Retrograde atrial kick in acute aortic regurgitation. Study of mitral and pulmonary venous flow velocities by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography.

Background And Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was the comprehensive evaluation of the changes in pulmonary venous and mitral flow velocities of patients with acute and chronic severe aortic regurgitation. Transmitral flow velocities obtained with pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography have been used to provide information on left ventricular (LV) filling and diastolic function. Pulmonary venous flow tracings are an important adjunct to LV inflow pattern in assessing LV diastolic function.

[Identification of intramural aortic hematoma by transesophageal echocardiography].

Background And Aim: The usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis and assessment of patients with aortic dissection has been widely demonstrated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of this technique in the detection of intramural aortic hematoma and in the follow-up of these patients.

Methods: The records of 51 patients with aortic dissection by transesophageal echocardiography diagnosed between May 1990 and May 1994 were reviewed.