[Mitral stenosis and acute hemolytic anemia after mitraclip]. / Sténose mitrale et anémie hémolytique aiguë après mitraclip.

Mitraclip corrects mitral regurgitation in a less invasive way than cardiac surgery. These procedures are becoming widespread with the emergence of new complications. We report a rare case of mitral stenosis associated with acute hemolytic anemia after mitraclip treatment in an 82-year-old patient. The cause of this stenosis in our case is linked to the placement of two clips and an increase gradient in post-procedure. The mechanism of hemolysis could be due to the persistence of mitral leaks resulting in strong collisions against the clip.

[Anemia in patients with acute coronary syndrome in the Vichy Hospital center]. / Anémie chez les patients avec syndrome coronarien aigu au centre hospitalier de Vichy.

INTRODUCTION: Objectives were to determine the clinical, epidemiological and biological profile of the patients suffering from acute coronary syndrome and presenting the anaemia, the determinants of variation of the haemoglobin rate, and to estimate the impact of the anaemia on the prognosis of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective and observational study conducted in the cardiology department of Vichy Hospital in France. All patients with acute coronary syndrome admitted from 31 of October 2015 to 30 of April 2016 were selected. The patients were followed for 1 month. The anaemia was defined by: less than 13g/dL in man and less than 12g/L in woman (WHO definition). Biological markers were taken at the admission. Factors associated to the haemoglobin rate were analysed by multivariate linear regression and those associated to the mortality within 30 days were analysed by logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 251 included patients, there were 180 males and 71 females with the average age of 67 years. 94 patients had ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), 116 had Non ST myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and 41 had unstable angina. Haemoglobin value was known in 238 patient's, among whom 44.1% were anaemic (105/238). The anaemia was more frequent in women. The tobacco was less frequent; High blood pressure, renal failure, malnutrition, subclinical atherosclerosis, lower limb arteritis and the inflammatory syndrome were more frequent in patients with anaemia. They presented more complications. The age (P=0,003), the pulsed pressure (P=0,007), LVEF (P=0,005), the albumin (P=0,010), Creatine kinase (CK) level (P=0,048) and of CRP (P=0,011), were linear factors of variations of the haemoglobin rate (R2=0,955). Ten patients died during the follow-up. The multivariate analysis revealed the anaemia as independently associated with the mortality in 30 days (Odds Ratio 3,69; P=0,02). CONCLUSION: Anaemia is frequent in patients with an ACS, and it is associated with a particular clinical and biological profile. The patients with anaemia have a mortality rate in 30 days higher than the patients without anaemia.

[Late discover of a coronaro-pulmonary fistula]. / Une fistule coronaro-pulmonaire de découverte tardive.

Anomalies of the coronary arteries mainly concern a pediatric population, bringing together a wide range of defects. In adults, the evolution is linked to the hemodynamic consequences of fistula. Several therapeutic options have been proposed such as surgery or embolization. We report the case of a 55 years old patient addressed because of dyspnea secondary to aortic insufficiency. The preoperative assessment shown the coexistence of coronary abnormality corresponding to a coronaro-pulmonary fistula. This type of coronary anomaly is rarely described in the adult population, because of its consequences secondary to the closure of the foramen ovale, resulting in angina symptoms in childhood. Without treatment, mortality from this type of malformation is important (90%).

[Fast track chest pain pathway in emergency department]. / La prise en charge rapide des douleurs thoraciques aux urgences.

Acute chest pain is a common reason of consultation in the emergency department. The difficulty lies in discriminating patients with acute coronary syndrome or other life-threatening conditions from those non-cardiovascular, non-life-threatening chest pain. Only 15 to 25 % of patients with acute chest pain actually have acute coronary syndrome. Algorithms using high sensitivity troponin at admission and a second assessment 1 or 3hours later are validated to "rule in" or "rule out" the diagnosis of non ST-elevation myocardial infarction. This may reduce the delay for the diagnosis translating into shorter stay in the emergency department. Those algorithms must be interpreted in the context of clinical and ECG criteria.

[Atypical MRI image of Tako-Tsubo syndrome: a case report]. / Aspect IRM atypique du syndrome de tako-Tsubo : à propos d'un cas.

Since the 1990s, a new entity cardiomyopathy is described: the Tako-Tsubo syndrome. The Mayo Clinics' criteria have been defined by to help diagnose: LV dysfunction, electrical modifications, and complete recovery. It is a Caucasian woman aged 66 hospitalized for chest pain syndrome occurred during the funeral. In support, we note the presence of STEMI. The patient received the conventional treatment of acute coronary syndrome. Cardiac ultrasound, angiography is in favor of Tako-Tsubo syndrome. MRI shows an unusual location: a delayed enhancement in epicardial associated pericardial effusion mimicking myopericarditis.

[Interest of emergency coronary computed tomography for exclusion of coronary artery disease in patients with acute chest pain and low to intermediate risk]. / Intérêt du coroscanner en urgence pour l'exclusion de la maladie coronaire chez les patients souffrant de douleur thoracique à risque faible ou intermédiaire.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the usefulness of the multislice computer tomography coronary angiography (CCTA) in patients with suspected acute chest pain without electrical changes or enzyme rise, and with low cardiovascular risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-three patients at low or intermediate risk for coronary artery disease, who were admitted in the emergency department for an acute chest pain, and who underwent a CCTA, were included in the study. Results of the CCTA were classified as normal, non-obstructive stenosis (≤ 50% stenosis in diameter), obstructive stenosis (> 50% stenosis in diameter). The mortality was assessed during a 4-years follow-up period. RESULTS: Mean age was 61 years (36-86), 43% of patients were women. The CCTA was normal in 35 patients (66%), seven patients (13%) had non-obstructive stenosis and 11 (21%) had obstructive stenosis. In the group of normal CCTA, 8.5% of patients were admitted in cardiac intensive care unit, 57.1% in the non-obstructive stenosis and 90.9% in the group of obstructive stenosis. No deaths occurred during the 4-year follow up in the group of patients with normal CCTA. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the negative predictive value of CCTA for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease and for further clinical events in patients at low or intermediate risk referred to emergency department for an acute chest pain.

[Contribution of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma: a case report]. / Apport de l'imagerie par résonance magnétique au diagnostic du mésothéliome péricardique: à propos d'un cas.

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of pericardial tumor. The invasive investigations such as biopsy make the diagnosis. Non-invasive imaging techniques provide valuable information about its diagnosis and its clinical impact. We report here the results of magnetic resonance imaging of pericardial mesothelioma in a 65-year-old woman. The originality and purpose of this case is to illustrate the additional value of magnetic resonance imaging that should be systematically performed when assessing this pathology.

[Pseudo-aneurysm of mitro-aortic continuity: a rare complication after aortic valve replacement]. / Le pseudo-anévrisme du trigone fibreux aorto-mitral : une complication rare du remplacement valvulaire aortique chirurgical.

Pseudo-aneurysm of the fibrous continuity zone between the aortic and mitral valves, the so-called "mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa" is a rare complication of acute infective endocarditis, rarely after an aortic valve replacement. We report the case of a large pseudo-aneurysm occurred in a 70-year-old man, who had a history of surgical aortic valve replacement 3 years before. There were no biological or clinical evidence for infective acute endocarditis. The originality of this observation can be summarized in three points: the late onset after surgery, the absence of any infectious context and the chronic nature of pseudo-aneurysm, without any complication during a follow-up of 12 months. Transesophageal echocardiography remains the best diagnostic tool.

[Tako-Tsubo syndrome during normal human immunoglobolin perfusion]. / Syndrome Tako-tsubo au décours d'une perfusion d'immunoglobuline humaine normale (Tégeline(®)).

This is a case of an 82 year old female patient with myasthenia gravis, who following treatment with Human Normal Immunoglobulin (Tegeline(®)), developed dyspnoea, chest pain without cardiac insufficiency, inverted T wave on ECG with slight increase in Troponine T 0.43ng/mL (<0.2ng/mL normal value in our hospital) and marked increase in Pro-BNP 4900 (Nl≤450pg/mL for an age greater than 65 years old). Her coronary angiogram showed hypokinesia of apical area but was otherwise normal. Also, MRI ruled out inflammatory and ischemic cardiac diseases. The most likely diagnosis for us was Tako-Tsubo syndrome in relation with injection of Human Normal Immunoglobulin (Tegeline(®)) according to the Mayo clinic criteria.

[Myocardial infarction and ovarian stimulation: case report]. / Infarctus du myocarde et stimulation ovarienne : à propos d'un cas.

Female infertility treated by ovarian stimulation can lead to arterial thrombosis particularly when ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome emerges. Myocardial infarction have been reported thrice, in one case even before artificial ovulation induction. A 25-year-old female with primary infertility underwent ovarian stimulation and eight days after ovulation induction and intra-uterine insemination suffered from a troponin positive non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction of the inferior wall. Coronary angiogram was normal and contrast-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the subendocardial inferior infarct. This protocol included sole triptorelin administration followed by 23 recombinant follicle stimulating hormone injections and concluded by recombinant choriogonadotrophin. There was no ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Large biological screening did not retrieve any predisposition for arterial thrombosis. Clinical outcome was excellent. Despite weak causal link, we emphasize that chest pain during ovarian stimulation protocol should rise clinical concern for acute coronary syndrome.

[Prescribing psychotropic drugs to patients aged 80 and over]. / Réflexions sur l'usage des psychotropes chez la personne très âgée.

The management of psychotropic drugs is a daily preoccupation for geriatric psychiatrists and geriatricians alike. The lack of controlled clinical trials in very old patients (over 80 years old) often leads to empirical therapy. The multiple somatic co-morbidities of old patients, the high prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions and a wish to implement an increasingly patient centered approach all influence psychotropic drug prescription which tends to be simplified and individualized. This review is an attempt to depict the general principles and precautions we, as in-hospital geriatricians, geriatric clinical pharmacologists and geriatric psychiatrists in Geneva, Switzerland, have found helpful after many years of interaction with elderly patients and their families, and shared responsibility for the care of these very frail patients.

[Myocarditis or subendocardial myocardial infarction: role of MRI illustrated by a case report]. / Myopéricardite ou nécrose sous-endocardique: apport de l'imagerie par résonance magnétique illustré par un cas clinique.

A 50-year-old male patient treated with mesalazine for Crohn's disease was admitted in our unit for a chest pain, associated with nonspecific ST depression or ECG and troponin elevation. Coronarography showed minimal changes while SPECT imagery suggested a posterobasal subendocardial infarction, so that the diagnosis was unclear between ischemic disease and mesalazine-induced myocarditis. Eventually, MRI demonstrated clearly a subendocardial posterior infarction eliciting the diagnosis of mesalazine-induced myocarditis. This case report illustrates, in our opinion, that MRI is of invaluable interest in evaluating the characteristics of myocardium, and must be the cornerstone in the diagnosis of myocardial diseases.

[Serotonin syndrome as a result of escitalopram and cyclosporin combination in an 84-year-old woman]. / Syndrome sérotoninergique consécutif à l'association d'escitalopram et de cyclosporine chez une patiente de 84 ans.

Due to the stimulation of central and peripheral 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors, the serotonin syndrome is a potentially lethal situation. The large variety of its clinical manifestations leads to a difficult diagnosis. We describe the case of a serotonin syndrome induced by the combined escitalopram and cyclosporine administration. An 84-year-old woman was hospitalized with a history of delirium associated with hyperthermia. The diagnosis of serotonin syndrome was suspected with the combination of the clinical features: the absence of infection, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor administration, and the absence of other metabolic and cerebral aetiology. After the discontinuation of escitalopram, the patient's condition improved rapidly. This report is a reminder of the clinical and pharmacological features of the serotonin syndrome from a recent literature review.

[Management of antiplatelet therapy: a case report]. / Gestion des anti-agrégants plaquettaires en préopératoire: à propos d'un cas.

We report a personal case of myocardial infarction with flurbiprofen used instead of clopidogrel before an operation. We re-examined the literature concerning the management of the antiagregant treatment of the patient with angioplasty and/or stent who needs surgery. This management proves to be delicate and all the questions that it raises have not so far been answered in particular with regard to the problem of resistance to aspirin. Anyway this personal observation supports our view that contrary to certain recomendations flurbiprofène is not a satisfactory alternative to aspirin either with or without thiénopyridine.

[Treatment of acute coronary syndrome in a small volume center: "survival rate in hospital and at 2 years of follow up"]. / Prise en charge de syndrome coronarien aigu dans un centre de petit volume: "Survie hospitalière et suivi à deux ans"

UNLABELLED: We report our experience of the treatment of the coronary syndrome ST+ in a small volume center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For a period of 1 year (September 2004 to September 2005), 110 patients were treated by emergency coronarography at the hospital in Vichy (France). These patients were followed up for a period of 2 years. RESULTS: This population was relatively elderly: 43.6% of the patients were above 75 years of age. One hundred patients (91%) were treated by emergency angioplasty with a success rate of 88%. The average waiting time for treatment in the coronarography ward is 55 minutes and 35 seconds. Mortality in hospital is 6.36% for the totally of the population. It should be noted that 10.9% of these patients were admitted in a state of cardiogenic shock (12 patients), 3 of whom (25%) have died. 3 of these received a CPIA. At the end of an average follow-up of 21.44 months the survival rate is 83.6%, including and incident-free survival rate of 61.8%. CONCLUSION: These results, comparable with what has been published in the literature, confirm the effectiveness of emergency coronary angioplasty as a method of revascularization even in a small volume center, in respect both of the survival rate in hospital and also of incident-free survival at 2 years.

Observations on rotating needle insertions using a brachytherapy robot.

A robot designed for prostate brachytherapy implantations has the potential to greatly improve treatment success. Much of the research in robotic surgery focuses on measuring accuracy. However, there exist many factors that must be optimized before an analysis of needle placement accuracy can be determined. Some of these parameters include choice of the needle type, insertion velocity, usefulness of the rotating needle and rotation speed. These parameters may affect the force at which the needle interacts with the tissue. A reduction in force has been shown to decrease the compression of the prostate and potentially increase the accuracy of seed position. Rotating the needle as it is inserted may reduce frictional forces while increasing accuracy. However, needle rotations are considered to increase tissue damage due to the drilling nature of the insertion. We explore many of the factors involved in optimizing a brachytherapy robot, and the potential effects each parameter may have on the procedure. We also investigate the interaction of rotating needles in gel and suggest the rotate-cannula-only method of conical needle insertion to minimize any tissue damage while still maintaining the benefits of reduced force and increased accuracy.

[The "tako-tsubo" syndrome: report of two cases]. / Le syndrome de "tako-tsubo": à propos de deux cas.

The "tako-tsubo" syndrome, initially described by Japanese authors is an apical akinesis of the left ventricule without significant coronary artery disease, with a moderate elevation of troponine I. We report 2 cases of women (with an average age of 68 years). They were refered for suspected acute coronary syndrome including on admission chest pain and ST segment elevation. Cardiac ultrasonography shew an apical akinesis. Coronary angiography didn't show significant coronary lesion. A moderate elevation of troponine was noted but no significant elevation of CPK. The prognosis has been excellent for these 2 patients. We observed a ventricular tachycardia due to QT lengthening in 1 case treated anteriorly by Flecaïn which spontaneously resolved. The first month, the electrocardiogram and cardiac ultrasonography anomalies disappeared totally. The treatment is based on beta-blockers, aspirin, statines, ACE. In the two cases, we didn't find arguments for myocarditis, recanalized thrombosis, coronary spasm, pheochromocytomas, but a risk factor is inboth: emotional stress. Maybe the diagnosis could be easier with the submillimeter cardiac computed tomography.