Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Sep 13;15(1):24. Epub 2017 Sep 13.

2nd Department of Cardiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk stratification is the most important preventive action in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The identification of the ischemia biomarker high sensitive troponin I (hs-TnI) role for this arrhythmic disease may provide additional information for SCD risk stratification. The aim of the study was to compare echocardiographic parameters (prognostic for risk stratification of SCD in HCM) among two subgroups of HCM patients: with elevated hs-TnI versus non-elevated hs-TnI level. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Sep 13;15(1):23. Epub 2017 Sep 13.

Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.

Background: Lung ultrasound can be used as an alternative to chest radiography (CXR) for the diagnosis and follow-up of various lung diseases in the intensive care unit (ICU). Our aim was to evaluate the influence that introducing a routine daily use of lung ultrasound in critically ill patients may have on the number of CXRs and as a consequence, on medical costs and radiation exposure.

Methods: Data were collected by conducting a retrospective evaluation of the medical records of adult patients who needed thoracic imaging and were admitted to our academic polyvalent ICU. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Sep 12;15(1):22. Epub 2017 Sep 12.

Divisions of Cardiology, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea.

Background: Strain analysis is feasible using three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography. This approach provides various parameters based on speckle tracking analysis from one full-volume image of the left ventricle; however, evidence for its volume independence is still lacking.

Methods: Fifty-eight subjects who were examined by transthoracic echocardiography immediately before and after hemodialysis (HD) were enrolled. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Sep 11;15(1):20. Epub 2017 Sep 11.

Department of Medical Imaging and Physiology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.

Background: Long-term intensive training leads to morphological and mechanical changes in the heart generally known as "athlete's heart". Previous studies have suggested that the diastolic and systolic function of the ventricles is unaltered in athletes compared to sedentary. The purpose of this study was to investigate myocardial performance index (MPI) by pulsed wave Doppler (PWD) and by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in female elite athletes compared to sedentary controls. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Sep 11;15(1):21. Epub 2017 Sep 11.

Institute of Cardiology, Jagiellonian University, Medical College and John Paul II Hospital, Krakow, Poland.

Background: Second-stage palliation with hemi-Fontan or bidirectional Glenn procedures has improved the outcomes of patients treated for single-ventricle heart disease. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze risk factors for death after second-stage palliation of single-ventricle heart and to compare therapeutic results achieved with the hemi-Fontan and bidirectional Glenn procedures.

Material And Methods: We analyzed 60 patients who had undergone second-stage palliation for single-ventricle heart. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Jul 24;15(1):19. Epub 2017 Jul 24.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital, 42 Jaebong-ro, Donggu, Gwangju, 501-757, South Korea.

Background: To investigate the impacts of carotid plaque and intima-media thickness (IMT) on future vascular events (VEs) in the patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: A total of 479 consecutive Korean patients with acute ischemic stroke were divided into 2 groups according to development of VEs; VE group (65.4 ± 10. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Jul 3;15(1):18. Epub 2017 Jul 3.

Fellow, Scripps Clinic Cardiology, 10666 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.

Background: Left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral (LVOT VTI) is a measure of cardiac systolic function and cardiac output. Heart failure patients with low cardiac output are known to have poor cardiovascular outcomes. Thus, extremely low LVOT VTI may predict heart failure patients at highest risk for mortality. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Jun 23;15(1):17. Epub 2017 Jun 23.

Department of Sonography, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Heping District, Shenyang, China.

Background: Identification of prenatal ventriculoarterial connections in fetuses with conotruncal anomalies (CTA) remains one of the greatest challenges for sonographers performing screening examinations. Herein, we propose a novel protocol of 4D volume analysis that identifies ventriculoarterial connections and evaluate its clinical utility in routine screenings.

Methods: Twenty-nine cases of transposition of the great arteries (TGA), 22 cases of double-outlet right ventricle (DORV), 36 cases of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), 14 cases of truncus arteriosus (TCA), and randomly selected 70 normal fetuses were reviewed in this study. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Jun 19;15(1):16. Epub 2017 Jun 19.

Hypertension Research Center, Federico II University Hospital of Naples, Via Pansini 5, bld #1, 80131, Naples, Italy.

Background: The availability of ultra-miniaturized pocket ultrasound devices (PUD) adds diagnostic power to the clinical examination. Information on accuracy of ultrasound with handheld units in immediate differential diagnosis in emergency department (ED) is poor. The aim of this study is to test the usefulness and accuracy of lung ultrasound (LUS) alone or combined with ultrasound of the heart and inferior vena cava (IVC) using a PUD for the differential diagnosis of acute dyspnea (AD). Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Jun 17;15(1):15. Epub 2017 Jun 17.

Cardiologie et CIC-IT 1414, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, F-35000, Rennes, France.

Background: Almost all attempts to improve patient selection for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) using echo-derived indices have failed so far. We sought to assess: the performance of homemade software for the automatic quantification of integral 3D regional longitudinal strain curves exploring left ventricular (LV) mechanics and the potential value of this tool to predict CRT response.

Methods: Forty-eight heart failure patients in sinus rhythm, referred for CRT-implantation (mean age: 65 years; LV-ejection fraction: 26%; QRS-duration: 160 milliseconds) were prospectively explored. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Jun 12;15(1):14. Epub 2017 Jun 12.

Department of Ultrasound, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China.

Background: This study is aimed at investigating myocardial multi-directional systolic deformation in hypertensive with different left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and exploring its contribution to LVEF.

Methods: One hundred and twenty-three patients with primary hypertension (HT) were divided into group A (LVEF ≥ 55%), group B (45% ≤ LVEF < 50%, or 50% ≤ LVEF < 55% + LVEDVI ≥ 97 ml/m(2)), and group C (LVEF < 45%). Two-dimensional strain echocardiography (2DSE) including LV longitudinal strain (SL), radial strain (SR) and circumferential strain (SC) were measured. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 May 18;15(1):13. Epub 2017 May 18.

Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud university medical center, Medical UltraSound Imaging Center (MUSIC), P.O. Box 9101 (766), 6500, HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Background: Compound strain imaging is a novel method to noninvasively evaluate arterial wall deformation which has recently shown to enable differentiation between fibrous and (fibro-)atheromatous plaques in patients with severe stenosis. We tested the hypothesis that compound strain imaging is feasible in non-stenotic arteries and provides incremental discriminative power to traditional measures of vascular health (i.e. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Apr 26;15(1):12. Epub 2017 Apr 26.

Clinic of Cardiology, University Clinical Centre of Kosova, "Rrethi i Spitalit", p.n., Prishtina, Kosovo.

Background: Quality of life is as important as survival in heart failure (HF) patients. Controversies exist with regards to echocardiographic determinants of exercise capacity in HF, particularly in patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The aim of this study was to prospectively examine echocardiographic parameters that correlate and predict functional exercise capacity assessed by 6 min walk test (6-MWT) in patients with HFpEF. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Apr 12;15(1):11. Epub 2017 Apr 12.

Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America.

Aim: To systematically review currently available cardiac shock-wave therapy (CSWT) studies in humans and perform meta-analysis regarding anti-anginal efficacy of CSWT.

Methods: The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Medline, Medscape, Research Gate, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases were explored. In total 39 studies evaluating the efficacy of CSWT in patients with stable angina were identified including single arm, non- and randomized trials. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Apr 5;15(1):10. Epub 2017 Apr 5.

Department of Translational medicine, Unit of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.

Background: Myocardial performance index (MPI) has been investigated in a variety of populations, but the effect of food intake has not been evaluated. We assessed whether myocardial performance index is affected by food intake in healthy subjects.

Methods: Twenty-three healthy subjects aged 25. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Apr 4;15(1). Epub 2017 Apr 4.

Clinical Neurophysiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202, Maastricht, AZ, The Netherlands.

Background: Mean or maximal intima-media thickness (IMT) is commonly used as surrogate endpoint in intervention studies. However, the effect of normalization by surrounding or median IMT or by diameter is unknown. In addition, it is unclear whether IMT inhomogeneity is a useful predictor beyond common wall parameters like maximal wall thickness, either absolute or normalized to IMT or lumen size. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Mar 27;15(1). Epub 2017 Mar 27.

MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Városmajor St. 68, H-1122, Budapest, Hungary.

Three major mechanisms contribute to right ventricular (RV) pump function: (i) shortening of the longitudinal axis with traction of the tricuspid annulus towards the apex; (ii) inward movement of the RV free wall; (iii) bulging of the interventricular septum into the RV and stretching the free wall over the septum. The relative contribution of the aforementioned mechanisms to RV pump function may change in different pathological conditions.Our aim was to develop a custom method to separately assess the extent of longitudinal, radial and anteroposterior displacement of the RV walls and to quantify their relative contribution to global RV ejection fraction using 3D data sets obtained by echocardiography. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Mar 21;15(1). Epub 2017 Mar 21.

Department of Cardiology, San Luca Hospital, Lucca, Italy.

Stress echocardiography is an established technique for the assessment of extent and severity of coronary artery disease. The combination of echocardiography with a physical, pharmacological or electrical stress allows to detect myocardial ischemia with an excellent accuracy. A transient worsening of regional function during stress is the hallmark of inducible ischemia. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Mar 15;15(1). Epub 2017 Mar 15.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S. Wood Street, M/C 715, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.

Background: The goal of this study was to determine if left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) predicts heart failure (HF) readmission in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Methods And Results: Two hundred ninety one patients were enrolled at the time of admission for acute decompensated heart failure between January 2011 and September 2013. Left ventricle global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) by velocity vector imaging averaged from 2, 3 and 4-chamber views could be assessed in 204 out of 291 (70%) patients. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Mar 13;15(1). Epub 2017 Mar 13.

Queen Sirikit Heart Center of the Northeast, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Mar 7;15(1). Epub 2017 Mar 7.

School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, 70182, Örebro, Sweden.

Background: There is today no established approach to estimate right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) using 2D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). The aim of this study was to evaluate a new method for RVEF calculations using 2D TTE and compare the results with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE).

Methods: A total of 37 subjects, 25 retrospectively included patients and twelve healthy volunteers, were included to give a wide range of RVEF. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Jan 18;15(1). Epub 2017 Jan 18.

Cardiology Hospital, Policlinico of Bari, Bari, Italy.

Background: Stress echocardiography (SE) has an established role in evidence-based guidelines, but recently its breadth and variety of applications have extended well beyond coronary artery disease (CAD). We lack a prospective research study of SE applications, in and beyond CAD, also considering a variety of signs in addition to regional wall motion abnormalities.

Methods: In a prospective, multicenter, international, observational study design, > 100 certified high-volume SE labs (initially from Italy, Brazil, Hungary, and Serbia) will be networked with an organized system of clinical, laboratory and imaging data collection at the time of physical or pharmacological SE, with structured follow-up information. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Jan 13;15(1). Epub 2017 Jan 13.

Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Division of Cardiology, Federico II University Hospital, Naples, Italy.

Background: Ultrasound exam as a screening test for abdominal aorta (AA) can visualize the aorta in 99% of patients and has a sensitivity and specificity approaching 100% in screening settings for aortic aneurysm. Pocket Size Imaging Device (PSID) has a potential value as a screening tool, because of its possible use in several clinical settings. Our aim was to assess the impact of demographics and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors on AA size by using PSID in an outpatient screening. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Jan 9;15(1). Epub 2017 Jan 9.

Turku PET Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, Turku, 20520, Finland.

Background: We evaluated echocardiographic area-length methods to measure left ventricle (LV) volumes and ejection fraction (EF) in parasternal short axis views in comparison with cardiac computed tomography (CT) in pigs with chronic myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: Male farm pigs with surgical occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (n = 9) or sham operation (n = 5) had transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac-CT 3 months after surgery. We measured length of the LV in parasternal long axis view, and both systolic and diastolic LV areas in parasternal short axis views at the level of mitral valve, papillary muscles and apex. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Dec 6;14(1):48. Epub 2016 Dec 6.

Dept of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 41345, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Background: Transthoracic echocardiography-assessed coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) evaluates coronary microvascular arterial function. Coronary flow velocity measurements at baseline and during hyperemia are used to calculate CFVR. Adenosine infusion induces hyperemia but it is not known if it causes a maximal response. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Nov 22;14(1):47. Epub 2016 Nov 22.

Cardiovascular Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, 113-8603, Japan.

Background: We investigated the influence of geographical predisposition on the spatial distribution and composition of coronary plaques.

Methods: Thirty coronary arteries were evaluated. A total of 1441 cross-sections were collected from intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and radio-frequency signal-based virtual histology (VH-IVUS) imaging. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Nov 17;14(1):46. Epub 2016 Nov 17.

Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine Sport Medicine and Exercise Unit, University of Florence, AOU Careggi-Italy, Via delle Oblate 5, Florence, Italy.

Background: Regular physical exercise determines a progressive increase of the cardiac mass known as adaptive hypertrophy. Up to now, two morphological echocardiographic heart patterns of athletes have been described by Morganroth in 1975: predominant augmentation of wall thickness, and major cavity size in chamber dimensions in the case of prevalent static or dynamic components. The aim of the study was to follow up the impact of physical training on heart morphology and function in a group of elite soccer and rugby players for at least five years. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Nov 10;14(1):45. Epub 2016 Nov 10.

Department of Echocardiography, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.

Background: The myocardial wall of the left ventricle is a complex, multilayered structure and is not homogenous. The aim of this study was to determine longitudinal strain (LS) in the three myocardial layers in normal pregnant women according to gestation proceedings.

Methods: The advanced two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE) was performed on 62 women during each pregnancy trimester and 6 to 9 weeks after delivery, while 30 age-matched, healthy, nonpregnant women served as controls. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Oct 28;14(1):44. Epub 2016 Oct 28.

Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of adding quantitative assessments of cardiac function from echocardiography to clinical factors in predicting the outcome of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of acute PE, based on a positive ventilation perfusion scan or computed tomography (CT) chest angiogram, were identified using the Duke University Hospital Database. Of these, 69 had echocardiograms within 24-48 h of the diagnosis that were suitable for offline analysis. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Oct 7;14(1):43. Epub 2016 Oct 7.

Department of Prevention and Sports Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 56, D-80992, Munich, Germany.

Background: Increased left atrial (LA) dimensions are known to be a risk factor in predicting cardiovascular events and mortality and to be one key diagnostic tool to assess diastolic dysfunction. Currently, LA measurements are usually conducted using 2D-echocardiography, although there are well-known limitations. Real-time 3D-echocardiography is able to overcome these limitations, furthermore being a valid measurement tool compared to reference standards (e. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Oct 5;14(1):42. Epub 2016 Oct 5.

Queen Sirikit Heart Center of the Northeast, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Background: The transesophageal echocardiograhpy (TEE) has been studied worldwide. However, identifying additional factors on top of operator's experience and patient's cooperation which could influence the success of the procedure in unsedated patients with heart disease  is not well documented.

Methods: Under the cross-sectional descriptive design, 85 target patients were fulfilling the criteria: being Thai national at the age of at least 20-year-old, being performed TEE by the study participant's cardiologists, being able to communicate verbally. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Sep 17;14(1):40. Epub 2016 Sep 17.

Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Medical University of Lodz, 22, Kopcińskiego St., Barlicki Hospital, Lodz, Poland.

Background: Arterial stiffness is an early marker of atherosclerosis. The carotid arteries are easily accessible by ultrasound and are commonly used for the evaluation of atherosclerosis development. However, this stiffness assessment is based on the elastic properties of the artery, which may be influenced by the adjacent internal jugular vein (IJV). Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Sep 17;14(1):41. Epub 2016 Sep 17.

Rigshospitalet, Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Background: The current method for a non-invasive assessment of diastolic dysfunction is complex with the use of algorithms of many different echocardiographic parameters. Total average diastolic longitudinal displacement (LD), determined by colour tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) via the measurement of LD during early diastole and atrial contraction, can potentially be used as a simple and reliable alternative.

Methods: In 206 patients, using GE Healthcare Vivid E7 and 9 and Echopac BT11 software, we determined both diastolic LD, measured in the septal and lateral walls in the apical 4-chamber view by TDI, and the degree of diastolic dysfunction, based on current guidelines. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Sep 8;14(1):39. Epub 2016 Sep 8.

Department of (Thoracic) Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, ISALA, Zwolle, The Netherlands.

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Sep 7;14(1):38. Epub 2016 Sep 7.

Department of Pediatrics, Tokushima University, Kuramoto-cho-3, Tokushima, 770-8305, Japan.

Background: We hypothesized that longitudinal pulmonary arterial deformation during the cardiac cycle reflects pulmonary arterial capacitance. To examine this hypothesis, we assessed whether tissue Doppler-derived pulmonary annular motion could serve as a novel way to evaluate pulmonary arterial capacitance in pediatric patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD).

Methods: In this prospective study, pulmonary annular velocity was measured in children (age, 6 months-5 years) with a preoperative VSD (VSD group, n = 35) and age-matched healthy children (Control group, n = 23). Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Sep 6;14(1):37. Epub 2016 Sep 6.

From the department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus University Medical Center, Thoraxcenter, Ba304, 's-Gravendijkwal 230, 3015, CE, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

To make assessment of paravalvular aortic leakage (PVL) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) more uniform the second Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC) recently updated the echocardiographic criteria for mild, moderate and severe PVL. In the VARC recommendation the assessment of the circumferential extent of PVL in the short-axis view is considered critical. In this paper we will discuss our observational data on the limitations and difficulties of this particular view, that may potentially result in overestimation or underestimation of PVL severity. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Aug 24;14(1):36. Epub 2016 Aug 24.

Department of Cardiology, Barzilai Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Ashkelon, Israel.

Background: Not all echo laboratories have the capability of measuring direct online 3D images, but do have the capability of turning 3D images into 2D ones "online" for bedside measurements. Thus, we hypothesized that a simple and rapid rotation of the sagittal view (green box, x-plane) that shows all needed left atrial appendage (LAA) number of lobes, orifice area, maximal and minimal diameters and depth parameters on the 3D transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) image and LAA measurements after turning the images into 2D (Rotational 3DTEE/"Yosefy Rotation") is as accurate as the direct measurement on real-time-3D image (RT3DTEE).

Methods: We prospectively studied 41 consecutive patients who underwent a routine TEE exam, using QLAB 10 Application on EPIQ7 and IE33 3D-Echo machine (BORTHEL Phillips) between 01/2013 and 12/2015. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Aug 23;14(1):35. Epub 2016 Aug 23.

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.

Background: Previous studies showed that left atrial enlargement is an independent marker of adverse outcomes in both primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention. However, no data are available on long-term outcomes in patients undergoing valve surgery and/or coronary artery by-pass graft (CABG) surgery. Aim of the study was to evaluate long-term prognostic role of left atrial volume index (LAVi) after cardiac surgery, using the cutoff values recently proposed by the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging and American Society of Echocardiography. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Aug 23;14(1):34. Epub 2016 Aug 23.

Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, China.

Background: Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is a global health problem and a common medical condition that can be seen in everyday clinical practice. And two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) has been reported very useful in evaluating left atrial (LA) function, as well as left ventricular (LV) function. The aim of our study is to evaluate the LA function in patients with IDA by 2D-STE. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Aug 20;14(1):33. Epub 2016 Aug 20.

Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Background: Central venous pressure (CVP) and right atrial pressure (RAP) are important parameters in the complete hemodynamic assessment of a patient. Sonographic measurement of the inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter is a non-invasive method of estimating these parameters, but there are limited data summarizing its diagnostic accuracy across multiple studies. We performed a comprehensive review of the existing literature to examine the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of sonographic measurement of IVC diameter as a method for assessing CVP and RAP. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Aug 15;14(1):31. Epub 2016 Aug 15.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, University of Ottawa, 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, ON, K1Y 4W7, Canada.

Background: Many free-form-text referral requisitions for transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) provide insufficient information to adequately evaluate their adherence to Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC). We developed a structured referral requisition algorithm based on requisition deficiencies identified retrospectively in a derivation cohort of 1303 TTE referrals and evaluated the performance of the algorithm in a consecutive series of cardiology outpatient referrals.

Methods: The validation cohort comprised 286 consecutive TTE outpatient cardiology referrals over a 2-week period. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Aug 15;14(1):32. Epub 2016 Aug 15.

Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Gaál J.u.9, Budapest, H-1122, Hungary.

Background: Real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography has increased our understanding of the distinct pathomechanisms underlying functional, ischaemic or degenerative mitral regurgitation. However, potential differences in dynamic morphology between the subtypes of degenerative mitral prolapse have scarcely been investigated.

Methods: In order to compare the dynamic behavior of the different phenotypes of degenerative mitral valve prolapse, real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography recordings of 77 subjects, 27 with Barlow disease (BD), 32 with Fibroelastic deficiency (FED) and 18 normal controls (NC) were analysed. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Aug 12;14(1):30. Epub 2016 Aug 12.

ASL BR, Health Center, Districtual Cardiology, Brindisi, Italy.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited cardiovascular disorder of great genetic heterogeneity and has a prevalence of 0.1 - 0.2 % in the general population. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Aug 3;14(1):28. Epub 2016 Aug 3.

Department of (Thoracic) Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, ISALA, Dokter van Heesweg 2, 8025AB, Zwolle, The Netherlands.

Background: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a key diagnostic modality in patients with acute aortic dissection, yet its sensitivity is limited by a "blind-spot" caused by air in the trachea. After placement of a fluid-filled balloon in the trachea visualization of the thoracic aorta becomes possible. This method, modified TEE, has been shown to be an accurate test for the diagnosis of upper aortic atherosclerosis. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Aug 3;14(1):29. Epub 2016 Aug 3.

Center for Cardiovascular Health Services Research, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington St, #63, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.

Background: In patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a known marker for increased mortality. However, the relationship between LVEF measured during index ACS hospitalization and mortality and heart failure (HF) within 1 year are less well-defined.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 445 participants in the IMMEDIATE Trial who had LVEF measured by left ventriculography or echocardiogram during hospitalization. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Jul 29;14(1):27. Epub 2016 Jul 29.

Clinic of Paediatric Cardiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Transplantation, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu-Mures, Romania.

Background: Right ventricular function has been identified as an important prognostic factor in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The aim of the study was to assess the deformation pattern and prognostic value of right ventricular longitudinal strain in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated 46 children (25 with pulmonary arterial hyperetension and 21 age and sex matched controls) using conventional and speckle-tracking echocardiography, brain natriuretic peptide levels and clinical status expressed by WHO functional class and 6-min walking test. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Jul 26;14(1):26. Epub 2016 Jul 26.

Cardiology Department of Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Jul 11;14(1):25. Epub 2016 Jul 11.

Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita, Jl. Letjend. S. Parman Kav 87, Slipi, Jakarta, 11420, Indonesia.

Background: Hospital length of stay (LOS) is a key determinant of heart failure hospitalization costs. Longer LOS is associated with lower quality of care measures and higher rates of readmission and mortality. Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction predicted poor outcomes in patients with stable chronic heart failure (CHF), however, its prognostic value in the acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients has not been sufficiently clarified. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Jun 10;14(1):24. Epub 2016 Jun 10.

Cardiology Department of Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background: We performed comprehensive transmitral and pulmonary venous Doppler echocardiographic studies to devise a novel index of diastolic function. This is the first study to assess the utility of the acceleration rate (AR) of the E wave of mitral inflow as a primary diagnostic modality for assessing diastolic function.

Methods: Study group consisted of 84 patients (53 + 11 years) with left ventricle (LV) diastolic dysfunction and 34 healthy people (35 ± 9 years) as control group, who were referred for clinically indicated two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) during 2012 and 2013 to Imam Hospital. Read More

Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2016 Jun 7;14(1):22. Epub 2016 Jun 7.

Department of Cardiology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Building 67, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, DK-2400, Copenhagen NV, Denmark.

Background: Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) measured by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography of the LAD is used to assess microvascular function but validation studies in clinical settings are lacking. We aimed to assess feasibility, reproducibility and agreement with myocardial flow reserve (MFR) measured by PET in overweight and obese patients.

Methods: Participants with revascularized coronary artery disease were examined by CFVR. Read More