Three-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of the aortic valve and the aorta.

We describe the role of three-dimensional echocardiography in the assessment of the aortic valve and the aorta. The manuscript is heavily illustrated with figures and movie clips.

Trends in the use of echocardiography in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: an analysis using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample data.

Background: Infective endocarditis occurs in approximately 10%-30% of patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SaB). Guidelines recommend echocardiography in patients with SaB and risk factors for infective endocarditis in the absence of any obvious source of infection. Herein, we explored the trends in the use of echocardiography in patients with SaB and its relationship to outcomes using a large national database.

High-Value Care in the Evaluation of Stroke.

Value-based care emphasizes achieving the greatest overall health benefit for every dollar spent. We present an interesting case of stroke, which made us consider how frequently health care providers are utilizing value-based care. A 73-year-old Caucasian, who was initially admitted for a hypertensive emergency, was transferred to our facility for worsening slurring of speech and left-sided weakness.