44 results on '"SUTERA L"'
Search Results
2. O51 Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Sicilian postmenopausal women
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Carmina, E., Napoli, N., Cusumano, G., Vitale, G., Avila, D., Sutera, L., Rini, G.B., and Di Fede, G.
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- 2003
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3. O51 Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Sicilian postmenopausal women
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Carmina, E., Napoli, N., Cusumano, G., Vitale, G., Avila, D., Sutera, L., Rini, G.B., and Di Fede, G.
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- 2004
4. A cardiac fibroma in a 7-year-old asymptomatic girl admitted for ECG anomalies.
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Fazio G, Grassedonio E, Lo Re G, Maurizio M, Sutera L, Bacarella D, Novo G, Pipitone S, Novo S, and Midiri M
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- Asymptomatic Diseases, Child, Echocardiography, Electrocardiography, Female, Fibroma surgery, Heart Neoplasms surgery, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Fibroma pathology, Heart Neoplasms pathology
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- 2012
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5. Diagnosis and definition of biventricular non-compaction associated to Ebstein's anomaly.
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Fazio G, Visconti C, D'angelo L, Grassedonio E, Lo Re G, D'Amico T, Sutera L, Novo G, Ferrara F, Midiri M, and Novo S
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- Adult, Cardiomyopathies complications, Heart Ventricles pathology, Humans, Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular complications, Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular complications, Male, Cardiomyopathies diagnosis, Ebstein Anomaly complications, Ebstein Anomaly diagnosis, Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular diagnosis, Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular diagnosis
- Abstract
Background: Non-compaction of ventricular myocardium is a rare congenital cardiomyopathy characterized by the presence of an extremely thickened endocardial layer with prominent trabeculations and deep recesses in communication with ventricular chamber and determining the typical spongeous aspect. The diagnosis of non-compaction of ventricular myocardium is possible through the identification of morphological alterations by echocardiographic evaluation. Ebstein's anomaly is a rare congenital cardiac disease, defined as the significant apical displacement of the part of the tricuspid valve causing significant tricuspid regurgitation and reduction of the functional right ventricle, right atrial and right ventricular dilatation and atrial and ventricular arrhythmias., Case Report: We present a case of biventricular non-compaction and Ebstein's anomaly in a 29-year-old Italian man that was referred for chest pain. Diagnosis of Ebstein's anomaly was made during a medical control for military service through an echocardiographic evaluation which left the suspicion of myocardium non-compaction. We present the cardiac image of the 2D and 3D eco, RMN, scintigraphy and ventriculaography., (Copyright © 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)
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- 2011
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6. Reduced regional systolic function evolved compacted segments in noncompaction.
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Fazio G, Novo G, D'angelo L, Lunetta M, Sutera L, di Gesaro G, Indovina G, Ferrara F, and Novo S
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- Humans, Cardiomyopathies physiopathology, Systole physiology, Ventricular Dysfunction, Left physiopathology
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- 2010
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7. Ventricular dysfunction and number of non compacted segments in non compaction: non-independent predictors.
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Fazio G, Corrado G, Novo G, Zachara E, Rapezzi C, Sulafa AK, Sutera L, D'angelo L, Visconti C, Stollberger C, Sormani L, Finsterer J, Cavusoglu Y, Di Gesaro G, Grassedonio E, Ferrara F, Galia M, Midiri M, Pipitone S, Carerj S, and Novo S
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- Adolescent, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Infant, Male, Middle Aged, Predictive Value of Tests, Registries statistics & numerical data, Ventricular Dysfunction, Left diagnosis, Ventricular Dysfunction, Left epidemiology, Young Adult, Heart Failure, Systolic diagnosis, Heart Failure, Systolic epidemiology, Isolated Noncompaction of the Ventricular Myocardium diagnosis, Isolated Noncompaction of the Ventricular Myocardium epidemiology, Severity of Illness Index
- Abstract
Background: Isolated ventricular noncompaction (IVNC) is characterized by multiple prominent trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses. Some reports prove that the chronic heart failure may occur in approximately half of the patients. In this report we investigate the correlation between the number of non compacted segments and entity of systolic dysfunction from the registry and subregistries of the SIEC., Method: To identify the correlation between ventricular dysfunction and number of segments involved in non compaction we evaluated a consecutive series of 238 patients affected by non compaction, from the SIEC (Società Italiana di Ecografia Cardiovascolare) registry. The average age of patients was 41.5 years (range: 1-92 years), 137 were males and 101 females. In 122 cases we found ventricular systolic dysfunctions with an EF average of 34.6%. The number of affected segments by non-compactation and diastolic dysfunction were found to be non-independent predictors of LV systolic dysfunction., Conclusion: From the analyses we carried out, it seems that ventricular dysfunction seems to be completely independent from the segment numbers of non compacted segments., (Copyright (c) 2009. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.)
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- 2010
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8. Magnetic resonance in isolated noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium.
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Fazio G, Novo G, D'Angelo L, Visconti C, Sutera L, Grassedonio E, Galia M, Ferrara F, Midiri M, and Novo S
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- Adolescent, Adult, Child, Child, Preschool, Echocardiography, Female, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Isolated Noncompaction of the Ventricular Myocardium diagnostic imaging, Male, Sensitivity and Specificity, Isolated Noncompaction of the Ventricular Myocardium pathology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine
- Abstract
Unlabelled: Non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium (LCVM) is a rare disorder of myocardial morphogenesis usually diagnosed in paediatric age. The diagnosis was echocardiographically made on the basis of a reported spongeous/compacted ratio >2 in one or more segments of the left ventricle during the diastolic period. We aimed to test the diagnostic accuracy of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in distinguishing pathological left ventricular non-compaction., Methods: We collected a consecutive series of 8 patients, 5 males and 3 females, with a mean age of 14.9 years with non-compaction of left ventricular myocardium. All patients were admitted in our divisions of cardiology. In all cases the diagnosis was performed by echocardiography. The diagnosis was obtained when the spongeous/compacted ratio was >2 in one or more segments of left ventricle, evaluated in systolic and diastolic period. In the end we completed the diagnosis by scanning with a Signa HD 1.5 T (GE, Milwaukee, USA) the same 8 patients affected by non compaction of ventricular myocardium. In all patients cardiac-gated T1 and T2 black-blood FSE images in short axis and in four-chamber horizontal long axis were obtained. Breath hold cine MR sequences (FIESTA) were performed, covering the whole left ventricle in short-axis plane and in four-chamber view. A segmented inversion-recovery fast gradient echo sequence (IR-FGE) was performed in the short-axis plane of the LV and in four-chamber-view after Gadolinium injection in 8 patients affected by non compaction of left ventricle. At the end of examination the spongeous/compacted ratio >2 was calculated in all involved segments of the left ventricle in diastole., Results: In all cases we demonstrated by echocardiography an involvement of the ventricular apex. In 3 cases the structural alterations involved also lateral wall of left ventricle. Magnetic resonance evaluation showed that involvement demonstrated by the echocardiogram was the same: ventricular apex involved in every patient, lateral wall in 3 and all segments in 2. However the spongeous/compacted ratio was >>2 in all patients, with a mean value of 3,1., Conclusions: Although our data refer to a small population of patients and need further confirmation, they suggest that it seems reasonable increase the cut-off for spongeous/compacted ratio from a value of 2 to 2.5 for non-compaction diagnosis when high-resolution magnetic resonance is used., (Copyright (c) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)
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- 2010
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9. Heart rate turbulence for guiding electric therapy in patients with cardiac failure.
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Fazio G, Sarullo FM, D'Angelo L, Lunetta M, Visconti C, Di Gesaro G, Sutera L, Novo G, and Novo S
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- Arrhythmias, Cardiac diagnosis, Arrhythmias, Cardiac prevention & control, Female, Heart Failure prevention & control, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Reproducibility of Results, Sensitivity and Specificity, Therapy, Computer-Assisted methods, Algorithms, Arrhythmias, Cardiac physiopathology, Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted methods, Electric Countershock methods, Electroencephalography methods, Heart Failure diagnosis, Heart Failure physiopathology, Heart Rate
- Abstract
Background: It is well-known that a reduction of the cardiac frequency variability, measurable with the Heart Rate Variability (HRV) system, is an indirect expression of the sympathetic-autonomic tone. Another index, Heart Rate Turbulence (HRT), has been recently suggested as a possible unit of measurement for the sympathetic-autonomic tone: this system allows to estimate the baro-reflex response of the carotid arteries to an early ventricular extra-systole by analysing heart rate variations induced by a premature beat., Methods and Results: In our research we have analyzed this phenomenon in patients affected by moderate or severe cardiac failure. In particular, we divided 110 patients into two arms: subjects with or without a history of resuscitated arrhythmic death, that is, patients with high or low arrhythmic potential. In a detailed analysis of the sympathetic-autonomic tone, using both the above-mentioned parameters, HRV showed an irrelevant statistical difference between the two arms; on the contrary, HRT showed a significant statistical difference., Conclusions: If our conclusions will be confirmed by next larger reports, HRT could become a reliable index for screening the arrhythmic potential of patients affected by cardiac failure, to select the ones who need a defibrillator implantation.
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- 2010
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10. Neuromuscular disorders and non compaction: how much is the strength of the association and how can it be suspected?
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Fazio G, Novo G, Visconti C, D'angelo L, Sutera L, and Novo S
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- Creatine Kinase, MB Form blood, Creatine Kinase, MM Form blood, Humans, Prognosis, Neuromuscular Diseases epidemiology, Ventricular Dysfunction, Left epidemiology, Ventricular Dysfunction, Left metabolism
- Abstract
In many reports Finsterer and Stöllberger reported a strong association between non compaction of the left ventricle and neuromuscular disorders. In the same report the authors described a neurological involvement in more than 50%. Recently we published our personal experience, about 21 paediatric patients: only 4 patients (19%) showed a neuromuscular disorder, and only 1 of them showed an increased plasmatic level of CK, and in particular of MM isoform, with a normal level of CK-MB. None presented high levels of troponine. Through the experience of 3 centres we collected 61 patients affected by non compaction that performed a neurological control, and only 14 (21%) were affected by neuromuscular disorders. A correlation between neuromuscular disorders and cardiac non compaction is present, even if, until today, genetic involvement has not been identified clearly. However, in our opinion, an estimated incidence of 50% of neuromuscular disorders in this population of patients could be too exaggerated. About the prognostic value of the CK elevation, it is interesting to consider that an increasing of CK plasmatic level is an expression of muscular disorders and not of cardiac alterations. In our experience only 1 patient in 21 patients (4%) with neuromuscular disorders showed an increasing of CK-MM plasmatic value.
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- 2009
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11. Cor triatriatum dexter assessed by three-dimensional echocardiography reconstruction in a female adult patient.
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Fazio G, D'Angelo L, Visconti C, Lunetta M, Di Gesaro G, Sutera L, Novo G, and Novo S
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- Adult, Diagnosis, Differential, Female, Humans, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Cor Triatriatum diagnostic imaging, Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional
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- 2009
12. Diagnosis and management of the Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: role of echocardiography.
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Fazio G, Novo G, Evola G, D'angelo L, Visconti C, Licata P, Sutera L, Barbaro G, Sconci F, Giannoccaro V, Azzarelli S, Akashi Y, Fedele F, and Novo S
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- Aged, Electrocardiography, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Predictive Value of Tests, Sensitivity and Specificity, Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy diagnosis, Echocardiography, Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy diagnostic imaging, Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy therapy
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- 2009
13. Syncope in pediatric patients: role of arrhythmias.
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Fazio G, Novo G, D'angelo L, Visconti C, Gennaro F, Rizzo M, Sutera L, Lombardi R, Lo Cascio L, Pipitone S, and Novo S
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- Adolescent, Adult, Arrhythmias, Cardiac diagnosis, Arrhythmias, Cardiac epidemiology, Atrioventricular Block complications, Child, Child, Preschool, Humans, Incidence, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Long QT Syndrome complications, Retrospective Studies, Sicily epidemiology, Syncope diagnosis, Syncope epidemiology, Tachycardia, Supraventricular complications, Arrhythmias, Cardiac complications, Syncope etiology
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- 2009
14. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance characterization of a hamartoma in an asymptomatic child.
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Fazio G, Grassedonio E, Cracolici E, Novo G, Sutera L, Pipitone S, Mongiovi M, Novo S, and Midiri M
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- Child, Electrocardiography, Hamartoma pathology, Hamartoma surgery, Heart Diseases pathology, Heart Diseases surgery, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine, Male, Hamartoma diagnosis, Heart Diseases diagnosis
- Abstract
Background: The prevalence of primary cardiac neoplasms is approximately 0.3% and these masses should be distinguished from many of other primary and secondary processes that can occur in the heart. Further assessment of the left ventricular mass presents important clinical implications. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance was used., Clinical Case: An asymptomatic 12-year-old child was referred for cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging to further assess a left ventricular mass found after an echocardiography, executed for assessment for sport activity. His past medical history was absolutely negative. The patient was in optimal state of health. The EKG showed an aspecific ST elevation. A hamartoma was diagnosed. A surgical approach was performed. After 7 days the patient is in good condition.
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- 2009
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15. Left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy in children: Is segmental fibrosis the cause of tissue Doppler alterations and of EF reduction?
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Fazio G, Novo G, Casalicchio C, Di Gesaro G, Sutera L, Grassedonio E, Cracolici E, Pitruzzella V, Incalcaterra E, Pipitone S, Midiri M, and Novo S
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- Cardiomyopathies congenital, Cardiomyopathies pathology, Fibrosis, Humans, Cardiomyopathies diagnostic imaging, Cardiomyopathies physiopathology, Echocardiography, Doppler, Heart Ventricles pathology, Heart Ventricles physiopathology, Stroke Volume
- Abstract
Noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium (LVNC) is a rare congenital cardiomyopathy resulting from an arrest in normal endomyocardial embryogenesis. In 2002 Jenni et al. [Jenni R, Wyss CA, Oechslin EN, Kaufmann PA. Isolated ventricular noncompaction is associated with coronary microcirculatory dysfunction. J Am Coll Cardiol 2002; 39:450-454.] reported a microvascular dysfunction in 12 patients affected by non compaction: areas of restricted myocardial perfusion have been documented by scintigraphy, suggesting a reduction of Coronary flow reserve. McMahon et al reported in a recent article a reduction of TD velocities in children with noncompaction of the left ventricle, compared with normal controls. The authors concluded their work saying that the reduction of lateral mitral Ea velocity helps to predict children with LVNC who are at risk of adverse clinical outcomes including death and need for cardiac transplantation. In a precedent report our group reported a strong correlation between pathological tissue Doppler and reduction of ejection fraction. Recently we scanned with a Signa HD 1.5 T (GE, Milwaukee, USA) 8 patients affected by non compaction. Transmural Gd-enhancement was detected in 5/8 patients (62%). In all patients with late enhancement a reduction of EF has demonstrated. In our opinion the late enhancement can depend on a CFR, and is the determinant of the tissue Doppler alterations. So the TD alteration is associated with EF, and is an indirect index of poor clinical outcome, like EF.
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- 2009
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16. Ventricular arrhythmias in children: the uselessness of MRI.
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Fazio G, Grassedonio E, Galia M, Mongiovi' M, Novo G, Sutera L, D'angelo L, Visconti C, Evola G, Pipitone S, Midiri M, and Novo S
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- Adolescent, Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia diagnosis, Humans, Predictive Value of Tests, Sensitivity and Specificity, Tachycardia, Ventricular physiopathology, Electrocardiography, Heart Conduction System pathology, Heart Conduction System physiopathology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Tachycardia, Ventricular diagnosis
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- 2009
17. Motion Index: a new parameter to evaluate the diastole by M-Mode imaging.
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Fazio G, Novo G, Evola G, Sutera L, Trapani R, Fabiano A, D'angelo L, Visconti C, Lunetta M, Indovina G, Ferrara F, and Novo S
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- Adult, Algorithms, Heart Failure, Diastolic physiopathology, Heart Function Tests, Humans, Middle Aged, Predictive Value of Tests, Sensitivity and Specificity, Ventricular Dysfunction, Left diagnostic imaging, Echocardiography, Doppler, Color methods, Heart Failure, Diastolic diagnostic imaging, Stroke Volume
- Abstract
Aim: Heart failure with normal left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction is commonly understood as diastolic heart failure because this expression implies the presence of LV diastolic dysfunction diagnosed by specific echocardiographic findings, such as slow LV relaxation and increased LV stiffness. In this work the authors propose a new parameter named Motion Index, which is measurable by M-Mode technique and it is likely linked to diastolic dysfunction., Methods: A patient population composed by 134 subjects was enrolled. They all were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II. Echocardiogram carried out in all patients allowed the authors to distinguish 2 patient arms depending on the presence or absence of diastolic dysfunction, evaluated by flow Doppler and tissue Doppler., Results: After carrying out every echocardiographic examination, the authors also measured the new parameter that called Motion Index, and found that it had an average value of 46 in patients with normal diastolic function and 33.5 in patients with diastolic dysfunction. This parameter did not depend on systolic dysfunction., Conclusions: Data obtained showed a statistically significant correlation between Motion Index and means of diastolic function assessed by both flow and tissue Doppler.
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- 2009
18. An unusual cause of cerebral cardioembolism in a 33-year-old man due to ventricular noncompaction.
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Fazio G, Novo G, Visconti C, D'angelo L, Sutera L, di Gesaro G, Indovina G, and Novo S
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- Adult, Echocardiography, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Heart Defects, Congenital complications, Heart Defects, Congenital diagnosis, Heart Ventricles abnormalities, Intracranial Embolism etiology, Stroke etiology, Thromboembolism etiology
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- 2009
- Full Text
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19. An uncommon case of syncope in a 4-year-old child affected by a long QT syndrome.
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Fazio G, D'Angelo L, Gennaro F, Sutera L, Di Gesaro G, Visconti C, Licata P, Rizzo M, Evola G, Ferrara F, Indovina G, Novo G, and Novo S
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- Child, Preschool, Humans, Long QT Syndrome complications, Syncope etiology
- Published
- 2008
20. Treatment of Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy.
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Fazio G, Novo G, Barbaro G, Sutera L, Azzarelli S, Palecek T, Di Gesaro G, Akashi Y, and Novo S
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- Humans, Cardiotonic Agents therapeutic use, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy drug therapy
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- 2008
- Full Text
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21. Anticoagulant drugs in noncompaction: a mandatory therapy?
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Fazio G, Corrado G, Zachara E, Rapezzi C, Sulafa AK, Sutera L, Stollberger C, Sormani L, Finsterer J, Benatar A, Di Gesaro G, Visconti C, D'angelo L, Novo G, Mongiovi M, Cavusoglu Y, Baumhakel M, Drago F, Indovina G, Ferrara F, Carerj S, Pipitone S, and Novo S
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- Administration, Oral, Adult, Anticoagulants administration & dosage, Cardiomyopathies complications, Cardiomyopathies congenital, Female, Heart Defects, Congenital complications, Heart Ventricles abnormalities, Humans, Infant, Male, Middle Aged, Registries, Risk Factors, Stroke etiology, Thromboembolism etiology, Time Factors, Anticoagulants therapeutic use, Cardiomyopathies drug therapy, Heart Defects, Congenital drug therapy, Heart Ventricles drug effects, Stroke prevention & control, Thromboembolism prevention & control
- Abstract
Background: Noncompaction of left ventricular myocardium is a rare congenital cardiomyopathy resulting from an incomplete myocardial morphogenesis that leads to the persistence of the embryonic myocardium. This condition is characterized by a thin compacted epicardial and an extremely thickened endocardial layer with prominent trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses. It is not clear, in noncompaction of myocardium, whether intertrabecular recesses could be responsible for thrombi formation and thromboembolic complications., Methods: The prevalence of stroke and echocardiographic finding of thrombus was evaluated in a continuous series of 229 patients (men and women) affected by noncompaction of the left ventricular myocardium, who were included in the SIEC registry. We excluded patients affected by atrial fibrillation., Results: The mean age of the patients was 49.5 years. Fifty percent of the patients were affected by a ventricular systolic dysfunction. The mean period of follow-up was 7.3 years. Only four patients had a history of ischemic stroke. A large thrombus into the left ventricular chamber was observed in a 1-year-old child affected by Behcet's disease (high risk of thrombi formation)., Conclusion: Noncompaction of the left ventricular myocardium, by itself, does not seem to be a risk factor for stroke or embolic results, so there is no indication for oral anticoagulant therapy.
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- 2008
- Full Text
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22. Ventricular arrhythmias in children: the uselessness of MRI.
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Fazio G, Grassedonio E, Cracolici E, Mongiovi M, Novo G, Sutera L, D'Angelo L, Visconti C, Spoto S, Pipitone S, Ferrara F, Midiri M, and Novo S
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- Adolescent, Heart Ventricles, Humans, Patient Selection, Arrhythmias, Cardiac diagnosis, Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Published
- 2008
23. Transient mid-ventricular dyskinesia: a variant of Takotsubo syndrome.
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Fazio G, Novo G, Azzarelli S, Evola S, Barbaro G, Sutera L, Di Gesaro G, Akashi YJ, and Novo S
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- Aged, Echocardiography, Female, Heart Ventricles physiopathology, Humans, Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy diagnostic imaging, Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy physiopathology
- Abstract
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy is characterized by a reversible systolic left ventricular apical ballooning. A new pattern of dyskinesia in the absence of angiographic evidence of coronary artery stenosis has been indicated like a variant of takotsubo cardiomiopathy: mid-ventricular akinesis with preservation of apical and basal contractilities revealed at echocardiograms and ventriculographies. We report the case of a 65 years old patient with this pattern, reverted in 4 weeks.
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- 2008
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24. Sympathetic tone and ventricular tachycardia.
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Fazio G, Novo G, Sutera L, Di Gesaro G, Fazio M, D'Angelo L, Visconti C, Vernuccio D, Pipitone S, and Novo S
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- Adolescent, Adrenergic beta-Antagonists therapeutic use, Child, Electrocardiography, Ambulatory, Humans, Nadolol therapeutic use, Tachycardia, Ventricular drug therapy, Heart Rate, Sympathetic Nervous System physiopathology, Tachycardia, Ventricular physiopathology
- Abstract
Background: The pathogenesis of idiopathic monomorphic ventricular tachycardia is not clear. We suppose that a lack of balance of the sympathetic system could be involved. Frequency domain analyses of the heart rate can be useful to understand autonomic system balance. Therefore we performed this evaluation on a sample of seven children affected by idiopathic monomorphic ventricular tachycardia., Methods and Results: We performed a Holter recording for palpitations on all the children, with an average age of 12 (range: 7-18 years). In all the patients many episodes of repeated sustained or nonsustained ventricular tachycardia were demonstrated, with an average heart rate of 170 bpm. We excluded any structural heart defect through echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging studies in all the children. A negative tridimensional electroanatomic mapping was performed on five of them. Holter analysis of ventricular rate variability was performed in the frequency domain. Two main components were distinguished in a spectrum calculated on the basis of 24 h-long recordings. We studied low frequency and high frequency components. We compared the values obtained with those of a control group of 10 healthy children, admitted to our cardiology division, day-care system. Affected patients showed a reduction of average high frequency as a sign of a reduction of vagal activity and an average increase of the low frequency/high frequency ratio., Conclusions: The data may confirm our hypothesis of the involvement of the sympathetic nervous system in idiopathic monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in children.
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- 2008
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25. The long QT syndrome in pediatric age: prognosis and risk factor.
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Fazio G, Pipitone S, D'Angelo L, Di Gesaro G, Sutera L, Visconti G, Evola G, Novo G, and Novo S
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- Adolescent, Child, Child, Preschool, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Infant, Mutation, Prognosis, Risk Factors, Long QT Syndrome genetics
- Abstract
Aim: Long QT syndrome is a rare arrhythmic disease with a low incidence in the general population. There are no sure clinical or electrocardiographic parameters that could lead to a correct prognostic stratification in patients affected by this syndrome. The correlation between the incidence of a sudden death or dangerous ventricular arrhythmias and the duration of QTc interval is still a controversial topic., Methods: Twenty nine children affected by QT long syndrome were admitted to the Division of Pediatric Cardiology of the Casa del Sole Hospital of Palermo (Italy). Their diagnosis was made by electrocardiogram (ECG). The average age of the patients was 7.6 years. The average follow-up was 4 years and three months. A therapy with beta-blocker was administered to all the children. During the follow-up of 4 year and three months, patients were genotyped. Twenty-three out of 29 children had at least one relative affected by the syndrome. Three of them had a familiar dead because of this syndrome and everyone had a duration of maximum QTc higher than the cut off (P=0.0002). All the people who died had not followed the therapy with beta-blocker. Patients with a maximum QTc recorded <500 had not familiar death by this syndrome., Results: Holter and echocardiogram recorded periodically during the observation did not show dangerous arrhythmic events. All children maintained a good health during the follow-up., Conclusion: Although conducted on a small study population, the data analysis recorded during this study suggests that in patients affected by QT long syndrome younger than 16 years old undergoing a beta-blocker therapy the prognosis is excellent. The duration of QTc interval appears as a negative prognostic factor, although the beta-blocker therapy has been reduced considerably the incidence of sudden death.
- Published
- 2008
26. Supraventricular arrhythmias in noncompaction of left ventricle: is this a frequent complication?
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Fazio G, Corrado G, Pizzuto C, Zachara E, Rapezzi C, Sulafa AK, Sutera L, Stollberger C, Sormani L, Finsterer J, Benatar A, Di Gesaro G, Novo G, Cavusoglu Y, Baumhakel M, Drago F, Carerj S, Pipitone S, and Novo S
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Electrocardiography, Female, Heart Defects, Congenital physiopathology, Humans, Italy epidemiology, Male, Middle Aged, Registries, Retrospective Studies, Risk Factors, Tachycardia, Supraventricular epidemiology, Tachycardia, Supraventricular physiopathology, Heart Defects, Congenital complications, Tachycardia, Supraventricular etiology
- Abstract
Background: Isolated left ventricular noncompaction is the result of incomplete myocardial morphogenesis, leading to persistence of the embryonic myocardium. The condition is recognised by an excessively prominent trabecular meshwork and deep intertrabecular recesses of the left ventricle. Whether these intertrabecular recesses are a favorable substrate for supraventricular arrhythmias is unclear, even if the incidence of chronic heart failure seems to be high., Results: We evaluated a continuous series of 238 patients affected by noncompaction. In 4 cases the patients reported palpitations and in 4 an episode of syncope. Periodic holter monitoring was performed every 6 months for 4 years. Only 9 patients had documented atrial fibrillation. In no cases we observed supraventricular tachycardia., Conclusions: Noncompaction alone does not seem to be a risk factor for supraventricular arrhythmias.
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- 2008
- Full Text
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27. Chronic pharmacological treatment in takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
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Fazio G, Pizzuto C, Barbaro G, Sutera L, Incalcaterra E, Evola G, Azzarelli S, Palecek T, Di Gesaro G, Cascio C, Novo G, Akashi YJ, and Novo S
- Subjects
- Adrenergic beta-Antagonists therapeutic use, Aged, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors therapeutic use, Aspirin therapeutic use, Calcium Channel Blockers therapeutic use, Female, Humans, Male, Retrospective Studies, Treatment Outcome, Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy drug therapy
- Abstract
Background: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a disorder that has been appreciated only recently. In most of reported cases, this syndrome mimes an acute myocardial infarction. Till this moment no data are available from literature about the treatment in the acute phase of this disease., Aim of the Study: In our multicentric experience we have retrospectively looked at the benefits of a treatment with ACE-inhibitors, beta-blockers, Aspirin and calcium channels blockers, started until the early phases of the disease and continued for 30 days, in 36 patients affected by Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. We chose as endpoint of the study the efficacy of the used drug in improving left ventricular myocardial function and the rapidity of the effects of the same drug.bethods: from an international registry about the Takotsubo cardiomiopathy, co-ordinate by our research group, we evaluated the long term efficacy of some drugs, administrated like single treatment in some patients., Results: Obtained data did not show any statistically significant difference in the percentages of improvement in the left ventricle ejection fraction evaluated at the admission to the hospital, before the discharge and after 30 days of treatment between each treated group and the control group of non-treated patients. No significant differences were found in hospitalization times between treated patients and controls. None of our patients experienced during the observation period a relapse of the disease., Conclusions: The results of our survey suggest that a chronic treatment with beta-blockers, ACE-inhibitors, calcium channels blockers and aspirin does not provide any benefit in patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Thus, it seem to be important an early correct differential diagnosis to avoid any chronic treatment in these patients.
- Published
- 2008
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28. Right lobar pulmonitis: a possible cause of lone atrial fibrillation.
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Fazio G, Pipitone S, Garaffa D, Sutera L, D'Angelo L, Lombardi R, Hayes M, Novo G, and Novo S
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- Atrial Fibrillation physiopathology, Electrocardiography, Female, Humans, Infant, Atrial Fibrillation etiology, Pneumonia complications
- Published
- 2008
29. Clinical findings of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: results from a multicenter international study.
- Author
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Fazio G, Barbaro G, Sutera L, Guttilla D, Pizzuto C, Azzarelli S, Palecek T, Di Gesaro G, Lombardi R, Akashi YJ, and Novo S
- Subjects
- Aged, Coronary Angiography, Diagnosis, Differential, Exercise Test, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Myocardial Contraction physiology, Prognosis, Severity of Illness Index, Stroke Volume physiology, Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy physiopathology, Time Factors, Echocardiography methods, Electrocardiography methods, Gated Blood-Pool Imaging methods, Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy diagnosis
- Abstract
Background: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy consists of reversible systolic left ventricular apical ballooning associated with chest pain. Electrocardiographic abnormalities and the minimal rise of serum cardiac markers are similar to those in acute myocardial infarction, but without evidence of myocardial ischemia or injury. To date, many reports concerning this kind of acute reversible heart failure have been published, but the information available about the management of affected patients is scarce and the clinical data are incomplete., Aims: In the present study, we report a collection of 40 patients who were affected by Takotsubo cardiomyopathy obtained in a multicentric international study, aiming to investigate the origins, and the clinical and instrumental patterns, and to establish the best diagnostic criteria for this syndrome., Methods and Results: In the analysed group, the mean age was 68 years, of whom 85% were women. On admission to hospital, 68% of patients reported chest pain. An electrocardiogram (ECG) showed anterolateral (34%) or anterior (36%) ST segment elevation. The ECG demonstrated hyperkinesis of the basal segments with a severe hypokinesis of the other segments. Mean ejection fraction was 42.53%. Three patients died within the first 24 h from acute heart failure. The remaining 37 patients showed a complete resolution of symptoms and a complete normalization of the kinesis deficiency. Sixteen patients underwent myocardial scintigraphy, nine cases underwent myocardial biopsy and two patients received an ergonovine test., Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a good course of Takotsubo cardiomioathy, after the initial phase. An echocardiogram is an important tool for improving the diagnosis.
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. Symptomatic acute myocardial infarction in a patient bearer of heart transplantation following ischemic heart disease.
- Author
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Fazio G, Sutera L, Vernuccio D, Fazio M, and Novo S
- Subjects
- Follow-Up Studies, Graft Rejection, Heart Transplantation methods, Humans, Myocardial Infarction physiopathology, Myocardial Ischemia complications, Risk Assessment, Time Factors, Transplantation, Homologous adverse effects, Coronary Artery Disease complications, Heart Transplantation adverse effects, Myocardial Infarction etiology
- Abstract
In 2005 Syeda et al. reported that the major factor limiting the long term of cardiac transplantation is the development of accelerated arteriosclerosis that occurs in the coronary arteries of the cardiac allograft. Transplant arteriosclerosis is characterized by diffuse, uniform, concentric narrowing of the artery by a fibrous proliferation of sub-intima cells. This atherosclerosis was estimate to occur in approximately 50% of patients by 5 years after transplantation. Unfortunately, as a consequence of cardiac denervation, symptoms are often atypical or completely absent. When these are present, the symptoms are those typical of effort angina. Very uncommon is the acute coronary syndrome. We present a case of a patient, underwent to a cardiac transplant for ischemic cardiomyopathy that after 10 years from the transplantation, was affected by an anterior myocardial infarct. In our case the presence of a single noncircumferential atherosclerotic plaque makes to think that it is a consequence of a patient's systemic atherosclerotic disease better then the result of the heart transplant's typical atherosclerosis.
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Post-myocarditis autonomic imbalance: a possible cause of arrhythmias?
- Author
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Fazio G, Novo G, Sutera L, Amoroso G, Di Gesaro G, D'Angelo L, Visconti C, Pitruzzella V, and Novo S
- Subjects
- Arrhythmias, Cardiac diagnosis, Arrhythmias, Cardiac physiopathology, Arrhythmias, Cardiac therapy, Child, Diagnosis, Differential, Electric Countershock methods, Electrocardiography, Humans, Male, Myocarditis diagnosis, Myocarditis physiopathology, Myocarditis therapy, Myocarditis virology, Paramyxoviridae Infections diagnosis, Paramyxoviridae Infections physiopathology, Paramyxoviridae Infections therapy, Treatment Outcome, Arrhythmias, Cardiac virology, Heart Conduction System physiopathology, Myocarditis complications, Paramyxoviridae isolation & purification, Paramyxoviridae Infections complications
- Published
- 2008
32. Segmental dyskinesia in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: a possible cause of dilatative cardiomyopathy.
- Author
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Fazio G, Mongiovi' M, Sutera L, Novo G, Novo S, and Pipitone S
- Subjects
- Arrhythmias, Cardiac complications, Child, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Infant, Cardiomyopathy, Dilated etiology, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome complications
- Abstract
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) is a syndrome characterized by the presence of an accessory pathway that skipping A-V node may lead the electrical stimulus from the atrium directly to the ventricle. Some studies reported the finding of myocardial dyskinesia in the segments precociously activated by the accessory pathway, at echocardiogram and at nuclear cardiac study. Soria et al. reported, in 1985, an increased incidence of dilative cardiomyopathy in patients with WPW. The pathophysiological pathway that leads to ventricular dilation may be due to the increase of end-diastolic pressure secondary to a tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy is usually secondary to frequent and prolonged tachycardia episodes. In this paper we report the cases of three patients affected by WPW who developed dilative cardiomyopathy during the follow-up. Particularly dyskinetic segments, working such as a functional aneurysm, could induce deep modifications of intraventricular haemodynamics, leading to remodelling and progressive ventricular dilation. This hypothesis could have important empirical consequences because it could imply the necessity of a precocious ablative therapy in this kind of patients.
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
33. The noncompaction of the left ventricular myocardium: our paediatric experience.
- Author
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Fazio G, Pipitone S, Iacona MA, Marchì S, Mongiovì M, Zito R, Sutera L, and Novo S
- Subjects
- Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Heart Defects, Congenital diagnostic imaging, Heart Defects, Congenital genetics, Heart Defects, Congenital pathology, Heart Septal Defects epidemiology, Humans, Male, Ultrasonography, Ventricular Dysfunction epidemiology, Ventricular Dysfunction physiopathology, Heart Defects, Congenital physiopathology, Myocardium pathology
- Abstract
Objectives: The noncompaction of the left ventricular myocardium is a rare congenital heart disease, characterized by an excessive prominence of trabecular meshwork, spaced out by deep intertrabecular recesses, consequent to the arrest of the normal myocardium embryogenesis. Although there are numerous descriptions, the physiopathological effects of the structural alterations, just like the clinical spectrum and the evolution of the disease, are not totally clarified. In the present study, we have evaluated the natural history of the disease, the familial incidence and the alterations of the systolic and diastolic function., Methods: We collected a series of 21 young patients who were affected by noncompaction of left ventricular myocardium. In all cases, a diagnosis was echocardiographically made on the basis of a reported spongy/compacted ratio > 2 in one or more segments of the left ventricle. Thirteen patients were male and eight were female, with a mean age of 12.7 years (range 21 days to 27 years). The average follow-up time was 7.8 years (range 1-18 years); all patients were periodically tested by ECG Holter and two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiogram. In 14 patients, the last echocardiographic evaluation included the analysis of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI)., Results: The noncompaction of left ventricular myocardium was isolated in nine cases and associated with a structural cardiopathy in 12 cases: with atrial septal defect in four cases, ventricular septal defect in four cases, aortopulmonary window in one case, aortic coarctation in one case and bicuspid aortic valve in one case. One case presented a type Kent ventricular pre-excitation. Twelve cases were symptomatic at the moment of the diagnosis (for heart failure in 11 cases and for syncope in one case). Nine cases were asymptomatic and the diagnosis was made during a family screening or occasionally. In ten of the 11 subjects affected by congestive heart failure, medical therapy re-established a good haemodynamic balance (in two cases, it was possible to suspend the therapy). In one case with congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension in New York Heart Association class III, we recommended heart transplantation. We did not find any dysrhythmia in any of the cases. Diastolic function impairment, tested by transmitral blood pressure monitoring and TDI, was found in seven of 14 patients, all with reduced left ventricular contractility., Conclusions: We noticed a considerable variability of clinical presentation in our cases, according to the number of the ventricular segments affected by the anomaly. According to our data, middle-term prognosis appears to be better than that previously reported in the literature. We found a reduction of the systolic function only in 50% of cases, all with severe involvement of the apical and postero-lateral segments. Diastolic function was compromised only in those patients with severe impairment of systolic function.
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. A coronary right fistula canalized in a small accessory right atrial chamber.
- Author
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Fazio G, Pipitone S, Mongiovì M, Sutera L, Zito R, and Novo S
- Subjects
- Child, Preschool, Coronary Artery Disease complications, Echocardiography, Female, Heart Diseases etiology, Heart Murmurs etiology, Humans, Vascular Fistula complications, Coronary Artery Disease diagnostic imaging, Vascular Fistula diagnostic imaging
- Abstract
The coronary artery fistulas are rare congenital anomalies with a very low incidence. These can be symptomatic or asymptomatic because the hemodynamic consequences of the fistula vary and depend on the shunt dimensions. Discordant opinions instead are present in the literature for the defect closing in asymptomatic patients. Here, we describe a patient affected by a coronary right fistula canalized in a small accessory right atrial chamber. During follow-up, we observed a progressive dilatation of the right coronary artery (maximum diameter 10.3 mm) with hemodynamic overload of the right sections.
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
35. Inefficiency of renin-angiotensin inhibitors in preventing atrial fibrillation in patients with a normal heart.
- Author
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Fazio G, Pizzuto C, Sutera L, Guttilla D, Di Gesaro G, Cascio C, Novo G, Assennato P, and Novo S
- Subjects
- Aged, Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers therapeutic use, Atrial Fibrillation drug therapy, Atrial Fibrillation therapy, Drug Therapy, Combination, Electric Countershock, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Retrospective Studies, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors therapeutic use, Atrial Fibrillation prevention & control, Renin-Angiotensin System drug effects
- Abstract
Aim: Recent scientific evidence has emphasized the possible role of inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system in preventing arrhythmic relapses in patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation and co-existing left ventricular hypertrophy or left ventricular dysfunction., Methods: In order to verify the effects of these drugs on patients with a normal heart, we collected a series of 187 patients admitted to our division of cardiology for paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation. All patients underwent cardioversion (with antiarrhythmic drugs and/or by electrical cardioversion) and were discharged in sinus rhythm. Episodes of recurrent arrhythmia were recorded during a mean follow-up period was 2 years. Patients were subdivided into 2 groups according to therapy: group 1 comprised patients receiving renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, group 2 comprised those not receiving therapy with these agents. All 91 patients in group 1 and 76 of those in group 2 had hypertension. Among the 91 patients in the group 1, 55 were treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and 36 with angiotensin receptor blockers. There were no statistically significant differences in cardiovascular risk factors or antiarrhythmic drug use between the 2 groups., Results: In group 1, 83% of patients experienced <2 recurrences of atrial fibrillation during the follow-up period, while 17% had >2 episodes. In group 2, 86% of patients experienced <2 relapses during the follow-up period, while the remaining 14% had >2 relapses. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (P=0.85). A subgroup analysis showed that treatment with angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers, diuretics, and calcium-channel blockers brought no advantage in sinus rhythm maintenance., Conclusion: In our sample of hypertensive patients with a healthy heart, treatment with ACE inhibitors showed no statistically significant advantage in the prevention of atrial fibrillation relapses.
- Published
- 2007
36. The chronic heart failure is not so frequent in non-compaction.
- Author
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Fazio G, Sutera L, Corrado G, and Novo S
- Subjects
- Chronic Disease, Family, Heart Failure diagnosis, Humans, Italy epidemiology, Prognosis, Selection Bias, Ventricular Dysfunction, Left epidemiology, Heart Failure epidemiology
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. [Current therapeutic approach in patients with Alzheimer disease].
- Author
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Ferlisi A, Dominguez LJ, Vernuccio L, Sutera L, Bue AL, Di Prima A, Picciolo V, Giambartino T, and Barbagallo M
- Subjects
- Alzheimer Disease drug therapy, Cholinesterase Inhibitors therapeutic use, Humans, Alzheimer Disease therapy
- Abstract
Even if a complete recovery is not an available outcome for Alzheimer disease, it is possibile to improve the clinical symptoms (selfsufficiency, cognitive impairment and behavioral disturbances) with pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. The treatment of the patient with dementia is a complex one, that cannot rely only on the use of drugs but needs of a global approach that take into account all the different aspect of the disease. The most used drugs are the cholinesterase inhibitors that have been shown to stabilize or slow down cognitive and functional decline and retard institutionalization, but new treatments are on the way. Extremely important is a strong alliance with the family. Non pharmacological cognitive rehabilitation techniques are also useful in potentiating residual cognitive functions in the patient and in supporting the family and the caregivers.
- Published
- 2007
38. Collecting large cohorts of patients with uncommon diseases: mission impossible?
- Author
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Fazio G, Sutera L, and Novo S
- Subjects
- Analysis of Variance, Cohort Studies, Electronic Mail, Humans, Multivariate Analysis, PubMed, Sicily, Biomedical Research, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Rare Diseases
- Published
- 2007
39. Tissue Doppler analysis: does the false negative exist?
- Author
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Fazio G, Dantoni A, Zito R, Sutera L, Vernuccio D, Novo G, and Novo S
- Subjects
- Adolescent, False Negative Reactions, Humans, Male, Reproducibility of Results, Sensitivity and Specificity, Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive diagnostic imaging, Echocardiography, Doppler methods
- Published
- 2007
40. Ventricular tachycardia in non-compaction of left ventricle: is this a frequent complication?
- Author
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Fazio G, Corrado G, Zachara E, Rapezzi C, Sulafa AK, Sutera L, Pizzuto C, Stollberger C, Sormani L, Finsterer J, Benatar A, Di Gesaro G, Cascio C, Cangemi D, Cavusoglu Y, Baumhakel M, Drago F, Carerj S, Pipitone S, and Novo S
- Subjects
- Adult, Child, Preschool, Electrocardiography, Female, Humans, Italy epidemiology, Male, Middle Aged, Registries, Retrospective Studies, Risk Factors, Tachycardia, Ventricular epidemiology, Heart Defects, Congenital complications, Tachycardia, Ventricular etiology
- Abstract
Background: Isolated left ventricular non-compaction is the result of incomplete myocardial morphogenesis, leading to persistence of the embryonic myocardium. The condition is recognized by an excessively prominent trabecular meshwork and deep intertrabecular recesses of the left ventricle. Whether these intertrabecular recesses are a favorable substrate for ventricular arrhythmias is unclear. Some reports have found that the fatal ventricular arrhythmias may occur in approximately half of the patients. In this report we investigated about this association., Methods and Results: In total we evaluated a continuous series of 238 patients affected by non-compaction. Periodic Holter monitoring was performed every 6 months for 4 years. Only 11 patients had documented ventricular tachycardia, which was sustained in two cases and non-sustained in nine. In no cases we observed ventricular fibrillation., Conclusions: Non-compaction alone does not seem to be a risk factor for malignant ventricular arrhythmias.
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. Evaluation of diastolic function by the Tissue doppler in children affected by non-compaction.
- Author
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Fazio G, Pipitone S, Iacona MA, Marchì S, Mongiovì M, Zito R, Sutera L, Novo G, and Novo S
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Child, Child, Preschool, Diastole, Female, Humans, Infant, Male, Echocardiography, Doppler, Ventricular Dysfunction diagnostic imaging, Ventricular Dysfunction physiopathology
- Abstract
The Tissue doppler analysis is a new echocardiographic approach to evaluate the diastolic function. In this report we performed a Tissue doppler analysis in a series of 15 children affected by non-compaction. The bidimensional echo-cardiogram showed a systolic function which was reduced only in 8 patients. Alterations of the diastolic function were founded in 7 patients: in 2 cases, a reduction of the E tissue wave was present in all segments. In 3 patients the diastolic dysfunction was limited to apical and lateral segments. In the last 2 children a reduction of the E wave interested only the apical segments. There was a strong correlation between systolic and diastolic dysfunction: in fact all patients with diastolic dysfunction also presented a severe reduction of the systolic function.
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. [Heart failure and cardiomyopathies: a case report].
- Author
-
Fazio G, Sutera L, Vernuccio F, Fazio M, Vernuccio D, Pizzuto C, Di Gesaro G, Cascio C, and Novo S
- Subjects
- Adult, Atrial Fibrillation drug therapy, Atrial Fibrillation surgery, Atrial Fibrillation therapy, Catheter Ablation, Echocardiography, Electrocardiography, Follow-Up Studies, Heart Failure drug therapy, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Pacemaker, Artificial, Time Factors, Treatment Outcome, Atrial Fibrillation etiology, Heart Defects, Congenital complications, Heart Defects, Congenital diagnosis, Heart Failure etiology, Heart Ventricles abnormalities
- Abstract
Isolated noncompaction of left ventricular myocardium is a rare congenital heart disease, characterized by an excessive prominence of trabecular meshwork, spaced out by deep intertrabecular recesses, consequent to the arrest of the normal myocardial embryogenesis. Although there are numerous descriptions, the pathophysiological effects of the structural alterations, like the clinical spectrum and the evolution of the disease, are not fully clarified. In this paper we evaluated the natural history of the disease, the family incidence and the alterations of the systolic and diastolic function. An interesting case report is described concerning a patient affected by noncompaction and atrial fibrillation.
- Published
- 2007
43. [Rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque: is Chlamydia pneumoniae a possible agent?].
- Author
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Fazio G, Sutera L, Zito R, Cascio C, Briguglia D, Taormina S, Giammanco A, Assennato P, and Novo S
- Subjects
- Angina Pectoris immunology, Angina Pectoris pathology, Antibodies, Bacterial blood, Biomarkers blood, Chlamydia Infections immunology, Chlamydia Infections pathology, Coronary Artery Disease immunology, Coronary Artery Disease pathology, Female, Humans, Immunoglobulin M blood, Male, Middle Aged, Myocardial Infarction immunology, Myocardial Infarction pathology, Retrospective Studies, Rupture, Spontaneous microbiology, Angina Pectoris microbiology, Chlamydia Infections complications, Chlamydophila pneumoniae immunology, Coronary Artery Disease microbiology, Myocardial Infarction microbiology
- Abstract
Background: The natural history of atherosclerosis has not clearly been elucidated yet. Some works reported that flogosis plays a role in plaque instability. Why does this inflammatory process start? We investigated the correlation between Chlamydia pneumoniae acute infection and plaque rupture., Methods: We compared blood concentrations of IgM anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients affected by acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and in patients affected by stable angina., Results: Our results showed a minimal statistical difference, with a more positive value in patients with AMI. Subsequently, the group affected by AMI was divided into two subgroups with and without plaque rupture: the subgroup with plaque rupture showed a higher blood concentration of Chlamydia antibodies. This subgroup was also divided into two other subgroups according to blood white cell concentration: the subgroup with normal concentration of white blood cells showed the highest value of Chlamydia antibodies., Conclusions: Chlamydia pneumoniae could play an important role in atherosclerotic plaque instability
- Published
- 2006
44. Two cases of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy in Caucasians.
- Author
-
Assennato P, Alfano R, Novo G, Fazio G, Zito R, Fernandez D, Carlino G, Sutera L, Fazio M, Hoffmann E, and Novo S
- Subjects
- Aged, Female, Humans, Syndrome, Chest Pain etiology, Chest Pain physiopathology, Electrocardiography, Ventricular Dysfunction, Left diagnosis, Ventricular Dysfunction, Left physiopathology, White People
- Abstract
Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy is a recently described disease characterized by chest pain, transient left ventricular dysfunction and specific electrocardiographic changes. The disease takes its name from the typical left apical ballooning observed at left ventriculogram. Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy was first described by Sato in 1990. Since then sporadic cases were reported by Japanese authors, and only a few European publications are available. We describe 2 cases of patients affected by this syndrome.
- Published
- 2005
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