Uncorrected pre-ejection period: a simple non-invasive measurement for pharmacodynamic screening of inotropic activity.

Since heart rate (HR) is an important determinant of the duration of systole, systolic time intervals (STI) from 8 healthy subjects were examined after infusion of atropine. As no overall correlation was found between HR and pre-ejection period (PEP), the results confirm the need for individual estimates of the correction of the left ventricular ejection time (LVET) and the total electromechanical systole (OS2). In the same subjects the sensitivity of PEP to minor negative inotropic effects of mexiletine and disopyramide measured at Cmax was confirmed.

[Neurinoma of the posterior cerebral fossa and mitral valve prolapse. Possible association and study of possible peri-operative consequences on rhythm].

27 patients with an acoustic neurinoma were submitted to a complete cardiological survey oriented towards the detection of mitral valve prolapse (2D echo) and ECG signs of a particular risk of arrhythmia (standard ECG and continuous Holter monitoring). 9 of these 27 patients presented MVP, but none of them presented any serious ventricular arrhythmias. The corrected QT interval was significantly longer in patients without MVP.

[Tricuspid valve replacement with aortic valve allograft. Clinical and haemodynamic results more than five years after (author's transl)].

Between 1970 and 1974, twenty-three patients with advanced multivalve lesions underwent tricuspid valve replacement with a human aortic valve allograft (26-28 mm in diameter) mounted on a Shumway ring. The mean follow-up was 76.7 months.