[Comparison of vectorcardiography and echocardiography in the evaluation of the site and extent of necrosis in myocardial infarction without Q wave]. / Confrontation vectocardiographie-échocardiographie dans l'évaluation du siège et de l'étendue de la nécrose dans les infarctus myocardiques sans onde Q.

In order to improve the evaluation of the site and extent of the necrosis in acute myocardial infarction without Q wave (IMNQ), we used a multiparametric method taking into account the enzymatic values of the total CK, a score derived from Frank's VCG and a kinetic score of the VG segments estimated by echo-2D. The literature data have shown, according to the clinical and anatomical correlations, the frequency of the transmural lesions in the IMNQ cases and, on the contrary, of the lesions limited to the endocardial region and partially transmural in infarctions with new pathological Q waves. The heterogeneousness of the anatomo-pathological data can be explained by the mechanisms of the ischaemia, the site of the coronary occlusion, the presence or not of a spasm, the compensation by the collateral flux and eventually the effects of a treatment by fibrinolytic drugs.

[Calcification of the mitral ring and semilunar valves: clinico-instrumental aspects. Sensitivity and diagnostic specificity of M-mode echocardiography versus autopsy findings]. / La calcificazione dell'anello mitralico e delle semilunari aortiche: aspetti clinico-strumentali. Sensibilità e specificità diagnostica dell'ecocardiografia M-mode versus reperti autoptici.

Mitral ring calcification is a frequent finding in geriatric patients. The aim of this study was: 1) to analyze clinical and instrumental features of patients with calcific mitral ring identified through M-mode echocardiography (group A: 96 pts) with respect to those observed in a control group (group B: 104 pts); 2) to define the sensitivity and specificity of M-mode echocardiography in the diagnosis of mitral ring and aortic valve calcification by means of comparison with autopsy findings. Data on arterial hypertension, previous myocardial infarction, heart failure, phosphoremia and calcemia values were similar in both groups. On the contrary, in group A, permanent or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, aortic valve calcification and left atrial diameter was significantly higher then in group B (p less than 0.05; p less than 0.001; p less than 0.001 respectively). The prevalence of AV and IV cardiac blocks was similar in both groups. Twelve group A patients were restudied with M-mode echocardiography, after a variable period of time, to evaluate the velocity of calcification progression. An autopsy was carried out on the twenty-six pts who died within 3 months after the M-mode echocardiography study. The evaluation of the autoptic findings was performed with high resolution radiographic image, obtained from a heart transverse section containing mitral and aortic plane.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Atrial dissociation in complete intra-atrial block]. / Dissociazione atriale da blocco intra-atriale completo.

Atrial dissociation due to a complete intraatrial block is a very rare electrocardiographic occurrence. Two cases of this atrial arrhythmia characterized by two atrial ectopic beats of different origin are reported. The electrophysiologic mechanisms of the arrhythmia are discussed briefly.

[The importance of glycosylated hemoglobin in the prevention of diabetic vasculopathy]. / L'importanza dell'emoglobina glicosilata nella prevenzione della vasculopatia diabetica.

Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), less portion of total haemoglobin, represents a biochemical marker in glucidic metabolism of diabetic patient. Authors refer in their experience relaps of cerebrovascular accidents have been of 37% in diabetic patients, while they have been only of 11% in non diabetic patients. They conclude that glycosilated haemoglobin periodic value might favourably condition diabetic vasculopathy prognosis.