Heart : official journal of the British Cardiac Society
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Comparative Study
Imaging of thrombi and assessment of left atrial appendage function: a prospective study comparing transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography.
To compare the value of current transthoracic echocardiographic systems and transoesophageal echocardiography for assessing left atrial appendage function and imaging thrombi. ⋯ A new generation echocardiographic system allows for the transthoracic detection of left atrial appendage thrombi and accurate determination of left atrial appendage function in most patients with a neurological deficit.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of long term outcome in patients with or without aortic ring abscess treated surgically for aortic valve infective endocarditis.
To assess the long term prognostic significance of aortic valve ring abscess in patients with aortic endocarditis. ⋯ Aortic valve ring abscess is not an independent marker of poor long term outcome in patients with infective endocarditis. However, as residual aortic regurgitation appears frequent at follow up, specific surgical techniques should be considered in patients with paravalvar abscesses.