Quadricuspid aortic valve: a rare etiology of aortic regurgitation.

Quadricuspid aortic valve is a rare cause of aortic insufficiency. We report two unusual cases of this valvular pathology associated with a dilatation of the aortic root. The mechanism leading to this valve incompetence is incompletely understood and is discussed in regard to these cases.

Effect of a standardized meal on the threshold of exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in patients with stable angina.

Objectives: This study was undertaken to determine the effect of a standardized meal on the ischemic threshold and exercise capacity in a series of 20 patients with stable angina, exercise-induced ischemia and reversible exercise-induced perfusion defects.

Background: It is generally accepted that exercise tolerance in patients with angina is reduced after a meal. However, studies that have addressed this phenomenon have yielded results that are contradictory and inconclusive.

Symptom-limited versus low level exercise testing before hospital discharge after myocardial infarction.

Objective: This study was undertaken to compare a low level and a symptom-limited test performed before hospital discharge after an uncomplicated myocardial infarction.

Background: Exercise testing after myocardial infarction provides useful prognostic information. Usually either a low level test is performed before hospital discharge or a symptom-limited test is performed at 3 weeks.