[Transesophageal echocardiography in atrial fibrillation as diagnosis of embolic source and its relation with embolic accidents]. / Ecocardiografia transesofágica na fibrilação atrial como diagnóstico de fonte embolígena e sua relação com acidentes embólicos.

PURPOSE: To determine, by means of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), the risk factors for intracavitary thrombosis or prethrombotic state and for embolic accidents in patients with atrial fibrillation. METHODS: We studied 49 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation, submitted to clinical examination, EKG, chest X-ray, and TEE. RESULTS: Thirty percent of patients had valvopathies, 29% myocardiopathies, intracavitary thrombus or prethrombotic state were found in 37%, 40% of them had embolic accidents. We did not find statistical significance between myocardiopathies and valvulopathies. The left atrial diameter did not preview embolic accidents. We have observed 6 patients without structural cardiopathies, three of them presented embolic events, and one prethrombotic state. CONCLUSION: Embolic phenomena are inherent to atrial fibrillation and independent of structural cardiopathies, with indication to prophylactic use of oral anticoagulants.

[Postural hypotension in tabes dorsalis. Report of a case]. / Hipotensão postural na tabes dorsalis. Registro de um caso

A case of postural hypotension in a patient with tabes dorsalis is reported. A polygraphic study of the arterial pression by intraortic catheterism, laboratory examinations and Minor test were made. As the results were negative for a disorder in the autonomic nervous system, it was concluded that the lesion responsible for the postural hypotension in the reported case was localizated in the aferent system of the baroreceptors.