Quantitative evaluation of valvular regurgitation by 133Xenon infusion.

Mitral and aortic regurgitation was evaluated by X-ray, dye dilution bolus, and 133Xenon infusion methods in 24 patients with mitral, aortic or both valve lesions. Good reproducibility was found using the 133Xenon infusion method. The regurgitant fraction estimated by 133Xenon constant infusion method correlates well with the results of the dye dilution method in mitral regurgitation as well as in aortic regurgitation.

Character of mitral valve flow in left atrial tumor.

The pulsed Doppler echocardiography (PDE) was used to evaluate the character of mitral valve flow in a large atrial tumor. The tumor obstructed the mitral orifice during diastole. PDE findings, however, showed normal triphasic diastolic flow within the actual mitral orifice and no changes typical for mitral stenosis.

Doppler echocardiography in diagnosis of mitral insufficiency.

By means of pulsed Doppler echocardiography (PDE) the authors investigated 53 patients who subsequently underwent heart catheterization and left ventriculography. The results of PDE examination agreed with ventriculography in 29 out of 31 patients with mitral regurgitation (PDE sensitivity = 94%). In 22 patients with no angiographic evidence of mitral regurgitation PDE exhibited two false positive results (PDE specificity = 91%).

Echocardiography of ruptured aortic valvular leaflet.

An echocardiographic finding presenting itself as a ruptured noncoronary aortic cusp is described. The basic finding included a constant diastolic echo separation of the right coronary and noncoronary cusps, noncoronary cusp prolapse in the direction of the posterior aortic wall and its high-frequency diastolic flutter. The diagnosis was confirmed at autopsy.

Evaluation of the left ventricular ejection function by means of single beam echocardiography.

Echocardiographic examination of the left ventricle was performed in a group of 50 patients with various heart diseases. Five methods proposed for left ventricular pump function calculation were used, based on measurements of ventricular end-diastolic diameters. The results have shown that all tested methods of determining the ejection fraction or its functional equivalent (fractional shortening) correlate significantly with the ejection fraction obtained from the considered angiocardiographic technique.

Computer-aided determination of haemodynamic properties of human heart from cine left ventriculography.

The silhouettes of the left ventricle seen on a cine ventriculogram were used as the graphic input to a pattern analysis programme. The programme measured the coordinates of points around silhouette. It selected the longest chord within the perimeter and determined its length, the area within the perimeter, and the volume of the resulting ellipsoid of revolution.

Development of a method of evaluating cardiac performance using interactive computer graphics.

The authors discuss an objective method of analyzing local wall motion to detect and measure the pattern of contraction of the left ventricle using computer graphics. The method's advantages include: (a) the use of modular hardward and software, which can be extended and upgraded; (b) a minimal expenditure of time and money; (c) uniformly calculated results; and (d) a graphic and legible report.

Renal blood flow changes following mannitol infusion.

The effect of mannitol infusion on the renal physiology, was evaluated in experimental animals and in man. In animals plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate were determined by the PAH extraction and by the innulin clearance technique. In patients renal blood flow measurements were carried out using the Xenon133 washout technique.

Approximation of the left ventricle by a cone of revolution using biplane measurements.

A new method based only on area measurements was developed for calculating left ventricular volume from biplane (RAO and LAO) left ventriculograms; the ventricle was approximated by a cone of revolution. Twenty-three patients with normal and 23 patients with abnormal left ventricles were studied. The Dodge method provided reference values.

Comparison of the left ventricular volume using the Ahlkerg and Dodge methods.

Single plane cine left ventriculography was performed in 24 patients, 12 with normal and 12 with abnormal ventricular shapes. End diastolic and systolic volume and ejection fractions were calculated by two methods (Ahlberg and Dodge). The volumes and ejection fraction from either method were not significantly different.

Nonsurgical closure of large arteriovenous fistulas.

We report a nonsurgical closure of large postnephrectomy arteriovenous fistulas in two patients. To out knowledge, this method has not previously been attempted because of the large size of the communication and the risk of pulmonary embolization. However, the development of new embolization techniques makes a nonsurgical approach feasible and safe.

Comparison of ejection fraction calculated by nine different volume calculation methods.

Single plane right anterior oblinque ventriculography was performed on 25 patients with normal left ventricular contraction and on 25 with left ventricular akinesia or dyskinesia. The value of the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) was calculated by 9 different methods, including a new one utilizing the mathematical model of a cone. All methods tested were appropriate for inter-group comparisons of EF.