Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
-
J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Sep 2006
Case ReportsDouble atrial septum with persistent interatrial space: echocardiographic features of a rare atrial septal malformation.
We describe the echocardiographic features of 4 new cases of a rare atrial septal malformation consisting a double atrial septum with a midline chamber between the left and right atrium. Half of the cases had major left-sided obstructive lesions. Transthoracic, transesophageal, intracardiac, and fetal echocardiographic features of this anomaly are demonstrated. Previous descriptions, embryologic speculations, and clinical considerations are discussed.
-
J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Sep 2006
Single-vessel versus multivessel territory acute ischemic stroke: value of transesophageal echocardiography in the differentiation of embolic stroke.
We sought to assess the presence of potential aortic or cardiac sources of embolism in patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke in one or more vascular territories. ⋯ In patients with acute ischemic stroke, the incidence of a potential cardiac or aortic source of embolism is high, regardless of the vascular distribution of the stroke. TEE may be a useful tool to assess the source of stroke in single-vessel, multivessel, and lacunar territory stroke distribution. We aimed to assess the presence of potential aortic or cardiac sources of embolism in patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke in one or more vascular territories. A total of 210 patients with acute ischemic stroke were divided into 3 groups (lacunar stroke, nonlacunar stroke/single-vessel involvement, nonlacunar stroke/multivessel involvement) and the frequency of potential embolic sources on transesophageal echocardiography was compared. Patients with multivessel strokes had fewer potential embolic sources on transesophageal echocardiography than patients with single-vessel or lacunar strokes, but the frequency of a potential cardiac or aortic source of embolism was high, regardless of the vascular distribution of stroke.
-
J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Aug 2006
Controlled Clinical TrialN-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide levels: correlation with echocardiographically determined left ventricular diastolic function in an ambulatory cohort.
To investigate the correlations of plasma N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels with echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular (LV) systolic and/or diastolic function. ⋯ In this clinically stable, ambulatory cohort of patients with cardiovascular disease and healthy control subjects, plasma NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in those with LV systolic dysfunction and/or elevated filling pressures, independent of the effects of LV mass, renal function, and age. These results suggest that NT-proBNP levels may be a useful adjunct in the characterization of patients presenting with history and/or symptoms compatible with LV systolic and/or diastolic dysfunction.
-
J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Aug 2006
Controlled Clinical TrialThe prognostic value of pulmonary vascular capacitance determined by Doppler echocardiography in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
We sought to determine if a novel measurement of pulmonary vascular (PV) capacitance (PVCAP) by Doppler echocardiography predicts all-cause mortality in patients with primary pulmonary arterial (PA) hypertension (PPAH). ⋯ The novel measure of PVCAP, as determined by Doppler echocardiography, is a strong noninvasive predictor of mortality in patients with PPAH and adds prognostic value to conventional risk markers.
-
J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Jul 2006
Controlled Clinical TrialSevere tricuspid regurgitation shows significant impact in the relationship among peak systolic tricuspid annular velocity, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and right ventricular ejection fraction.
Peak systolic mitral annular velocities correlate with left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) regardless of mitral regurgitation severity. Peak systolic tricuspid annular velocity (RV-Sm) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) are used to assess right ventricular (RV) EF (RVEF). We investigated whether tricuspid regurgitation (TR) affects the relationship among RV-Sm, TAPSE, and RVEF. ⋯ Severe TR has a significant impact on the relationship between RV-Sm and RVEF and between TAPSE and RVEF. TAPSE and RV-Sm in patients with severe TR show poor correlation to RVEF. When applying Doppler tissue method or TAPSE to assess RV function, severe TR is a significantly confounding factor.