A theory is presented for the measurement of regurgitant flow across an incompetent valve hy injection of indicator distal to the valve and recording of time concentration curves proximal and distal to the valve. The conditions which must be met for valid measurements are examined and demonstrated by a functioning mechanical model of the heart. The method is valid regardless of the size of the ...

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...

3. Tovar EA, Del Campo C, Borsari A, Webb RP, Dell JR, Weinstein PB. Postoperative management of cerebral air embolism: gas physiology for surgeons. Ann Thorac Surg. 1995;60:1138–1142. 4. Graf T, Reul H, Dietz W, Wilmes R, Rau G. Cavitation of mechanical heart valves under physiologic conditions. J Heart Valve Dis. 1992;1:

3. Tovar EA, Del Campo C, Borsari A, Webb RP, Dell JR, Weinstein PB. Postoperative management of cerebral air embolism: gas physiology for surgeons. Ann Thorac Surg. 1995;60:1138–1142. 4. Graf T, Reul H, Dietz W, Wilmes R, Rau G. Cavitation of mechanical heart valves under physiologic conditions. J Heart Valve Dis. 1992;1:

OBJECTIVE We analyzed the long-term morbidity and mortality of our experience with combined mitral-aortic surgery, as well as their determinants. METHODS Among 2109 consecutive patients undergoing valve operations, 200 had mitral-aortic valve procedures with at least implantation of a mechanical prosthesis: 163 of 200 (81.5%) patients had double valve replacement and 37 of 200 (18.5%) had mit...

AIM To define therapeutic ways to manage obstetrics at an optimal level for a patient carrying a mechanical prosthetic heart valve. METHOD From a review of literature and documented cases, we propose an obstetrical and cardiological management scheme for pregnant patients carrying a mechanical prosthetic heart valve. We deal successively with the preventive (anticoagulation) and curative trea...

Surgery for heart diseases during pregnancy, especially necessitating cardiopulmonary bypass, is believed to trigger maternal and fetal risks and should be performed only when medical therapy has been unsuccessful to alleviate the cardiac decompensation. A 33-year-old pregnant woman in her 33rd week of gestation was admitted to our hospital. She had rheumatic mitral valvular stenosis and had un...

An 80-year-old woman was referred to our institution because of acute heart failure due to moderate mitral stenosis and severe regurgitation. After medical treatment of heart failure, she underwent mitral valve surgery. Intraoperatively severe calcification of the posterior mitral annulus was revealed. We excised only the anterior mitral leaflet and preserved the posterior mitral leaflet to pre...

3. Tovar EA, Del Campo C, Borsari A, Webb RP, Dell JR, Weinstein PB. Postoperative management of cerebral air embolism: gas physiology for surgeons. Ann Thorac Surg. 1995;60:1138–1142. 4. Graf T, Reul H, Dietz W, Wilmes R, Rau G. Cavitation of mechanical heart valves under physiologic conditions. J Heart Valve Dis. 1992;1: