External radicular resorption: selected cases and review of the literature.

External radicular resorption is a pathological process that generates the loss of cementum, dentin and bone, almost irreversibly, involving vital and pulpless teeth. The early stage is asymptomatic and might be diagnosed by a routine radiograph or a clinical examination. Radicular resorption appears because of cementoclastic, dentinoclastic or/and osteoclastic activity. The process of resorption is associated with a damage of the periodontal ligament as a result of injury and necrosis, macrophages are the first cells that are detected, followed by multinucleated cells, odontoclasts, which affect the cementum and dentin.

Role of ketanserin in the treatment of the essential arterial hypertension associated with ischemic heart disease.

This clinical study was set-up to evaluate the antihypertensive effect of ketanserin in essential hypertension (EH) associated with asymptomatic ischemic heart disease (IHD) in twenty-seven patients. Every patient received 20-40 mg ketanserin, a selective S2 serotoninergic antagonist, twice daily, for a three-month period. The blood pressure (BP) was significantly lowered during the treatment with ketanserin, much more in female patients and elderly group.

Postextrasystolic ischemic T wave. A possible silent ischemia.

Postextrasystolic potentiation may produce in some situations a negative T wave. This situation is presented in two cases, and it is assumed that this phenomenon may be considered as silent myocardial ischemia.

Intracardiac electrical discharge in terminating atrial fibrillation.

A new intracavitary technique for internal defibrillation in atrial fibrillation is presented. The discharge takes place between the distal electrodes of the catheter placed in the right atrium and a thoracic paddle. Four cases are discussed, and the indications for this type of defibrillation are considered. Internal defibrillation can be done when, for other purposes, an electrode catheter is already placed in the right atrium.

The residual myocardial contractile reserve in the rational use of digitalis.

A simple noninvasive method for the estimation of residual myocardial contractile reserve by using the postextrasystolic stimulation and systolic time intervals is proposed. The rational use of digitalis, avoiding the toxic effects, is possible only if the presence or absence of the residual contractile reserve is taken into consideration.

A simple bedside technique in the study of the WPW syndrome.

A simple method for the study of the WPW syndrome, which can be performed at the patient's bedside, is presented. Using standard ECG, vagal maneouvers, ajmaline test, precordial mapping, vectorcardiography, electrode catheters positioned in the right atrium and esophageal catheters, the site of accessory pathways, and the complex arrhythmias occurring in these patients can be understood and medically treated.

Antiarrhythmic effects of verapamil given in sublingual way.

In order to eliminate the first pass through the liver where the drug is deactivated, 80 mgs verapamil was given in sublingual way in a) 10 patients with supraventricular tachycardias where in 7 instances sinus rhythm was obtained after 15-30 minutes, b) in 18 patients with atrial fibrillation and in 5 with atrial flutter with rapid ventricular rate, where a significant slowing down of ventricular rate was obtained after 20 minutes. The sublingual way of verapamil administration is a simple, effective and safe procedure in the treatment of tachyarrhythmias.

Sinus node dysfunction occurring immediately after pericardiocentesis.

Performing in two cases three instances of pericardiocentesis, there always occurred sinus node dysfunction. Our explanation is of a mechanical involvement of the sinus node after the complete evacuation of the pericardial fluid.