Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Aug 2013
Multicenter StudyExperts and beginners benefit from three-dimensional echocardiography: a multicenter study on the assessment of mitral valve prolapse.
Three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been claimed to provide more information than two-dimensional (2D) TEE in the localization of mitral valve prolapse (MVP). However, most studies have been performed by experts in echocardiography, without accounting for differences in training or expertise. This multicenter study was designed to assess the differences between experts and inexperienced echocardiographers in localizing MVP and ruptured chordae tendineae using 2D and real-time 3D TEE. ⋯ The reported diagnostic advantage of 3D TEE over 2D TEE in MVP assessment for expert echocardiographers can be transferred to inexperienced echocardiographers. Inexperienced echocardiographers benefit from the technology to a greater extent than their expert colleagues.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Aug 2013
Left ventricular three-dimensional global systolic strain by real-time three-dimensional speckle-tracking in children: feasibility, reproducibility, maturational changes, and normal ranges.
Three-dimensional (3D) strain analysis may help overcome the limitations of Doppler and two-dimensional strain analysis for the left ventricle and become the method of choice for left ventricular (LV) systolic function. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility and reproducibility of LV global 3D systolic strain by real-time 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in children and to establish their maturational growth patterns and normal values. ⋯ LV global 3D systolic strain analysis using the new 3D STE is feasible and reproducible in the pediatric population. There are small maturational changes in GLS and GCS, but not in GRS and GS, that are statistically significant but probably clinically irrelevant. Further investigation is warranted for potential clinical application of this new technology in a pediatric population.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Aug 2013
Admission wall motion score and quantitative ST-segment depression in the assessment of 30-day mortality in patients with first non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.
Whether admission myocardial wall motion score (WMS) in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes might be a better predictor of 30-day mortality than currently recognized prognostic markers is unknown. ⋯ In comparison with quantitative ST-segment depression, troponin I, and TIMI risk score, WMS on admission is a better early predictor of 30-day mortality in patients with first non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Aug 2013
Comparative StudyComparison of echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular volumes to full volume magnetic resonance imaging in normal and diseased rats.
Clinical two-dimensional (2D) and clinical three-dimensional echocardiography are validated against cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), the gold standard for left ventricular (LV) volume measurement. In rodents, there is no widely accepted echocardiographic measure of whole LV volumes, and CMR measurements vary among studies. The aim of this study was to compare LV volumes by 2D echocardiography (using a hemisphere-cylinder [HC] model) with HC and full-volume (FV) CMR in normal and diseased rats to measure the impact of geometric models and imaging modalities. ⋯ Concordant measures of LV volume and function were obtained using (1) a relatively simple HC model of the left ventricle inclusive of two orthogonal 2D echocardiographic planes and (2) FV CMR in normal and diseased rats. The HC model appeared to compensate for the underestimation of LV dimensions by echocardiography.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Jul 2013
Impact of propofol anesthesia induction on cardiac function in low-risk patients as measured by intraoperative Doppler tissue imaging.
Despite a few experimental studies showing a dose-dependent myocardial depressive effect of propofol anesthesia induction, few clinical data are available to determine its precise impact on myocardial function, probably because of its brevity and a lack of appropriate evaluation tools. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of propofol-based anesthesia induction on left ventricular (LV) function using Doppler tissue and speckle-tracking imaging. ⋯ Propofol anesthesia induction diminished LV and atrial contraction in low-risk patients with prior normal LV function. Further studies are needed to understand the clinical implications, particularly for higher risk populations.