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Flow cytometry (FCM) allows the simultaneous measurement of different parameters in a population of cell or sub-cellular particles, which are individually analysed at a rate of 500 to 5,000 objects/second. Results are displayed as univariate or bivariate histograms, giving the distribution of the population in relation to the studied parameters. Moreover, FCM offers the possibility to physically sort the sub populations defined by the analysis.

Human peripheral lymphocytes metaphase chromosomes, prepared for flow analysis were used to evaluate the resolving power of a new microscope-based flow cytometer "Leitz MPV flow". We were able to resolve the human karyotype into about 15 peaks after simple ethidium bromide staining and excitation with mercury arc lamp. These results showed that a simple flow cytometer with a common relatively inexpensive source of fluorescence excitation light, can compete with more sophisticated laser-illuminated flow cytometers for flow cytogenetic studies.

Study of four personal cases and of twelve cases reported in the literature makes it possible to describe the characteristics of coronary embolism in mitral stenosis, a rare complication but indicating the presence of a left intra-atrial thrombosis: -- variable clinical picture, dominated by a syndrome combining simultaneously a picture of myocardial infarction and of peripheral arterial emboli of other localizations; -- diagnosis to be discussed within the framework of coronary syndromes in mitral heart disease: embolism requiring to be distinguished from coronary atherosclerosis combined with mitral stenosis, more rarely a functional coronary insufficiency; -- severe course and prognosis: besides the possibility of rapidly lethal cases, coronary embolism seems liable to result in weakening and diminishing of the adaptation possibilities of the left ventricle, responsible for attacks of heart failure after mitral valvulotomy.