[Coronary angioplasty in the acute phase of a myocardial infarction on a myocardial bridge]. / Angioplastie coronaire à la phase aiguë d'un infarctus du myocarde sur pont myocardique.

A myocardial bridge is usually asymptomatic but can cause myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction or sudden death. Two occurrences of coronary angioplasty in the acute phase of an anterior myocardial infarction on a myocardial bridge are reported. The first case was first treated only with a balloon, and then with a stent 12 h later after a relapse of angina pectoris and the recurrence of a severe compression. The second case immediately benefited from a stent. A systematic control at six months has shown the absence of restenosis in the first case and an asymptomatic occlusion of the stent in the second case. Its deocclusion has revealed a myocardial bridge downstream of the stent. Myocardial stunning might have caused a decreased systolic compression by the bridge in the first case, and an underestimation of its actual length in the second case. Its regression is held responsible for these two relapses. A long active stent installed at high pressure could be used to treat myocardial bridges during myocardial infarctions.

[Intra-individual variability of the platelet anti-aggregation effect of aspirin in coronary patients]. / Variabilité intra-individuelle de l'effet antiagrégant plaquettaire de l'aspirine chez le coronarien.

UNLABELLED: Several studies have reported a biochemical resistance to aspirin in 5 to 10% of coronary patients. However, the stability of the platelet anti-aggregation effect with aspirin over time remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To study the intra-individual variability at 6 months of the anti-platelet action of aspirin in coronary patients. METHOD: Prospective study including 40 consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome and taking regular aspirin (250 mg a day). The biochemical impact of aspirin was determined by measuring the time to occlusion (TO) on a collagen/epinephrine cartridge with PFA-100. The determination of the TO was performed 2 months (TO1) and then 8 months (TO2) after starting aspirin. In our population, a resistance to aspirin was defined as a TO < or =125 sec. RESULTS: The median value for TO was generally stable over the two periods, at 158 sec for TO1 and 179 sec for TO2 (p = 0.29). Among the 9 initially resistant patients (22.5%), 4 became sensitive to aspirin without changing the dosage, while only one of the 31 initially sensitive patients became biochemically resistant. CONCLUSION: the existence of a medium term intra-individual variability in the antiplatelet response to aspirin in coronary patients underlines the importance of biochemical surveillance in these high vascular risk patients.

Permanent cardiac pacing in a patient with persistent left superior vena cava and concomitant agenesis of the right-sided superior vena cava.

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) can be incidentally detected during pacemaker implantation from the left pectoral side. Optimal site pacing is technically difficult, and lead stability of the right ventricle (RV) can lead to such a situation. We describe a case of successful single-chamber pacemaker implantation in a 76-year-old woman with a PLSVC and concomitant agenesis of the right-sided superior vena cava, after failed attempts with the conventional procedure. The pacemaker had been working well after 12 months of follow-up.

Predictors of long-term event-free survival and of freedom from restenosis after percutaneous balloon mitral commissurotomy.

BACKGROUND: Most long-term studies after balloon mitral commissurotomy (BMC) were from industrialized countries. Less is known about the long-term results of BMC from developing countries where patients are younger with fewer mitral valve deformities. METHODS: Between December 1987 and December 1998, we performed BMC in 654 patients whose mean age was 33 +/- 13 years. Baseline and postprocedural variables were evaluated to identify predictors of event-free survival (survival without repeat BMC or mitral valve replacement) and of freedom from restenosis defined as a mitral valve area (MVA) >/=1.5 cm(2) after BMC and <1.5 cm(2) at follow-up. RESULTS: The actuarial survival rates were 98%, 98%, and 97% at 5, 7, and 10 years, respectively. The 5-, 7-, and 10-year event-free survival rates were 85%, 81%, and 72%. Multivariate predictors of a higher 10-year event-free survival rate were lower echocardiographic score (79% for a score /=12, P <.001) and cardiac sinus rhythm (P =.04) before BMC, lower mean left atrial pressure (P <.001), lower mitral valve gradient (P <.001), and less than or equal to grade 2 mitral regurgitation (P =.036) after BMC. Restenosis occurred in 16% of patients. The restenosis-free rates were 88%, 80%, and 66% at 5, 7, and 10 years, respectively. A higher freedom from restenosis at 10 years was associated with a lower score (77% for a score /=12, P =.03) and a larger MVA before BMC (P =.03), a larger MVA (P <.001), and a lower mitral valve gradient (P =.04) after BMC. CONCLUSIONS: BMC produces excellent 10-year results in patients with pliable mitral stenosis and good results in patients with semipliable or calcified mitral stenosis. BMC is the procedure of choice in patients with pliable valves and it is a reasonable treatment option in young patients with unfavorable mitral valve anatomy.

Results of percutaneous double-balloon mitral commissurotomy in one medical center in Tunisia.

Percutaneous balloon mitral commissurotomy was attempted in Tunisia, where rheumatic fever is still endemic, in 463 consecutive patients with severe rheumatic mitral valve stenosis. Their mean age +/- SD was 33 +/- 12 years (range 8 to 68), 324 patients (70%) were women, and 327 (71%) were in sinus rhythm. Valvotomy was technically successful in 454 patients (98%). The mean mitral valve gradient decreased from 20 +/- 7 to 6 +/- 4 mm Hg, mean left atrial pressure decreased from 27 +/- 8 to 15 +/- 6 mm Hg, cardiac index increased from 3.0 +/- 0.7 to 3.6 +/- 0.8 L/min/m2, and Gorlin mitral valve area, from 0.97 +/- 0.19 to 2.2 +/- 0.4 cm2 (all p < 0.001). Two-dimensional echocardiographic mitral valve area increased from 1.03 +/- 0.18 to 2.15 +/- 0.36 cm2 (p < 0.00001). A final valve area of > or = 1.5 cm2 was achieved in 98% of patients. Multivariate analysis identified a pre-mitral valve area < 0.8 cm2 and an echocardiographic score (echo score) > or = 12 as the strongest predictors of residual stenosis (final mitral valve area < 1.5 cm2). Major procedural complications included mortality (0.4%), tamponade (0.7%), thromboembolism (2.0%), severe mitral regurgitation (4.6%), significant (pulmonary to systemic flow ratio > or = 1.5) interatrial shunt (4.8%). Four hundred thirty patients were followed up between 6 and 82 months (mean 37 +/- 22): 95% were in functional class I to II without reintervention, and 7 patients died (1.6%); restenosis (echocardiographic mitral valve area < 1.5 cm2) occurred in 10.4% of patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Successful weaning from mechanical ventilation following balloon mitral commissurotomy.

Successful weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV) following percutaneous balloon mitral commissurotomy (BMC) is reported in a 59-year-old woman with severe symptomatic rheumatic mitral stenosis. The patient was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for acute respiratory failure secondary to pulmonary edema requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. After resolution of the acute phase, she became completely dependent on mechanical ventilatory support. In spite of the reinforcement of conventional therapy (diuretics, digitalis, vasodilators), weaning attempts were unsuccessful because of persisting elevated left atrial pressure. Percutaneous BMC was performed with favorable hemodynamic results, allowing the removal of external ventilatory support 24 h later and discharge from the Intensive Care Unit the same day.

Percutaneous balloon mitral commissurotomy during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous balloon mitral commissurotomy for the treatment of pregnant women with severe mitral stenosis over a period of six years. DESIGN: Analysis of clinical, haemodynamic, and echocardiographic data before and immediately after the procedure, the pregnancy outcome, and the fate of newborn babies. SETTING: Academic cardiovascular centre in Monastir, Tunisia. PATIENTS: 44 pregnant patients who underwent percutaneous transvenous dilatation of the mitral valve between January 1990 and February 1996. Grade 2 mitral regurgitation was present in two patients and densely calcific valves in three (7%). RESULTS: Commissurotomy was successfully achieved in all cases. The total mean (SD) duration of teh procedure was 72 (18) minutes and that of fluoroscopy 16 (7) minutes. Left atrial pressure decreased from 28 (10) to 14 (7) mm Hg, mitral pressure gradient fell from 22 (8) to 5 (3) mm Hg. Cardiac output increased from 4.8 (1.1) to 6.3 (1.2) l/min and Gorlin mitral valve area from 0.96 (0.21) to 2.4 (0.4) cm2 (all P < < 0.001). Cross sectional echocardiographic mitral valve area increased from 1.07 (0.21) to 2.32 (0.36) cm2. There were no maternal or fetal deaths. Complications included a grade 4 mitral regurgitation in one patient that required early valve replacement. All patients delivered at full term, 42 vaginally and two (5%) by caesarean section; 41 babies were normal and three whose mothers had the procedure near term were relatively hypotrophic. At a mean follow up of 28 (12) months (range 2 to 26) all children had normal growth. CONCLUSIONS: During pregnancy, balloon mitral commissurotomy is the treatment of choice of severe pliable mitral stenosis in patients who are refractory to medical treatment.

Successful percutaneous double balloon valvuloplasty for congenital mitral stenosis.

A 19-month-old infant had an isolated severe 'typical' congenital mitral stenosis with dysplastic valves and two symmetric papillary muscles. He underwent successful double balloon mitral valvuloplasty via the right femoral vein. Left atrium pressure decreased from 30 to 20 mmHg and end diastolic mitral gradient from 12 to 0 mmHg. Cardiac index increased from 4.4 to 6.3 l/min per m2. Gorlin's mitral valve area increased from 1 to 1.7 cm2/m2 and Doppler mitral valve area from 0.9 to 2.2 cm2/m2. At 16 months follow-up, the infant showed sustained clinical improvement.

[Surgical treatment of fixed subvalvular aortic stenosis. Immediate and long-term hemodynamic results]. / Cure chirurgicale des rétrécissements aortiques sous-valvulaires fixes. Résultats hèmodynamiques immédiats et à long-terme.

Forty patients operated on for fixed subvalvular aortic stenosis underwent cardiac catheterization preoperatively, immediately after coming off cardiopulmonary bypass and at long-term (1 to 14 years later, average 7 +/- 3.9 years). The age range was 3 to 50 years (average 15 +/- 12 years) with 27 (68%) aged under 18 years. Twenty-seven patients were male. The stenosis was the thin membranous type in 29, the fibromuscular collar type in 5, the tunnel type in 5 others and related to supernumerary mitral tissue in the remaining patient. Significant other pathology was associated in 13 cases. In addition to excision of the membrane or the fibromuscular ring, the surgeons performed myotomy in 6 cases, myomectomy in 12 cases, large resection of muscular and fibrous tissue in tunnels, and aortic valve replacement in 3 cases. There was no operative fatality. Permanent cardiac pacing was required in 1 patient for complete atrioventricular block. The peak systolic pressure gradient fell from 87 +/- 32 to 31 +/- 10 mmHg (p < 0.0001) at the immediate control: it remained > 30 and even 50 mmHg in 3 patients (7.5%), 2 of whom had tunnel types and the other the supernumerary mitral tissue. The gradient increased in the long-term to 42 +/- 11 mmHg, 1 patient with a membrane developed a gradient of 40 mmHg and 4 others (10%) developed a gradient > 50 mmHg (3 tunnels and 1 membrane). The 5 patients with tunnel types either had a residual stenosis or restenosis and underwent aorto-ventriculoplasty by Konno's procedure 1 to 8 years later. This operation should be the procedure of first intention, even in small children: the large resection is only acceptable when it cannot be performed or when aortic ring hypoplasia is mild. There is no residual stenosis and restenosis is rare (2.5%) in the membranous and fibromuscular types, probably because of the widespread use of myotomy and myomectomy. In the absence of severe associated malformations, surgery in only justified when peak systolic pressure gradients are > or = 50 mmHg.

[Percutaneous pulmonary valvuloplasty in children and adults: immediate results]. / La valvuloplastie pulmonaire percutanée chez l'enfant et l'adulte; résultats immédiats.

Between April 1987 and December 1993, 60 consecutive patients with valvular pulmonary stenosis underwent percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty in the cardiology department of Monastir. The average age was 13.9 +/- 10.9 years (3 days-44 years). Fifteen patients were over 17 years of age and 4 were less than one year old. The right ventricular systolic pressure fell from 116.5 +/- 39.5 mmHg to 55 +/- 19.7 mmHg (p < 0.0001) immediately after the procedure. The peak-to-peak systolic gradient between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery fell from 95.4 +/- 40.2 mmHg to 30.4 +/- 19.0 mmHg (p < 0.00001), the valvular-gradient fell from 87.5 +/- 39.6 mmHg to 14.7 +/- 11.1 mmHg (p < 0.00001) and the infundibular pressure gradient increased slightly from 8.0 +/- 14.0 mmHg to 15.6 +/- 18.6 mmHg (p = 0.06). The systolic pulmonary artery pressure increased from 21.6 +/- 6.0 mmHg to 25.2 +/- 6.3 mmHg (p = 0.0015). The mean pulmonary artery pressure from 15.6 +/- 4.8 mmHg to 17.3 +/- 4.9 mmHg (p = 0.028). There were no changes in pulmonary diastolic pressures (10.6 +/- 3.7 mmHg vs 9.2 +/- 3.5 mmHg, p = 0.6). There were 4 primary failures (6.4%) with residual valvular gradients > or = 30 mmHg, including one due to valvular dysplasia. No predictive factors of primary failure could be identified. An infundibular gradient > or = 20 mmHg was observed in 11 patients, 4 of whom had gradients > or = 50 mmHg (6.6%); two gradients were residual and 2 were created by pulmonary valvuloplasty.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Recurrent false infundibulo-pulmonary aneurysm after complete correction of Fallot tetralogy]. / Faux anévrysme infundibulo-pulmonaire récidivant après correction complète d'une tétralogie de Fallot.

Infundibulo-pulmonary aneurysm is a rare complication of complete correction of Tetralogy of Fallot and its recurrence has not been previously reported. A girl with Tetralogy of Fallot with two small pulmonary branches underwent complete correction at 3 years of age with widening of the infundibulum, the pulmonary annulus and artery with a pediculated pericordial path. Five years later, the left parasternal systolic murmur increased in intensity due to an infundibulo-pulmonary aneurysm and severe stenosis of the bifurcation of the pulmonary artery confirmed by echocardiography and catheterisation. The child was reoperated with resection of the aneurysm and widening of the pulmonary tract and its two branches with a Dacron patch. Three years later, the aneurysm and pulmonary stenoses recurred and required percutaneous angioplasty and stenting. The inadequacy of the result led to a further surgical procedure.

[Complications of percutaneous mitral commissurotomy. Personal experience and review of the literature]. / Complications de la commissurotomie mitrale percutanée. Expérience personnelle et revue de la littérature.

Percutaneous mitral commissurotomy was performed in 484 patients by the double balloon technique and by Inoue's technique in 33 patients. The average age of the patients was 33.6 +/- 13 years (range: 8 to 72 years); 30% were in atrial fibrillation. A primary failure was observed in 10 patients (2%). The acute mortality was 0.4% and first month mortality 0.6%, the main cause being perforation of the left ventricle. The incidence of systemic embolism was 2%, related to atrial fibrillation (p < 0.016); this complication disappeared after systematic utilisation of transoesophageal echocardiography. Grade 4+ mitral regurgitation was created in 5 patients (1%) and grade 3+ in 20 others (3.9%). A score > 8 (p < 0.006) and preexisting grade 1+ mitral regurgitation (p < 0.005) were predictive factors of these severe regurgitations. They were also more frequent with Inoue's technique (10.5%; p < 0.05). Surgical intervention was necessary during the first month in 5 patients and at long-term (38 +/- 24 months) in 15 others. A tear in the anterior leaflet and ruptured chordae tendinae were the main mechanisms. The most common minor complication was the creation of a small interatrial shunt (16%) without any immediate or long-term complications. With a major complication rate of 4.2%, the mitral surface area increased from 0.97 to 2.2 cm2 and the cardiac index from 3 to 3.6 l/min/m2; left atrial pressure fell from 27 to 15 mmHg (p < 0.0001): the incidence of residual stenosis was only 2%. Seventy nine per cent of patients were asymptomatic and 16% were paucisymptomatic (class II) at long-term. Systematic transoesophageal echocardiography to detect thrombi, the use of pig-tail or Inoue catherters, effective heparinisation during a prolonged procedure and improved experience of the medical teams, should result in a further reduction of the risks of percutaneous mitral commissurotomy.

[Right ventricular dilatation and intraventricular septal motion after surgical closure of atrial septal defect]. / Dilatation ventriculaire droite et cinétique du septum interventriculaire après fermeture chirurgicale de la communication interauriculaire.

The persistence of right ventricular dilatation and paradoxical interventricular septal motion are two echocardiographic abnormalities rarely reported after surgical closure of atrial septal defects. The aim of this study was to identify the predictive factors of these abnormalities in the long-term and to study their functional consequences. One hundred and two patients aged 18 +/- 14 years (range 1-62 years) underwent closure of atrial septal defects. Thirty-five patients were under 10 years of age, 33 were 10 to 20 years of age and 34 were over 20. Fifty-six patients were female. The rhythm was sinus in the great majority of cases (97%). Three patients, all over 40 years of age, were in atrial fibrillation. Before surgery, right ventricular dilatation was observed in 95 patients (91.2%), paradoxical septal wall motion in 93 patients (91.2%), the ratio of pulmonary/systemic output was 2.7 +/- 0.6 (range 1.7 to 7.4) and over 2 in 90% of patients: pulmonary systolic pressure was 32.3 +/- 12 mmHg and over 40 mmHg in 18 patients (17.6%). Ninety-four patients were followed up regularly with a mean follow-up time of 5.5 +/- 3.6 years (1-14 years). The right ventricle remained dilated in 37 patients (39.4%) after surgery: the right ventricular dimension decreased from 36 +/- 1 to 27.8 +/- 6.2 mm (p = 0.001). The ratio of end diastolic right ventricular/left ventricular dimension also decreased from 1.07 +/- 0.31 to 0.56 +/- 0.12 (p = 0.0001). Multivariate analysis identified two predictive factors of persistent right ventricular dilatation: age > 40 years (p = 0.009) and a pulmonary/systemic flow ratio > 3 (p = 0.03). Interventricular septal wall motion remained paradoxical in 21 patients (22%). Multivariate analysis identified two predictive factors of persistent paradoxical septal motion: age > 40 years (p = 0.02) and systolic pulmonary pressures > 40 mmHg (p = 0.03). These abnormalities remained asymptomatic in all but two patients with persistent long-term hypertension and a residual atrial septal defect. The persistence of right ventricular dilatation and paradoxical septal motion was quite common, with older age at surgery, systolic pulmonary artery pressure > 40 mmHg and a ratio of pulmonary/systemic blood flow > 3, being predisposing factors. These abnormalities were clinically asymptomatic when isolated.

[Rheumatoid nodule and complete heart block: diagnosis by transesophageal echocardiography]. / Nodule rhumatoïde responsable d'un bloc auriculoventriculaire complet: diagnostic par l'échocardiographie transoesophagienne.

We report a case of 48 years old women with a 8 years history of rheumatoid arthritis and severe articular deformation treated during the last 6 months by prednisone (5 mg daily) and chloroquine (200 mg daily), admitted in the emergency room because of syncope. The electrocardiogram showed a complete atrioventricular block. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed and revealed an hyperechogenic mass (6 x 2.5 mm) in the interventricular septum probably related to a fibrous rheumatoid nodule. This potentially explain the atrioventricular block by infiltration of the conduction pathways. A permanent double chamber pacemaker was inserted. The chloroquine, another factor of conduction disturbances was not incriminated in this case. The conduction disturbances should be systematically detected in case of severe rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, every patient must be submitted to a transthoracic echocardiography. Transesophageal echocardiography may be helpful to detect rheumatoid nodule.

[Prognosis of infectious endocarditis]. / Pronostic de l'endocardite infectieuse.

OBJECTIVE: To study clinical course and prognostic factors of infective endocarditis. PATIENT AND METHODS: Infective endocarditis was identified in 126 consecutive patients (criteria of DURACK). Of these, 73 were male, mean age was 29.9 + 15 years, 98 (77.7%) had past history of cardiac disease. The evolution has been marked by 38 deaths (30%) in spite of the recourse to surgery (69 patients). The mean follow-up period was 52 months, the event-free survival was 61% at 5 years. RESULTS: By univariate analysis the predictors of bad prognosis: Large vegetations > 10 mm, delay of apyrexia > 10 days presence of a neurological accident and the absence of surgical treatment. Multivariate analysis: Vegetation > 10 mm (OR 1.97, 1-4.1, p = 0.05), presence of a neurological accident (OR:2.76, 1.32-5.76, p = 0.007) and the absence of surgical treatment (OR: 5.03, 2-11.4, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Infective endocarditis remains a serious affection, identification of patients with poor prognosis should lead to early surgical referral: this attitude provides good immediate and long-term results.

[Unstable angina: study of in-hospital and short-term prognosis]. / Angor instable: etude du pronostic intra-hospitalier et à court terme.

UNLABELLED: The aim of our study was to identify predictor factors of coronary ischemic events to stratify the risk. 367 patients, mean age 59 years (22-90), 288 men (88%), Coronary risk factors: Smoking (62%), diabetes (38%), hypertension (37%), hypercholesterolemia (18%). BRAUNWALD class III was predominant (60%). Electrocardiographic changes were present in 113 patients. Coronary angiography identified: 148 single-vessel disease, 92 double-vessel and 68 triple-vessel. In the hospital phase, 296 patients (80.5%) were stabilised. 65 had recurrent ischemia (17.5%), 6 myocardial infarction (1.5%) and 6 deaths (1.5%). After multivariate logistic regression the predictors factors of ischemic events were. Age > or = 65 years (p = 0.03), coronary artery bypass grafting (p = 0.05), left ventricular failure (p = 0.024), modified baseline electrocardiogram (p = 0.04), ST-segment depression (p = 0.05), without aspirin (p = 0.043) and heparin (p = 0.047). At 6 months, 181 patients were asymptomatic (59.1%), 101 had recurrent ischemia (33%), 14 myocardial infarction (4.6%) and 10 deaths (3.3%). After multivariate analysis, the predictor factors were: Age > or = 65 years (p = 0.026), previous unstable angina (p = 0.023), left main stenosis (p = 0.008) and without aspirin (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Our study identified a subgroup of high risk patients who would benefit most from either low-molecular-weight heparins and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockers with an early revascularisation strategy.

["Smoker's paradox" and reperfusion's strategy in acute myocardial infarction]. / "Paradoxe des fumeurs" et stratégie de reperfusion à la phase aiguë de l'infarctus du myocarde.

UNLABELLED: Previous studies have shown that smokers with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated by thrombolysis have lower mortality rates than nonsmokers, a phenomenon often termed "smoker's paradox". This "smoker's paradox" has been rarely studied in case of primary angioplasty. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the impact of smoking status on the early mortality of patients admitted with AMI with regard to the strategy of reperfusion (intravenous thrombolysis versus primary angioplasty). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Study undertaken from the Monsatir registry of ST elevation MI including 688 patients having had either a hospital or a prehospital thrombolysis (n=397) or a primary angioplasty (n=291). Among those patients, 482 (70.1%) were active smokers. RESULTS: In the thrombolysis group, the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and anterior location of MI was significantly less among smokers. In the group primary angioplasty, only diabetes and hypertension were less frequent. The immediate mortality was significantly less among smokers in case of thrombolysis comparatively to non-smokers (5.3 vs 13%; p=0.008). By multivariate analysis, cardiogenic shock (p<0.0001), anterior MI (p=0.03) and active smoking (p=0.03) were independent predictive factors of mortality in case of thrombolysis. A trend toward a lower mortality among smokers was observed in the primary angioplasty group (10 vs 17.6%; p=0.07). CONCLUSION: "The smoker's paradox" seems to be observed mainly among patients having had thrombolysis.

Long term outcome of balloon mitral commissurotomy during pregnancy: a prospective physical and mental evaluation of babies.

AIM: The immediate and long-term results of balloon mitral commissurotomy (BMC) during pregnancy were evaluated in patients and in their babies looking for radiation side effects. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty one patients (mean age: 28.5+/-5.0 years) had BMC at a mean age of gestation of 26.8+/-5.5 weeks. The procedure was successful in all patients except in one who had a severe mitral regurgitation and subsequent mitral valve replacement (MVR). All patients delivered at term vaginally in 58 (95.1%) cases. There was only one death in a patient who delivered at home. At a mean follow-up of 66.8+/-36.0 months, 4 patients had MVR, the remaining were in NYHA class I/II. Restenosis was found in 4 (7.2%) patients. The 63 babies (two gemellar pregnancies) had a normal weight of birth except of one case of hypotrophy. At a mean follow-up of 64.5+/-32.5 months, two babies died, 1 had hypotrophy, 2 had microcephaly, 8 had an IQ < 70 but none had a severe mental retardation (IQ <34). None of these events were radiation related. CONCLUSION: BMC is the procedure of choice in pregnant patients with mitral stenosis. No late radiation side effects were observed in children but longer follow-up is required.

Recurrent miscarriages as an indication for percutaneous tricuspid valvuloplasty during pregnancy.

Isolated balloon tricuspid valvuloplasty was successfully performed in a pregnant woman with a history of recurrent miscarriages. The course of pregnancy was uneventful, and a healthy baby was delivered. This report highlights the unusual indication for the procedure, which was recurrent miscarriage, and outlines some technical aspects of tricuspid valvuloplasty.