RESUMEN
Background: Atherosclerosis is known as one of the chronic diseases with high prevalence in the human species. Many studies have elucidated the relationship between this disease and chronic periodontitis caused by Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of P.g fimbriae A (fimA) genotypes II and IV in patients with periodontitis and atherosclerosis. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated the frequency of P.g II and IV genotypes in the subgingival plaque specimens of 42 subjects in three experimental groups: periodontitis (A), atherosclerosis (B), periodontitis + atherosclerosis (C) and aortic wall specimens obtained from 30 patients (groups B and C) by the PCR technique. Results: P.g bacterium was seen in 46.6% of patients with chronic periodontitis. The same bacterium was not found in aortic wall specimens of patients with chronic periodontitis (group C) and there was only one P.g-positive aortic wall specimen (7.7%) among the patients with healthy periodontium (group B). Genotypes II and IV were not observed in any specimen. Conclusion: The results of statistical analysis showed no significant correlation between the prevalence of P.g and genotypes II and IV in the subgingival plaques and the incidence and severity of atherosclerosis.
RESUMEN
Cardiac manifestations of the hydatid cyst are relatively uncommon. Cardiac involvement may lead to the compression of vital organs, pulmonary hypertension, pericardial effusion, and even anaphylaxis. A 45-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department of Tehran Heart Center with chest pain. Cardiac examination revealed relatively muffled heart sounds. Echocardiography demonstrated a round echolucent well-defined mass (47 × 25 mm) on the base and the mid lateral wall of the left ventricle (LV) without septation. Computed tomography angiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large (52 mm) exophytic mass originating from the lateral wall of the LV with upward growth between the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the left circumflex artery with no LV cavity obliteration. Coronary angiography showed upward displacement in the LAD with significant compressive narrowing. The patient underwent mass resection and grafting of the LAD. During surgery after the incision of the pericardium, the hydatid cyst entity of the mass was revealed. Hydatid cysts covered the anterolateral surface of the LV with adhesion to the pericardium. The patient recovered from the surgery uneventfully. Pathology report and immunological assays confirmed the diagnosis. During a 6-month postoperative follow-up period, she remained asymptomatic with complete recovery and no recurrence.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Ebstein anomaly is the downward displacement and adherence of dysplastic septal and posterior tricuspid leaflets into the right ventricle, thereby dividing the ventricle into a so-called atrialized chamber and a functionally reduced right ventricle. We evaluated the early and mid-term results of primary repair of Ebstein anomaly in adult patients. METHODS: Eight consecutive patients undergoing repair of Ebstein anomaly with Danielson technique at Imam Khomeini Medical Center, Tehran, Iran from January 1997 through July 2004 were evaluated. Functional and echocardiographic parameters were studied both preoperatively and postoperatively, as well as demographic status and adverse events. RESULTS: Hospital mortality occurred in one patient because of right ventricular failure. The average follow-up period was 5.3 +/- 3.4 years (median: 3.8 years). The actuarial survival rate was 85.7 +/- 4.8% at 7 years. During the follow-up, six patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I, and one patient was in class II. None of the patients required reoperation related to their Ebstein repair. One patient demonstrated atrioventricular dissociation perioperatively; however, only one patient required permanent pacemaker insertion later. One patient had minimal (1+) regurgitation, with the jet localized along the anterior part of the ventricular septum. Two patients had residual tricuspid valve insufficiency (2+) on echocardiography. CONCLUSION: Ebstein repair has a good functional and hemodynamic outcome in adult patients.
