Usefulness of atrial size inequality as an indicator of abnormal left ventricular filling.

Although pulsed Doppler echocardiography estimates current left ventricular (LV) filling, left atrial (LA) size reflects LV filling and pressure over time. However, the wide normal LA size range may blunt this diagnostic tool. Our objective was to compare the intraindividual atrial area difference (LA--right atrial [RA] area) and absolute LA area in their detection of a LA enlargement with respect to the degree of current LV filling impairment.

Impact of blood pressure and insulin on the relationship between body fat and left ventricular structure.

Aims: Obesity leads to hypertension and metabolic disturbances, as well as left ventricular hypertrophy and altered left ventricular geometry. However, the underlying mechanisms behind these relationships are not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate how body composition, blood pressure and metabolic factors relate to left ventricular mass and geometry.

Assessment of effective orifice area of prosthetic aortic valves with Doppler echocardiography: an in vivo and in vitro study.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the Doppler assessment of effective orifice area in aortic prosthetic valves. The effective orifice area is a less flow-dependent parameter than Doppler gradients that is used to assess prosthetic valve function. However, in vivo reference values show a pronounced spread of effective orifice area and smaller orifices than expected compared with the geometric area.

Important pressure recovery in patients with aortic stenosis and high Doppler gradients.

Pressure recovery has been described in aortic stenosis and may explain the difference occasionally observed between Doppler- and catheter-measured gradients. A narrow ascending aorta (AA) and moderately severe stenosis favors pressure recovery. The aims of this study were to investigate the degree to which these conditions are present in patients with aortic stenosis and high Doppler gradients and to evaluate the magnitude of pressure recovery.