A summary of the papers published in JCMR in 2009 - open access of these high quality papers.
http://jcmr-online.com/content/pdf/1532-429x-12-15.pdf
International Journal of Cardiology 135 (2009) 146 – 149
Cardiac MRI studies of transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome (takotsubo cardiomyopathy): A systematic review
Guillaume Leurent a , b , c , d ,⁎, Antoine Larralde e , Dominique Boulmier a , b , c , d , Claire Fougerou f , Bernard Langella e , Romain Ollivier a , b , c , d , Marc Bedossa a , b , c , d , Hervé Le Breton a , b , c , d
a INSERM, U642, Rennes, F-35000, France b Université de Rennes 1, LTSI, Rennes, F-35000, France c CHU Rennes, Service de cardiologie et maladies vasculaires, Rennes, F-35000, France d INSERM, CIC-IT 804, CHU de Rennes, F-35000, France e Département d'imagerie médicale, CHU de Rennes, F-35000, France f Centre d'Investigation Clinique, INSERM 0203, F-35000, France
Abstract
Background: Since its first description in 1991, many cases of transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome (TLVABS) have been
described, but the use of cardiac MRI in this condition is much more recent.
Methods and results: We performed a systematic review of the present literature in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for relevant case
series of TLVABS (≥ 5 reported original cases, MRI analysis in the acute phase) and summarized the main results in a narrative synthesis.
Only 8 studies met the eligible criteria, counting 176 patients (women: 95%; age: 68, stress trigger: 80%). MRI assessed an improvement of
mean left ventricular ejection fraction from 39 (in the acute phase) to 64% (in the recovery phase). A right ventricular dysfunction was
reported in 38%, a myocardial oedema in 81% and an apical thrombus in 5%.
Conclusions: Although cardiac MRI is a very useful and inescapable tool in the management of TLVABS, there is no large published study
concerning this topic. A systematic and multicentric register of TLVABS studied by cardiac MRI is necessary.
Keywords: Cardiac MRI; Transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome; Takotsubo cardiomyopathy; Left ventricular dysfunction
© 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Received 11 February 2009; accepted 2 March 2009
Available online 28 April 2009
N Engl J Med 2009;360:1526-38.
review article
The new england journal of medicine
Medical Progress
Myocarditis
Leslie T. Cooper, Jr., M.D.
Myocarditis may present with a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild dyspnea or chest pain that resolves without specific therapy to cardiogenic shock and death. Dilated cardiomyopathy with chronic heart failure is the major long-term sequela of myocarditis. Most often, myocarditis results from common viral infections; less commonly, specific forms of myocarditis may result from other pathogens, toxic or hypersensitivity drug reactions, giant-cell myocarditis, or sarcoidosis. The prognosis and treatment of myocarditis vary according to the cause, and clinical and hemodynamic data usually provide guidance to decide when to refer a patient to a specialist for endomyocardial biopsy. The aim of this review is to provide a practical and current approach to the evaluation and treatment of suspected myocarditis.
N Engl J Med 2009;360:1526-38.
Copyright © 2009 Massachusetts Medical Society.