Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Aug 2013
Multicenter StudyExperts and beginners benefit from three-dimensional echocardiography: a multicenter study on the assessment of mitral valve prolapse.
Three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been claimed to provide more information than two-dimensional (2D) TEE in the localization of mitral valve prolapse (MVP). However, most studies have been performed by experts in echocardiography, without accounting for differences in training or expertise. This multicenter study was designed to assess the differences between experts and inexperienced echocardiographers in localizing MVP and ruptured chordae tendineae using 2D and real-time 3D TEE. ⋯ The reported diagnostic advantage of 3D TEE over 2D TEE in MVP assessment for expert echocardiographers can be transferred to inexperienced echocardiographers. Inexperienced echocardiographers benefit from the technology to a greater extent than their expert colleagues.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Aug 2013
Clinical TrialMyocardial mechanical remodeling after septal myectomy for severe obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Septal myectomy for symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is a well-established procedure for symptomatic relief. Myocardial mechanics are abnormal in patients with HOCM, demonstrating low longitudinal strain, high circumferential strain, and high apical rotation compared with healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to determine whether functional improvement after myectomy is associated with improved myocardial mechanics. ⋯ In patients with HOCM, surgical myectomy alleviated symptoms, relieved obstruction, and decreased left atrial volume index. Longitudinal strain remained unchanged, but circumferential strain and rotation decreased, demonstrating different mechanical adaptations to chronic elevated afterload seen in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing valve replacement. Disease extent (age, posterior wall involvement) and the presence of diastolic dysfunction seem to be related to partial symptomatic response to myectomy.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Aug 2013
Left ventricular three-dimensional global systolic strain by real-time three-dimensional speckle-tracking in children: feasibility, reproducibility, maturational changes, and normal ranges.
Three-dimensional (3D) strain analysis may help overcome the limitations of Doppler and two-dimensional strain analysis for the left ventricle and become the method of choice for left ventricular (LV) systolic function. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility and reproducibility of LV global 3D systolic strain by real-time 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in children and to establish their maturational growth patterns and normal values. ⋯ LV global 3D systolic strain analysis using the new 3D STE is feasible and reproducible in the pediatric population. There are small maturational changes in GLS and GCS, but not in GRS and GS, that are statistically significant but probably clinically irrelevant. Further investigation is warranted for potential clinical application of this new technology in a pediatric population.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Aug 2013
Multicenter StudyRelationship between longitudinal strain and symptomatic status in aortic stenosis.
Global longitudinal strain (GLS) and basal longitudinal strain (BLS) assessed using two-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging have been proposed as subtle markers of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction with potential prognostic value in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between longitudinal strain and symptomatic status in patients with AS. ⋯ In this prospective multicenter cohort of patients with wide ranges of AS severity, symptoms, and LVEFs, BLS but not GLS was independently associated with symptomatic status. However, there was an important overlap among groups, and differences were close to measurements' reproducibility, raising caution regarding the use of longitudinal strain, at least as a single criterion, in the decision-making process for patients with severe asymptomatic AS.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Aug 2013
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialNew three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography identifies global impairment of left ventricular mechanics with a high sensitivity in childhood cancer survivors.
The aim of this case-control study was to assess the usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) speckle-tracking echocardiography in the evaluation of global left ventricular (LV) myocardial performance in adolescent and adult survivors of childhood cancers. ⋯ Three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography enables the derivation of an index of LV global performance that incorporates LV 3D strain, dyssynchrony, and torsion for the sensitive detection of altered LV mechanics in childhood cancer survivors.