Correlations of left ventricular systolic function indices with aortic root systolic excursion (ARSE): A cross-sectional echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF), is a major public health issue globally. Echocardiography is cost-effective in the diagnosis in expert hands. This study was conducted to estimate the usefulness of Aortic Root Systolic Excursion (ARSE) as a simple and accurate measure to estimate Left Ventricular (LV) function. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional echocardiographic study among adults aged ≥ 18 years, with or without heart failure, in sinus rhythm, and with no LV out-let obstruction. We studied the correlations of ARSE with some selected indices of LV Systolic Functions. We determined optimal cut-offs of ARSE in detecting LV dysfunction. We generated a simple regression equation to best estimate LV ejection fraction according to the modified Simpson method. RESULTS: Overall 213 echocardiograms were included from 106 males (49.8%), with mean age of the participants being 52.4 (SD: 18.3) years. The rate of LV systolic dysfunction was highest with Teicholz method (17.4%) and lowest with MAPSE method (5.2%). ARSE correlated with the LV functions. This was highest for the Simpson method (r = 0.619, p<0.001), and lowest for the ITV method (r = 0.319, p<0.001). Optimal cut-offs to detect LV systolic dysfunction was ≈ 6.6 mm. For an LV ejection fraction < 55%, the sensitivity was 82.9%, and the specificity was 97.2%, with an AUROC of 91.6%.The logarithmic regression equation was best in predicting LV ejection fraction (AUC: 60.2%), followed by the power model (AUC: 56.7%), and the linear model (AUC: 53.6%). CONCLUSION: ARSE correlated well with LV systolic function. The cut-off ≤ 6.5 mm suggest LV systolic dysfunction. LV Ejection Fraction was best estimated with the generic equation: LVEF (%) = 29 x In [ARSE].

Low-pitch peripheral systolic murmur associated with pulmonary embolism in the acute phase: a report of two cases.

Acute pulmonary embolism with significant right ventricular strain could be associated with a low-pitch peripheral systolic murmur radiating to the axillae.

Mechanism of worsening diabetic retinopathy with rapid lowering of blood glucose: the synergistic hypothesis.

Insulin treatment has been associated with a paradoxical worsening of diabetes retinopathy since many years in European cohorts. Recently, this issue has been stressed by some studies conducted in other parts of the world. However, the mechanism underlying such evolution is not well understood. An osmotic theory has been evocated but failed to explain the clinical features of the disease. Considering recent findings from basic and clinical research, we discuss the possibility of a synergistic hypothesis based on the simultaneous action of insulin and vascular endothelial growth factor on eye blood vessels. We postulate that exogenous insulin could act synergistically with the vascular endothelial growth factor expressed by ischemic retina so as to trigger vascular proliferation and the worsening of diabetes retinopathy.

Challenges in the diagnosis and management of anti-phospholipid syndrome: a case from Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: Anti-phospholipid syndrome (APLS) is a condition characterized by the presence of raised plasma levels of anti-phospholipid antibodies associated with thrombo-embolic disease and/or poor obstetrical outcomes in women. The epidemiology of APLS is unknown in most sub-Saharan African countries due to limited access to diagnosis tools. We report the case of APLS in a 29-year-old obese woman that was preceded by pre-eclampsia and fetal death. The diagnosis of APLS was made during a thrombo-embolic episode 4 years after the poor obstetrical outcome. Her management was challenging, as she had three thrombo-embolic events within 18-months despite treatment with anti-coagulant (acenocoumarol). CONCLUSION: This case highlights the need for screening for APLS after an episode of hypertensive disease in pregnancy or fetal death, and the challenges faced with the treatment, such as resistance to antivitamin K anti-coagulants and the desire for maternity.