Right ventricular electromechanical dyssynchrony in adults with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot.

Background And Purpose: Electromechanical dyssynchrony, manifested by right bundle branch block and regional wall mechanical dysfunction, contributes to inefficient RV function in repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF). This study aims to evaluate the synchronicity of multiple RV walls using two-dimensional multi-plane echocardiography (2D-MPE) in order to augment current understanding of the mechanisms behind RV dyssynchrony.

Methods: Sixty-nine adult ToF patients [aged 33 (23-45) years; 61% male] and twenty-five matched healthy controls underwent deformational analysis of the RV lateral, anterior, inferior and septal walls following 2D-MPE acquisitions.

Right ventricular functional assessment by 2D multi-plane echocardiography prior to left ventricular assist device implantation.

Objectives: Right ventricular (RV) failure post left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A novel RV multi-plane imaging method using two-dimensional echocardiography and electronic plane rotation (MPE) was used to quantify RV function prior to LVAD implantation and to identify potential added value in this patient population.

Methods: In twenty-five end-stage heart failure patients (age 58.

Multi-plane echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular function in adults with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot.

In patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), detailed assessment of right ventricular (RV) function is important for management and timing of possible pulmonary valve re-intervention. The aim of this study was to evaluate RV function using two-dimensional multi-plane echocardiography (2D MPE), a novel four-wall imaging method obtained from one apical acoustic window utilising electronic plane rotation. In sixty-two ToF patients (aged - 28 [22, 39] years, 65% male), systolic function of four different RV walls (lateral, anterior, inferior and inferior coronal) were evaluated using MPE.

Quantitative assessment of the entire right ventricle from one acoustic window: An attractive approach in patients with congenital heart disease in daily practice.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) function is recognized as an important prognostic factor in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). The accuracy of established parameters including tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), RV fractional area change (RVFAC) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI S') is limited as only a small RV region is reflected. We previously introduced a novel four-view approach with different RV walls visualized from one apical view using electronic plane rotation, also known as iRotate.

Repetitive out of hospital cardiac arrests following pregnancy: a case report of an unfortunate presentation of mitral annular disjunction.

Background: Mitral annular disjunction (MAD) is an under-recognized cause of arrhythmic sudden cardiac death, especially in young women. The relation between MAD and the occurrence of arrhythmia during pregnancy has not yet been explored. We would like to stress the importance of careful echocardiographic examination and the vulnerable peripartum period.

Echocardiographic and clinical outcome after mitral valve plasty with a minimal access or conventional sternotomy approach.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of minimal access mitral valve surgery (MAMVS) versus conventional surgery with or without concomitant tricuspid valve plasty (TVP) in consecutive patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) on clinical and echocardiographic outcome.

Methods: One-hundred-and-twenty patients operated for MR (91 conventional and 29 MAMVS) were followed by echocardiography and quality of life assessment before and 6 months after surgery.

Results: Patients in the MAMVS group were younger, more often in NYHA functional class I-II and had lower NT-proBNP levels.

A Modified Echocardiographic Classification of Mitral Valve Regurgitation Mechanism: The Role of Three-dimensional Echocardiography.

In this report, we provide an overview of a new, updated echocardiographic classification of mitral regurgitation mechanisms to provide a more comprehensive and detailed assessment of mitral valve disorders. This is relevant to modern mitral valve repair techniques, with special attention to the added value of 3D-echocardiography.

Echocardiographic parameters of severe pulmonary regurgitation after surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

Aims: Reliable evaluation of the severity and consequences of pulmonary regurgitation (PR) in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is crucial to timely identify the need for pulmonary valve intervention. We aimed to identify the accuracy of echocardiographic parameters to differentiate between moderate and severe PR, using phase contrast cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) as gold standard.

Methods And Results: In this cross-sectional study, 45 TOF patients with both echocardiographic and CMR measurements of PR were enrolled.

In-depth echocardiographic analysis of left atrial function in healthy adults using speckle tracking echocardiography and volumetric analysis.

Purpose: Left atrial (LA) dilatation is predictive for complications in a multitude of cardiac diseases; therefore, adequate assessment is essential. Technological advances have made it possible to quantify LA function with Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE); however, there are currently no recommendations for normal values with regard to LA function. We aimed to assess LA myocardial and volumetric function in a healthy cohort and investigate correlations with baseline characteristics.

Intermodality variation of aortic dimensions: How, where and when to measure the ascending aorta.

Background: No established reference-standard technique is available for ascending aortic diameter measurements. The aim of this study was to determine agreement between modalities and techniques.

Methods: In patients with aortic pathology transthoracic echocardiography, computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were performed.

Consensus recommendations for echocardiography in adults with congenital heart defects from the International Society of Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ISACHD).

The population of adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) is increasing constantly due to medical, surgical and interventional successes and the input from advanced cardiovascular imaging. ACHD patients are at continuing risk of residua and sequelae related to their CHD contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. Consequently, lifelong expert surveillance is recommended for most patients.

Transthoracic 3D echocardiographic left heart chamber quantification in patients with bicuspid aortic valve disease.

Integration of volumetric heart chamber quantification by 3D echocardiography into clinical practice has been hampered by several factors which a new fully automated algorithm (Left Heart Model, (LHM)) may help overcome. This study therefore aims to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of the LHM software in quantifying left atrial and left ventricular volumes and left ventricular ejection fraction in a cohort of patients with a bicuspid aortic valve. Patients with a bicuspid aortic valve were prospectively included.

Left Atrial Deformation Analysis in Patients with Corrected Tetralogy of Fallot by 3D Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography (from the MAGYAR-Path Study).

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography coupled with speckle-tracking echocardiographic (STE) capability is a novel methodology which has been demontrated to be useful for the assessment of left atrial (LA) volumes and functional properties. There is increased scientific interest on myocardial deformation analysis in adult patients with corrected tetralogy of Fallot (cTOF).

Objectives: To compare LA volumes, volume-based functional properties and strain parameters between cTOF patients and age- and gender-matched healthy controls.

Three-dimensional Echocardiography in Congenital Heart Disease: An Expert Consensus Document from the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging and the American Society of Echocardiography.

Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) has become important in the management of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), particularly with pre-surgical planning, guidance of catheter intervention, and functional assessment of the heart. 3DE is increasingly used in children because of good acoustic windows and the non-invasive nature of the technique. The aim of this paper is to provide a review of the optimal application of 3DE in CHD including technical considerations, image orientation, application to different lesions, procedural guidance, and functional assessment.

Three-dimensional echocardiography in congenital heart disease: an expert consensus document from the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging and the American Society of Echocardiography.

Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) has become important in the management of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), particularly with pre-surgical planning, guidance of catheter intervention, and functional assessment of the heart. 3DE is increasingly used in children because of good acoustic windows and the non-invasive nature of the technique. The aim of this paper is to provide a review of the optimal application of 3DE in CHD including technical considerations, image orientation, application to different lesions, procedural guidance, and functional assessment.

Normal myocardial strain values using 2D speckle tracking echocardiography in healthy adults aged 20 to 72 years.

Aims: Evaluation of left ventricular (LV) myocardial deformation by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is useful for clinical and research purposes. However, strain measurements depend on the used software. Normative data for QLAB 10 (Philips) are scarce.

Quantitative assessment of the entire right ventricle from one acoustic window: an attractive approach.

Aims: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the feasibility and establish normal values of functional right ventricle (RV) parameters as assessed in our four, long-axis view RV model using iRotate echocardiography. Furthermore, we evaluated the potential use of this model in patients with abnormally loaded RVs.

Method And Results: One hundred and fifty-five healthy subjects aged 20-72 years (≥28 subjects per decile) were prospectively recruited.

Quantitative assessment of systolic left ventricular function with speckle-tracking echocardiography in adult patients with repaired aortic coarctation.

Despite successful aortic coarctation (CoA) repair, systemic hypertension often recurs which may influence left ventricular (LV) function. We aimed to detect early LV dysfunction using LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) in adults with repaired CoA, and to identify associations with patient and echocardiographic characteristics. In this cross-sectional study, patients with repaired CoA and healthy controls were recruited prospectively.

A Novel 13-Segment Standardized Model for Assessment of Right Ventricular Function Using Two-Dimensional iRotate Echocardiography.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of transthoracic two-dimensional (2D) iRotate, a new echo modality, to assess the whole right ventricle (RV) from a single transducer position based on anatomic landmarks.

Methods And Results: The anatomic landmarks were first defined based on three-dimensional echocardiographic datasets using multiplane reconstruction analyses. Thereafter, we included 120 healthy subjects (51% male, age range 21-67 years).

Transthoracic two-dimensional xPlane and three-dimensional echocardiographic analysis of the site of mitral valve prolapse.

This study sought to assess the value of two-dimensional (2D) transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), 2D xPlane imaging and three-dimensional (3D) TTE for the definition of the site and the extent of mitral valve (MV) prolapse. Fifty patients underwent transthoracic 2D, 2D xPlane and 3D echocardiography. With 2D xPlane a segmental analysis of the MV was performed, by making a lateral sweep across the MV coaptation line as seen in the parasternal short-axis view.

Assessment of ventricular function in adults with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot using myocardial deformation imaging.

Aims: Many patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) have right ventricular (RV) volume overload due to pulmonary regurgitation (PR). We studied the effect of volume overload on global and regional RV and left ventricular (LV) deformation, and their relationships with conventional diagnostic parameters.

Methods And Results: In this cross-sectional study, 94 prospectively recruited ToF patients (61% male, age 32.

Real-world echocardiography in patients referred for mitral valve surgery: the gap between guidelines and clinical practice.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a common disorder for which mitral valve surgery is an established therapy. Although surgical indications are clearly defined for the management of valvular heart disease, a gap exists between current guidelines and their effective application. The study aim was to provide an insight into the diagnostic information provided for cardiac surgeons before performing mitral valve surgery.

Ventricular myocardial deformation in adults after early surgical repair of atrial septal defect.

Aims: It is unknown whether right-ventricular (RV) volume overload caused by an atrial septal defect (ASD) still has its effect on RV deformation long after repair. We evaluated RV and left-ventricular (LV) deformation beyond 30 years after surgical ASD repair in childhood, and studied relationships with conventional diagnostic parameters.

Methods And Results: In this prospective study, we included 102 subjects: 51 patients with repaired ASD (39% male, age 43.