Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
-
J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Aug 2011
Comparative StudyRegional myocardial dysfunction following Norwood with right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Improved early survival has led many centers to use the right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery (RVPA) conduit instead of the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt for Norwood palliation of hypoplastic left-heart syndrome. However, there is concern regarding the potential deleterious effects of the required right ventriculotomy for placement of the RVPA conduit on global and regional right ventricular (RV) function. The purpose of this study was to investigate global and regional RV wall motion abnormalities after Norwood palliation with RVPA conduit using Velocity Vector Imaging (VVI). ⋯ In patients with hypoplastic left-heart syndrome after Norwood palliation with RVPA conduit, RV myocardial deformation was significantly reduced at the ventriculotomy site, which persisted after stage 2 palliation. VVI-derived measures demonstrating impairment of global systolic myocardial deformation were correlated with RV systolic function. Long-term multicenter studies to evaluate the effects of ventriculotomy scar on single systemic right ventricle are required.
-
J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Aug 2011
Comparative StudyThe value of three-dimensional echocardiography derived mitral valve parametric maps and the role of experience in the diagnosis of pathology.
Accurate segmental mitral valve (MV) analysis is essential for surgical planning. Although real-time three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography has improved the ability to visualize the MV, accurate localization of MV pathology from 3D transesophageal echocardiographic images still remains experience dependent. Three-dimensional parametric maps of the MV obtained from these images further simplify the visualization of MV anatomy. The aims of this study were to examine whether 3D parametric maps of the MV could improve the diagnostic accuracy in localizing pathology and to determine their usefulness for readers with different levels of training. ⋯ This is the first study to show that the interpretation of 3D parametric maps improves the accuracy of localization of MV pathology by novice readers. Therefore, parametric maps should be used routinely by less experienced readers during the assessment of degenerative MV disease.
-
J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Aug 2011
Feasibility of single-beat full-volume capture real-time three-dimensional echocardiography and auto-contouring algorithm for quantification of left ventricular volume: validation with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.
With recent developments in echocardiographic technology, a new system using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) that allows single-beat acquisition of the entire volume of the left ventricle and incorporates algorithms for automated border detection has been introduced. Provided that these techniques are acceptably reliable, three-dimensional echocardiography may be much more useful for clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of left ventricular (LV) volume measurements by RT3DE using the single-beat full-volume capture technique. ⋯ RT3DE using single-beat full-volume capture is an easy and reliable technique to assess LV volume and systolic function in clinical practice. However, the image quality and low frame rate still limit its application for dilated left ventricles, and the automated volume analysis program needs more development to make it clinically efficacious.
-
J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Aug 2011
Comparative StudyFeasibility of intraoperative three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the evaluation of right ventricular volumes and function in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of the assessment of right ventricular (RV) volumes and function using real-time three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) imaging in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. ⋯ Intraoperative 3D TEE assessment of RV volumes and function is feasible in patients with normal and dilated right ventricles, with good correlation between 3D transthoracic echocardiographic and TEE RV parameters. These measurements could improve the quantitative evaluation of RV function during cardiac surgery.
-
J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Aug 2011
Carotid artery stiffness and diastolic function in subjects without known cardiovascular disease.
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between carotid artery stiffness and diastolic function in a cohort of subjects without known cardiovascular risk factors and/or overt cardiovascular disease. ⋯ In healthy subjects, changes in central carotid stiffness are in line with left ventricular diastolic function independently of age, sex, pulse pressure, and body mass index.