[Paradoxical displacement of the interventricular septum with impairment of filling of the left ventricle. Echocardiographic and hemodynamic diagnosis. Apropos of 3 cases].

An unusual type of displacement of interventricular septum, the inverse of that found normally, was found by echocardiography in 3 cases: 2 with pulmonary arterial hypertension and 1 with constrictive pericarditis. In two cases catheterisation showed the haemodynamic picture of mitral obstruction, and in 1 case the typical findings on auscultation of mitral stenosis were present. The echocardiogram and anatomical studies showed that the mitral valve was normal.

[Echocardiographic study of the left ventricle in aortic insufficiency. Comparison with the data of clinical development and hemodynamic results].

A series of 20 patients with pure and severe major aortic incompetence was studied, and three different groups were distinguished: group I, with no previous defect in function; group II, with cardiac failure as a result of aortic incompetence of more than 5 years' standing; group III, with cardiac failure secondary to acute aortic incompetence. The internal diameter of the left ventricle and the mode of closure of the mitral valve were studied by echocardiography, and compared with the clinical and haemodynamic findings. Left ventricular dilatation appeared early, and occurred to the same degree in the three groups.