JACC. Cardiovascular imaging
-
JACC Cardiovasc Imaging · Jun 2014
Observational StudyPrognostic value of echocardiography in normotensive patients with acute pulmonary embolism.
The goal of the study was to evaluate the prognostic value of echocardiographic indices of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) for prediction of pulmonary embolism-related 30-day mortality or need for rescue thrombolysis in initially normotensive patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE). ⋯ TAPSE is preferable to the RV/LV ratio for risk stratification in initially normotensive patients with APE. TAPSE ≤15 mm identifies patients with an increased risk of 30-day APE-related mortality, whereas TAPSE >20 mm can be used for identification of a very low-risk group.
-
JACC Cardiovasc Imaging · Apr 2014
3D echocardiographic location of implantable device leads and mechanism of associated tricuspid regurgitation.
This study sought to: 1) determine the feasibility of using 3-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3D TTE) in patients with implantable cardiac resynchronization devices, pacemakers, and defibrillators to visualize the device leads in the right heart and their position relative to the tricuspid valve leaflets; 2) determine the prevalence of different lead positions; and 3) study the relationship between lead location and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) severity. ⋯ 3D TTE showed a clear association between device lead position and TR. To minimize TR induced by device-leads, 3D TTE guidance should be considered for placement in a commissural position.