Right ventricular late filling termination time and its relation to interstitial collagen content in early transplanted heart: a color M-mode Doppler digital analysis.

BACKGROUND: Histologic changes in cardiac allografts resulting from fibrosis or acute rejection can modify ventricular diastolic function and ventricular inflow characteristics. These abnormalities may be detected by color M-mode Doppler echocardiography which has been shown to be sensitive in assessing ventricular diastolic function. METHODS: Twelve cardiac allograft recipients were prospectively studied with serial color M-mode and single-gated Doppler echocardiography, as well as with endomyocardial biopsy, with a follow-up of approximately 10 weeks. The myocardial interstitial collagen content as evaluated by videodensitometry was compared with right and left ventricular late filling termination times measured in the absence of a severe episode of rejection. RESULTS: A positive and significant correlation was found between the collagen content and the corresponding right ventricular late filling termination time (r = 0.89, p < 0.0001), but no correlation was found with the left ventricular late filling termination time. Moreover, variations in collagen content and variations in right ventricular late filling termination time were also highly correlated (r = 0.91, p < 0.0001). In allograft recipients who had episodes of rejection of grade 3A or greater, both right and left ventricular late filling termination times were significantly increased during rejection. CONCLUSIONS: Measurements of right ventricular late filling termination time by color M-mode Doppler echocardiography performed in the absence of acute rejection can be use to monitor the evolution of interstitial collagen content in cardiac allografts. The early detection of abnormally prolonged late filling termination time could be followed by endomyocardial biopsy to confirm the histologic changes.

Congenital coarctation of the distal thoracic aorta: clinical and pathological evaluation of a case successfully operated on.

We report on a case of thickenings of the distal thoracic aorta in a young woman with hypertension. There were no associated vascular lesions or any evidence of an inflammatory process. The intima combined with a normal media was assessed by histopathology. These findings would strongly indicate a congenital origin of the disease. Blood supply to the spinal cord was studied preoperatively by selective angiography of intercostal and lumbar arteries. A simple endarteriotomy and a Dacron patch enabled normalization of the blood pressure. The etiological problems in pulseless disease are discussed as well as means of therapy.