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Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common clinical problem, particularly in the elderly and in patients with organic heart disease. AF generally is classified into paroxysmal and chronic forms. Chronic AF can be the end result of paroxysmal AF in about 30% of patients. Paroxysmal AF can be defined as attacks of arrhythmia lasting < 7 days separated by prolonged periods of sinus rhythm. Chronic AF is AF established for > 7 days. Therefore, the differentiation of paroxysmal from chronic or established AF is based on the history of recurrent episodes and the duration of the current episode of AF. The first episode of persistent AF or the first discovery of AF often is referred to as recent onset AF. Most epidemiologic studies highly underestimate the incidence of paroxysmal and/or asymptomatic AF. The prevalence of AF varies with the age group and patient population studied. AF is found in 3% to 5% of the population > 60 years of age. AF is associated with organic heart disease in 70% to 80% of patients. Of the patients admitted to our Cardiology Division during 1 year, 15% of hospitalized patients had a documented history of AF. The risk of an individual patient developing AF often is difficult to assess, but increasing age and the presence of valvular heart disease and congestive heart failure increase the risk of AF. Other important predictive and causative factors of AF include hypertension, diabetes in women, left ventricular hypertrophy in both sexes, and coronary artery disease, mainly in older patients and patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Other causes of AF include coronary artery disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pericarditis, and congenital heart disease such as left atrial myxoma and atrial septal. AF can occur in the absence of detectable organic heart disease, so-called "lone AF," in about 30% of cases. The term "idiopathic AF" implies the absence of any detectable etiology including hyperthyroidism, overt sinus node dysfunction, and overt or concealed preexcitation. Stroke is the most important factor of mortality and morbidity associated with AF. These epidemiologic data are essential for designing appropriate therapeutic treatment of this common arrhythmia.
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PMID:Epidemiology and classification of atrial fibrillation. 972 80

Charts of 180 patients (147 women, 33 men) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated by renal involvement were retrospectively analyzed from a series of 436 patients. Mean age at renal disease onset was 27 years. Thirty-six percent of the patients had renal involvement after diagnosis of lupus, for 30.7% of that group it was more than 5 years later. Renal involvement occurred more frequently in young male patients of non-French non-white origin. Patients with renal involvement suffered more commonly from malar rash, psychosis, myocarditis, pericarditis, lymphadenopathy, and hypertension. Anemia, low serum complement, and raised anti-dsDNA antibodies were more frequent. According to the 1982 World Health Organization classification, histologic examination of initial renal biopsy specimen in 158 patients showed normal kidney in 1.5% of cases, mesangial in 22%, focal proliferative in 22%, diffuse proliferative in 27%, membranous in 20%, chronic sclerosing glomerulonephritis in 1%, and other forms of nephritis in 6.5%. Distribution of initial glomerulonephritis patterns was similar whether renal involvement occurred before or after the diagnosis of lupus. Transformation from 1 histologic pattern to another was observed in more than half of the analyzable patients (those who underwent at least 2 renal biopsies). Nephritis evolved toward end-stage renal disease in 14 patients despite the combined use of steroids and cyclophosphamide in 12. Initial elevated serum creatinine levels, initial hypertension, non-French non-white origin, and proliferative lesions on the initial renal biopsy were indicators of poor renal outcome. Twenty-four patients died after a mean follow-up of 109 months from SLE diagnosis. Among our 436 patients, the 10-year survival rate was not significantly affected by the presence or absence of renal involvement at diagnosis (89% and 92%, respectively).
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PMID:Renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus. A study of 180 patients from a single center. 1035 47

In the present study we assessed the frequency and characteristics of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in SLE during a 5-year period and analyzed the prognostic significance for morbidity and mortality of the main immunologic parameters used in clinical practice. We started in 1990 a multicenter study of 1,000 patients from 7 European countries. All had medical histories documented and underwent medical interview and routine general physical examination when entered in the study, and all were followed prospectively by the same physicians during the ensuing 5 years (1990-1995). Four hundred thirteen patients (41.3%) presented 1 or more episodes of arthritis, 264 (26.4%) had malar rash, 222 (22.2%) active nephropathy, 139 (13.9%) fever, 136 (13.6%) neurologic involvement, 132 (13.2%) Raynaud phenomenon, 129 (12.9%) serositis (pleuritis and/or pericarditis), 95 (9.5%) thrombocytopenia, and 72 (7.2%) thrombosis. Two hundred seventy patients (27%) presented infections, 113 (11.3%) hypertension, 75 (7.5%) osteoporosis, and 59 (5.9%) cytopenia due to immunosuppressive agents. Sixteen patients (1.6%) developed malignancies, with the most frequent primary localizations the uterus and the breast. Several immunologic parameters (anti-dsDNA or antiphospholipid antibodies) were found to have a predictive value for the development of SLE manifestations during the period of the study. Forty-five patients (4.5%) died; the most frequent causes of death were divided similarly among active SLE (28.9%), infections (28.9%), and thromboses (26.7%). A survival probability of 95% at 5 years was found. A lower survival probability (92%) was detected in those patients who presented at the beginning of the study with nephropathy.
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PMID:Morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus during a 5-year period. A multicenter prospective study of 1,000 patients. European Working Party on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. 1035 48

Internists are frequently asked to do preoperative consultations and to manage perioperative complications. Realistic goals are to identify patient factors that increase the risk of surgery, to quantify this risk in order to make decisions about the appropriateness of and timing of the surgery, to provide recommendations on how to minimize the risk, to identify and manage coexisting medical conditions and their associated medication requirements, to monitor the patient for perioperative problems, and to make recommendations to deal with these problems when they occur. With few exceptions, nonselective imaging and laboratory screening tests have repeatedly been shown to be of little value when the history and physical do not suggest a problem. The risk associated with the planned surgery can be estimated, with the most common serious complications being cardiac events. Updated versions of Goldman's risk indices are particularly helpful for this. Clinical variables are optimally combined with selective stress testing to discern which patients will benefit from preoperative revascularization. This has been studied best in the setting of vascular surgery. A critical guiding principle is that the value of revascularization must be judged in terms of long term gains rather than just immediate perioperative benefit. Other interventions include the selective use of beta blockers, adequate analgesia for all, control of hypertension, and appropriate volume management, especially in the settings of preexisting CHF or valvular disease. It must also be recognized that perioperative ischemia and CHF often present atypically. An approach that combines aspects of both the ACC/AHA and the ACP guidelines seems optimal. A variety of noncardiac issues must also be addressed. Postoperative pulmonary complications are common, especially with preexisting pulmonary disease, thoracic and upper abdominal surgery, and obesity. PFTs and ABGs are indicated in selected patients. Stopping smoking, incentive spirometry, and selective use of bronchodilators and antibiotics are helpful. Patients with rheumatologic diseases have specific concerns based on systemic manifestations of disease including anemia, thrombocytopenia, pulmonary fibrosis, pericarditis, and hypercoagulability; medication effects particularly from steroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; and specific joint problems including contractures and atlantoaxial joint instability. Diabetes increases the risk of infection and cardiac complications. Prevention of ketoacidosis and glucose control are necessary and can be achieved through a variety of approaches, depending on whether the patient suffers from Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. The threshold for transfusion has increased in recent years, as has the use of erythropoietin and autologous blood donation. There is no longer an absolute hemoglobin that requires transfusion, although most require transfusion for hemoglobins less than 8 mg/dL, especially in the setting of cardiac disease and bloody surgery. The elderly require surgery at an increased rate and often do not do as well as younger patients. The primary issues are, however, not their age but their increased frequency of underlying disease and diminished reserve. The latter makes them prone to postoperative delirium, sensitivity to medications, and cardiac and pulmonary problems. Despite the many diseases that patients often have and the stresses of surgery itself, modern anesthetic and surgical techniques allow almost all patients to undergo necessary procedures at acceptable risk. The internist plays a critical role in minimizing this risk even further.
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PMID:Recognition and management of preoperative risk. 1046 30

The authors describe a case of clinical, echocardiographic and haemodynamic adiastole in a man with severe rheumatoid arthritis with a previous history of pericardial effusion. The adiastole was mixed, fibrous pericarditis, confirmed by ultra fast CT scan and at surgery; myocardial adiastole was suspected on finding thickening of the ventricular walls (in the absence of hypertension and coronary artery disease) and, unfortunately, confirmed by the persistence of adiastole despite very satisfactory pericardectomy. The authors underline the involvement of the three cardiac tunics in rheumatoid arthritis and the value of different diagnostic methods in the differentiation between constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy.
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PMID:[Pericardial and myocardial adiastole in rheumatoid polyarthritis]. 1056 6

Since 1995, the Medical Evidence Report for end-stage renal disease (Form 2728) has been used nationally to collect information on comorbid conditions. To date, these data have not been validated. A national cross-sectional study of 1005 incident dialysis patients (734 hemodialysis and 271 peritoneal dialysis) enrolled between October 1995 and June 1998 was conducted using clinical data to validate 17 comorbid conditions on Form 2728. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each condition. The relationship between patient characteristics and sensitivity was assessed in multivariate analysis. Sensitivity was fairly high (0.67 to 0.83) for HIV disease, diabetes, and hypertension; intermediate (0.40 to 0.52) for peripheral vascular disease, neoplasm, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, coronary artery disease, cardiac arrest, and congestive heart failure; and poor (<0.36) for dysrhythmia, ambulation status, pericarditis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and smoking. Sensitivity did not change significantly over calendar time. The sensitivity of Form 2728 averaged across all 17 conditions was 0.59 (95% confidence interval, 0.43 to 0.75). The average sensitivity was 0.10 greater in peritoneal dialysis than hemodialysis patients. 0.11 greater in diabetic patients than nondiabetic patients, and 0.04 less with each added comorbid condition. The specificity was very good for hypertension (0.91) and excellent (>0.95) for the other 16 conditions. Comorbid conditions are significantly underreported on Form 2728, but diagnoses are not falsely attributed to patients. Scientific research, quality of care comparisons, and payment policies that use Form 2728 data should take into account these limitations. Considerable effort should be expended to improve Form 2728 coding if it is to provide accurate estimates of total disease burden in end-stage renal disease patients.
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PMID:Validation of comorbid conditions on the end-stage renal disease medical evidence report: the CHOICE study. Choices for Healthy Outcomes in Caring for ESRD. 1070 76

Chylous ascites due to constrictive pericarditis is an extremely rare clinical entity, possibly caused by the augmented lymph production and high impedance to lymph drainage due to central venous hypertension. The authors describe a patient with chylous ascites caused by constrictive pericarditis in the absence of lymphatic obstruction. Cardiac catheterization is essential for the confirmation of accurate diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the heart is also very helpful in the diagnosis. The patient was symptom free and his ascites and edema completely resolved after pericardiectomy.
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PMID:Chylous ascites due to constrictive pericarditis. 1083 25

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in patients receiving dialysis. This is attributed in part to the shared risk factors of cardiovascular disease and end-stage renal disease. The risk factors for coronary artery disease include the classic cardiac risk factors of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and smoking. Also in this population, hyperparathyroidism, hypoalbuminemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, elevated levels of apolipoprotein (a), and the type of dialysis membrane may play a role. Management begins with risk factor modification and medical therapy including aspirin, beta blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and lipid-lowering agents. Revascularization is often important, and coronary artery bypass grafting appears to be preferable to percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. This is especially true for those with multivessel disease, impaired left ventricular function, severe symptoms, or ischemia. Congestive heart failure is another common problem in dialysis patients. The management includes correction of underlying abnormalities, optimal dialysis, and medical therapy. Data obtained from the general population indicate obvious benefits from ACE inhibitors and beta blockers, and these agents would be considered the therapies of choice. Erythropoetin is also an essential component of therapy, but the ideal hemoglobin concentration has yet to be determined. Peritoneal dialysis may be helpful in severe cases of heart failure. Pericarditis is seen in less than 10% of dialysis patients and is best diagnosed by clinical examination and echocardiography. Intensive dialysis is often the best initial therapy. Pericardiocentesis is reserved for the setting of pericardial tamponade, but a pericardial window is more definitive.
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PMID:Cardiac complications of end-stage renal disease. 1092 9

Despite limited understanding of therapeutic aetiopathogenesis of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, there is a strong evidence base for the efficacy of pharmacological and biological therapies. It is equally important to recognise toxicity of the medical armamentarium for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Sulfasalazine consists of sulfapyridine linked to 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) via an azo bond. Common adverse effects related to sulfapyridine 'intolerance' include headache, nausea, anorexia, and malaise. Other allergic or toxic adverse effects include fever, rash, haemolytic anaemia, hepatitis, pancreatitis, paradoxical worsening of colitis, and reversible sperm abnormalities. The newer 5-ASA agents were developed to deliver the active ingredient of sulfasalazine while minimising adverse effects. Adverse effects are infrequent but may include nausea, dyspepsia and headache. Olsalazine may cause a secretory diarrhoea. Uncommon hypersensitivity reactions, including worsening of colitis, pancreatitis, pericarditis and nephritis, have also been reported. Corticosteroids are commonly prescribed for treatment of moderate to severe IBD. Despite short term efficacy, corticosteroids have numerous adverse effects that preclude their long term use. Adverse effects include acne, fluid retention, fat redistribution, hypertension, hyperglycaemia, psycho-neurological disturbances, cataracts, adrenal suppression, growth failure in children, and osteonecrosis. Newer corticosteroid preparations offer potential for targeted therapy and less corticosteroid-related adverse effects. Azathioprine and mercaptopurine are associated with pancreatitis in 3 to 15% of patients that resolves upon drug cessation. Bone marrow suppression is dose related and may be delayed. The adverse effects of methotrexate include nausea, leucopenia and, rarely, hypersensitivity pneumonia or hepatic fibrosis. Common adverse effects of cyclosporin include nephrotoxicity, hypertension, headache, gingival hyperplasia, hyperkalaemia, paresthesias, and tremors. These adverse effects usually abate with dose reduction or cessation of therapy. Seizures and opportunistic infections have also been reported. Antibacterials are commonly employed as primary therapy for Crohn's disease. Common adverse effects of metronidazole include nausea and a metallic taste. Peripheral neuropathy can occur with prolonged administration. Ciprofloxacin and other antibacterials may be beneficial in those intolerant to metronidazole. Newer immunosuppressive agents previously reserved for transplant recipients are under investigation for IBD. Tacrolimus has an adverse effect profile similar to cyclosporin, and may cause renal insufficiency. Mycophenolate mofetil, a purine synthesis inhibitor, has primarily gastrointestinal adverse effects. Biological agents targeting specific sites in the immunoinflammatory cascade are now available to treat IBD. Infliximab, a chimeric antibody targeting tumour necrosis factor-or has been well tolerated in clinical trials and early postmarketing experience. Additional trials are needed to assess long term adverse effects.
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PMID:Comparative tolerability of treatments for inflammatory bowel disease. 1108 48

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: We studied 17 patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy; eight had biventricular restriction (type A), four had left ventricular restriction (type B), and five had only right ventricular restriction (type C). RESULTS: Type A disease was characterized by pulmonary and systemic venous congestion. The restrictive pattern was found in the inlet of both ventricles. Both atria were enormous, with small or normal-size ventricles. Differential diagnosis included constrictive pericarditis and systolic pump dysfunction. Type B restriction disease was characterized by venous pulmonary congestion, pulmonary hypertension, and important dilatation of the left atrium and right cavities with a small or normal-size left ventricle; the restrictive pattern was found only in the affected left ventricle. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical picture resembles that of rheumatic mitral valve disease with right ventricular failure. Type C disease had restriction only in the inlet of right ventricle, with giant right atrium, systemic venous hypertension with low flow, and normal pressure of pulmonary artery and left heart. Differential diagnosis included Ebstein's anomaly of tricuspid valve. The etiology of type A disease was amyloid, endomyocardial fibrosis of ventricles and idiopathic interstitial fibrosis. Asymmetric types were always caused by Davies' disease.
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PMID:Echocardiographic Aspects of Restrictive Cardiomyopathy: Their Relationship with Pathophysiology. 1117 43


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