In a 24-month period, 27 patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS), ages 65-80 years, were observed. Diagnoses were made by echocardiography (24 patients), cardiac catheterization (one patient), and both methods (two patients). The most common symptoms were angina (17 patients), dyspnea (13 patients), and syncope (11 patients). Two patients were asymptomatic, while another complained only of vague retrosternal chest discomfort with exertion. One asymptomatic patient had a completely normal physical examination, but electrocardiography (ECG) demonstrated a pattern of left ventricular hypertrophy. Another patient had an inconsistent apical holosystolic murmur. Two patients had alpha streptococcal endocarditis; neither was known to have pre-existing valvular disease. Fourteen patients had ECG criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Three patients were known to have associated aortic valve disease. The symptoms of IHSS may be nonspecific; asymptomatic patients with and without cardiac murmurs may be observed. Coexisting valvular disease, coronary artery disease, and bacterial endocarditis were documented. Patterns of myocardial infarction on ECG were not seen in these 27 patients.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Papillary muscle rupture following nonpenetrating chest trauma: report of a case with hemodynamic and serial echocardiographic findings and successful surgical treatment.

The pre- and postoperative echocardiographic features of a patient with severe mitral incompetence due to rupture of a papillary muscle following nonpenetrating chest trauma are presented. The mitral valve echocardiogram showed chaotic diastolic flutter suggestive of a ruptured papillary muscle or ruptured chordae tendineae. The preoperative ultrasound recording of the left ventricle revealed left ventricular enlargement and excessive motion of the interventricular septum. The echocardiogram taken 7 weeks after mitral valve replacement showed considerable regression of the left ventricular enlargement.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Diagnostic and prognostic value of intracardiac electrophysiological studies. Ten years of experience.

Ten years ago a clinical method of recording the electrical activity of the His bundle in man with transvenously inserted electrodes was described. His bundle recording has permitted the breakdown of the P-R interval into three conduction intervals, i.e., intraatrial (P-A), A-V nodal (A-H), and His-Purkinje system (H-V). His bundle studies have demonstrated our inability to accurately predict from the surface electrocardiogram the exact location of most A-V blocks. First- and second-degree A-V block can occur in the atrium, A-V node or His-Purkinje system, and third-degree A-V block in the A-V node or His-Purkinje system. However, Mobitz type II block almost always occurs below the A-V node. Intraventricular conduction defects, especially of the so-called bifascicular block, have a high incidence of H-V time prolongation, indicating additional disease of the third fascicle or the main His bundle. The prognostic value of a prolonged H-V time in patients with and without chronic conduction defects remains controversial, with some agreement that patients with unexplained syncope or dizziness, normal sinus rhythm and 1:1 conduction, who show prolonged H-V times, should probably be paced permanently. No long-term studies exist regarding the value of the H-V time in predicting death or A-V block in patients with conduction defects secondary to acute myocardial infarction, congenital heart disease or after cardiac surgery. Electrophysiological studies have been extremely useful in the diagnosis and management of patients with accessory pathways and in the evaluation of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias. The most valuable test in diagnosing sinus node dysfunction is the sinus node recovery time. A clearly abnormal test in a patient with unexplained syncope or dizziness predicts an almost one hundred per cent relief of symptoms with permanent pacing.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗