Echocardiography
-
First, the inferior vena cava dilatation index (DIVC) was measured by ultrasound, and then the reliability of DIVC as an indicator to predict volume responsiveness in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation after pneumonectomy was evaluated. ⋯ DIVC is a reliable indicator of capacity responsiveness in mechanically ventilated post-pneumonectomy patients.
-
Intermittent malfunction is a rare but potentially serious complication of prosthetic heart valve (PHV) replacement. It may be observed in both mitral and aortic valve prosthesis and may lead to either paroxysmal obstruction or regurgitation, depending on the valve location and on the phase of the cardiac cycle during which the leaflet is entrapped. ⋯ Intermittent severe regurgitation of PHV due to residual chordae tendineae is very rare clinical entity, and transesophageal echocardiography is an indispensable guide in the differential diagnosis. Here, we represent an interesting case of intermittent regurgitation of a mitral prosthetic valve due to entrapment by a residual subvalvular apparatus.
-
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized by marked and sustained elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary artery pressure, and subsequent right-sided heart failure. Right ventricular (RV) function and exercise capacity have been recognized as important prognostic factors for PH. Our aim was to investigate RV contractile reserve and exercise capacity during a leg-positive pressure (LPP) maneuver. ⋯ Preload stress echocardiography in response to LPP maneuver, a noninvasive and easy-to-use procedure for routine clinical use, proved to be useful for the assessment of RV contractile reserve and exercise capacity of PH patients.
-
Observational Study
Speckle tracking echocardiography and right ventricle dysfunction in acute respiratory distress syndrome a pilot study.
Speckle tracking echocardiography is a novel echocardiographic technique to assess RV myocardial function but no data are so far available in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and we aimed at assessing the feasibility of 2 dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography and the prognostic role of RV free wall speckle tracking strain in 30 consecutive patients with moderate-severe ARDS MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an observational prospective study, 30 consecutive patients with moderate-severe ARDS were enrolled. Echocardiography was performed within 12 hours from ICU admission. ⋯ In mechanically ventilated moderate-severe ARDS, 2D speckle tracking is feasible even though difficult acoustic windows are common. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings in a larger cohort of patients.