Is myocardial performance index an independent echocardiographic marker of death in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy?

Background: Myocardial performance index (MPI) was reported as a parameter of ventricular systolic and diastolic function, as well as a useful tool to predict the outcome in patients with ventricular dysfunction.

Hypothesis: To compare MPI with classical echocardiographic parameters as an independent marker of death in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM).

Methods: Fifty-five children (13 deaths) underwent 104 echocardiograms from January 1996 to May 2005.

[Critical left ventricular volume in aortic stenosis in first year of life: its importance in patients selection candidates to univentricular surgical correction pos-valvotomy].

Objective: Analysis of critical end diastolic left ventricular volume (EDLVV), defined as the lowest acceptable volume to keep cardiac output, in the selection of patients with post-valvotomy aortic stenosis, candidates to univentricular correction.

Methods: A retrospective study in 21 patients with aortic stenosis, during the first year of life, and 232 patients compiled from literature. Values of end diastolic volume (EDLVV), from 20 to 60 ml/m2 were determined as normal.