Prognostic Value of the Right Ventricular Ejection Fraction, Assessed by Fully Automated Three-Dimensional Echocardiography: A Direct Comparison of Analyses Using Right Ventricular-Focused Views versus Apical Four-Chamber Views.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) three-dimensional echocardiographic (3DE) data sets are acquired from either the RV-focused view (RVFV) or the apical four-chamber view (4CV). The prognostic value of 3DE RV ejection fraction (RVEF) was investigated using fully automated RV quantification software, and how measurement values with 3DE data sets from the RVFV compare with those from the 4CV was determined.

Methods: One hundred seventy-four patients who had undergone both cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and 3DE imaging were retrospectively selected.

Impact of a training program incorporating cardiac magnetic resonance imaging on the accuracy and reproducibility of two-dimensional echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) is the most widely used parameter for clinical decision-making, but reproducibility and accuracy problems remain. We evaluated the usefulness of a novel training program based on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging to obtain more reliable values of 2DE-derived LVEF and LV volumes.

Methods: Fifty-four sonographers from five hospitals independently measured LV volumes and LVEF using the same 2DE images from 15 patients who underwent CMR and 2DE.

Symptomatic paradoxical low gradient severe aortic stenosis: A possible link to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Background: There is an ongoing debate regarding optimal management of patients with paradoxical low gradient severe aortic stenosis (PLG-SAS). We hypothesized that the presence of symptoms is closely associated with future adverse outcome. We aimed to determine the relation between symptoms and outcome in patients with PLG-SAS.

Congenital absence of inferior vena cava with azygos continuation revealed by vascular echo in a patient with pulmonary thromboembolism and deep vein thrombosis: a case report.

A 44-year-old man with an isolated anomaly of azygos continuation of the inferior vena cava (IVC) presented with dyspnea due to pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). Sono-graphic examination disclosed not only pulmonary hypertension and DVT, but also infrahepatic interruption of the IVC with azygos continuation. A rare anomaly of azygos continuation of IVC could cause DVT and PTE.