Simultaneous Doppler tracing of transmitral inflow and mitral annular velocity as an estimate of elevated left ventricular filling pressure in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: The time interval between the onset of early transmitral flow velocity (E) and that of early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e') (T(E-e')) is a good predictor of elevated left ventricular (LV) filling pressure in patients with sinus rhythm. Although the evaluation of LV filling pressure using E/e' has been challenging in atrial fibrillation (AF), the usefulness of T(E-e') is unknown.

Methods And Results: E and e' were simultaneously recorded using dual Doppler echocardiography in 45 AF patients (30 men; mean age, 69 ± 9 years).

Heterogeneity of apex-to-base dispersion in diastolic lengthening is related to impaired global left ventricular relaxation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: The presence of apex-to-base disparity in diastolic left ventricle (LV) endocardial lengthening, based on an electromechanical activation sequence, has been recognized as an important determinant of LV diastolic properties. However, the behavior of LV apical and basal diastolic lengthening and its relationship to LV filling in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are unknown.

Methods: We obtained basal and apical LV short-axis views in 27 patients with non-obstructive HCM and 25 healthy volunteers.

The impact of intermittent pneumatic compression devices on deep venous flow velocity in patients with congestive heart failure.

Background: Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) has been used to prevent deep venous thrombosis (DVT), but the effects of IPC on the hemodynamics of popliteal and soleal veins, especially in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) have not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of IPC on the flow velocity of deep veins in the lower extremities and to compare the efficacy of two different types of IPC in deep venous flow enhancement in patients with CHF.

Methods: Flow velocities of popliteal and soleal veins were recorded in 19 patients with CHF and in 19 control subjects using a high-resolution linear probe.

Impact of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in cardiac and thoracic aortic surgery: experience in 1011 cases.

Background: Although intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (IOTEE) has been widely used in cardiovascular surgery, the exact incidence of abnormalities detected by IOTEE in each type of surgical procedure is still unclear. The aim of this study was to review our experiences of IOTEE, in patients who underwent different types of cardiovascular surgery and to evaluate the clinical usefulness of IOTEE.

Methods And Results: Our database of 1011 consecutive patients, who underwent cardiovascular surgery and IOTEE monitoring was reviewed.