[Abnormal positioning of central venous catheters (author's transl)]. / Fehllagen zentraler Venekatheter.

The increasing use of central venous catheters requires accurate knowledge of the dangers and risks associated therewith. In general, it is possible to recognize wrong positioning of the catheters when studying the full-size roentgenographs of the thorax. In some cases, however, it may become necessary to effect additional roentgenographs for better clarification and control after correcting the position.

[The value of conventional chest radiography in the interpretation of pulmonary hemodynamics in mitral valve disease (author's transl)]. / Die pulmonale Hämodynamik bei Mitralvitien. Was leistet die konventionelle Röntgendiagnostik?

Standard biplane chest roentgenograms of 107 patients suffering from acquired mitral valve disease were independently interpreted by two radiologists. Fluoroscopy was performed for detection of mitral valve calcification. The effective pressures in the pulmonary vascular bed were not known at the time of the film reading. Using the most valuable roentgen signs (enlargement of the left atrium, valvular calcification, configuration of the right ventricular outflow tract, size of the central pulmonary arteries and degree of pulmonary interstitial edema), each case was graded from zero to nine points. The two readers widely agree in the classification of the roentgen findings in most cases. There is a strong positive correlation between the radiographic changes and the pulmonary artery mean pressure.

[Criteria in plain radiograms for the diagnostic valuation of pulmonary hemodynamics in mitral valve disease (author's transl)]. / Kriterien in der Röntgennativdiagnostik für die Beurteilung der pulmonalen Hämodynamik bei Mitralvitien.

Changes in the heart and lungs in patients with organic mitral valve disease, which can be demonstrated on plain radiographs, were correlated to pulmonary pressure. The most important radiologic criteria were: the extent of dilatation of the out flow tract of the right ventricle, enlargement of the left and the right pulmonary artery, the degree of interstitial pulmonary edema, enlargement of left atrium and calcification of mitral valve. With a point valuation of the criteria a prediction of pulmonary hypertension in mitral valve disease from plain radiographs is possible.

[Roentgenographic findings in patients with pacemakers (author's transl)]. / Röntgenbefunde bei Schrittmacherpatienten

Early roentgenographic documentation of the position of an implanted pacemaker by roentgenograms in two planes and fluoroscopy establishes the necessary basis for the roentgenographic examinations in identifying pacemaker malfunction. Early and late causes of pacemaker malfunction in 250 patients are described. Early complications arise at the tip of the electrode: displacement with or against the direction of blood flow, penetration or perforation of the myocardium and false implantation into the coronary sinus. Later causes of pacemaker failure have to be searched mainly in the electrode itself and the battery: damage to the cable or displacement of the battery. The problems of radiologic assessment of the state of charge of the battery are discussed.

[Chronic traumatic arteriovenous fistulae (author's transl)]. / Chronische traumatische arteriovenöse Fisteln

In two patients with femoral arterio-venous fistulae angiography could show arterial and venous collaterals with differing circulation phases. When angiography shows retrograde flow in the artery distal to the fistula, the volume of arterial collateral circulation is unrelated to the peripheral blood-supply. Venous collateral circulation has to be included in the fistular circulation. Angiography permits distinguishing a venous by-pass circulation for the return of blood from the periphery. In one patient a large aneurysm of the iliac vein was found. Special features of angiography, particularly after surgical closure of the fistula, are mentioned.