Recommendations for Cardiac Point-of-Care Ultrasound Nomenclature.

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) involves the acquisition, interpretation, and immediate clinical integration of ultrasonographic imaging performed by a treating clinician. The current state of cardiac POCUS terminology is heterogeneous and ambiguous, in part because it evolved through siloed specialty practices. In particular, the medical literature and colloquial medical conversation contain a wide variety of terms that equate to cardiac POCUS.

Effect of Preoperative Mitral Regurgitation on LVAD Outcomes in Patients with Elevated Pulmonary Vascular Resistance.

Purpose: In patients with end-stage heart failure who undergo left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, higher pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is associated with higher right heart failure rates and ineligibility for heart transplant. Concomitant mitral regurgitation (MR) could potentially worsen pulmonary hemodynamics and lead to worse outcomes; however, its effects in this patient population have not been specifically examined.

Methods: Using an institutional database spanning November 2003 to August 2017, we retrospectively identified patients with elevated PVR who underwent LVAD implantation.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement after chest radiation: A propensity-matched analysis.

Background: Chest radiation therapy (CRT) for malignant thoracic neoplasms is associated with development of valvular heart disease years later. As previous radiation exposure can complicate surgical treatment, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as an alternative. However, outcomes data are lacking for TAVR patients with a history of CRT.

Cor Triatriatum Dexter by Transesophageal Echocardiography and Its Impact on Percutaneous Heart Procedures: A Case Series.

• Cor triatriatum dexter (CTD) can complicate percutaneous atrial septal interventions. • Clinically silent () CTD is detectable by new echocardiography techniques. • Using these techniques could improve patient selection and guide interventions.

Effect of botulinum toxin on inducibility and maintenance of atrial fibrillation in ovine myocardial tissue.

Background: Aberrant vagal stimulation may promote the generation and propagation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Researchers have suggested that botulinum toxin (BTX), a neurotoxin that decreases neural vagal stimulation, may decrease the incidence of postoperative AF. The exact electrophysiologic mechanism underlying the observations and histopathologic alterations associated with BTX are unclear.

Comparative Efficacy of Nebivolol and Metoprolol to Prevent Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy in a Porcine Model.

Chronic tachycardia is a well-known cause of nonischemic cardiomyopathy. We hypothesized that nebivolol, a β-blocker with nitric oxide activity, would be superior to a pure β-blocker in preventing tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy in a porcine model. Fifteen healthy Yucatan pigs were randomly assigned to receive nebivolol, metoprolol, or placebo once a day.