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Objective-To evaluate changes in left ventricular function and the impact of ventricular hypertrophy and pressure gradient early and late after aortic valve replacement in patients with isolated aortic stenosis. Design-41 patients with isolated aortic stenosis and normal systolic function underwent cross sectional and Doppler echocardiography two months before and two weeks and four years after aortic valve replacement. (96) ms (p < 0.05), remained improved. Prolonged isovolumic relaxation time was associated with significant septal and posterior wall hypertrophy (wall thickness > 13 mm) (p < 0.05), whereas prolonged deceleration time was related to high residual gradient (peak gradient > 30 mm Hg ) (p < 0.01). Conclusions-Left ventricular diastolic function improves early after surgery for aortic stenosis in parallel with the reduction in the aortic gradient. However, prolongation of Doppler indices of myocardial relaxation and ventricular filling is observed in patients with significant left ventricular hypertrophy and a residual pressure gradient early after surgery. At four years postoperatively, diastolic function remains improved. (Heart 2001;86:309-316) Results-Early

We demonstrated that normalization of left ventricular RWMAs occurs after resolution of symptoms and ECG changes during recovery. The time to recovery is related to the extent of CAD and myocardial ischemia as well as to the presence or absence of collateral circulation. These findings may represent stunned myocardium after brief period of ischemia.

We report three cases of patients with blunt thoracic trauma, who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) because of high index of clinical suspicion for acute traumatic aortic syndrome. TEE revealed three different locations of aortic injury one of which was not diagnosed with aortography.

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