Arctica islandica is the longest-living non-colonial animal known at present. It inhabits coastal waters in the North Atlantic and its annual shell increments are widely used for paleoclimatic reconstructions. There is no consensus, however, about the intra-annual timing of its feeding activity and growth. This research aims to identify the main environmental drivers of A. islandica valve gape ...

The echocardiographic abnormalities in five cases of aortic valve endocarditis are described and are correlated with the anatomical appearance of the valve at the time of aortic valve replacement. These echocardiographic findings are compared with those which have been reported previously in this condition. Thickening of the aortic leaflets in systole or multiple linear or coalescent aortic val...

Abstract Aim Mitral valve disease (MVD) is a heart valvular defect associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Individual patient management depends on symptomatic disease, fitness type of pathology. Surgical intervention remains the standard for definitive management. The optimal time to operate debated considerations earlier surgical include reduced risk surgery co-morbidity preventi...

The timing of surgery in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) and aortic regurgitation (AR) continues to elicit uncertainty and considerable controversy. Some patients will incur myocardial structural changes, pulmonary hypertension, or arrhythmias before they manifest symptoms, with the risk that these adverse endpoints will not be reversible after valve repair or replacement. Imaging to as...

Degenerative mitral valve disease often leads to leaflet prolapse due to chordal elongation or rupture, and resulting in mitral valve regurgitation. Guideline referral for surgical intervention centres primarily on symptoms and ventricular dysfunction. The recommended treatment for degenerative mitral valve disease is mitral valve reconstruction, as opposed to valve replacement with a bioprosth...