(18)F-FDG PET/CT localized valvular infection in chronic Q fever endocarditis.

Delayed diagnosis in chronic Q fever endocarditis is fairly common world wide, we present a case where FDG-PET/CT correctly identified the infected valve, showing promise in management.

[Effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy on cardiac function post A-V and V-V optimization].

Objective: To assess the effect of A-V, V-V delay optimization on cardiac function and clinical improvement in patients with refractory heart failure underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Method: Thirty-two patients with chronic heart failure received CRT and cardiac function was measured at 7 days, 3 months and 6 months post CRT before and after A-V and V-V delay optimizations.

Results: A-V delay optimization was initiated in 28, 10 and 6 cases at 7th day, 3rd month and 6th month after CRT.

[Thoracic aorta echocardiographic features of patients with bicuspid aortic valve].

Objective: To observe the thoracic aorta features in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with echocardiography.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the echocardiographic features and clinical manifestations in 273 patients with BAV detected from 1991-04 to 2006-02.

Results: (1) Aortic dimensions of the anulus, the sinuses of valsalva, the sinotubular junction, the ascending aorta at the level of its largest diameter of 31 patients with functionally normal BAV were significantly increased compared that in control subjects (P < 0.