Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Dec 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of shunt type on echocardiographic indices after initial palliations for hypoplastic left heart syndrome: Blalock-Taussig shunt versus right ventricle-pulmonary artery conduit.
The study objective was to compare echocardiographic indices in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) randomized to different surgical pathways. ⋯ Right ventricle size and function do not appear significantly affected by surgical type of initial palliation for HLHS, and this correlates with early outcome. Echocardiographic Doppler findings correlate well with the expected physiologies of the different shunts as these infants progress through initial palliative strategies.
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Free-floating right heart thrombi are rare echocardiographic findings usually encountered in patients with massive pulmonary embolism and associated with poor prognosis. We report a case of a large free-floating right heart thrombus without clinically significant pulmonary embolism. The patient was treated conservatively with heparin and warfarin, and the thrombus resolved uneventfully.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Nov 2007
Practice GuidelineGuidelines for the performance of a comprehensive intraoperative epiaortic ultrasonographic examination: recommendations of the American Society of Echocardiography and the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists; endorsed by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Nov 2007
Case ReportsSevere aortic regurgitation after repair of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm: the role of transesophageal echocardiography.
We report a 27-year-old woman who presented with worsening exertional dyspnea and palpitation. Transthoracic echocardiography showed ventricular septal defect, with left-to-right shunting and mild aortic regurgitation detected. Cardiac catheterization was performed that revealed sinus of Valsalva aneurysm with rupture into the right ventricle. ⋯ The patient underwent elective surgical repair of the ruptured sinus and intraoperative TEE demonstrated severe aortic regurgitation after repair and mechanical prosthetic valve was implanted. This case illustrates that TEE frequently establishes the diagnosis and provides more information concerning additional cardiac lesions in a patient with ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. Aortic regurgitation should be evaluated after repair of rupture of sinus of Valsalva by TEE.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Oct 2007
Implementation of an objective testing system in noninvasive cardiac imaging for evaluation of pediatric cardiology fellows.
Current evaluation of pediatric cardiology fellow performance is subjective and qualitative. More objective tools are recommended by credentialing boards and may provide more effective evaluation and education. ⋯ Implementation of a fellow testing system using training level-specific computerized questions and images provides objective data for fellow performance evaluations and is a unique and beneficial educational tool.