We investigated the interrelations between surface electrocardiographic changes and clinical outcomes in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP). 33 patients (19 boys, 14 girls) were classified into two groups; group I (15) who were in poor clinical status or dead; and group II (18) who showed good clinical status. Group I had larger LV dimensions compared to group II (Gr I vs. Gr II; LVEDD, 52 +/-11 vs. 42+/-7 (mm); LVESD, 43+/-12 vs. 30+/-5 (mm); p<0.05). QRS duration was prolonged in Gr I compared to Gr II and normal (Gr I, 84+/-28; Gr II, 66+/-12; normal control, 67+/-9). The QRS duration was correlated with the dimensions of left ventricle (LV). Corrected QT and JT interval and dispersions of QT in the DCMP group showed a significant difference compared to the normal control, however there was no significant difference between Gr I and II. In conclusion, QRS duration was correlated with ventricular dimension and clinical outcome in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Irrespective of increased ventricular inhomogeneity, QT dispersion could not be used to predict long-term prognosis.
Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/*diagnosis/*mortality ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; *Electrocardiography ; Electrodes ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

Adult ; Cardiology ; methods ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; diagnosis ; mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Obstetrics ; methods ; Peripartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular ; diagnosis ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Puerperal Disorders ; diagnosis ; mortality ; Risk Factors ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left ; diagnosis ; mortality

SLE is an acute and/or chronic disease of a complex autoimmune nature affecting the skin, joints, serous membranes, kidney, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and other organs of the body. Cardiac abnormalities are one of the most important clinical manifestations of SLE, contributing significantly to the morbidity and morality of the disease. We report a woman, a 30-year-old with SLE, who developed symptoms and echocardiographic signs of dilated cardiomyopathy. She had a history of acute myocardial infartion 7 months ago and has taken cyclophosphamide pulse therapy owing to lupus nephritis. The diagnosis of the condition was based only on clinical and echocardiographic grounds without coronary angiography or endomyocardial biopsy. She received high dose steroid (methylprednisolone pulse therapy 1mg/kg for 3 days) and conservative therapy for heart failure. The association of SLE with dilated cardiomyopathy has not been described with review of previous literatures. For the probable causes of her dilated cardiomyopathy, we suggest that they are due to coronary arteritis or cyclophosphamide-induced myocarditis with regard to her past history of myocardial infartion and cyclophosphamide therapy for lupus nephritis. The incidence of dilated cardiomyopathy, complicated with SLE is rare, but it has ap increased risk for unfavorable outcome. It reserves to pioneer the method of early diagnosis and management which will improved the morbidity and mortality of the disease.
Adult ; Arteritis ; Biopsy ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated* ; Cardiovascular System ; Central Nervous System ; Chronic Disease ; Coronary Angiography ; Cyclophosphamide ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Incidence ; Joints ; Kidney ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Lupus Nephritis ; Morals ; Mortality ; Myocarditis ; Serous Membrane ; Skin

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is an uncommon form of dilated cardiomyopathy that is often fatal to young women. Estimates of the incidence vary from 1 in 1,300 to 1 in 15,000 pregnancies. The diagnostic criteria of peripartum cardiomyopathy are onset of cardiac failure in the latter part of pregnancy or in the puerperium, absence of obvious cause for cardiac failure and absence of demonstrable heart disease before the last trimester of pregnancy. The delayed diagnosis of this disease may be common due to the rarity of this condition. The early diagnosis and medical treatment for this disease is critical because it may affect the patient's long term prognosis. The mortality rate has been reported to be ranged from 25% to 50%. Persistence of disease after 6 months indicates irreversible cardiomyopathy and portends worse survival. The recurrence of peripartum cardiomyopathy in subsequent pregnancy remains high. The clinical presentation and treatment of patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy are similar to those of patients with congestive heart failure. We experienced a case of this disease in 25 year-old woman who had preeclampsia and preterm labor at 33 weeks of gestation. And report this case with a brief review of the literatures.
Adult ; Cardiomyopathies* ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Peripartum Period* ; Postpartum Period ; Pre-Eclampsia* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Prognosis ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND: Although electrocardiographic manifestations of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) are usually nonspecific, several studies have suggested that electrocardiogram (ECG) might be used to predict the prognosis. METHODS: The present study was performed to determine the role of standard 12-lead ECG variables as a prognostic factor of patients with idiopathic DCMP. We retrospectively analyzed the ECG findings at the time of the diagnosis in 89 patients with DCMP during a mean follow-up period of 53.2+/-37.1 months. RESULTS: Twenty-eight (31.5%) of the 89 patients died and the cumulative survival rate was 87% at 2 years and 68% at 5 years. By univariate life table analysis, premature ventricular contraction, left bundle branch block, and age were proved as significant predictors. Multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards model identified premature ventricular contraction (p=0.014) and left bundle branch block (p=0.02) as an independent predictor for cardiovascular mortality in DCMP. The presence of a premature ventricular contraction increased the mortality 2.8 times and left bundle branch block 2.6 times. CONCLSUION: The present study demonstrates that independent ECG predictors for prognosis of idiopathic DCMP are premature ventricular contraction and left bundle branch block and ECG may be useful in predicting the prognosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.
Bundle-Branch Block ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated* ; Deoxycytidine Monophosphate ; Diagnosis ; Electrocardiography* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Life Tables ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis* ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Ventricular Premature Complexes

BACKGROUND: Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital anomaly, but is one of the most common causes of myocardial ischemia which would result in high mortality within the first year of life. This is our early result of the surgical management for these patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From June 1989 to July 2003, 6 patients with ALCAPA and one patient with ARCAPA (Anomalous origin of the Right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery) underwent surgical repair. We have reviewed the all medical records, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray and echocardiography retrospectively. RESULT: Three of the patients were boys and four were girls. The median age at the operation was 5.4 months (Range: 3~33 months). The average body weight of at the operation was 6.7 kg (Range: 3.7~11.3 kg). A mean follow up period was 18 months. Only 3 patients were initially diagnosed as ALCAPA. And 3 patients had moderate mitral regurgitation. Immediate coronary artery reimplantation on diagnosis with the aim of restoring a two-coronary system circulation was done. The average bypass time was 114+/-37 minutes, and the average aortic cross clamping time was 55+/-22 minutes. The average stay of intensive care unit was 5+/-3 days, the mean mechanical ventilator time was 38+/-45 hours and the hospital stay after operation was 12+/-5 days. There were significant improvements in electrocardiogram and chest X-ray of the all patients except one late death patient. The ventricular function showed almost normal recovery after operation; the EF (Ejection Fraction) increased from 41.2+/-10.3% to 60.5+/-15.8% within 1 month and to 59.8+/-13.9% within 1 year after operation, the SF (Shortening Fraction) increased from 23.6+/-4.7% to 38.6+/-8.4% within 1 month and to 37.4+/-7.9% within 1 year after operation, LVEDDI (Left Ventricular End-diastolic Dimension Index) decreased from 100.8+/-25.6 mm/m2 to 90.3+/-19.2 mm/m2 within 1 month and to 79.3+/-15.8 mm/m2 within 1 year after operation. Concomitant mitral repair was done in two patients with anterior mitral leaflet prolapse. In every patient, mitral valve showed less than mild regurgitation during follow up. One late death occurred in which patient Dor procedure was applied 10 months after initial operation due to the dilated cardiomyopathy. CONCLUSION: In the management of this rare and could be fatal Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA), early suspicion and correct diagnosis is of most important.But, after diagnosis, immediate restoration of 2 coronary systems could result in good outcome.
Bland White Garland Syndrome ; Body Weight ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; Constriction ; Coronary Vessels* ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Length of Stay ; Medical Records ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mortality ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Prolapse ; Pulmonary Artery* ; Replantation ; Retrospective Studies ; Thorax ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Ventricular Function