Visualization of atrial septal aneurysm and patent foramen ovale by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.

: Transesophageal echocardiography is frequently performed for further evaluation of sources of embolism and better evaluation of atrial septum in patients with cerebral ishemic events. Although two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography can depict atrial septal aneurysm and patent foramen ovale, the full extent of the patent foramen ovale cannot be easily discerned in some cases. We describe a patient with transient cerebral ischemia where three-dimensional echocardiography provided incremental value when compared to two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of atrial septal aneurysm and patent foramen ovale.

Symptomatic pericardial cyst: a case series.

Pericardial cysts are most commonly located at the cardiophrenic angle or, rarely, in the posterior or anterior superior mediastinum. The majority of pericardial cysts are asymptomatic and are found incidentally. Symptomatic pericardial cysts present with dyspnoea, chest pain, or persistent cough.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a patient with pulmonary embolism.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is an acute cardiac syndrome characterized by transient regional wall motion abnormalities of the left ventricular apex or midventricle. Patients often present with chest pain or dyspnoea, ST-segment elevation, and minor elevations of cardiac enzyme levels. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy has been associated with severe emotional or physical stress such as severe burns, spinal cord injury, subarachnoid haemorrhage, and multiple traumas.