The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging

Wu, Yen-Wen; Lin, Mao-Shin; Lin, Yen-Hung; Chao, Chia-Lun; Kao, Hsien-Li

doi: 10.1007/s10554-006-9180-xpmid: 17120098

Our data indicated that concurrent advanced and extensive arterial disease is common in patients with significant cervical carotid stenosis, and also suggest the importance of global evaluation of systemic atherosclerosis in these patients to achieve optimal management.

Vianna, Caio; Puig, Luiz; Vieira, Marcelo; Shiozaki, Afonso; Dauar, Demetrio; Cesar, Luiz

doi: 10.1007/s10554-006-9164-xpmid: 17021942

Aortic dissection limited to one sinus of Valsalva has been described exclusively as an iatrogenic complication during catheterization interventions. This life-threatening subtype had a very small area of dissection, when coronary ostia are frequently involved. We report a 43-year-old man with dissection limited to left sinus of Valsalva, involving the left main coronary artery and causing non-ST-myocardial infarction, including severe reversible ST-depression, maximum of 9 mm in V5 lead. Dissection was suggested by cineangiography, transesophageal echocardiogram, and contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography. Surgical treatment was successful. There were not any associated diseases in the sinuses of Valsalsa, aortic valve or coronary arteries. Unlike previous reported cases of aortic dissection with such limited localization, the present case was spontaneous, and not iatrogenic.

Matsuo, Shinro; Sato, Yuichi; Nakae, Ichiro; Oka, Yuko; Horie, Minoru

doi: 10.1007/s10554-006-9179-3pmid: 17109200

Double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is a rare form of congenital heart disease in which the right ventricle is divided into a high-pressure inlet site and a low-pressure outlet site by anomalous muscle bands. We describe a patient with DCRV presenting with ventricular tachycardia.

Chen, Ming-Ren; Cheng, Kun-Shan; Lin, Yu-Ching; Yu, Chang-Hsien; Chi, Meng-Hung; Wu, Shyr-Jao; Yun, Chun-Ho

doi: 10.1007/s10554-006-9188-2pmid: 17120097

Tavil, Yusuf; Kanbay, Asiye; Şen, Nihat; Çiftçi, Tansu; Abacı, Adnan; Yalçın, M.; Köktürk, Oğuz; Çengel, Atiye

doi: 10.1007/s10554-006-9168-6pmid: 17054014

Both right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions are impaired in patients having OSAS with or without HT. Right ventricular MPI was found to be the parameter most closely related with OSAS severity and the right ventricular subclinical dysfunction.

Lipke, Claudia; Katoh, Marcus; Franke, Andreas; Krombach, Gabriele; Buecker, Arno; Kühl, Harald

doi: 10.1007/s10554-006-9190-8pmid: 17160424

We sought to assess the value of non-contrast enhanced transthoracic harmonic echocardiography (TEE) for the visualization of left ventricular thrombi in 34 patients with cardiomyopathy. Results were compared to contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging as reference standard. Maximal thrombus size was quantified with both modalities. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated thrombi in 15 patients. In these subjects echocardiography was negative in seven patients. Thrombi were excluded in 19 patients with magnetic resonance while echocardiography was deemed positive in 5 subjects. Thrombus size by ce-CMR was not different for clots visualized or not visualized by echocardiography (P = 0.71). Moreover, observer agreement was superior for ce-CMR (κ = 0.94) as compared to TTE (κ= 0.71). Non-contrast-enhanced harmonic TTE has limited value for the visualization of thrombi in patients with cardiomyopathy.

Kotani, Atsushi; Hirano, Yutaka; Yasuda, Chikao; Ishikawa, Kinji

doi: 10.1007/s10554-006-9163-ypmid: 17086365

This is to demonstrate a new 2D-ultrasonographic technique which enabled clear resolution of deformed valves, visualization of venous reflux and quantitation of valve incompetence. In a 59-year-old Japanese female patient, ultrasonography was done using Aplio, Toshiba Medical Systems Co., Japan, equipped with 8 MHz linear probe capable of differential tissue harmonic imaging to diagnose the cause of her leg edema. Venous ultrasonography using this device at the popliteal venous valve in this patient demonstrated clear view of deformed venous valve and valve separation at one end of valvular agger while the other part of the valve is closed. Color Doppler failed to show venous reflux due to its low velocity. However, the appearance and disappearance of a thrombus-like echo could be imaged using 2D-ultrasonography. In addition, we were able to demonstrate the time-course change of valve opening and closing, and quantitate the valve incompetence using M-mode ultrasonography.

Allocca, Giuseppe; Slavich, Gianaugusto; Nucifora, Gaetano; Slavich, Massimo; Frassani, Romeo; Crapis, Massimo; Badano, Luigi

doi: 10.1007/s10554-006-9147-ypmid: 17086366

A 57-year-old man presented with triple valve infective endocarditis. There were vegetations on the tricuspid, mitral, and aortic valve. He had multiple complications such as pulmonary abscess, severe anaemia, and congestive heart failure. His general condition was extremely poor. Intensive medical therapy, such as blood transfusion, mechanical ventilation, and inotropic support, allowed him to tolerate surgery. Triple valve replacement was successfully performed without major complication. Vegetation cultures grew Streptococcus bovis and Enterecoccus faecalis. At 1 year follow-up, the patient is alive in NYHA functional class I.

Jaffery, Zehra; Ananthasubramaniam, Karthik

doi: 10.1007/s10554-006-9167-7pmid: 17086364

Pulmonary artery compression in adults resulting from tumors is an uncommon condition often associated with poor prognosis. Among the imaging modalities used for diagnosis, the role of trans thoracic echocardiography in identifying secondary pulmonic stenosis due to extrinsic or intrinsic compression and more importantly the physiologic significance has been increasingly recognized. We describe here a case of isolated left pulmonary artery stenosis which was initially suspected based on classic echocardiographic features of obstruction of pulmonary artery and subsequently confirmed by CT imaging. This case illustrates the versatility of trans thoracic echocardiography in diagnosing incidental abnormalities with potential significant consequences.

Sarullo, Filippo; Ventimiglia, Corrado; Taormina, Andrea; Azzarello, Vincenzo; Felice, Filippo; Martino, Annamaria; Paterna, Salvatore; Pasquale, Pietro

doi: 10.1007/s10554-006-9169-5pmid: 17109201

Atropine added to exercise stress testing in patients who cannot achieve their 80% age-related HR is a safe, well-tolerated, and feasible method for MPS.