Chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) was induced in dogs by the construction of an aorto-caval fistula below the level of the renal arteries. Aorto-caval fistula dogs showed signs of CHF which included ascites, hind limb edema, and pulmonary congestion. Ventricular catheterization indicated a significantly higher left ventricular end diastolic pressure and lower maximum velocity of left ventr...

the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (af) is 1-2 % in the general population, and the risk of embolic stroke in af patients is 4-5 times higher than that in the general population. af-related strokes are often severe, and the rate of permanent disability is much higher among individuals who have af-related strokes than in those who have strokes unrelated to af. in patients with af, more than 9...

A 56-year-old male presented with severe exertional dyspnea and pitting edema in the lower extremities. The pre-operative evaluation demonstrated biventricular dysfunction associated with severe tricuspid valve regurgitation and a persistent left superior vena cava. He was registered as a transplantation candidate, and orthotopic heart transplantation was performed using the standard bicaval te...

INTRODUCTION Stunning of the left atrium and atrial appendage is a well known but not fully clarified phenomenon observed during the cardioversion of atrial fibrillation regardless of the cardioversion method attempted. AIM To assess the effects of propafenone and amiodarone on left atrium and left atrial appendage contractility. METHODS Forty patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (2...

Accepted for publication 29 April 1991 Abstract Objective-To determine the value of transoesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of selected patients at risk of cardiogenic embolism or after it. Design-Prospective comparison of the results of transoesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography. Transoesophageal echocardiography was performed with a 5 MHz single plane phased array transdu...

The left atrium (LA) and its appendage are common sites for the formation of thrombi in patientswithmitral stenosis and atrial fibrillation due to the stasis of blood or a poorly contracting LA. The left atrial thrombus may break into several smaller pieces forming free-floating masses, leading to catastrophic embolic events such as a stroke, systemic embolization, and total or partial obstruct...

BACKGROUND The incidence of intracardiac thrombosis in haemodialysis patients has not been studied. Here we determined the incidence in end-stage renal disease patients on maintenance haemodialysis. METHODS Transoesophageal echocardiography was performed in 215 patients (125 males, 90 females; mean age 60 +/- 9 years). Any potential candidate with current or past chronic or intermittent atria...