Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Feb 2019
Echocardiographic Assessment of the Tricuspid Annulus: The Effects of the Third Dimension and Measurement Methodology.
Evaluation of the tricuspid annulus is crucial for the decision making at the time of left heart surgery. Current recommendations for tricuspid valve repair are based on two-dimensional (2D) transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), despite the known underestimation compared with three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography. However, little is known about the differences in 3D tricuspid annular (TA) sizing using TTE versus transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The aims of this study were to (1) compare 2D and 3D TA measurements performed with both TTE and TEE and (2) compare two 3D methods for TA measurements: multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and dedicated software (DS) designed to take into account TA nonplanarity. ⋯ Our findings highlight the need for methodology that respects the 3D geometry of the tricuspid annulus, including its nonplanarity, which cannot be accurately assessed from 2D images and is not equally taken into account by different 3D measurement methodologies. Accordingly, a 3D cutoff value for TA enlargement needs to be established and is likely to be larger than the guideline-recommended 2D-based 40-mm cutoff. Importantly, noninvasive 3D TTE can be used instead of 3D TEE because TA measurements are not different.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Jan 2019
Right Ventricular Contractile Reserve Is Impaired in Children and Adolescents With Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot: An Exercise Strain Imaging Study.
Pulmonary insufficiency (PI) and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction are long-term complications in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF). The aim of this study was to investigate RV contractile reserve and changes in PI that occur during exercise in patients with rTOF and the associations of these changes with exercise performance using stress echocardiography. ⋯ Patients with rTOF have an abnormal myocardial response to exercise with impaired RV contractile reserve compared with control subjects. Heart rate reserve and reduction in PI at peak exercise are associated with better exercise performance and appear to be significant contributors to exercise performance in rTOF. Measures to improve chronotropic health in rTOF should be explored.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Jan 2019
Comparative Study Observational StudyAlterations in Layer-Specific Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal and Circumferential Strain in Patients With Aortic Stenosis: A Comparison of Aortic Valve Replacement versus Conservative Management Over a 12-Month Period.
Impairment in left ventricular (LV) systolic strain in aortic stenosis (AS) is well documented. However, alterations in layer-specific LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) and their recovery following surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) have not been established. The aim of this study was to examine layer-specific changes in GLS and GCS in patients with AS undergoing AVR and compare these patients with those managed conservatively over 12 months. ⋯ Patients with AS managed conservatively had worsening of GLS over 12 months despite preserved LV ejection fraction, detected earliest in the subendocardial layer. GCS became progressively impaired in moderate and severe AS. Improvement in LV strain after AVR was seen earlier with GLS (from 3 months) than with GCS (from 6 months) in both myocardial layers.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Jan 2019
Multicenter StudyThe Prognostic Value of Coronary Flow Velocity Reserve in Two Coronary Arteries During Vasodilator Stress Echocardiography.
Vasodilator stress echocardiography (SE) allows combined evaluation of regional wall motion and Doppler coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) of both the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and the right coronary artery (RCA). The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the prognostic correlates of LAD and RCA CFVR on SE. ⋯ Ischemia on SE with high peak wall motion score index identifies a high-risk subset regardless of the underlying CFVR response. Absence of ischemia on SE is associated with intermediate risk, and LAD CFVR is essential to identify a truly low-risk subset. RCA CFVR is less useful than LAD CFVR but may have a role for further risk stratification in patients without ischemia and normal LAD CFVR.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Nov 2018
Comparative StudyComparison between Three-Dimensional Echocardiography and Computed Tomography for Comprehensive Tricuspid Annulus and Valve Assessment in Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation: Implications for Tricuspid Regurgitation Grading and Transcatheter Therapies.
Tricuspid valve imaging is frequently challenging and requires the use of multiple modalities. Knowledge of limitations and methodologic discrepancies among different imaging techniques is crucial for planning transcatheter valve interventions. ⋯ In patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation, semiautomated indirect planimetry results in high agreement between TEE and CT for TA sizing and measurement of the tricuspid valve area. TEE_direct of the TA allows the most accurate measurement of diastolic stroke volume for the calculation of regurgitation severity compared with 3D vena contracta area.