To test the validity of a relation between the pressure half time and the diastolic time interval, previously shown in a pulse duplication system, eight patients with prosthetic mitral valves and permanent pacemaker systems were studied. Recordings were made from the apex by continuous wave or pulsed Doppler echocardiography at heart rates between 75 and 150 beats/min. The pressure half time wa...

M o c t g d r v v r p d w b t t p s D i Conservation of mass is the principle behind the continuity equation (1–3), used commonly for calculation of aortic valve area (AVA) in native aortic stenosis and prosthetic valves. Utilizing 2-dimensional echocardiographic and Doppler data, this equation is the preferred technique to evaluate native and prosthetic valve stenosis. Although there is a body...

OBJECTIVE In cases of aortic valve replacement, the downstream flow profile and turbulence in the ascending aorta differ according to the prosthetic aortic valve implanted. The objective of this work is to study the influence of prosthetic valve type on the flow in the bypass grafts implanted to the ascending aorta in cases of concomitant aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass. M...

Thirty one (78%) of 40 consecutive patients (aged 13-79, mean 44 years) with infective endocarditis had congestive heart failure at presentation. Twenty six (65%) had had rheumatic heart disease and 17 (43%) patients had prosthetic valves. Eight (20%) patients had undergone dental procedures within three months of presentation. Blood cultures were positive in only 22 (55%) of the patients. In n...

The purpose of this European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Survey was to assess the perceptions of 'valvular' atrial fibrillation (AF) and management of AF patients with various heart valve abnormalities in daily clinical practice in European electrophysiology (EP) centres. Questionnaire survey was sent via the Internet to the EHRA-EP Research Network Centres. Of the 52 responding centres, 42...

We describe the first reported case of Escherichia coli endocarditis following a hemorrhoidectomy that was performed by the patient's herbalist. With increasing frequency, patients are seeking care by those who practice alternative medicine. Physicians must become more aware of the impact and possible complications related to this practice. Prosthetic valve endocarditis ranges up to 1.5% per pa...

Heavily calcified annuli increase the incidence of complications after prosthetic valve replacement-heart block, separation of the aorta or the atrium from the ventricle, late aneurysm formation, paravalvular leak, and haemolysis. An ultrasonic calculus-disintegrator has been developed to remove calcific deposits. The instrument is portable, robust, easily sterilized, inexpensive, and provides ...