[Aneurysm of the membranous interventricular septum. Study by Doppler echocardiography (color mapping in one of the cases)]. / Aneurisma del septum interventricular membranoso. Estudo por ecocardiografía Doppler (mapeo de color en uno de los casos).

Eight patients with aneurysm of the membranous interventricular septum (AMIS) were studied, in all of them the diagnosis was done by Doppler echocardiography (D-E). In all cases, the AMIS was visualized in left parasternal long and short axis views. In six of them by means of apical and subcostal four chamber views. The AMIS was identified as a bag-shaped echo at the level of the interventricular septum; it bulged into right ventricle during systole. Left-to-right shunt was demonstrated by pulsed wave Doppler in 5 patients and in another case with color flow mapping. AMIS has a mild hemodynamic repercussion as is the case with small ventricular septal defects. D-E offers diagnostic advantages, with high specificity if the AMIS is demonstrated in several views and the left-to-right shunt is recognized and quantified by Doppler technique.

[Hypertensive retinopathy in patients with aortic coarctation]. / Retinopatía hipertensiva en pacientes con coartación aórtica.

In order to assess the incidence and the determinants of hypertensive vascular changes in the retina of patients with coarctation of the aorta, fifty (37 male and 13 female) were analyzed. The mean age of the group was 18.7 +/- 10.3 years. No one had evidence of nephropathy. Different degrees of hypertensive retinopathy (Puig-Solanes classification) were observed in 54%. Of the patients, no one had papilledema. Retinal vascular damage was not related to either age or sex. The group of patients with retinal vascular lesions had a mean level of systolic arterial pressure higher than the group with normal retinas. Multivariant statistical analysis of the results permitted the identification of systolic arterial pressure higher than 150 mm Hg, age greater than 15 years and cardiomegaly as the three variables more frequently associated with retinal vascular lesions. Surgical correction of the aortic malformation resulted in normalization of both systolic and diastolic arterial pressures in 98% of the total number of patients as determined one year postoperatively. It is concluded that, in coarctation of the aorta, vascular damage of the retina appears to have an incidence that is similar to that observed in patients with other forms of systemic arterial hypertension. The development of these retinal lesions in patients with coarctation of the aorta would seem to be determined by the severity and duration of the hypertensive process.

[Echocardiographic diagnosis of pulmonary valve calcification]. / Diagnóstico ecocardiográfico de la calcificación valvular pulmonar.

Calcification of the pulmonary valve is a uncommon condition. Non invasive diagnostic methods such as M-mode and two dimensional echocardiography have facilitated the identification of vegetations and calcifications on the pulmonary valve. Very few cases of isolated calcification on the pulmonary valve have been reported; a previous lesion of the valve almost always exists. The purpose of this communication is to report two cases with calcification of pulmonary valves without underlying pathology and to highlight the great utility of echocardiography in diagnosis and follow-up of such cases.

[Myocardial infarction related to the association of physical exertion and the ingestion of cold drinks]. / Infarto del miocardio relacionado a la asociación de esfuerzo y la ingesta de bebida fría.

We describe 3 young individuals with acute myocardial infarction that developed after extenous stress followed by the intake of cold fluids. The patients had retrosternal chest pain and EKG changes suggestive of posterior-inferior myocardial infarction. Coronartiography demonstrated 40% and 50% narrowing of the right coronary artery. The remaining case had normal coronary arteries.

[Myocardial infarct secondary to a non-penetrating chest injury. Presentation of a case and review of the literature]. / Infarto miocárdico secundario a traumatismo no penetrante del tórax. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

We describe a 21 year old male who had a myocardial infarction as a result of a horse kick in the chest. EKG Showed changes compatible with anterolateral infarction. Thallium scan demonstrated diffuse decreased uptake. Angiographic studied showed normal coronary arteries and abnormal movements of the posterior wall.