The value of echocardiographic measurement of epicardial adipose tissue in heart failure patients.

Aims: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is increasingly recognized as an important factor in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF). Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is the gold-standard imaging modality to evaluate EAT size, but in contrast to echocardiography, CMR is costly and not widely available. We investigated EAT thickness on echocardiography in relation to EAT volume on CMR, and we assessed the agreement between observers for measuring echocardiographic EAT.

A Rare Cause of Cardiogenic Shock: A Case Report of Aortic Regurgitation due to Rupture of a Fibrous Strand Suspending a Tricuspid Aortic Valve.

• Fibrous strand rupture is a rare but possible cause of (acute) aortic regurgitation. • Transesophageal echocardiography could clarify the mechanism of aortic regurgitation. • Emergency cardiac surgery could be a salvage therapy in severe aortic regurgitation.