Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Nov 2002
Comparative StudyContinuous recording of pulmonary artery diastolic pressure and cardiac output using a novel ultrasound transducer.
The feasibility of hands-free transthoracic continuous determination of pulmonary artery (PA) diastolic pressure (PAD) and cardiac output (CO) by Doppler ultrasound has not been previously demonstrated. We developed a 2.5-MHz spherical transducer mounted in an external housing to permit steering in 360 degrees (Contison). The external housing was attached to the chest wall using an adhesive patch. ⋯ The 2.5-MHz spherical transducer permitted accurate assessment of CO and PAD. This transducer could be of potential value in monitoring patients in the intensive care setting.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Nov 2002
Case ReportsAortic dissection with aorto-left atrial fistula formation soon after aortic valve replacement: A lethal complication diagnosed by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography.
Fistulas between the aorta and left atrium are a rare manifestation of aortic dissection and are infrequently diagnosed premortem. We report the case of a 70-year-old man who exhibited this condition soon after aortic valve replacement and eventually died from rapidly developing refractory congestive heart failure. The diagnosis was indicated by transthoracic echocardiography and was ultimately made with transesophageal echocardiography and color flow Doppler imaging. Transesophageal echocardiography is the procedure of choice for establishing the correct diagnosis and leading to prompt surgical repair of this lethal condition.