Contemporary in-hospital management strategies for acute decompensated heart failure.

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is a common syndrome with diverse etiologies and precipitating factors, which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Tremendous resources are used in treating this syndrome, with few prospectively designed clinical trials to guide therapy. Patients suffering from ADHF are at increased risk for readmission to the hospital as well as an increased risk of death.

Ventricular Septal Defect Masquerading as Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Two-dimensional echocardiography (2-D) is a useful technique for noninvasive evaluation cardiac structure, function, and hemodynamics; however, multiple factors may limit the technical adequacy of the 2-D examination. In this article, we present the case of a ventricular septal defect to right atrial shunt, which was misinterpreted as severe tricuspid regurgitation secondary to severe pulmonary hypertension, despite the absence of right ventricular enlargement or hypertrophy. A transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examination was performed to explain the discrepancy between the 2-D and Doppler findings, the results of which are discussed, along with a review of the literature.