Doppler echocardiographic assessment of prosthetic aortic valve function. Findings in normal valves.

To determine the Doppler-derived aortic flow velocity profiles in relation to type of prosthetic valve and left ventricular function, 70 patients with normal functioning aortic prosthetic valves (group 1 = 44 patients with low-profile mechanical valves and group 2 = 26 patients with high-profile mechanical valves) were evaluated. Peak flow velocity and mean systolic gradient were inversely related to valve size (r = -0.72; r = -0.

Successful medical management of esophagopericardial fistula.

Esophagopericardial fistula is a rare condition, usually presenting with cardiac tamponade, and is invariably fatal in the adult patient. In our patient the disorder resulted from fistulization secondary to a malignant tumor. Immediate decompression of resultant tense pneumopericardium can be accomplished safely through percutaneous pericardiocentesis without the need for surgery.

Frequency of complications of mitral valve prolapse in subjects aged 60 years and older.

One hundred forty-five patients (74 women, 71 men), aged 60 years and older, with echocardiographically documented mitral valve prolapse were studied. One hundred sixteen patients had precordial systolic murmurs, 20 of whom were suspected of having mitral valve prolapse before the echocardiographic study. Infective endocarditis occurred in 7 patients, cerebral ischemic events in 13 and spontaneous rupture of chordae tendineae in 33.

Infective endocarditis: a challenging disease.

Enhanced clinical awareness of infective endocarditis, along with improved microbiologic methodology and more aggressive surgical intervention, has favorably influenced the outcome of the disease. The evolving nature of infective endocarditis over the past decade is described, as are the changing epidemiologic factors, microbiologic techniques, and echocardiographic contributions in the clinical management of patients with infective endocarditis.

Clinician's approach to echocardiography.

Today, echocardiography enjoys a prominent place in the physician's diagnostic armamentarium. Its safe application, accuracy, and reproducibility have made its widespread use popular. The ability of echocardiography to visualize cardiac valves, intracardiac masses, and ventricular wall motion is unique.