Management of heart failure in the elderly: recommendations from the French Society of Cardiology (SFC) and the French Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics (SFGG).

Heart failure, a frequent disease in the elderly, has a pejorative prognosis. Clinical diagnosis is complicated by atypical or difficult-to-interpret symptoms and by the concomitant presence of other diseases, particularly cognitive impairment, neurological disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Among the additional investigations, echocardiography remains underused. Impairment of diastolic left ventricular function is frequent. The usual laboratory tests must include calculation of the creatinine clearance, which is indispensable for dosage adjustment of certain drugs (ACE inhibitors, digoxin, spironolactone). The value of plasma natriuretic peptide assays as diagnostic tools has not been determined in elderly or very elderly populations and the plasma B-type natriuretic peptide increases with age. Comprehensive geriatric assessment is essential in order to screen for concomitant diseases and determine the patient's degree of dependence. The general objectives of treatment remain applicable to the elderly subject: improvement in the quality of life, reduction of mortality and the number and duration of hospitalisations, and slowing disease progression. In the frail elderly subject, symptom alleviation is to be the primary objective. In the absence of specific studies on elderly or very elderly subjects, most of the recommendations have been extrapolated from the data based on the evidence generated in younger populations. The dietary rules are to be more flexible than those used for younger subjects, particularly in order to prevent the risk of denutrition induced by strict salt-free diets. Special precautions for the use of heart failure drugs are due to comorbidities and the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes related to aging. Drugs dosage increase is to be cautious and carefully monitored for adverse reactions. The therapeutic programmes in which multidisciplinary teams are involved reduce the number and duration of hospitalisations and the costs generated by the disease.

Early changes in isokinetic lower limb muscle strength in recovering geriatric subjects on the basis of nutritional status.

BACKGROUND: In older people, the decrease in muscle mass and strength has a bad effect on functional status. Malnutrition and lack of physical activity exacerbate this phenomenon. OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this study was to estimate isokinetic lower limb muscle strength in recovering older subjects on the basis of nutritional status. DESIGN: Twenty-eight elderly subjects hospitalized for an acute event (85.8 +/- 6 years), including 16 malnourished, were enrolled in this study when clinically stable (T0). Re-assessment at one-month was performed in nine after oral supplementation and conventional physiotherapy (T1). The Maximal Peak Torque (MPT) of the ankle plantar flexors was estimated in concentric mode at 30 and 60 degrees /s. The MPT of the knee flexors and extensors was evaluated in the same mode at 30 degrees /s, 60 degrees /s and 120 degrees /s. All patients underwent a nutritional examination with anthropometric measures, dietary intake survey, biochemical indexes and determination of the medial gastrocnemius volume by magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: At T0, whatever the muscle group tested (except at 120 degrees /s for the knee), the MPT appeared significantly lower in the malnourished group. At T1, the increase in MPT (plantar flexors) in malnourished patients was greater at 60 degrees /s (+23.8 %) than at 30 degrees /s (+14.8 %). Correlations between MPT and nutritional parameters were observed in the malnourished group only at T1 and in the normal-nourished group. CONCLUSION: Isokinetic assessment seems to be a pertinent method to estimate lower limb muscle strength in older and frail subjects. Early modifications in strength were observed in malnourished patients who received oral supplementation and physiotherapy.

[Significance of cholesterol levels in patients 75 years or older]. / Quelle signification pour le taux de cholestérol après 75 ans?

Increasing comorbidity with aging reduces the predictive power of cardiovascular risk factors. From the age of 70 onward, total cholesterol levels decrease, perhaps associated with changes in the composition of some lipoprotein fractions. In subjects older than 75 years, being in the lowest quartile of cholesterol, insulinemia or serum albumin concentrations is associated with increased mortality. Cholesterol levels below 189 mg/dL in subjects older than 75 years should be considered an early sign of unidentified comorbidity or of rapid functional decline. HDL cholesterol levels, rather than total or LDL cholesterol, were inversely associated with increased mortality from ischemic coronary disease and stroke appears to rise as HDL cholesterol levels fall, rather than total or LDL cholesterol. On the other hand, LDL concentrations below 106 mg/dL and HDL concentrations below 36 mg/dL were associated with an increased risk of death from infectious disease. Stroke incidence, in particular, ischemic stroke, is highest in subjects older than 75 years. HDL cholesterol levels above 35 mg/dL appear to have a protective effect against ischemic stroke in subjects younger than 70 years. Two interventional drug studies investigating the effects of two statins (simvastatin and pravastatin) found that in subgroups of subjects older than 75 these drugs were associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality and cardiovascular morbidity, regardless of total cholesterol levels, but had no short-term effect on cognitive function.

Functional and metabolic early changes in calf muscle occurring during nutritional repletion in malnourished elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic alterations in skeletal muscle associated with malnutrition and the potential reversibility of such alterations during refeeding are not fully understood. OBJECTIVE: We characterized early changes in muscle during refeeding in malnourished, hospitalized elderly subjects. DESIGN: Muscle function, metabolism, and mass were evaluated in 24 clinically stable patients (11 were malnourished) by using isokinetic plantar flexor torque measurements and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging for medial gastrocnemius mass assessment and 31P and 13C NMR spectroscopy for inorganic phosphate (Pi), phosphocreatine, and glycogen quantitation. RESULTS: Malnourished subjects had lower muscle mass (P < 0.02) and tended to have lower strength than did control subjects. In malnourished subjects, muscle strength increased after refeeding (P < 0.01) whereas muscle mass was unchanged. The ratio of Pi to ATP was lower in malnourished than in control subjects (P < 0.001) and increased during refeeding (P < 0.01). The mean ratio of phosphocreatine to ATP was lower in malnourished than in control subjects (P < 0.01) and increased to control values after refeeding. Muscle glycogen showed a scattered distribution for malnourished subjects; the mean value did not differ significantly from that of control subjects, either at baseline or after refeeding. CONCLUSIONS: The lower ratio of phosphocreatine to ATP in malnourished subjects could have resulted from either lower total muscle creatine or reduced oxidative capacities. High or normal glycogen associated with a low Pi-to-ATP ratio in malnourished subjects suggested preferential use of lipid over carbohydrate for energy supply, which is known to reduce muscle performance. The data suggest that normalization of muscle metabolite content after refeeding improves muscle strength in malnourished subjects.

Hypertension in the elderly.

The incidence of definite hypertension increases with advancement of age, and one third of the elderly population is affected. Isolated systolic hypertension is frequent in this population (10 to 12 percent in subjects between 65 and 74 years of age). The role of hypertension as a cardiovascular risk factor has been confirmed in the elderly population by the increase in cerebrovascular accidents, and by the incidence of myocardial infarction with the rise in blood pressure. The relationship between elevated diastolic and systolic blood pressure and mortality rates in the elderly is also well documented (Framingham). Effective treatment of hypertension significantly reduces the risk of associated complications: cardiovascular death, congestive heart failure, and stroke. However, the goal of antihypertensive therapy in the elderly should be not only to reduce morbidity and mortality rates, but also to do so without adverse effects on the functional well-being of patients.

A comparison of indapamide SR 1.5 mg with both amlodipine 5 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg in elderly hypertensive patients: a randomized double-blind controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the efficacy of indapamide sustained-release (SR) 1.5 mg in reducing blood pressure versus amlodipine 5 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg, in elderly hypertensive patients. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, 12 week study using three parallel groups. SETTING: European teaching hospitals and general practices. PATIENTS: Randomized patients, (n = 524) including 128 patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH); mean age: 72.4 years; mean systolic/diastolic blood pressures (SBP/DBP): 174.5/97.9 mmHg. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinic systolic and diastolic blood pressure variations. RESULTS: Indapamide SR 1.5 mg demonstrates a similar efficacy to that of amlodipine 5 mg, as well as to that of hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg (equivalence P < 0.001); the mean decreases in SBP/DBP were -22.7/-11.8 mmHg, -22.2/-10.7 mmHg and -19.4/-10.8 mmHg, respectively. In the ISH subgroup, indapamide SR 1.5 mg tends to have greater efficacy than hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg in reducing the SBP (-24.7 versus -18.5 mmHg, respectively; equivalence P = 0.117), while similar results are obtained with amlodipine 5 mg (-23 mmHg, equivalence P < 0.001). The normalization rate was relatively high for indapamide SR 1.5 mg (75.3%), when compared with amlodipine (66.9%) and hydrochlorothiazide (67.3%), especially in the subgroup of isolated systolic hypertensive patients: 84.2 versus 80.0% for amlodipine, and versus 71.4% for hydrochlorothiazide. CONCLUSIONS: Indapamide SR 1.5 mg shows similar antihypertensive efficacy to amlodipine 5 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg in elderly hypertensive patients, while in patients with isolated systolic hypertension, indapamide SR 1.5 mg shows a similar efficacy to amlodipine 5 mg but a greater efficacy than hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg.

Guidelines for treating hypertension in the elderly.

The incidence of hypertension increases with ageing, and one-third of the elderly population is affected. The role of hypertension as a cardiovascular risk factor has been confirmed in the elderly by the incidence of stroke and myocardial infarction. Effective treatment of hypertension significantly reduces the risk of associated complications: cardiovascular death, congestive heart failure and stroke. There are numerous secondary effects of antihypertensive treatment and the prescription and monitoring of treatment should take into account potential effects specific to elderly patients.

Is sleep apnea syndrome in the elderly a specific entity?

The prevalence of apneas is increased in the elderly. In the present paper, we briefly discuss the data on epidemiology, clinical significance, morbidity and mortality of sleep apnea in the elderly. We further try to identify possible mechanisms linking aging and sleep apnea that may explain the high prevalence found in aged patients. Structural changes in upper airway, increase in pharyngeal resistance, oscillations in upper airway resistance and sleep instability are among the main factors that may be involved. Last, we present data on 389 apneics consecutively diagnosed in our sleep laboratory, separated according to whether they were less or more than 65 years of age. In the group of elderly patients that cannot be extrapolated to a random sample of the general population, sleep apnea does not seem to be different in terms of severity of breathing disorders, sleep data and therapeutic implications. Further studies are needed to determine whether or not the associated morbidity is different in the elderly; these studies could lead to different diagnosis strategies and therapeutic approaches.

Prevalence of diabetes and effect on quality of life in older French living in the community: the PAQUID Epidemiological Survey.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in older French subjects and to examine the different aspects of quality of life in an older diabetic population. DESIGN: From a random sample of 2792 people older than age 65 living in the community, a diabetic sample was selected using three items from a questionnaire: Are you diabetic? Are you on a diabetic diet? What kind of medications do you take daily? Validation of the questionnaire was carried out previously to correct the observed prevalence. MEASUREMENTS: The questionnaire assessed social and demographic aspects, physical, mental, and subjective health, and functional disabilities. Because quality of life assessment was mainly subjective, demented subjects were excluded. RESULTS: The diabetic group consisted of 237 subjects from the older sample of 2792 (8.5%). No age difference was demonstrated between the two groups (mean, distribution), but the male/female ratio was significantly higher in those with diabetes (49.4% vs 39.3%, P = .003). Corrected prevalence of diabetes was 10.3%. After exclusion of demented subjects, 230/2726 people were investigated. Diabetic subjects were heavier (P < .001), had higher systolic blood pressure (P < .001), and had more frequent symptoms of ischemic heart disease (P < .001) and painful peripheral arterial disease (P < .001) and dyspnea (P < .001), but antecedents of stroke were similar in both groups. Diabetics were more often lacking in autonomy according to the IADL Lawton scale (P < .001), Rosow and Breslow scale (P < .001), and Mobility scale (P = .043), but not according to the Katz ADL scale. They more often exhibited symptoms of depression on the CES-D self-rating scale (21.3% vs 12.7%, P < .001), but evaluation of cognitive function was similar in both groups. Thirteen percent of diabetics, compared with 7.6% of non-diabetics, were unsatisfied with their own situation (P = .002). Health was rated as fair, bad, or very bad by 67.8% of diabetics compared with 49% of non-diabetics (P < .001). Diabetics rated themselves as feeling worse than others (15.3% vs 9.2%, P < < .001) and worried more about their health status (78% vs 63%, P < < .001). CONCLUSION: The observed prevalence of diabetes in older French people living in the community was 8.5%. Quality of life in older diabetics was poorer than that of other people of the same age.

Efficacy of naftidrofuryl in patients with vascular or mixed dementia: results of a multicenter, double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND: Dementia is a cerebral disorder resulting in a progressive deterioration of intellectual function that compromises the patient's ability to function. The diagnostic criteria for dementia are primarily clinical and are based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. The Hachinski score and computed tomography of the brain help distinguish between degenerative and vascular dementias. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the efficacy of naftidrofuryl in patients with vascular or mixed dementia. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind study compared naftidrofuryl 600 mg/d with placebo for 1 year in patients with vascular or mixed dementia. A preliminary 2-month washout period allowed selection of patients who were compliant with treatment. The end point was change in the scores on the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale cognitive subscale and the Mini-Mental State Examination. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients were assessable on an intent-to-treat basis, and 74 were assessable for the per-protocol analysis (on-treatment). Statistically significant improvements in cognitive and global function were observed in patients receiving naftidrofuryl. Naftidrofuryl was well tolerated, and produced no clinically significant abnormalities in laboratory test results. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that naftidrofuryl is effective and well tolerated in treating the symptoms of vascular and mixed dementia.

Nutritional strategy in the management of heart failure in adults.

The incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF) is increasing in Westernized countries, and patients with CHF experience poor quality of life (functional impairment, high hospitalization rate and high mortality). Malnutrition occurring during the course of CHF is referred to as cardiac cachexia and is associated with higher mortality independent of the severity of CHF. Cardiac cachexia involving a loss of more than 10% of lean body mass can clinically be defined as a bodyweight loss of 7.5% of previous dry bodyweight in a period longer than 6 months. The energy requirements of patients with CHF, whether cachectic or not, are not noticeably modified since the increase in resting energy expenditure is compensated by a decrease in physical activity energy expenditure. Malnutrition in CHF has been ascribed to neurohormonal alterations, i.e. anabolic/catabolic imbalance and increased cytokine release. Anorexia may occur, particularly during acute decompensation of CHF. Function is impaired in CHF, because of exertional dyspnea and changes in skeletal muscle. Decreased exercise endurance seems to be related to decreased mitochondrial oxidative capacities and atrophy of type 1 fibers, which are attributed to alteration in muscle perfusion and are partially reversible by training. Malnutrition could also impair muscle function, because of decreased muscle mass and strength associated with decreased glycolytic capacities and atrophy of type 2a and 2b fibres. With respect to the putative mechanisms of cardiac cachexia, anabolic therapy (hormones or nutrients) and anticytokine therapy have been proposed, but trials are scarce and often inconclusive. In surgical patients with CHF, perioperative (pre- and postoperative) nutritional support has been shown to be effective in reducing the mortality rate. Long term nutritional supplementation trials in patients with CHF and cachexia are thus required to establish recommendations for the nutritional management of patients with CHF.

Prospective audits of quality of PEM recognition and nutritional support in critically ill elderly patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Undereating is a frequent concern in acute care geriatric settings and is supposed to worsen the outcomes of the underlying diseases, while the quality of nutritional support could be improved. METHODS: Two consecutive and prospective audits (A and B) with team training over a 1 year period investigated the quality of malnutrition recognition and nutritional support and outcomes in immobilized, critically ill elderly subjects. RESULTS: Audit A included 170 patients (86.3+/-6.1 years old) and audit B, 232 patients (86.3+/-6.3), respectively 20.6% and 31.4% of the hospitalized population. Misclassifications occurred in A in 54.0% compared to 34.05% in B (P < 0.001). 32.6% in A versus 86.9% in B adequately received oral supplements (P = 0.02). Significant risk factors for the adverse outcomes in the combined two audits were: dementia (RR: 1.8, 95%CI: 1.0 to 3.0, P= 0.04) and dehydration (RR: 2.0, 95%CI:1.0 to 4.1, P= 0.05) for pressure ulcer incidence; stroke (RR: 8.8, 95%CI: 4.8 to 16.0, P < 0.001) for pressure ulcer prevalence at discharge; neoplasms (RR: 1.1, 95%CI: 1.0 to 1.2, P = 0.02) for nosocomial infections; bladder indwelling for urinary tract infections (RR: 4.8, 95%CI: 2.9 to 7.7, P<< 0.001); swallowing problems for pulmonary infections (RR: 5.4, 95%CI: 2.8 to 10.5, P < 0.001); venous indwelling for septicaemia (RR: 5.4, 95%CI: 1.3 to 23. 3, P= 0.02). However, after adjustment on significant risk factors, the outcome rate was similar in audit B: death rate: A (15.6%), B (14.2%); length of stay: A (17.3+/-10.4 days), B (17.4+/-10.0); pressure ulcer incidence: A (26.4%), B (20.2%), (83% were erythema); pressure ulcer prevalence at discharge: A (14.7%), B (10.3%), (40% were erythema); nosocomial infections: A (26.4%), B (19.0%). CONCLUSION: The improvement of malnutrition recognition and nutritional support was not followed by a perceptible decrease in adverse outcome rate, this latter being mainly related to the underlying conditions of these critically ill elderly patients.

Nutritional status of healthy elderly persons living in Dordogne, France, and relation with mortality and cognitive or functional decline.

OBJECTIVE: Description of the nutritional status of healthy elderly people and investigation of its longitudinal relationship with mortality and cognitive or functional decline. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SETTING: In Dordogne, France. SUBJECTS: A total of 169 French elderly community dwellers aged 68 y and older from in the PAQUID (Personnes Agées QUID) study were included. Dietary intake was assessed by a 3 day food record and a dietary history. Self-reported weight and height were used to calculate the body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)). Mortality, activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) were measured at 5 y follow-up. RESULTS: Nutritional intake and BMI vary according to age and sex. Men generally have a higher nutritional intake than women. Intake decreases with age especially in men. Among the 169 subjects, 22 died. When analyzed by logistic regression, there was no relation between markers of risk of poor nutrition and mortality but a BMI greater or equal 27 at baseline was associated with a increased risk of 5 y mortality (OR=6.27, 95% CI 1.29-30.37) adjusted for sex and age. With regard to cognitive decline, subjects with a BMI greater or equal than 23 kg/m(2) had 3.6 times lower chance of presenting a decline in the subsequent 5 y adjusted by age and sex (OR=0.28, 95%, CI 0.09-0.90). BMI ranging between 23 and 27 was associated with a significantly decreased risk of IADL disability (OR=0.31, 95% CI 0.10-0.93) in multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: In apparently healthy elderly people a BMI ranging between 23 and 27 is associated with lower risks of functional and cognitive declines in the subsequent 5 y.

A multi-center trial of the effects of oral nutritional supplementation in critically ill older inpatients. GAGE Group. Groupe Aquitain Geriatrique d'Evaluation.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of nutritional supplementation on dietary intake and on pressure ulcer development in critically ill older patients. The multi-center trial involved 19 wards stratified according to specialty and recruitment for critically ill older patients; 9 wards were randomly selected for nutritional intervention (nutritional intervention group), consisting of the daily distribution of two oral supplements, with each supplement containg 200 kcal, for 15 d. Pressure ulcer incidence was prospectively recorded for grades I (erythema), II (superficial broken skin), and III (subcutaneous lesion) for 15 d. Nutritional intake was monitored by using estimates in units of quarters validated by comparison with weight measurement. There were 672 subjects older than 65 y, and 295 were in the nutritional intervention group versus 377 in the control group. The patients were similar for age, sex ratio, and C-reactive protein. In comparison with the control group, the nutritional intervention group included more patients with stroke, heart failure, and dyspnea and fewer with antecedent falls, delirium, lower limb fractures, and digestive disease. The nutritional intervention group had a lower risk of pressure ulcers according to the Norton score but was less dependent (Kuntzman score) and had a lower serum albumin level. During the trial, energy and protein intakes were higher in the nutritional intervention group (day 2: 1081 +/- 595 kcal versus 957 +/- 530 kcal, P = 0.006; 45.9 +/- 27.8 g protein versus 38.3 +/- 23.8 g protein in the control group, P < 0.001). At 15 d, the cumulative incidence of pressure ulcers was 40.6% in the nutritional intervention group versus 47.2% in the control group. The proportion of grade I cases relative to the total number of cases was 90%. Multivariate analysis, taking into account all diagnoses, potential risk factors, and the intra-ward correlation, indicated that the independent risk factors of developing a pressure ulcer during this period were: serum albumin level at baseline, for 1 g/L decrease: 1.05 (95% confidence interval: 1.02 to 1.07, P < 0.001); Kuntzmann score at baseline, for 1-point increase: 1.22 (0.32 to 4.58, P = 0.003); lower limb fracture: 2.68 (1.75 to 4.11, P < 0.001); Norton score < 10 versus > 14: 1.28 (1.01 to 1.62, P = 0.04); and belonging to the control group: 1.57 (1.03 to 2.38, P = 0.04). In conclusion, it was possible to increase the dietary intake of critically ill elderly subjects by systematic use of oral supplements. This intervention was associated with a decreased risk of pressure ulcer incidence.

Morphological study of the aging human peripheral nerve.

The superficial peroneal nerve from 46 elderly patients was studied by light and electron microscopy. Like most elderly people, these patients displayed evidence of varying degrees of peripheral nervous system dysfunction, but they were not suffering from any disease known to alter the peripheral nerve. A quantitative study showed that myelinated fiber loss predominated in the large diameter group. In the majority of cases, clusters of regenerating myelinated fibers were numerous. On the other hand, Wallerian-like degeneration aspects, segmental demyelination figures and axonal organelle accumulation were relatively rare. Unmyelinated fibers were also notably damaged in most cases. There was moderate reduplication of endoneurial vascular basement membrane.

Prevalence and mechanisms of hyperhomocysteinemia in elderly hospitalized patients.

BACKGROUND: Plasma homocysteine concentrations increase with age and remain an independent risk factor for vascular disease in the elderly. There are negative correlations between plasma homocysteine and serum folate and vitamin B12 concentrations. Two mechanisms, poor nutritional status, and chronic atrophic gastritis, could explain hyperhomocysteinemia. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to determine prevalence and mechanisms of hyperhomocysteinemia in older hospitalized patients. DESIGNS: During a 12-month period, all the consecutive hospitalized patients who underwent gastric endoscopy were recruited in this observational prospective study. Clinical, histological, and biological data concerning nutritional status, gastric analysis, homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate concentrations were collected during the study for each included patient. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety six patients (132 women and 64 men, mean age: 85.3 5.7 years) were included. Hyperhomocysteinemia (>or= 18 mmol/l) was diagnosed in 45.4 %, cobalamin deficiency in 13.3 %, and folate deficiency in 11.7 % patients. Hyperhomocysteinemia was significantly correlated to cobalamin deficiency (r = - 0.21; p = 0.005). In a sub group of patients without hypothyroidism, or chronic renal impairment, univariate and multivariate analysis showed a significant association between hyper homocysteinemia and low MNA (OR: 0.92; 95% CI 0.85-0.99), and low albumin (OR: 0.92; 95% IC: 0.83-0.99; p = 0.04). No correlation was found between homocysteine concentrations and chronic atrophic gastritis or Helicobacter pylori infection. CONCLUSION: Hyperhomocysteinemia seems to be frequent in the elderly and is associated with poor nutritional status rather than chronic atrophic gastritis.

[Valve protheses and anti-vitamin K. Biological study in patients given weak and strong doses of anticoagulants]. / Prothèses valvulaires et anti-vitamines K. Etude biologique chez les sujets faiblement et fortement anticoagulés

57 patients with Björk aortic valves had an in-depth study of their coagulation carried out. It seems that the well-anticoagulated group (39 patients) had more marked haemolysis, had a higher mean level of fibrinogen and PDF, but less biological signs of activation of fibrinolysis than the group who were non- or mildly-anticoagulated (18 patients). The increased platelet aggregation, which is often noted, was correlated with the signs of haemolysis, or of activation of the breakdown of fibrinogen. Apart from the problem of haemolysis, anticoagulant treatment appears biologically to be a moderating factor in the activation of the breakdown of fibrinogen and, by this means, of the utilisation of clotting factors.

[Ultrastructural study of 11 cases of obstructive myocardiography of the left ventricle]. / Etude ultra-structurale de 11 cas myocardiopathie obstructive du ventricule gauche

A fragment of septum was removed for biopsy in 11 patients with obstructive cardiomyopathy who were undergoing surgery. Electron microscopi revealed an increase in the numbers of mitochondria, deposits of glycogen, and deforming fibrosis. As far as the components of muscle fibres are concerned, both lysis and synthesis of neosarcomeres are to be found, together with abnormalities of the Z band and disorientation of the myofibrils. The number and severity of these abnormalities were found to vary from patient to patient and also in different sections. Although these features are virtually constant in cases of obstructive cardiomyopathy, they are not specific for this condition; they are also found in cases of non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

[Performance of the lift ventricle in left ventricular obstructive cardiomyopathy]. / La performance ventriculaire gauche dans la myocardiopathie obstructive du ventricule gauche

A retrospective study of 100 cases of obstructive cardiomyopathy of the left ventricle has allowed us to predict a mean survival of 30 years after the murmur has been discovered. A comparative angiographic and haemodynamic study was carried out on 50 cases using the NYHA classification into four functional stages. The lowering of functional status, at rest, seems to occur: -With the advent of a permanent intraventicular gradient (6 +/- 5 mmHg in stage 56 +/- 38 mmHh in stages III and IV, p less than 0.001). Despite preservation of the indices of contractility (VECmax 1.81 +/- 0.66 c/s at stage I, 1.71 +/- 0.7 C/S at stages III and IV). -With a progressive change in the ventricular complicance (dV/dP/VTD 0.029 +/- 0.016 at stage I, 0.017 +/- 0.01 at stage III and IV). A progressive change in venticular complicance seems to be secondary to an increase in the parietal diastolic thickness and to lesions visible histologically. It governs the natural history of the condition and the results of surgical treatment.

[Influence of acute exertion and physical training on platelet function of the coronary patient]. / Influence de l'effort aigu et de l'entraînement physique sur la fonction plaquettaire du coronarien

The platelet function, fibrinogen level, and the various lipid fractions were studied in 17 coronary patients before, during and after a maximal effort, both before and after a three month period of physical training. Exercise capacity increased by 26%, stickiness went down by 27% at rest (p less than 0.025) and 42% on exercise (p less than 005), and aggregation varied (according to the method used) between 24%, 25% and 2% at rest (p less than 0.001) and 36%, 43% and 32% on exercise (p less than 0.001); the levels of fibrinogen and the lipid fraction remained unchanged. A patient whose exercise capacity was not increased by training had no alteration in platelet aggregation. According to this small series, physical training has an effect similar to that of acetyl salicyclic acid. The possible significance of these results is discussed.