Rev Esp Cardiol
-
Aortic aneurysm and dissection of descending aorta have to be rapidly diagnosed and treated. The treatment frequently includes surgery. The natural history, indications of surgical treatment and surgical technique are reviewed.
-
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by a complete disorganization in atrial electrical activity and sinus node pacemaker activity is lost. The physiopathological mechanisms of atrial fibrillation is based on the simultaneous presence of multiple wavelets in the atria. ⋯ Also, the functional nature of the reentrant circuits during atrial fibrillation has also been demonstrated. For an episode of atrial fibrillation to perpetuate, the wavelength of the cardiac impulse has to be adapted to the length of the atria. Modifications of the wavelength by drugs may result in perpetuation or in termination of the atrial fibrillation episode.
-
Congenital diseases of the aorta may be divided into three main groups. The most common group includes diseases which obstruct blood flow to the distal circulatory system. ⋯ A third category of congenital diseases of the aorta includes abnormalities of the mechanical composition of the aorta. The major clinical manifestations included in each of these groups will be discussed.