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This fascinating book by the old master of cardiology is based on 86 case reports. The patients were observed for over 40 years, and the results of the study are surprising and intriguing.
Among the cases, the following deserve special mention: patency of the ductus at age 90; patency of the ductus subsiding with age; congenital pulmonary stenosis doing well at age 62; a grade 5 murmur still present 45 years later; an aircraft pilot for 36 years despite aortic regurgitation; myocardial infarction at 52, death from pneumonia at 90; inverted precordial T waves for 27 years; good health 22 years after pericardial resection for constrictive pericarditis; normal electrocardiogram 49 years after the first attack of atrial fibrillation; over 60 years of paroxysmal tachycardia; atrial flutter for 45 years with constant good health; a 40 year follow-up after ventricular tachycardia; 50 years of complete heart block; and two patients with