Left ventricular function in chronic mitral regurgitation: preoperative and postoperative comparison.

Objectives: The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of surgical procedure on left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in patients with mitral regurgitation.

Background: Left ventricular systolic function has been shown to decline after operation in patients with chronic mitral regurgitation.

Methods: Using simultaneous cineangiography and left ventricular micromanometry, we evaluated left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in 14 patients with chronic mitral regurgitation both preoperatively and at an average of 22 months after operation.

Coronary artery size in mitral regurgitation and its regression after mitral valve surgery.

The relationship between coronary artery size and left ventricular (LV) muscle mass was studied in 10 control subjects and in 10 patients with chronic mitral regurgitation before and 28 +/- 15 months after mitral valve surgery. Left and right coronary artery size was determined by quantitative coronary arteriography. Left coronary artery size was significantly increased before surgery (26 mm2) and decreased after operation (23 mm2), but was still larger than in control subjects (14 mm2).

Simplified method for calculating aortic valve resistance: correlation with valve area and standard formula.

Aortic valve resistance (AVR) is a useful index to assess the severity of aortic stenosis. This study compared the standard method to calculate AVR with a simplified method based on the conventional approach for measuring vascular resistance: AVR = (peak-to-peak transaortic pressure gradient/(cardiac output*2.5))*80, where 80 is a conversion factor and 2.

The order of dilator-constrictor administration affects stenotic hemodynamic responses.

This study tested the hypothesis that, due to intraluminal pressure changes, the order of constrictor-dilator administration alters stenotic hemodynamic responses. Canine carotid arteries were perfused with a physiologic salt solution under constant pressure (100 mm Hg). An intraluminal stenosis partially obstructed the arteries.

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction late after coarctation repair in childhood: influence of left ventricular hypertrophy.

Objectives: Left ventricular systolic and diastolic function were evaluated late after successful operation for aortic coarctation in childhood.

Background: Persistent arterial hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy after coarctation repair might impair left ventricular function.

Methods: Biplane angiography and simultaneous high fidelity pressure measurements were performed in 12 patients 3 to 12 years postoperatively (residual pressure gradient 4 mm Hg).