[Auricular and left ventricular compliance in acute and chronic mitral insufficiency].

Left atrial and ventricular compliance has been studied in 25 cases of chronic mitral incompetence (CMI) and 9 cases of acute mitrale incompetence (AMI). Left atrial compliance was evaluated by the ratio between maximal variation in volume and corresponding maximal variation in pressure; it was found to be higher in cases of CMI than in cases of AMI. Left ventricular compliance was evaluated by various indices (Diamond, Mirsky, Gaasch, Laird), and was found to be increased equally in the chronic and acute types.

[Echocardiographic criteria of obstructive cardiomyopathy].

In defining the characteristic abnormalities of obstructive cardiomyopathy (OCM), the echocardiogram appears to offer an excellent method. We have used this technique in 22 adults presenting with this condition, and have compared the results of echocardiography with those taken from 17 normal subjects. All those with OCM had asymmetrical hypertrophy of the septum (meaning hypertrophy of the septum without proportional thickening of the posterior wall of the left ventricle); certain other facts were noted: an undilated left ventricular cavity, good systolic function, and indications of poor diastolic compliance.

[Study of survival in angiographically determined ischemic cardiopathies: Apropos of 345 medically treated patients].

A study of 345 patients with ischaemic heart disease due to coronary arteriosclerosis which had been demonstrated by coronary arteriography, and seen between November 1967 and December 1974, was directed towards finding out what had happened to the patients so that, by an actuarial study of their survival, the prognostic significance of the arteriographic and ventriculographic studies could be determined. The prognostic value of the clinical findings has shown the importance:--of the presence of clinical left ventricular failure;--of the presence of coronary insufficiency with frequent attacks; of the presence of sequelae of infarction as seen on the ECG at rest;--on the length of the symptomatic history before arteriography. The assessment of the prognostic potential of the arteriographic findings has emphasised:--the fundamental importance of diffusion of stenoses and occlusions of several main coronary trunks;--the high risk if the lesion affects the left coronary trunk; the high risk of prognostic significance of lesions on the IVA.