Diagnostic accuracy of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in the evaluation of postoperative left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

We compared the diagnostic accuracy of N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with that of echocardiography in the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction after coronary artery bypass grafting. Thirty patients were studied prospectively. Patients who had recent myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, or low ejection fraction with systolic dysfunction were excluded. Two blood samples were obtained: before anesthetic induction and on the 7th postoperative day. Levels of NT-proBNP were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Comprehensive echocardiographic Doppler examinations were performed on admission and on the 7th postoperative day. Relationships between NT-proBNP levels and echocardiographic indices were evaluated by correlation, multiple linear regression, and receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. There were significant and correlated worsenings in diastolic stage as determined both by echocardiographic indices and NT-proBNP levels. Early transmitral-to-early diastolic annular velocity ratio (E/Ea) was found to correlate with both NT-proBNP and postoperative diastolic functional stage (r=0.78, P <0.001). Mitral E/Ea was significantly more sensitive than were NT-proBNP levels in predicting diastolic functional stage. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for NT-proBNP was significantly lower than that of mitral E/Ea (mean difference, 0.12; P=0.024). The NT-proBNP had 87.5% sensitivity and 55% specificity, whereas E/Ea had 87.5% sensitivity and 86.4% specificity. Plasma NT-proBNP levels are significantly related to mitral E/Ea ratio, which is a predictor of diastolic stage. Therefore, elevated NT-proBNP levels may indicate the time for a Doppler echocardiographic evaluation and identify a subgroup of patients at high risk who need closer monitoring during the early postoperative period.

Joint hypermobility syndrome and mitral valve prolapse in panic disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to test the association between joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) and panic disorder (PD) and to determine whether mitral valve prolapse (MVP) modifies or accounts in part for the association. METHOD: A total of 115 subjects are included in this study in three groups. Group I (n = 42): panic disorder patients with MVP. Group II (n = 35): panic disorder patients without mitral valve prolapse. Group III (n = 38): control subjects who had mitral valve prolapse without any psychiatric illness. Beighton criteria were used to assess joint hypermobility syndrome. Two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography was performed on each subject to detect mitral valve prolapse. RESULTS: Joint hypermobility syndrome was found in 59.5% of panic disorder patients with mitral valve prolapse, in 42.9% of patients without mitral valve prolapse and in 52.6% of control subjects. Beighton scores was 4.93 +/- 2.97 in group I, 4.09 +/- 2.33 in group II, and 4.08 +/- 2.34 in group III. There was no significant difference between groups according to Beighton scores. CONCLUSION: We did not detect a statistically significant relationship between panic disorder and joint hypermobility syndrome. Mitral valve prolapse and joint hypermobility syndrome are known to be etiologically related and we suggest that mitral valve prolapse affects the prevalence of joint hypermobility syndrome in the panic disorder patients.

Hemodynamic evaluation of normally functioning Sulzer Carbomedics prosthetic valves.

The Sulzer Carbomedics prosthetic heart valve (CP) is a commonly used mechanical valve in clinical practice. In the present study, we used conventional and color Doppler echocardiography to assess the hemodynamics of normally functioning CP in the aortic (n = 73) and mitral (n = 127) positions. Our findings demonstrate no significant correlation of Doppler-measured peak and mean pressure gradients and effective orifice area with implanted valve size and actual orifice areas, measured directly by the manufacturer for CPs in both the mitral and aortic positions. However, it is still useful to measure effective orifice area by Doppler because a value in the normal or nonstenotic range points to an unobstructed prosthesis in the aortic or mitral position, in the absence of poor left ventricular ejection fraction. A value in the stenotic range could mean a normally functioning or obstructed prosthesis and, therefore, may need further investigation, such as assessment of valve leaflet motion by transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography or fluoroscopy. Valve regurgitation as evaluated by color Doppler flow mapping was mild in practically all CPs in the aortic position, and in the majority of CPs in the mitral position.