Recurrent atrial myxoma.

We have chosen this case of sporadic atrial myxoma for our presentation because it had a particular evolution, with recurrence at 8 years after surgical excision (echocardiography was performed every year) and a particular diagnostic means - at echocardiographic follow-up, the patient being asymptomatic. This presentation, together with a review of literature included in the article, emphasizes the importance of a careful postoperative follow-up of the patients and the existence of some particular aspects of the evolution and symptomatology of recurrent atrial myxoma.

Echocardiographic predictors of embolic events in infective endocarditis.

Background: Systemic embolisation occurs in 22% to 50% of patients with infective endocarditis (IE). Up to 65% of embolic events (EE) involve the central nervous system which increases the mortality rate. Several echocardiographic studies have demonstrated higher embolic rates with the increase of vegetation (VEG) dimensions and mobility.

Clinical results of the Pop De Popa xenobioprosthesis in patients with advanced heart failure: long-term follow-up of 562 patients.

From January of 1984 through December of 1990, we implanted 739 Pop De Popa wild boar aortic valves in 626 patients, in all cardiac valvular positions. Of these patients, 562 received only the Pop De Popa xenobioprostheses, which numbered 620 valves. Only patients with contraindications for bioprosthetic valves (such as children under the age of 15) were excluded.