The diagnosis of coronary artery disease in asymptomatic patients is useful in order to target therapeutic intervention in the patients at highest risk. Systematic testing of all asymptomatic adults with coronary risk factors is not feasible. The aim of this study, carried out in 950 healthy subjects, was to assess the predictive value of classical risk factors for positive exercise stress tests (EE). All subjects underwent stress testing using the Bruce protocol. Statistical analysis was performed by multiple logistic regression on half the samples, then by CART (Classification and Regression Trees) analysis on all subjects. Age, HDL-cholesterol and interaction between lipid lowering treatment and LDL-cholesterol were significantly correlated (p < 0.05) to a positive exercise stress test. In both groups, treated or untreated by lipid lowering drugs. CART identified HDL-cholesterol (< 0.40 g/l) as a predictive factor for positive stress testing. Subgroups of elderly patients (> or = 60 years) with probabilities of 20 to 28% for a positive stress test were identified. The authors conclude that the diagnosis of coronary artery disease by systematic exercise stress testing is potentially valuable in elderly patients with low HDL-cholesterol values.

The authors report a case of leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of the second segment of the inferior vena (IVC) with liver metastasis. Treatment by surgery and chemotherapy proved to be effective, as the patient is asymptomatic 8 years after the first operation. A review of the literature shows that these tumours are rare and have a slow course. The symptoms are often relatively minor and depend on the caval segment involved. The best examination for positive and topographic diagnosis remains computed tomography, but MR Imaging is promising. The prognosis remains severe (mean survival: 2 years) and surgery is the main treatment, with various techniques according to the caval segment involved.

The authors report a case of leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of the second segment of the inferior vena (IVC) with liver metastasis. Treatment by surgery and chemotherapy proved to be effective, as the patient is asymptomatic 8 years after the first operation. A review of the literature shows that these tumours are rare and have a slow course. The symptoms are often relatively minor and depend on the caval segment involved. The best examination for positive and topographic diagnosis remains computed tomography, but MR Imaging is promising. The prognosis remains severe (mean survival: 2 years) and surgery is the main treatment, with various techniques according to the caval segment involved.