A Pilot Study to Predict Future Cardiovascular Events by Novel Four-dimensional Echocardiography Global Area Strain in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Managed by Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Context: Four-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (4D-STE) is ideal to accurately assess myocardial deformation. The novel 4D global area strain (GAS) uses global longitudinal and global circumferential strains (GCSs) to detect subtle changes in myocardium.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of 4D strain echocardiography for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients after successful reperfusion by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Feasibility and accuracy of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography in evaluating the aortic valve in children.

Background: Aortic valve assessment by 2D transthoracic echocardiography is a relatively complex task owing to the unique anatomical features of the left ventricular outflow tract and its dynamic nature. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of 3D transthoracic echocardiography [3D TTE] in assessing the aortic valve in children.

Results: The first group included 11 males and six females, with a mean age of 5.

A novel three-dimensional echocardiographic method for device size selection in patients undergoing ASD trans-catheter closure.

Background: Proper device size selection is a crucial step for successful ASD device closure. The current gold standard for device size selection is balloon sizing. Balloon sizing can be tedious, time consuming and increase fluoroscopy and procedure times as well as risk of complications.

Assessment of left ventricular systolic function after VSD transcatheter device closure using speckle tracking echocardiography.

Background: This is a case-control study conducted on 30 children, 15 with VSD who performed VSD transcatheter device closure (group A) and 15 controls of matching age and gender (group B), in the period between September 2015 and February 2018. We aimed to assess the global left ventricular (LV) systolic function by 2D speckle tracking before and after ventricular septal defect (VSD) transcatheter closure, in comparison to normal controls. All patients were subjected to full history taking; general and cardiac examination; ECG; CXR; full transthoracic echocardiographic examination, including VSD number, size, and site; LV dimensions and volumes; estimated pulmonary artery pressure; right ventricular size and function; left ventricular circumferential; and radial strain imaging by 2D speckle tracking.

Visualization of patent ductus arteriosus using real-time three-dimensional echocardiogram: Comparative study with 2D echocardiogram and angiography.

Purpose: To determine the feasibility and accuracy of real time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE) in determining the dimensions and anatomical type of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

Methods: The study included 42 pediatric patients with a mean age of 3.6 years (ranging from 2 months to 14 years) who were referred for elective percutaneous PDA closure.

Factors affecting vascular access complications in children undergoing congenital cardiac catheterization.

Background: Complications at the vascular access sites are among the most common adverse events in congenital cardiac catheterization. The use of small-gauge catheters may reduce these events; however, other factors can contribute to the development of vascular complications.

Objectives: To determine factors associated with the development of vascular access complications in children undergoing congenital cardiac catheterization.