Pulmonary transit of agitated contrast (PTAC) occurs to variable extents during exercise. We tested the hypothesis that the onset of PTAC signifies flow through larger-caliber vessels, resulting in ...improved pulmonary vascular reserve during exercise. Forty athletes and fifteen nonathletes performed maximal exercise with continuous echocardiographic Doppler measures cardiac output (CO), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), and myocardial velocities and invasive blood pressure (BP). Arterial gases and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) were measured at baseline and peak exercise. Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was determined as the regression of PASP/CO and was compared according to athletic and PTAC status. At peak exercise, athletes had greater CO (16.0 ± 2.9 vs. 12.4 ± 3.2 l/min, P < 0.001) and higher PASP (60.8 ± 12.6 vs. 47.0 ± 6.5 mmHg, P < 0.001), but PVR was similar to nonathletes (P = 0.71). High PTAC (defined by contrast filling of the left ventricle) occurred in a similar proportion of athletes and nonathletes (18/40 vs. 10/15, P = 0.35) and was associated with higher peak-exercise CO (16.1 ± 3.4 vs. 13.9 ± 2.9 l/min, P = 0.010), lower PASP (52.3 ± 9.8 vs. 62.6 ± 13.7 mmHg, P = 0.003), and 37% lower PVR (P < 0.0001) relative to low PTAC. Right ventricular (RV) myocardial velocities increased more and BNP increased less in high vs. low PTAC subjects. On multivariate analysis, maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2max)) (P = 0.009) and maximal exercise output (P = 0.049) were greater in high PTAC subjects. An exercise-induced decrease in arterial oxygen saturation (98.0 ± 0.4 vs. 96.7 ± 1.4%, P < 0.0001) was not influenced by PTAC status (P = 0.96). Increased PTAC during exercise is a marker of pulmonary vascular reserve reflected by greater flow, reduced PVR, and enhanced RV function.
Ultrasound enhancing agents (UEAs) are being utilized for a growing number of applications with real-time very low mechanical index (MI) techniques in clinical cardiology today. This article will ...review recent developments on the safety of UEAs and their effectiveness in myocardial perfusion imaging, three-dimensional quantification of left ventricular function, and vascular imaging. UEAs are now being utilized in all age groups, with new indications that add incremental value to the currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These include the incremental value in cardiac imaging, where the off-label analysis of myocardial perfusion observed with UEAs adds to the enhanced endocardial border delineation. In carotid artery imaging, UEAs improve the detection of plaque but also can examine plaque neovascularization. Vascular surgeons now utilize UEAs in the evaluation of endovascular repair to detect endoleaks without the need of ionizing radiation. Newer applications are emerging in the detection of left atrial appendage thrombi and quantification of myocardial blood flow and volume in transplant patients.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Background
Measurement of the mitral valve area (MVA) in patients with mitral stenosis (MS) by 3D echocardiography (3DE) is usually done via 3D quantification (3DQ). The present study on patients ...with severe MS sought to evaluate the agreement regarding the MVA measurement between 3DQ and direct planimetry on 3D zoom and also between 3DE and 2DE.
Methods
Twenty‐six patients (22 female, mean age:34.5 ± 14.0 years) with severe MS diagnosed by 2D transthoracic echocardiography(2DTTE) underwent 3D transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE). Direct planimetry, the pressure half‐time (PTH), and the continuity equation(CE) constituted 3 conventional 2DTTE methods, and 3DQ and direct planimetry on 3D zoom comprised two 3DTEE methods applied for the MVA measurement. Agreement between the 2D and 3D methods was assessed using the Bland–Altman plot and measuring the intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC).
Results
The mean MVA measured by 3DQ was significantly larger than that derived by direct planimetry on 3D zoom (0.935 ± 0.23 cm2 vs 0.846 ± 0.22 cm2, respectively; P = 0.026). The agreement between 3DQ and 3D zoom for the MVA measurement was moderate to good by the Bland–Altman plot (ICC = 0.67). The mean MVA measured by 2DE (all 3 methods of direct planimetry, the PTH, and the CE) was significantly larger than that derived by 3DE (both methods of 3DQ and direct planimetry on 3D zoom) (all Ps < 0.05). A moderate agreement between 3DQ and 2D planimetry (ICC = 0.43) was found by the Bland–Altman plot.
Conclusions
The MVA measurement by direct planimetry on 3D zoom showed a moderate‐to‐good agreement with 3DQ; it may, thus, be used in clinical practice as a simple method for the measurement of the MVA in patients with MS.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
Purpose of Review
Cardiac masses encompass a broad range of etiologies and are often initially revealed by echocardiography. The differential may change depending on the location of the mass and ...patients’ medical history or presentation. It is important for clinicians to be aware of subtle visual characteristics on echocardiography in order to correctly diagnose the pathology.
Methods
Patients who underwent transthoracic echocardiography and were found to have one or more cardiac masses between January 1, 2020, and May 15, 2023, were reviewed. Their demographic data, clinical presentation, medical history, imaging, and follow-up information were collected from hospital electronic medical records, de-identified, and used to complete this review paper.
Summary
A detailed review of cardiac masses divided by cardiac chamber accompanied by real-world echocardiographic images from patients in a large inner city public hospital. We hope that this systematic review of cardiac masses with real-world echocardiographic images will help clinicians note subtle echocardiographic characteristics to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac masses.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Associated tricuspid annuloplasty is recommended during left-heart valve surgery when the tricuspid annulus (TA) is dilated but methodology for the measurement of TA size and thresholds for TA ...enlargement are not clearly defined.
Measurement of the TA diameter (TAD) was prospectively performed using 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE) in 282 patients in 4 different views (parasternal long axis, parasternal short axis, apical 4-chamber A4C, and subcostal). TAD was also measured using 3D-transesophageal echocardiography in 183 patients (long axis), peroperatively in 120 patients who underwent a tricuspid valve surgery and using TTE (A4C) in 66 healthy volunteers. TAD was significantly different between the 4 2D-TTE views (3.85±0.58, 3.87±0.61, 4.02±0.69, and 3.92±0.65 cm, respectively; P<0.0001) but differences were small and the A4C was the most feasible (76%, 65%, 92%, and 73%, respectively; P<0.0001) and offered the highest reproducibility. TAD measured in A4C view was smaller than when measured by 3D-transesophageal echocardiography (3.90±0.63 versus 4.33±0.62 cm; P<0.0001) but correlation was excellent (r=0.84; P<0.0001) with a systematic 4-mm underestimation. In contrast, 2D-TTE measurements were significantly smaller and only modestly correlated to surgical measurements (4.11±0.61 versus 4.37±0.75 cm; P<0.0001; r=0.57; P<0.0001) which were poorly reproducible. In healthy volunteers, we suggested 42 mm or 23 mm/m(2) as pathological values for the TAD in A4C.
Measurements of the TAD using 2D-TTE in A4C were highly feasible and reproducible and despite being systematically smaller than 3D measurements, accurately reflected the degree of TA enlargement as assessed using 3D transesophageal echocardiography. We proposed the thresholds that may be used in future prospective studies to demonstrate whether a preventive strategy would improve the outcome.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been developed for echocardiography
, although it has not yet been tested with blinding and randomization. Here we designed a blinded, randomized non-inferiority ...clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05140642; no outside funding) of AI versus sonographer initial assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to evaluate the impact of AI in the interpretation workflow. The primary end point was the change in the LVEF between initial AI or sonographer assessment and final cardiologist assessment, evaluated by the proportion of studies with substantial change (more than 5% change). From 3,769 echocardiographic studies screened, 274 studies were excluded owing to poor image quality. The proportion of studies substantially changed was 16.8% in the AI group and 27.2% in the sonographer group (difference of -10.4%, 95% confidence interval: -13.2% to -7.7%, P < 0.001 for non-inferiority, P < 0.001 for superiority). The mean absolute difference between final cardiologist assessment and independent previous cardiologist assessment was 6.29% in the AI group and 7.23% in the sonographer group (difference of -0.96%, 95% confidence interval: -1.34% to -0.54%, P < 0.001 for superiority). The AI-guided workflow saved time for both sonographers and cardiologists, and cardiologists were not able to distinguish between the initial assessments by AI versus the sonographer (blinding index of 0.088). For patients undergoing echocardiographic quantification of cardiac function, initial assessment of LVEF by AI was non-inferior to assessment by sonographers.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ
Abstract
Background
Intermediate type atrioventricular septal defect is less frequent than complete or partial atrioventricular septal defect, and is rarely encountered in the elderly and the utility ...of three dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis has not been reported to date.
Case presentation
In this case report, we described a rare case of an intermediate atrioventricular septal defect in an adult patient and we showed the valuable utility of real time 3D transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis and future surgical planning. The patient was referred to a tertiary center for an elective surgical repair. Finally, we provided a detailed review of the literature concerning the intermediate type of atrioventricular septal defect.
Conclusion
Although 2D transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography enables diagnosis of the intermediate type atrioventricular septal defect, precise assessment of anatomy of atrioventricular septal defects and common atrioventricular valve was enabled only by real time 3D echocardiography.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Involvement of the cardiovascular system in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) is well recognized and may be seen in several scenarios in adult liver transplantation (LT) candidates. The ...hemodynamic effects of ESLD may result in apparent heart disease, or in some instances may mask cardiac disease. Alternatively, cardiac disease can occasionally be the underlying etiology of ESLD. LT imposes significant hemodynamic stresses, with cardiovascular complications accounting for considerable perioperative mortality and morbidity. Pre-operative assessment of the cardiac status of LT candidates is thus critically important for risk stratification and management. Cardiac imaging plays an integral role in the assessment of LT candidates. In this review, we discuss the role of cardiac imaging, including transthoracic echocardiography with Doppler and contrast enhancement, noninvasive functional assessment for routine pre-operative assessment of coronary artery disease, and transesophageal echocardiography in select cases to aid in intra-operative fluid management and monitoring in LT candidates.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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