Polyvalvular heart disease syndrome.

An adult case of polyvalvular heart disease syndrome diagnosed in an adult is presented. The characteristic facies and echocardiographic features of this rare autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder are presented.

Cardiac CT angiography in the emergency room: Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy presenting as acute coronary syndrome.

A 59-year-old male presented to the emergency room with symptoms of chest tightness and palpitations. Following conversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm, he had deep symmetrical T-wave changes on his electrocardiogram. Symptoms resolved almost immediately, and his initial troponin was negative.

A mathematical algorithm for quantification of CT image noise.

Quantification of computed tomography (CT) noise helps in determination of radiation dosage requirements for adequate image quality. Clinical methods used include calculation of the standard deviation (SD) of a selected region of interest (ROI). In industry, wavelet decomposition has been used for image compression while removing high-frequency noise.

Transesophageal echocardiography during pulmonary vein cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation.

We describe our first 20 cases of cryoablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Continuous procedural monitoring with TEE by a cardiologist and senior sonographer assists the electrophysiologist in performance of the cryoballoon procedure of AF. Previously using intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) we have found TEE to have better overall procedural imaging, and monitoring for pericardial effusion or thrombus formation.

The Convergent Procedure - A Standardised and Anatomic Approach Addresses the Clinical and Economic Unmet Needs of the Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Population.

A standardised treatment management approach is needed to address the escalating worldwide prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF). The persistent and longstanding persistent AF patient population particularly needs this standardised treatment option to manage their AF. These patients have underlying structural heart disease that result in increased hospitalizations, long-term medical management that increases the cost burden of the healthcare system.

Intracardiac echocardiography in electrophysiology: a review of current applications in practice.

Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) has emerged as a widespread useful tool in the everyday practice of interventional electrophysiology. Advances in catheter-based ultrasound transducers and imaging technology have made this modality integral to guiding evaluation of anatomy and ablation therapy. Evolution of ablative procedures of the left heart for tachyarrhythmia has highlighted the importance of direct visualization of anatomic landmarks to guide transseptal catheterization and immediately identify complications.

Expansion of heart failure device therapy into a rural indigent population in Louisiana: potential economic and health policy implications.

Background: Research regarding the use of implantable devices in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) has shown mortality benefits. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved new criteria for expanding coverage for such therapies. The purpose of this study was to determine the percentages of CHF patients in a rural, indigent heart failure population that would be eligible for implantable defibrillators (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) based on the new CMS criteria.