[Reliability of M-mode and B-mode echocardiography in detection of left intra-atrial masses (author's transl)]. / Affidabilita' della ecocardiografia M-mode/B-mode nella identificazione delle masse intra-atriali sinistre.

Although the role of echocardiography in the detection of left atrial masses is well established, reliability of the method is yet unknown. In 312 patients who underwent cardiac surgery, echocardiographic and anatomic findings were confronted. Pre-operative diagnosis was confirmed in the 8 cases with prolapsing tumors: in the remaining patients we had 5 false positive and 9 false negative diagnosis. So in our experience, sensibility has 73.5 and specificity 98.20.

[The treatment of dissecting aneurysm of the aorta. Review of 110 cases (author's transl)]. / Terapia dell'aneurisma dissecante dell'aorta. Analisi di 110 casi.

UNLABELLED: 110 cases of dissecting aneurysm of aorta were reviewed; the therapeutic approach was examined according to De Bakey classification. The most unfavorable prognosis for De Bakey type I and II dissections was confirmed (88% and 83% mortality respectively, against 73% mortality for type III). Surgical treatment achieved best results for aneurysm of the ascending tract; six patients survived the operation and are alive and well, they are belong to type I and II. All type III patients that were operated upon died. Figures for patients who received only medical treatment and survived are: 5.4% De Bakey type I; 11.7% De Bakey type II and 41.6% De Bakey type III. CONCLUSIONS: Ipotensive controlled treatment should be preferred for uncomplicated dissecting aneurysm of descending aorta, while surgical treatment should be adopted in almost all aneurism of the ascending aorta.

Dynamic electrocardiogram in normal subjects during sexual activity.

An Holter ECG has been recorded for 24 h in 10 couples that had during such time a normal sexual contact. The age varied from 20 to 37 years for women, and 25 to 49 years for men. The average of maximum, medium and minimum rate was major in women than in men. During the initial phase of sexual activity an increase of about 30 beats per minute is verified up to an average rate of 104 b.p.m. without any differences between the two sexes. During realization phase the rate increased ulteriorly. This kind of increase is major and more prolonged in women (137 X 2.8 min.) with respect to men (126 X 2.1 min). The maximum rate observed during sexual contact wasn't superior to the maximum rate observed during the day. We conclude that a normal sexual activity doesn't represent a very pronounced strain, provoking a tachycardia equal to 60-70% of maximum rate of patient and for a short period of time. This should be kept in mind when judging on sexual activity of cardiac patients.