19 July 2008
Readers may find the authors conclusion something of a 'long-bow-to-draw' -though fanciful conclusions of this nature are of course very common in the field of ME/CFS research. An interesting though perhaps not unsurprising finding given the exercise/activity limitations imposed by even moderately severe ME/CFS.
Clin Cardiol. 2008 Jul;31(7):328-33.
Small heart syndrome in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Miwa K, Fujita M.
Division of Internal Medicine, Fukuda General Hospital, Osaka.
BACKGROUND: Small heart syndrome has previously been reported as neurocirculatory asthenia, associated with a small heart shadow on a chest roentgenogram. This is characterized as weakness or fatigue even after ordinary exertion, palpitation, dyspnea, and fainting, resembling patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
HYPOTHESIS: Small heart syndrome may be prevalent in patients with CFS. METHODS: The study population consisted of 56 patients (<50 y of age) with CFS, and 38 control subjects. Chest roentgenographic, echocardiographic, and physical examinations were performed.
RESULTS: Small heart syndrome (cardiothoracic ratio
CONCLUSIONS: A considerable number of CFS patients have a small heart. Small heart syndrome may contribute to the development of CFS as a constitutional factor predisposing to fatigue, and may be included in the genesis of CFS. Copyright (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.