Cardiac Spindle Cell Sarcoma: A Challenging Presentation and Diagnosis of a Rare Malignant Primary Cardiac Tumor.

We present a case of a 72-year-old female patient with dyspnea and lipothymia. Echocardiography demonstrates an intracavitary cystic mass that fills almost all left atria causing supravalvular obstruction. The magnetic resonance image revealed a 53 × 47 × 48 mm heterogeneous mass with regular edges, tissue characterization suggested myxoma.

Identification of right coronary artery ectasia with echocardiography and confirmation with multimodal imaging.

We present the case of a patient with myocardial infarction due to coronary ectasia. A transthoracic echocardiogram showed a unique image of a cystic-like mass in the right atrium corresponding to the ectatic right coronary artery (arrows), which was confirmed with computed tomography.

A true bicuspid tricuspid valve: 3D imaging to better understanding the forgotten valve.

Nowadays, understanding the anatomy of the tricuspid valve is crucial. The bicuspid tricuspid valve is a rare anatomical variation of this valve. We present highly illustrative images with 3D echo that allow a more realistic analysis of the forgotten valve.

Collection of cardiac masses. Up-to-date echocardiography and cardiac MRI tools.

Heart masses, including tumors (primary and secondary) and pseudotumor (cysts and thrombus), are rare entities, but of increasing interest in cardiac imaging areas. The clinical manifestations are related to the intracardiac effect of mass, embolization, and systemic symptoms in the case of tumors; however, some of them are detected incidentally. Nowadays, imaging techniques and the advancement of their tools perform the morphological, functional, and tissue characterization of the masses, and additionally know the anatomical relationships, which are crucial factors for the treatment and surgical planning.

"Bronchogenic cyst impersonating a pericardial lesion": A case report.

A 32-year-old female presented with palpitations and chest discomfort. The patient had a history of pericardiotomy due to pericardial effusion. Multimodal imaging, including echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) showed a single mass in the pericardium as the cause of the symptoms.

Rupture of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to the right atrium resolved with interventionism.

We present a case of a ruptured right sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to the right atrium that developed global heart failure over the course of three months, and which was completely resolved through cardiac catheterism, placing an occlusive device at the site of the fistula. Its ethology is discussed, as well as the guidelines for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Recommendations for the Use of Echocardiography in the Evaluation of Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Report from the American Society of Echocardiography.

Acute rheumatic fever and its chronic sequela, rheumatic heart disease (RHD), pose major health problems globally, and remain the most common cardiovascular disease in children and young people worldwide. Echocardiography is the most important diagnostic tool in recognizing this preventable and treatable disease and plays an invaluable role in detecting the presence of subclinical disease needing prompt therapy or follow-up assessment. This document provides recommendations for the comprehensive use of echocardiography in the diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of RHD.

Changes in the Inferior Vena Cava Are More Sensitive Than Venous Pressure During Fluid Removal: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Background: Congestion is central to the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF); thus, tracking congestion is crucial for the management of patients with HF. In this study we aimed to compare changes in inferior vena cava diameter (IVCD) with venous pressure following manipulation of volume status during ultrafiltration in patients with cardiac dysfunction.

Methods And Results: Patients with stable hemodialysis and with systolic or diastolic dysfunction were studied.

Bioprosthesis in aortic valve replacement: long-term inflammatory response and functionality.

Background: The evaluation of long-term inflammatory response and function in postoperative patients with aortic valve replacement (AVR) deserves special analysis because it is important to try to prevent reoperation and improve durability and functionality of the prostheses. It is our objective METHODS: In this study, we included a cohort of patients with aortic valve damage treated by AVR with mechanical prosthesis, bio prosthesis and we included a control group.

Results: We found that IL-4 and osteopontin levels were higher in patients with mechanical vs biological prostheses (p=0.

Mitral valve prolapse in patients with atrial septal defect: A quantitative three-dimensional echocardiographic analysis.

Introduction And Objectives: Mitral valve (MV) prolapse is highly prevalent in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD). Abnormal left ventricular geometry has been proposed as the main mechanism of MV prolapse in ASD, however, the changes in the morphology of the MV apparatus remain to be clarified. Our aim was to assess the MV geometry in patients with ASD and MV prolapse.

Histopathological maladaptive changes in the explanted human mitral leaflets correlate with changes in echocardiographic leaflet morphology and the severity of ischaemic mitral regurgitation.

Aims: Several changes of the mitral valve (MV) morphology have been previously documented in ischaemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) upon macro and microscopic examination. This study aimed to correlate echocardiographic MV thickening with IMR severity and to delineate the histopathological basis of valve thickening from the explanted leaflets.

Methods And Results: Two hundred and fifty patients were included in the echo-group; of these, 48 patients (19.

Postoperative intermittent dysfunction of mitral valve prosthesis of unclear etiology identified by three-dimensional echocardiography.

A 56-year-old patient with rheumatic heart disease and atrial fibrillation underwent mitral valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis. The 3D perioperative echocardiogram showed an intermittent immobile medial disk without hemodynamic repercussion in the intensive care unit. The patient was taken back to the operating room and surgeons could not identify the cause.

Tricuspid and mitral remodelling in atrial fibrillation: a three-dimensional echocardiographic study.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with atrial enlargement, mitral annulus (MA) and tricuspid annulus (TA) dilation, and atrial functional regurgitation (AFR). However, less is known about the impact of AF on both atrioventricular valves in those with normal and abnormal ventricular function. We aimed to compare the remodelling of the TA and MA in patients with non-valvular AF without significant AFR.

Changes in left atrial appendage orifice following percutaneous left atrial appendage closure using three-dimensional echocardiography.

Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion is increasingly performed in patients with atrial fibrillation and long-term contraindications for anticoagulation. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of LAA occlusion with the Watchman device on the geometry of the LAA orifice and assess its impact on the adjacent left upper pulmonary vein (LUPV) hemodynamics. We included 50 patients who underwent percutaneous LAA occlusion with the Watchman device and had acceptable three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography images of LAA pre- and post-device placement.

A Case of Transient Mitral Regurgitation: Not Everything Is Always What It Seems.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a common form of valvular heart disease that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. MR can be broadly classified into 2 different categories: primary and secondary MR. Primary MR usually is caused by leaflet abnormalities, whereas secondary MR is a chronic disease secondary to geometric distortion of both the annulus and subvalvular apparatus because of left ventricular remodeling.

Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain Predicts Low-Cardiac- Output Syndrome After Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Preserved and Mid-range Ejection Fraction.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze whether right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWSL) could be a predictor of low-cardiac-output syndrome (LCOS) after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥40%.

Design: Prospective, observational study.

Setting: The study was conducted at a third level university hospital.

Infected thrombus in a Fontan circulation.

The Fontan operation was introduced in 1968 as a palliative treatment for patients with univentricular heart physiology. Natural history and outcomes are poor. By 10 years after Fontan operation, most patients will develop any complication such as tachyarrhythmias, any spectrum of Fontan-associated liver disease, protein-losing enteropathy, heart failure, thrombosis, and infective endocarditis among others.

[Gerbode defect or left ventricular to right atrial shunt. Case report and literature review].

Gerbode defect is a communication from the left ventricle to right atrium and it could be categorized in congenital or acquired. It is a rare condition that can represent as much as 0.08% of all septal defects.

Transcatheter closure of paravalvular leaks: short- and medium-term outcomes.

Background: Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a frequent and important complication after surgical valvular replacement that can cause heart failure and hemolytic anemia and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Surgical reoperation has been the standard treatment, but it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Transcatheter closure is a therapeutic alternative.

Echocardiographic diagnosis and follow-up for ALCAPA syndrome treated with the Takeuchi procedure.

We present the case of an 18-year-old man with aborted sudden cardiac death. His initial echocardiogram suggested an anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. Diagnosis was confirmed with coronary angiography.