Detection of wall motion abnormalities during ambulatory echocardiography using a novel ultrasound transducer.

Background: This investigation was designed to determine whether transient wall motion abnormalities due to myocardial ischemia induced by walking could be detected by ambulatory echocardiography.

Methods: Two groups were studied. Group 1 consisted of 10 males (mean age 34 years) who had no symptoms of angina.

Use of contrast echocardiography to detect displacement of the needle during pericardiocentesis.

Bedside pericardiocentesis is a safe and routinely practiced procedure. We report a case in which echocardiography-guided pericardiocentesis was performed urgently for cardiac tamponade. In this case, there was displacement of the periocardiocentesis needle that was only detected by change in the color of aspirated fluid and confirmed by the use of contrast echocardiography.

Use of a low profile ultrasound transducer for coronary sinus cannulation: a pilot study.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy with biventricular pacing has been shown to be beneficial in improving heart failure in patients with prolonged QRS duration (≥120 ms) and low ejection fraction (≤35%). Unsuccessful cannulation of the coronary sinus (CS) has been reported in up to 10% of cases. The feasibility of the transthoracic continuous cardiac imaging for coronary sinus cannulation has not been previously demonstrated.

Changes in abdominal aortic diameter in response to the cold pressor test and nitroglycerin: a new noninvasive model for the assessment of endothelial-dependent and endothelial-independent vascular relaxation.

Coronary vascular responses to the cold pressor test (CPT) have been shown to parallel changes caused by infusion of acetylcholine. Whereas the CPT is a method of assessing endothelial-dependent vasodilation, nitroglycerin produces endothelial-independent vasodilation. We performed histological studies on autopsy specimens of abdominal aorta and demonstrated that it is predominantly muscular artery.