Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Sep 2004
Identifying patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation for mitral valve repair and replacement: a transesophageal echocardiographic study.
We sought to preoperatively identify the suitability of patients with degenerative mitral valve (MV) regurgitation for MV repair (MVR) and MV replacement. ⋯ Patients suitable for MVR can be identified preoperatively using a combination of clinical and echocardiographic parameters.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Jul 2004
ReviewStrain and strain rate imaging: a new clinical approach to quantifying regional myocardial function.
On the basis of color Doppler myocardial motion data, 1-dimensional regional natural strain rate and strain curves can now be calculated by comparing local myocardial velocity profiles. Such deformation data sets may be an important, new, and more sensitive approach to quantifying both regional radial and long-axis function of the left or right ventricle in both acquired and congenital heart disease. The normal ranges of regional velocity, strain rate, and strain values have already been determined in both adults and children. This review will focus both on the potential clinical applications of these new ultrasound-based deformation parameters and the current limitations inherent in implementing the technique in everyday practice.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Jul 2004
Transesophageal echocardiography to guide pulmonary vein mapping and ablation for atrial fibrillation.
This study describes the use and outcomes of transesophageal echocardiography to guide atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures. ⋯ Transesophageal echocardiography enables identification and cannulation of the ostia and proximal branches of PV during AF ablation. Fluoroscopy, procedure times, and outcomes compare favorably with series using PV angiography and, as such, suggest that a controlled trial is warranted.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Jun 2004
Comparative StudyEffects of coil closure of patent ductus arteriosus on left anterior descending coronary artery blood flow using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography.
Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography provides noninvasive measurements of coronary blood flow in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). This method has the potential to show the effects of acute changes in loading conditions on blood flow. Coil closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a model of acute changes in blood pressure and left ventricular (LV) preload that influences coronary blood flow. ⋯ In 5 patients who had Qp/Qs > 1.5, the mean F/M was significantly lower compared with control subjects, but they increased to normal values after coil closure of PDA. PDA coil closure increases diastolic pressure and decreases Qp/Qs, resulting in improvement of myocardial perfusion. These findings provide new insights into the relationship between cardiac function and coronary circulation in pediatric patients with heart diseases associated with PDA.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Jun 2004
Comparative StudyNoninvasive estimation of impaired hemodynamics for patients with acute myocardial infarction by Tei index.
Tei index, defined as the sum of isovolumic contraction and relaxation times divided by ejection time, has been proposed to express global left ventricular function. For patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), left ventricular function can potentially be a major determinant of hemodynamics with limited time for compensation, such as increased brain natriuretic peptide to attenuate congestion, and usually without any intervention to modify cardiac loading on arrival at the hospital during the acute phase. We, therefore, hypothesized that left ventricular function, expressed by the Tei index, allows noninvasive estimation of impaired hemodynamics for patients with AMI. ⋯ Although the Tei index has limitations to evaluate hemodynamics in patients with inferoposterior AMI, the index allows approximate but quick and practical noninvasive estimation of impaired hemodynamics in patients with anteroseptal AMI.