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The paper presents the results of computer simulation of thermophysical processes in human head under given heat fluxes on its surface. The disadvantages of the existing physical models of human head are revealed and the ways for their improvement are proposed. With regard to computer simulation results, an experimental sample of thermoelectric device for human head cooling «ALTEC-7012» which is promising for human brain hypothermia has been designed and manufactured.

In the article a possibility of definition of level of the mitochon-drial factor (MF) for early diagnostics of the myocardial is chemic damages at patients during heart surgery was investigated. The reperfusion damages of heart were manifested by MPTP activation and MF release. The rising of MF level during a cardioplegia is comparable to level, which has been noted at patients with angina before operation of aorto-coronary shunting. The beginning of reperfusion, practically did not change MF level, but 5 minutes after restoration of a blood flow and warm reductions it increased to the maximum values. Thus, it closely correlated with a level of a myocardial contractility de­pression and data of biochemical researches, which are tradi­tionally used in clinic for diagnostics of damages of a heart. It allows to confirm, what exactly reperfusion is a major factor damaging of a myocardium. Its important that, change of MF level we registered at first minutes of heart reperfusion, those are much earlier, than by means of other markers. It seems to us, that investigation of a MF is very perspective for early find­ing of an ischemic damages of different tissues and organs.

Objective: Ebstein’s anomaly is the most common pathology associated with the accessory conduction pathways. Methods: From January 1990 to August 1999 48 patients underwent surgical repair of Ebstein’s anomaly by various plastic techniques. The pathways were identified and characterized at preoperative electrophysiologic mapping in 17 (34.5%) patients. There were seven males and ten females. The patients age ranged 6‐35 years (mean 12.7 ^ 2.1 years). Five patients were in NYHA class II and were in 12 in NYHA class III. The cardiothoracic ratio ranged from 0.59 to 0.69 (mean 0.65 ^ 0.08). Tachycardia was present in 15 patients with Wolf‐Parkinson‐White (WPW) syndrome. Atrial septal defect was present in 12 patients (70.6%). Accessory conduction pathways were in the right posterior septal area in seven patients, in right posterior septal area and free wall in seven patients and in right free wall in three. The pathways were successfully ablated in all patients during cardiopulmonary bypass. Results: There were no deaths, no relapses. Follow-up ranged from 4 months to 7 years (mean 4.7 ^ 1.1 years). There were no late deaths, but one patient required successful tricuspid valve replacement because of severe tricuspid insufficiency. At follow-up 57.8% of patients were in NYHA class I. Conclusions: Preoperative electrophysiologic study allows to identify the accessory conduction pathways in patients with Ebstein’s anomaly. The combined approach of tricuspid valve repair and surgical ablation of accessory atrioventricular connections has been proved safe and effective. This operative procedure allows to improve functional results in patients with Ebstein’s malformation and concomitant accessory conduction pathways. q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.