Comparison of resting and exercise echocardiographic parameters as indicators of outcomes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Both resting echocardiography and exercise echocardiography produce variables predictive of outcomes in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The aim of the present study was to compare the respective value of resting and exercise echocardiographic parameters as indicators of clinical outcomes in patients with HCM.

Methods: Resting and exercise echocardiography was performed prospectively in patients with HCM evaluated at the HCM Competence Center of Bordeaux and followed up every 6 months.

Paradoxical response to exercise in asymptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a new description of outflow tract obstruction dynamics.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze left ventricular obstruction in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) during exercise echocardiography.

Background: Despite the association of symptoms with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in HCM, there exist paradoxical situations in which significant intraventricular gradients (>50 mm Hg) at rest occur in conjunction with excellent exercise tolerance.

Methods: To examine this phenomenon, we performed exercise echocardiography and analyzed the clinical status of 107 HCM patients with and without resting obstruction.

Estimation of pulmonary pressures and diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension by Doppler echocardiography: a retrospective comparison of routine echocardiography and invasive hemodynamics.

Background: To date, Doppler echocardiography is the most widespread and well-recognized technique for the noninvasive evaluation of systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP). However, recent studies have reported reservations about the relevance of Doppler echocardiography or the tool's reliability in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Thus, the aim of this dedicated retrospective study was to address the questions of Doppler echocardiography's relevance and accuracy for PH diagnosis in the routine activity of a conventional echocardiography department.

Early detection of left ventricular systolic dysfunction using two-dimensional speckle tracking strain evaluation in healthy subjects after acute alcohol intoxication.

Objectives: We evaluated the ability of two-dimensional speckle tracking strain echocardiography to detect left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction as compared with LV ejection fraction (EF) in healthy subjects following acute alcohol intoxication.

Methods And Results: In total, 25 healthy subjects were investigated using echocardiography 4-6 hours after the onset of alcohol intoxication at a regional festive gathering, and then compared to 23 healthy control subjects without alcohol consumption. Heart rate, blood pressure, blood alcohol level, LV volumes, EF, shortening fraction, E/A ratio, as well as global longitudinal strain (LS) were recorded.

Syncope in Brugada syndrome patients: prevalence, characteristics, and outcome.

Background: The report from the 2nd Consensus Committee on BrS suggests that all patients with syncope without a "clear extracardiac cause" should have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). However, a clear extracardiac cause for syncope may be difficult to prove.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize syncope in patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS).

Evaluation of global left ventricular systolic function using three-dimensional echocardiography speckle-tracking strain parameters.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity and reproducibility of three-dimensional echocardiographic (3DE) strain parameters in the assessment of global left ventricular (LV) systolic function.

Methods: A total of 128 subjects with differing LV ejection fractions were investigated using two-dimensional echocardiographic (2DE) and 3DE strains. Three-dimensional echocardiographic strain allows obtaining longitudinal, circumferential, radial, and area strains.

Robustness of a new three-dimensional echocardiographic algorithm for left ventricular volume and ejection fraction quantification: experts vs. novices.

Aims: We evaluated the ability of a new simplified algorithm for three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) left ventricular (LV) measurements with minimal operator interaction to be reproducible and robust, independently of the experience.

Methods And Results: A total of 163 subjects were investigated using two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and 3DE. The 3D data sets were blindly analysed offline by novice investigators and experts.

Validation of a new bedside echoscopic heart examination resulting in an improvement in echo-lab workflow.

Background: In daily cardiology practice, porters are usually required to transfer inpatients who need an echocardiogram to the echocardiographic department (echo-lab).

Aims: To assess echo-lab personnel workflow and patient transfer delay by comparing the use of a new, ultraportable, echoscopic, pocket-sized device at the bedside with patient transfer to the echo-lab for conventional transthoracic echocardiography, in patients needing pericardial control after cardiac invasive procedures.

Methods: After validation of echoscopic capabilities for pericardial effusion, left ventricular function and mitral regurgitation grade compared with conventional echocardiography, we evaluated echo-lab personnel workflow and time to perform bedside echoscopy for pericardial control evaluation after invasive cardiac procedures.