenic shock and extensive monophasic ST elevations in the ECG without clear-cut localization of coronary supply to the infarcted area should bring to mind an atypical coronary supply pattern or possible coronary artery anomaly.

[Reduced distensibility of the hypertensive heart under stress as an early sign of diastolic dysfunction]. / Gestörte Dehnbarkeit des Hochdruckherzens unter Belastung als früher Marker einer diastolischen Dysfunktion.

BACKGROUND: Hypertensive patients often present with exertional dyspnoea. However it is questioned whether it results from a systolic, early- or late diastolic impairment of left ventricular function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our study included 21 hypertensive patients (7 female; 14 male, median age 56 years) and 12 controls (4 female; 8 male, median age 52 years). All patients had normal epicardial coronary arteries. Parameters of systolic and diastolic heart function at rest and during exercise were analyzed using a combined hemodynamic and radionuclid-angiographic approach. RESULTS: One principal finding was that the investigated hypertensive patients had a normal ejection fraction during exercise (72 % +/- 11 vs 71 % +/- 10 in the control group). However these patients showed an exercise induced increase of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (17.4 +/- 8 vs 11.5 +/- 5; p = 0.005), a fixed end diastolic volume (82 +/- 21 vs 104 +/- 23 ml/m (2), p = 0.01) and a reduced stroke volume index (58 +/- 1.2 vs 73 +/- 1.4 ml/m (2); p = 0.007). Radionuclid angiography revealed an increased exercise peak filling rate (6.1+/-1.6 vs 4.8+/-1.8 EDV/s; p = 0.04) in hypertensive patients. We assume that exercise capacity (cardiac index = 8.1 +/- 1.8 vs 8.4 +/- 2.2 l/min x m (2); ns) in hypertensive patients without excessive LV hypertrophy is predominantly preserved by an enhanced contractile state and its favorable effects on early diastolic filling. CONCLUSION: An increased left ventricular stiffness during exercise is an early manifestation of hypertensive heart disease.

Disseminated microvascular pulmonary tumor cell embolism: a rare cause of fulminant pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Disseminated pulmonary tumor embolization is a rare cause of pulmonary hypertension and is often diagnosed only after the patient has died. CASE REPORT: We report on a 41-year-old male who was admitted because of severe dyspnea and tachycardia. Contrast enhanced spiral computed tomography did neither establish pulmonary thromboembolism nor pulmonary metastasis. Right heart catheterization revealed severe pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) 678 dyn x sec x cm(-5)). PVR did not respond to therapy with intravenous nitrate or inhaled iloprost in this critically ill patient. 2 days after admission, the patient died because of refractory right heart failure. Autopsy revealed microscopic pulmonary tumor embolism due to a metastasizing adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. CONCLUSION: Disseminated tumor cell embolism should be considered as a rare differential diagnosis in patients with refractory pulmonary hypertension.

Alterations of left ventricular function in women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus during pregnancy.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: During pregnancy, eminent cardiovascular changes occur. The aim of the following study was to investigate the course of haemodynamic parameters under the increased volume load during pregnancy and delivery in women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. METHODS: We examined 51 pregnant diabetic women and 51 healthy pregnant women. The control group consisted of 51 healthy non-pregnant women. In all women, left ventricular mass and fractional shortening were calculated. To evaluate left ventricular diastolic function, mitral inflow and pulmonary venous flow profiles were analysed. RESULTS: During pregnancy left ventricular mass increased, fractional shortening decreased and diastolic dysfunction was found. While the healthy pregnant women developed signs of disturbed relaxation during pregnancy, pregnant diabetic women showed signs of a disturbed relaxation at the beginning of gestation. Of the pregnant diabetic women, 29 developed a restrictive filling pattern at the 24th week of gestation. The remaining 22 diabetic women had a comparable restrictive filling pattern only during vaginal delivery. In 10 of the 29 pregnant diabetic women dangerous complications were documented, while there were no complications in the healthy pregnant women and the other 22 diabetic pregnant women. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: In healthy women pregnancy results in a reversible physiologic left ventricular hypertrophy, a disturbed relaxation pattern and a temporary decrease of left ventricular systolic function. In contrast, pregnant diabetic women showed a delayed relaxation at the beginning of pregnancy and developed a restrictive filling pattern. The early development of a restrictive filling pattern could indicate complications during delivery in pregnant diabetic women.

[Alterations of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in pregnant women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus]. / Veränderungen der linksventrikulären systolischen und diastolischen Funktion bei Patientinnen mit insulinpflichtigem Diabetes mellitus in der Schwangerschaft. Eine prospektive Untersuchung mittels M-mode-Echokardiographie und Doppler-Echokardiographie.

BACKGROUND: During pregnancy, major cardiovascular changes occur. The aim of the following study was to investigate the course of hemodynamic parameters under the increased volume load during pregnancy and delivery in women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. METHODS: We examined 51 pregnant diabetic and 51 healthy pregnant women. The control group consisted of 51 healthy non-pregnant women. In all women, left ventricular mass and fractional shortening were calculated. To evaluate left ventricular diastolic function, mitral inflow and pulmonary venous flow profiles were analyzed. RESULTS: During pregnancy left ventricular mass increased, fractional shortening decreased and diastolic dysfunction was found. While the healthy pregnant women developed signs of disturbed relaxation during pregnancy, pregnant diabetic women showed signs of a disturbed relaxation already at the beginning of gestation. A total of 29 pregnant diabetic women developed a restrictive filling pattern already at the 24th week of gestation. The remaining 22 diabetics had a comparable restrictive filling pattern only during vaginal delivery. In 10 of the 29 pregnant diabetic women dangerous complications were documented, while there were no complications in the healthy pregnant women and the other 22 diabetic pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy women pregnancy results in a reversible physiologic left ventricular hypertrophy, a disturbed relaxation pattern and a temporary decrease of left ventricular systolic function. In contrast, pregnant diabetic women demonstrated a delayed relaxation at the beginning of pregnancy and developed a restrictive filling pattern. The early development of a restrictive filling pattern may predispose to complications during delivery in pregnant diabetic women.

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction as an early manifestation of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Early determination of myocardial manifestations of diabetes mellitus is of major importance, since myocardial involvement considerably influences the prognosis of diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether young patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and normal systolic left ventricular (LV) function already show a diastolic LV dysfunction and an increased risk of arrhythmias. METHODS: Echocardiography was performed in 87 patients suffering from type I diabetes mellitus, without known cardiac disease and in 87 controls. Patients with a known manifest cardiac disease or a long-term diabetic syndrome were excluded. Morphological parameters were determined using M-mode echocardiography. Doppler echocardiography was used to evaluate parameters of LV diastolic function. The risk of arrhythmia was assessed by means of electrocardiography, heart rate variability, and late potential analysis. RESULTS: The left atrial and ventricular dimensions and systolic functional parameters of all patients were normal. A diastolic dysfunction with a reduction in early diastolic filling, an increase in atrial filling, an extension of isovolumetric relaxation and deceleration time was documented in diabetic patients, as well as an increased number of supraventricular and ventricular premature beats. CONCLUSION: Even young patients with diabetes mellitus suffer from a diastolic dysfunction while systolic ventricular function is normal. Therefore, echocardiography with measurements of diastolic functional parameters appears to be a sensitive method for evaluating the manifestation and course of early diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Morphological differences of the internal thoracic artery in patients with and without coronary artery disease--evaluation by duplex-scanning.

OBJECTIVE: The internal thoracic artery is an established arterial graft for myocardial revascularisation, especially of the left anterior descending artery because of a higher patency rate compared to venous grafts. It has never been investigated, whether there are morphological differences in this vessel between patients with or without coronary artery disease or if they are comparable to morphological changes in the common carotid artery. METHODS: We investigated the internal thoracic artery and the common carotid artery of 24 patients (12 with coronary artery disease, 12 without coronary artery disease) with an ultrasonic system on both sides. The intima-media thickness and the diameter of both vessels were estimated. RESULTS: The intima-media-thickness of the internal thoracic artery was comparable in all patients, independent of the presence of a coronary artery disease (0.51+/-0.11 mm with coronary artery disease, 0.50+/-0.17 mm without coronary artery disease, P>0.05). Compared with this the intima-media-thickness of the common carotid artery was thicker in patients with coronary artery disease (0.84+/-0.13 mm with coronary artery disease, 0.73+/-0.07 mm without coronary artery disease, P< or or =0.014). There was no correlation between the thickness of the internal thoracic artery and the common carotid artery (r=0.018, P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It could be demonstrated for the first with non-invasive ultrasound, that the intima-media-complex of the internal thoracic artery is protected of the influence of arteriosclerosis. There are no morphological differences like the intima-media-thickness of the common carotid artery. The proven protective mechanism underlines the widespread use of the internal thoracic artery as a coronary artery bypass graft.

[Left ventricular diastolic function in pregnancy in patients with arterial hypertension. A prospective study with M-mode echocardiography and Doppler echocardiography]. / Linksventrikuläre diastolische Funktion in der Schwangerschaft bei Patientinnen mit arterieller Hypertonie. Eine prospektive Untersuchung mittels M-mode-Echokardiographie und Doppler-Echokardiographie.

INTRODUCTION: During pregnancy eminent cardiovascular changes occur. The aim of the following study was to investigate the course of hemodynamic parameters under increased volume load during pregnancy in women suffering from mild arterial hypertension. METHODS: Altogether 47 women (age: 25 +/- 4 years) with mild arterial hypertension detected during pregnancy underwent echocardiography at the 9th, 24th and 33rd week of gestation. Furthermore echocardiography was performed postpartum at weeks 1 and 8. The control group comprised 45 healthy pregnant women. In all patients left ventricular muscle mass index and systolic shortening fraction were measured. The following Doppler echocardiographic parameters were ascertained: peak early diastolic and peak late diastolic flow, VE/VA ratio, acceleration time, deceleration time and isovolumetric relaxation time. RESULTS: During pregnancy all patients had an increase of left ventricular muscle mass index and a decrease of fractional shortening. All patients developed a relevant diastolic dysfunction. While the control group developed signs of disturbed relaxation as reduction of peak early diastolic flow (0.89 +/- 0.07 versus 0.82 +/- 0.08 m/s*), VE/VA ratio and an increase of isovolumetric relaxation time (72 +/- 12 versus 123 +/- 7*) at the 33rd week of gestation (* p < 0.01), all pregnant women with mild arterial hypertension developed a diastolic dysfunction with signs of delayed relaxation already at the beginning of gestation. 26 pregnant women with arterial hypertension developed a restrictive diastolic filling pattern at 24 weeks of gestation. The other 21 pregnant women only showed restriction for a short time at the end of gestation. In healthy pregnant women, volume load results in a reversible physiologic left ventricular hypertrophia, a significant alteration of diastolic left ventricular function in terms of a disturbed relaxation pattern and a temporary decrease of systolic function. In comparison hypertensive pregnant women show a delayed relaxation at the beginning of pregnancy and 50% developed early signs of restrictive cardiomyopathy. These changes may predispose to critical complications during pregnancy.

[Prognostic relevance of left ventricular diastolic function parameters in dilated cardiomyopathy]. / Prognostische Relevanz linksventrikulärer diastolischer Funktionsparameter bei dilatativer Kardiomyopathie.

Patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) generally have an impaired functional capacity and poor long-term out-comes. A mortality of 5-15% per year has been described actually. Aim of this study was to verify the prognostic relevance of invasive and non-invasive parameters of diastolic function in patients with DCM. In 33 patients with DCM, cardiac catheterization was performed and left ventricular systolic (ejection fraction (EF; %)); left ventricular enddiastolic pressure (LVEDP; mmHg) and diastolic function (time constant of relaxation (T, ms); the constant of myocardial stiffness (b) were derived from biplane laevocardiography and simultaneous micromanometric registration of pressure-volume curves. For evaluation of clinical out-come, the follow-up period was defined as beginning on the day after cardiac catheterization and ending on the most recent date or with a cardiac event (death or cardiac transplantation). All patients were reevaluated for NYHA functional class and completed a standard questionnaire. The following hemodynamic parameters were evaluated: invasive parameters of left ventricular diastolic function (constant of relaxation: tau (ms), constant of myocardial stiffness: b)), as well as parameters of systolic function (ejection fraction (EF; %)), left ventricular pressure (LVEDP; mmHg), left ventricular muscle mass index (LVMMI; g/m2), left ventricular enddiastolic volume index (LVEDVI; ml/m2) and non-invasive parameters of morphological data, left ventricular systolic (fractional shortening (FS, %) and ejection fraction) and diastolic parameters with echocardiography. During the follow-up period of 36 months, 11 of 33 patients experienced a major cardiac event (cardiac death n = 8, heart transplantation n = 3). The major cause of death was progressive pump failure. The remaining 22 patients were further classified with respect to changes in functional status. While clinical symptoms could be improved medically in patients with moderate increase of myocardial stiffness, patients with severe increase of myocardial stiffness (b: 76.1 +/- 12.1 vs 17.9 +/- +8.1, p < 0.001) could not be improved and suffered more cardiac events. Doppler echocardiographic measurements in these patients showed a restrictive filling pattern (VE 0.91 +/- 0.21 vs 0.64 +/- 0.18 m/s; p < 0.01; VA 0.52 +/- 0.23 vs 0.57 +/- 0.24 m/s; p < 0.01, deceleration time 129 +/- 17 vs 211 +/- 14 ms; p < 0.01). The medical heart failure therapy was comparable in both groups. In patients with cardiac events, the diastolic left ventricular variables did not significantly differ between patients who underwent heart transplantation and those who died. Patients who demonstrated a sole impairment of relaxation (tau: > 50 ms) suffered no cardiac events. Impaired diastolic function contributes to the clinical picture of congestive heart failure. Parameters of left ventricular diastolic function are powerful and important predictors of major cardiac events in patients with DCM, like heart transplantation and non-sudden death, and may indicate future clinical success of medical treatment. Invasive and non-invasive parameters of diastolic function reveal comparable information for the estimation of prognosis of patients with DCM in order to initiate early therapy.