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Failure Symptoms (failure + symptom)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Medical Sciences100%

Kinds of Failure Symptoms

  • heart failure symptom
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    Selected Abstracts

    Is Functional Capacity Related to Left Atrial Contractile Function in Nonobstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

    CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, Issue 5 2005
    Yukitaka Shizukuda MD
    The mechanisms underlying reduced exercise capacity in patients with nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (NHCM) could include perturbations of ventricular relaxation, diastolic compliance, or compensatory atrial systolic function. We hypothesized that a loss of atrial contractility in NHCM patients leads to reduced functional capacity. To test this hypothesis, we compared resting noninvasive left atrial ejection phase indices in 49 consecutive patients with NHCM (ages 36±10 years; 41% female) and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (mean, 68%±8%) with objective metabolic exercise parameters. Left atrial active emptying fraction, ejection force, and kinetic energy failed to predict exercise capacity. Only left atrial total and active emptying volumes correlated weakly with minute volume/CO2 production slope (r=0.31 and r=0.33; p<0.05 for both). Furthermore, when subjects were stratified by New York Heart Association symptomatology, exercise parameters,but not atrial contractility,differed between groups. These data, obtained at rest, fail to suggest that NHCM-related heart failure symptoms are due to an atrial myopathy. [source]

    Alcohol Septal Ablation in a Young Patient after Aortic Valve Replacement

    ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2009
    Fadi G. Hage M.D.
    A 38-year-old male presented with heart failure symptoms and was diagnosed with aortic valve endocarditis and underlying aortic stenosis in the absence of concentric hypertrophy or bicuspid aortic valve and underwent aortic valve replacement but continued to have symptoms which were then attributed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. He was determined to be unsuitable for myomectomy and underwent successful alcohol septal ablation using transthoracic echocardiographic Doppler and continuous wave velocity monitoring without requiring to cross the aortic valve or to perform transatrial septostomy and left ventricular pressure monitoring. When crossing the aortic valve is a relative or absolute contraindication like in our index case, continuous Doppler velocity recording is a safe and effective alternative approach to monitor the outflow gradient while performing alcohol septal ablation. [source]

    Correlation between NT-pro BNP Levels and Early Mitral Annulus Velocity (E,) in Patients with Non,ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome

    ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 4 2008
    Marcia M. Barbosa M.D., Ph.D.
    Acute coronary syndromes in the absence of ST-segment elevation (NSTE-ACS) are a heterogeneous entity in which early risk stratification is essential. Diastolic dysfunction is precocious and associated with poor prognosis. BNP has been recognized as a biochemical marker of ventricular dysfunction and ischemia. Objective: To investigate if there is correlation of NT pro-BNP levels with diastolic dysfunction in patients with NSTE-ACS. Methods: Fifty-two patients with NSTE-ACS admitted to the coronary unit were included. NT-pro brain natriuretic hormone (BNP) levels and a Doppler echocardiogram were obtained in all and systolic and diastolic functions were analyzed. Their Doppler indexes were compared with those of 53 age- and sex-matched controls, without heart failure symptoms and with normal ejection fraction (EF) and normal NT-pro BNP levels. Results: Twenty-four patients (46%) with unstable angina and 28 patients (54%) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were included. Mean EF was 55.9 ± 10.7% and mean NT-pro BNP level was 835 ± 989 pg/ml. No mitral or pulmonary venous flow parameters of diastolic function correlated with NT-pro BNP levels. E,/A, correlated with NT-pro BNP level in univariate analysis but, in a multivariate analysis, only the EF and the E, showed negative correlation with the peptide level (r =,0.33, P = 0.024 and r =,0.29, P = 0.045, respectively). Thirteen patients presented with stage II diastolic dysfunction but the NT-pro BNP level in these patients did not differ from the level in stage I patients. Conclusion: NT-pro BNP levels are elevated in acute coronary syndromes, even in the absence of significant necrosis. Of all echocardiographic parameters investigated, only E, and the EF correlated with the levels of NT-pro BNP in this group of patients. [source]

    Partial Left Ventriculectomy and Limited Heart Transplantation Availability

    JOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 2 2001
    Ph.D., sa Gradinac M.D.
    Background and Aim: Partial left ventriculectomy, a novel cardiac volume reduction operation, is applied in countries without a developed heart transplantation program. We sought to determine its impact in our population of patients. Methods: Partial left ventriculectomy was performed in 38 patients during the last 4 years. Basic inclusion criteria were nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy and poor response to medical therapy for heart failure. Hemodynamic evaluation was carried out before and after operation. A modified surgical technique of mitral valve repair and ventricle suturing was applied. Results: Thirty-day, 6-month, and 2-year survival rates were 82%± 7%, 65%± 8%. and 61%± 9%, respectively. Duration of heart failure symptoms was the only predictor of survival (p = 0.042). A high proportion of noncardiac causes of death was noted. Functional capacity in surviving patients improved at every successive measurement up to 1 year postoperatively. Conclusions: The introduction of partial left ventriculectomy in a country with limited heart transplantation availability had a great impact on the management of end-stage heart failure and may represent the only surgical option for some patients. The average cost per patient was substantially lower when compared to heart transplantation. [source]

    Evidence for Electrical Remodeling of the Native Conduction System with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

    PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5 2007
    CHARLES A. HENRIKSON M.D.
    Background:Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves hemodynamics and decreases heart failure symptoms. However, the potential of CRT to bring about electrical remodeling of the heart has not been investigated. Methods and Results:We studied 25 patients, of whom 17 had a nonischemic cardiomyopathy, and 8 had an ischemic cardiomyopathy; 16 had left bundle branch block (LBBB), 1 right bundle branch block (RBBB), and 8 nonspecific intraventricular conduction delay. During routine device clinic visits, patients with chronic biventricular pacing (>6 months) were reprogrammed to VVI 40 to allow for native conduction to resume. After 5 minutes of native rhythm, a surface electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded, and then the previous device settings were restored. This ECG was compared to the preimplant ECG. Preimplant mean ejection fraction was 19% (range, 10%,35%), and follow-up mean ejection fraction was 35% (12.5%,65%). Mean time from implant to follow-up ECG was 14 months (range, 6,31). The QRS interval prior to CRT was 155 ± 29 ms, and shortened to 144 ± 31 ms (P = 0.0006), and the QRS axis shifted from ,1 ± 59 to ,26 ± 53 (P = 0.03). There was no significant change in PR or QTc interval, or in heart rate. Conclusion:CRT leads to a decrease in the surface QRS duration, without affecting other surface ECG parameters. The reduced electrical activation time may reflect changes in the specialized conduction system or in intramyocardial impulse transmission. [source]

    Is Rhythm-Control Superior to Rate-Control in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Diastolic Heart Failure?

    ANNALS OF NONINVASIVE ELECTROCARDIOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
    Melissa H. Kong M.D.
    Background: Although no clinical trial data exist on the optimal management of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with diastolic heart failure, it has been hypothesized that rhythm-control is more advantageous than rate-control due to the dependence of these patients' left ventricular filling on atrial contraction. We aimed to determine whether patients with AF and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (EF) survive longer with rhythm versus rate-control strategy. Methods: The Duke Cardiovascular Disease Database was queried to identify patients with EF > 50%, heart failure symptoms and AF between January 1,1995 and June 30, 2005. We compared baseline characteristics and survival of patients managed with rate- versus rhythm-control strategies. Using a 60-day landmark view, Kaplan-Meier curves were generated and results were adjusted for baseline differences using Cox proportional hazards modeling. Results: Three hundred eighty-two patients met the inclusion criteria (285 treated with rate-control and 97 treated with rhythm-control). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 93.2%, 69.3%, and 56.8%, respectively in rate-controlled patients and 94.8%, 78.0%, and 59.9%, respectively in rhythm-controlled patients (P > 0.10). After adjustments for baseline differences, no significant difference in mortality was detected (hazard ratio for rhythm-control vs rate-control = 0.696, 95% CI 0.453,1.07, P = 0.098). Conclusions: Based on our observational data, rhythm-control seems to offer no survival advantage over rate-control in patients with heart failure and preserved EF. Randomized clinical trials are needed to verify these findings and examine the effect of each strategy on stroke risk, heart failure decompensation, and quality of life. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2010;15(3):209,217 [source]

    Transcatheter closure of coronary artery fistulae using the Amplatzer duct occluder

    CATHETERIZATION AND CARDIOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS, Issue 2 2006
    Sarina K. Behera MD
    Abstract Objective: The aim of this study is to report our experience using the Amplatzer Duct Occluder (ADO) for occlusion of significant coronary artery fistulae (CAF). Background: Transcatheter closure of CAF with coils is well described. Use of newer devices may offer advantages such as improved control of device placement, use of a single instead of multiple devices, and high rates of occlusion. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients catheterized for CAF from July 2002 through August 2005 was performed. Results: Thirteen patients with CAF underwent cardiac catheterization, of which a total of 6 patients had ADO placement in CAF (age, 21 days to 56 years; median age, 4.3 years and weight, 3.8 kg to 74.6 kg; median weight, 13.3 kg). An arteriovenous wire loop was used to advance a long sheath antegrade to deploy the ADO in the CAF. Immediate and short-term outcomes (follow-up, 3 months to 14 months; median follow-up, 8.5 months) demonstrated complete CAF occlusion in 5 patients and minimal residual shunt in 1 patient (who had resolution of right atrial and right ventricular enlargement). On follow-up clinical evaluation, all 6 patients had absence of fistula-related murmurs, and 2 previously symptomatic patients had resolution of congestive heart failure symptoms. Early complications included transient palpitations and atrial arrhythmia in the 2 oldest patients (52 and 56 years old). Conclusions: Use of the ADO is applicable for transcatheter closure of significant CAF. Advantages of using the ADO include the antegrade approach, use of a single device, and effective CAF occlusion. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

    Cardiomyopathy in newborns and infants: a broad spectrum of aetiologies and poor prognosis

    ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 11 2008
    Andrea Badertscher
    Abstract Aim: This study set out to describe the initial clinical findings, morbidity, mortality and aetiology of infant cardiomyopathy focusing on potential risk factors for an adverse outcome. Methods: We retrospectively analysed clinical and laboratory findings of all patients diagnosed at our institution from 1995 to 2004 with cardiomyopathy within their first year of life. Results: Of the 35 patients, cardiomyopathy was classified as dilated in 18, hypertrophic in 14 and unclassified in 3. The aetiologies were genetic syndromes (8), metabolic diseases (5), familial isolated cardiomyopathy (3) and myopathy (1). During a median follow-up of 1.5 years (range 0,9 years), 13 patients died from progressive heart failure and two underwent heart transplants. Estimated survival and freedom from transplant was 69, 66, 58 and 50% after 0.5, 1, 2 and 6 years, respectively. Patients with severe heart failure symptoms within the first month of life had significantly worse outcomes than patients without heart failure symptoms. Conclusion: High morbidity and poor prognosis result through progressive heart failure. Aetiology and clinical course are especially heterogeneous in infants. The most commonly identified aetiologies are genetic syndromes and metabolic diseases. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended for defining the aetiology and developing individual treatment strategies. [source]

    Need for hospice and palliative care services in patients with end-stage heart failure treated with intermittent infusion of inotropes

    CLINICAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 1 2004
    Angel López-Candales M.D. FACC
    Abstract Background: Hospice and palliative care programs to relieve suffering and optimize management of terminally ill patients have grown rapidly in the United States. However, there are no data on the need for these services among patients with end-stage heart failure receiving intermittent infusion of intravenous inotropes. Hypothesis: The need for hospice and palliative care programs among patients in end-stage heart failure who receive intermittent infusion of inotropes is investigated. Methods: The study included all stable patients with refractory heart failure symptoms treated with inotropes in our outpatient unit. A total of 73 patients (65 ± 12years; left ventricular ejection fraction 22 ± 9%; New York Heart Association class 3.6 ± 0.4) were seen during a 49-month period. Of these, 3 5 patients (48%) met hospice or palliative care evaluation criteria upon referral but were offered, and accepted, the alternative of parenteral inotropes. In all, 1,737 individual outpatient treatment sessions were given, with a mean of 24 ± 19 sessions per patient (range 5 to 118 sessions), representing a minimum of 9,948 h of inotrope therapy. Results: A total of 18 (25%) patients died, 6 (8%) patients were withdrawn from the program (3 by their primary physicians and 3 because of significant travel limitations); 4 (5%) patients required continuous intravenous home therapy; and 44 (61%) patients were discharged with significant improvement in their heart failure symptoms. Only 7 of the 18 patients who died had received hospice or palliative care intervention, mainly for the sake of comfort and to ease the transition among family members. The rest of the patients were comfortable and had accepted the natural evolution of their disease; they were not interested in or did not require hospice or palliative care intervention. Of the patients discharged from the outpatient cardiac infusion unit, the interval free of heart failure symptoms after the final infusion treatment ranged from 201 to 489 days, with no need for hospitalization or emergency room visits. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that intermittent infusion of intravenous inotropes can be safely administered and can improve symptoms in a significant number of patients, probably by slowing the natural progression of heart failure. Although the full clinical impact of inotrope therapy in an outpatient setting has not been fully defined, other nonhemodynamic-related benefits should be sought and investigated. Our results suggest that intermittent infusion of intravenous inotropes is one of the prominent variables that requires particular attention. In our experience, the institution of intermittent infusions of intravenous inotropes can, in fact, modify end-stage heart failure symptoms that, in most patients, are currently perceived to lead to a terminal event. Thus, appropriate use of intermittent infusion of intravenous inotropes may not only improve functional class and symptoms in a significant number of patients identified as terminal by their poor response to conventional therapy, but it may also facilitate better utilization of hospice and palliative care resources among patients with end-stage heart failure. Furthermore, the need for hospice and palliative care in patients with heart failure should be revisited in view of adjuvant treatment options such as intermittent infusion of intravenous inotropes. [source]