Systolic volume index by Doppler echocardiography is an useful marker for stratification and prognostic evaluation in patients with severe aortic stenosis and preserved ejection fraction.

Introduction And Objectives: The prognosis of patients with severe aortic stenosis, low aortic gradient and preserved ejection fraction is controversial. Our study analyzed the prognosis of these patients and its relation to pressure gradient and aortic valve flow.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 363 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis and preserved ejection fraction, divided into 4 groups, based on the presence of a systolic volume index greater or lower than 35 mL/m(2) and the presence of a mean aortic gradient greater or lower than 40 mmHg.

Real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic imaging of cor triatriatum and persistent left superior vena cava.

The authors describe the case of a 54-year-old woman with the association of two rare congenital cardiac anomalies: cor triatriatum and persistent left superior vena cava with the special characteristic of direct drainage to the right atrium. Real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography offered a comprehensive anatomic and functional evaluation of these infrequent entities.