The American journal of cardiology
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Transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are the standard techniques for the evaluation of prosthetic valve function. However, quantitative evaluation of leaflet(s) motion is not routinally carried out, although leaflet(s) opening and closing angle measurements are important information to recognize prosthetic dysfunction. For this purpose, cinefluoroscopy is considered the "gold standard" technique. ⋯ Both TTE and TEE were rarely able to identify closing angles. In conclusion, quantitative evaluation of mitral leaflet(s) motion may be accurately achieved with TTE and TEE, leading to increased diagnostic efficacy of prosthetic valve dysfunction. In the aortic position, TTE and TEE allow a quantitative evaluation of leaflet(s) dynamics only in a minority of patients and cinefluoroscopy still remains the first-choice technique.
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Review
Different clinical scenarios for circulatory mechanical support in acute and chronic heart failure.
Chronic heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of death in developed countries. Over the last 2 decades, mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices have steadily evolved in the clinical management of end-stage HF and have emerged as a standard of care for the treatment of acute and chronic HF refractory to conventional medical therapy. Possible indications for using MCS are acute cardiogenic shock, as a bridge to transplantation, as a bridge to recovery, and more recently, as destination therapy in dilated cardiomyopathy, of either ischemic or idiopathic etiology. We reviewed the different clinical scenarios in which we think there are currently indications to implant different kinds of MCS systems.
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Comparative Study
Effect of vasopressin on hemodynamics in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction.
In a retrospective study of 36 patients who developed cardiogenic shock after myocardial infarction, intravenous vasopressin therapy increased mean arterial pressure from 56 to 73 mm Hg at 1 hour (p < 0.001) and maintained it for 24 hours without changing pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, cardiac index, urine output, or other inotropic requirements. After norepinephrine administration, mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure increased at 1 hour from 21 to 24 mm Hg (p = 0.04); however, this increase was not sustained at 12 and 24 hours. Norepinephrine was associated with a significant increase in cardiac power index at 24 hours, whereas there was only a trend for an increase in cardiac power with vasopressin therapy. In a cohort of patients who developed refractory cardiogenic shock after myocardial infarction, vasopressin was associated with increased mean arterial pressure and no adverse effect on other hemodynamic parameters.
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Comparative Study
United States emergency department visits for acute decompensated heart failure, 1992 to 2001.
Heart failure is a significant public health problem. The epidemiology and practice pattern of emergency department (ED) visits for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) have not been well characterized. A better description is essential to highlight areas in which improvements or additional research are needed. ⋯ In conclusion, during the past decade, the absolute number of ED visits for ADHF has increased owing to the aging population. Diuretics remain the most common treatment. Race-related differences in hospitalization merit additional study.