[Study of non-invasive hemodynamic parameters in pulmonary edema: hypoalbuminemia is a factor frequently associated with acute diastolic cardiac insufficiency]. / Etude des paramètres hémodynamiques non invasifs dans l'oedème pulmonaire: l'hypo-albuminémie est un facteur favorisant fréquent de l'insuffisance cardiaque diastolique aiguë.

SUBJECT: A critical diminution of the gradient between plasma oncotic pressure (PO) and pulmonary capillary pressure (PCP) is the origin of the formation of haemodynamic pulmonary oedema (OAP), but the respective contribution of these two haemodynamic forces as a function of the type of cardiac insufficiency is not known. METHOD: 74 cases of OAP were included (78 +/- 15 years old, 43 diastolic defined by an ejection fraction greater than 45%, and 31 systolic), and 33 control subjects. PO and PCP were calculated respectively from total protein and albumin serum levels, and from transthoracic echocardiography with the new Doppler indices using refilling flow propagation speed in colour TM or the study of pulmonary venous flow, at the start of treatment. RESULTS: The gradient was very significantly diminished in those with diastolic and systolic cardiac insufficiency compared to the control group (p < 0.001), with no difference between the two types of OAP. An elevation of PCP > or = 18 mm Hg was the principal haemodynamic factor in the critical diminution of the gradient in the systolic group and in the diastolic group with ischaemic or valvular cardiopathy. In parallel with the elevation in PCP was a state of plasma hypo-oncocity < or = 18 mm Hg, consecutive with a significant diminution of albuminaemia, contributing to the critical diminution of the gradient in 41% of diastolic cases versus 3% of systolic cases. CONCLUSION: Hypo-albuminaemia is a factor frequently favouring acute diastolic cardiac insufficiency in elderly subjects and must be sought systematically.

[Usefulness in clinical practice of noninvasive measurement of colloids osmotic pressure-capillary pulmonary pressure gradient in the management of acute dyspnea]. / Intérêt en pratique clinique de la mesure non invasive du gradient pression oncotique-pression capillaire pulmonaire dans la prise en charge d'une dyspnée aiguë.

BACKGROUND: Increased pulmonary capillary pressure (PAWP) and decreased serum colloid osmotic pressure (COP) are important factors in pulmonary edema (PE) formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of noninvasive determination of COP, PAWP and COP-PAWP gradient in patients with acute dyspnea. METHODS: Thirty four patients presenting with PE, 19 with preserved left ventricular systolic function (Ia) and 15 with depressed systolic function (Ib), and 26 patients presenting with acute pulmonary diseases (II) were enrolled. COP was estimated using Landis and Pappenheimer formula (COP = 2.1 x P + 0.16 x P2 + 0.009 x P3, P: serum total protein concentration). PAWP was measured by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography using E/Vp and 1000/(2 x IPT + Vp) Doppler indexes. RESULTS: The mean value of the gradient was 0.5 +/- 5, 1.7 +/- 3.4 and 10.4 +/- 4.7 mmHg in Ia, Ib and II respectively (P < 0.001 Ia and Ib vs II). PAWP was higher in Ia and Ib than in II (P < 0.001). However, hypoalbuminemia with COP < or = 18 mmHg was observed in 63% of patients in Ia as compared to those in Ib (7%) and II (8%). CONCLUSIONS: Severe hypoalbuminemia frequently contributes to PE formation in the presence of normal left ventricular systolic function. A COP-PAWP gradient value lower than 6 mmHg is highly predictive of the diagnosis of acute heart failure in these patients presenting with acute dyspnea.

[Usefulness of Doppler echocardiography in the diagnosis of acute diastolic heart failure in the elderly]. / Apport de l'échocardiographie Doppler dans le diagnostic de l'insuffisance cardiaque aiguë à fonction systolique conservée du sujet âgé.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of the determination of Doppler mitral inflow pattern and new combined indices using colour M mode velocity flow propagation (Vp) in the diagnosis of acute diastolic heart failure in the elderly. METHODS: Total serum protein concentration (P, g/l) and E/A, E/Vp and 1000/(2 x IRT + Vp) Doppler indices (E and A: mitral inflow peak velocities; IRT: isovolumic relaxation time) were measured at the time of therapy initiation in 94 patients with left ventricular ejection fraction > 50% (78 +/- 13 years), 56 with pulmonary edema and 38 patients with acute respiratory disease. RESULTS: The feasibility was 73, 90 and 89% for E/A, E/Vp and 1000/(2 x IRT + Vp) respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 94-56-72%, 84-86-85% and 92-86-89% for E/A > or = 1, E/Vp > or = 2 and 1000/(2 x IRT + Vp) > or = 6 respectively in the diagnosis of pulmonary edema in patients with normal serum colloid osmotic pressure defined by P > or = 60 g/l, and 41-50-43%, 37-86-50% and 22-100-42% in patients with low colloid osmotic pressure (P < 60 g/l). CONCLUSIONS: The mitral inflow measurement is limited in most of cases of acute diastolic heart failure in the elderly by confounding factors such as atrial fibrillation and normalised pattern. New combined Doppler indices are useful in these patients, however, their value must be interpreted according to the serum colloid osmotic status estimated by total serum protein concentration.