[The rate of recovery of left atrial contractile function after the transition to sinus rhythm in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation].

In the examination of 120 patients without valvular heart disease suffering from atrial fibrillation paroxysms mechanical function of the left atrium (LA) was assessed using Doppler echocardiography. The majority of the examinees had dilated LA which is thought to be arrhythmogenic. The recovery of the sinus rhythm is accompanied by electromechanical dissociation the longest duration of which took place in subjects exposed to electrical defibrillation.

[Pathologic movements of the ventricular septum in complete block of the left branch of the bundle of His and their effect on left ventricular function].

Echocardiographic tools (M-mode and 2D-scanning) were applied to examine 83 patients with complete bundle-branch block and/or its anteroapical bifurcation block. Six types of abnormal ventricular septal motions associated with the intraventricular asynchronism typical of complete bundle-branch block and with the specific features of electric pulse propagation in the His-Purkinje system were identified. There was a reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction that is peculiar to Types I and VI abnormal ventricular septal motions, whereas in patients with complete bundle-branch block, it is associated with anteroapical bifurcation block.

[A modulated type of ventricular parasystole].

The paper presents data (from 15 case histories) and the methods for ECG analysis of ventricular parasystole of the modulated type with accelerated or delayed paracenter activity entrainment and annihilation phenomena. A relationship between classical and modulated types of parasystole is discussed.

[Differences between degenerative (non-inflammatory) calcinosis- related stenosis of the aortic valve and the rheumatic calcinosis- induced aortic valve stenosis].

Calcified aortic valves were detected in 109 patients studied in hospital by an echocardiographic method (2D- and M-scanning). It was found that, unlike rheumatism, calcification starting in the aortic annulus and semilunar bases might result in formation of degenerative (non-inflammatory) calcific aortic stenosis. The latter differs from rheumatic aortic stenosis in commissural fusions.

[Experience with long-term outpatient use of cordarone in the prevention of paroxysms of atrial fibrillation (flutter)].

In a group of 250 patients suffering from frequent paroxysms of atrial fibrillations (flutters), the application of cordarone for 1 to 5 years prevented the occurrence of arrhythmic paroxysms in 23.6%, contributed to a reduction of their numbers up to 1 a year in 35.6%, up to 2-3 a year in 20.

[Hypotensive and hemodynamic effects of sodium nitroprusside in experimental ischemic renal arterial hypertension in cats].

The hypotensive effect and interrelations of some hemodynamic parameters in the course of intravenous administration of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were examined in an experimental study in cats with induced hypertension. Both in normotensive and hypertensive conditions, the SNP injection produced an almost instantaneous drop in systolic and diastolic ABP, its principal mechanisms being the depression of total peripheral resistance (TPR). The magnitude of decrease in stroke and minute volumes was dependent on the extent of ABP fall that was in turn related to the dose of the drug and the baseline TPR values.

[Calcinosis of the mitral valve ring: echocardiography and clinical data].

The clinical and echocardiographic picture of calcinosis of the mitral valve ring is described in 40 patients (mostly females of advanced age). Echocardiographic correlates and auscultatory manifestations of mitral calcinosis are analysed. Differential diagnosis against valvular heart defects is presented.

[Trial of the clinical use of Ritmilen].

The clinical analysis of the rhythmilene efficacy was performed in 247 patients receiving the drug for various arrhythmias. Due to its anticholinergic properties rhythmilene somewhat increased the sinus rhythm and improved atrioventricular conduction. These properties of the drug often caused urination retention, largely in males over 55 years.

["Volume-dependent" form of hypertension].

Extracellular, intravascular and interstitial fluid volumes were measured in 67 patients with essential hypertension, Stage II, using Na82 Br and I131-albumin dilution techniques. Simultaneously, central hemodynamic parameters were examined, and renin activity and plasma aldosterone were assayed radioimmunologically. Clinical, hemodynamic and biochemical patterns of the hyperhydration-hypervolemic essential hypertension are described.

[Importance of recording the intracardiac electrical potentials in the diagnosis and treatment of complex arrhythmias in an emergency care center].

The indications for the catheterization of the heart and the recording of cavity electric potentials at the emergency aid centre are being considered. The possibilities have been studied of the electrography of the conductive system of the heart for differentiation of supraventricular paroxysmal tachycardias with blocks of pedicles of the His' bundle and ventricular paroxysmal tachycardias, and of irregular ventricular tachycardia and attacks of auricular fibrillation with pedicle blocks, and for the determination of the level of the atrioventricular blocks.

[Extracellular fluid compartment in patients with a varying course of acute myocardial infarct].

It is shown that the main trend of changes in water homeostasis in complicated myocardial infarction consists in the development of intercellular hypohydration. Three variants of cardiogenic shock are distinguished: (a) normovolemic shock with intercellular hypohydration; (b) hypovolemic shock with intercellular hypohydration; (c) hypovolemic shock without intercellular hypohydration. Acute congestive cardiac insufficiency in most patients occurs without an increase in the volume of interstitial fluid.