Clinical applicability for the assessment of the valvular mitral stenosis severity with Doppler echocardiography and the proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) method.

Evaluation of the severity of valvular mitral stenosis and measurements of the effective rheumatic mitral valve area by noninvasive echocardiography has been well accepted. The area is measured by the two-dimensional planimetry (PLM) method and the Doppler pressure half-time (PHT) method. Recently, the proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) by color Doppler technique has been used as a quantitative measurement for valvular heart disease.

Long-term clinical follow-up after successful direct coronary stenting without predilatation.

Background: Direct stent implantation without predilatation is considered a promising new technique that may reduce procedural time, radiation exposure, ischemic time and cost, but little information is available concerning the long-term outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term clinical outcome of successful direct stenting without predilatation.

Methods: We prospectively undertook a clinical follow-up program (minimum 8 months) in a consecutive series of 101 patients (113 lesions) who were successfully treated with direct stenting without predilatation.

Diagnosis of an isolated persistent left side superior vena cava by contrast echocardiography compared with invasive angiographic study.

Background: The prevalence of left side superior vena cava (LSVC) is low and usually invasive angiography is necessary to validate its presence. Non-invasive echocardiographic study is important for the diagnosis and definition of associated lesions. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the clinical feasibility and accuracy of diagnosing LSVC by contrast echocardiography.

Use of Inoue balloon dilatation method for treatment of Cor triatriatum stenosis in a child.

An 8-year-old girl was referred for evaluation of a heart murmur and progressive dyspnea with exertion. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed Cor triatriatum with severe stenosis at its orifice. The resting transmembrane CW Doppler velocity was 2.