[Vasovagal syncope: the value of tilt-table testing in the evaluation of loss of consciousness].

Syncope, an eminently frequent syndrome, has multiple and varied causes. Its diagnosis is important in view of the poor prognosis of cardiac syncopes and also of the morbidity and discomfort associated with the other etiologies. Unfortunately, the cause eludes us in half the patients so that a clear prognosis and effective therapy can be given to only a few patients.

Clinical usefulness of biplane transesophageal echocardiography.

The clinical usefulness of biplane color Doppler transesophageal echocardiography is illustrated by the results obtained in 300 successive examinations. The additional contribution of the newer longitudinal plane was judged significant or major in 64% of the cases. The method was useful mainly for intraoperative examinations, assessment of native valvular disease, prosthetic valve evaluation, search for tumors, and assessment of endocarditis, congenital heart disease, and aortic disease.

Evaluation of membranous subaortic stenosis using biplane transesophageal echocardiography. Report of two cases.

A biplane transesophageal echocardiography was performed in two young adult patients with discrete subvalvular aortic stenosis. The combined information obtained in the transverse and in the longitudinal plane allows in these instances an accurate diagnosis and the choice of an optimal approach.

Perioperative mapping of parahisian accessory pathways.

Unlabelled: In 1989, two patients were operated for deep septal "parahisian" pathways in our institution. Three different mapping techniques were used. (1) Epicardial activation mapping with a belt of 21 bipolar electrodes positioned around the heart.

[Localization of the accessory pathway and surgical treatment in Wolf-Parkinson White syndrome].

The accessory bypass tracts are responsible for many episodes of supraventricular arrhythmias in man. The Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is the best example. These arrhythmias can be refractory to the medical treatment and are sometimes lethal.