The international journal of cardiovascular imaging
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Int J Cardiovasc Imaging · Apr 2007
Controlled Clinical TrialImpact of intracardiac echocardiography on radiation exposure during adult congenital heart disease catheter-based interventions.
Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is a widespread approach in many cardiovascular procedures in which it has the potential to reduce the fluoroscopy time and patients radiation exposure. We sought to assess the patient radiation exposure during transcatheter closure of interatrial communications with and without ICE-guidance. ⋯ The radiation exposure during ICE-guided transcatheter closure of interatrial communications in this group of patients was quite lower than that reported in literature for such procedures and compared favourably with radiation exposure of patients in whom the intervention was performed without ICE guidance.
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Int J Cardiovasc Imaging · Apr 2007
Plasma natriuretic peptide levels reflect changes in heart failure symptoms, left ventricular size and function after surgical mitral valve repair.
N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has diagnostic and prognostic value in patients with heart failure. The present prospective study was designed to assess whether changes in NT-proBNP levels after surgical mitral valve repair reflect changes in heart failure symptoms and changes in left atrial size, left ventricular size and left ventricular function. ⋯ Changes in NT-proBNP after surgical mitral valve repair reflect changes in heart failure symptoms and changes in left atrial and ventricular dimensions and function.