Quantification of aortic valve area with ECG-gated multi-detector spiral computed tomography in patients with aortic stenosis and comparison of two image analysis methods.

Thirty-three consecutive patients with aortic stenosis underwent a 16-row spiral CT scan. Aortic valve planimetry was performed using two methods: double-oblique reformation (DO) and 2D-curved multiplanar reconstruction using advanced vessel analysis software (VA). The mean aortic valve area determined by transthoracic echocardiography was 0.

[Dissection of the aorta complicated by aorto-pulmonary fistula].

The authors report the case of chronic dissection of the aorta presenting with congestive cardiac failure. The diagnosis was made for the first time by transoesophageal echocardiography which showed both the dissection of the aorta and its fistulalisation into the pulmonary artery. Aortography confirmed the diagnosis.

Coronary-to-bronchial artery communication: report of two patients successfully treated by embolization.

We report two cases of coronary-to-bronchial artery communication responsible for coronary steal. In both cases the anastomosis originated from the proximal circumflex artery and developed because of bronchiectasis. In both cases closure of the anastomosis was achieved successfully by embolization.

[Drug therapy of ventricular tachycardia].

Despite the introduction of new therapeutic techniques such as radiofrequency ablation and the implantable defibrillator, the classical opposition of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in apparently normal hearts and that arising from documented cardiac disease remains useful. In the first case, treatment is only symptomatic whereas, in the second, lethal progression to sudden death must be prevented. Generally speaking, in chronic post-infarct situations, betablockers are underused although they have been shown beyond doubt to reduce cardiovascular mortality.