Cardiac remodeling in acute myocardial infarction: Prospective insights from multimodality ultrasound imaging.

Background: The severity of MI declined markedly in the last decade, and contemporary patterns of cardiac remodeling after MI are not defined.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled community patients with first MI and performed comprehensive two- and three-dimensional echocardiography. Remodeling was defined as left ventricular (LV) end-systolic volume index (ESVI) above American Society of Echocardiography normal values.

In-hospital COVID-19 infection echocardiographic analysis: a Brazilian, tertiary single-centre experience.

Background: Information is lacking concerning in-hospital echocardiography analysis of COVID-19 infection in Brazil. We evaluated echocardiographic parameters to predict a composite endpoint of mortality, pulmonary thromboembolism or acute renal failure.

Methods: A prospective full echocardiographic study of consecutive patients hospitalized with COVID-19, single tertiary centre in Brazil.

Characteristics and Consequences of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Pain among Cardiac Sonographers Compared with Peer Employees: A Multisite Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal pain (WRMSP) among cardiac sonographers has been incompletely studied. The aim of this study was to compare the frequency, magnitude, and impact of WRMSP among cardiac sonographers with those of a control group of peer employees.

Methods: An electronic survey was sent to cardiac sonographers and peer employees assigned to different occupational exposures within the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at 10 Mayo Clinic facilities in four states.

Low-Gradient Severe Mitral Stenosis: Hemodynamic Profiles, Clinical Characteristics, and Outcomes.

Background Optimal management of patients with severe mitral stenosis ( MS ) and low transmitral gradient is incompletely understood. Methods and Results We examined 101 consecutive patients with severe rheumatic MS (mitral valve area ≤1.5 cm) who underwent balloon valvuloplasty.

Use of speckle-tracking echocardiography-derived strain and systolic strain rate measurements to predict rejection in transplant hearts with preserved ejection fraction.

Background: Noninvasive diagnosis of allograft rejection in heart transplant recipients is challenging. The utility of 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) to predict severe rejection in heart transplant recipients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was evaluated.

Methods: Adult heart transplant patients with preserved LVEF (> 55%) and severe rejection by biopsy (Rejection Grade ≥ 2R) or no rejection between 1997 and 2011 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota were evaluated.

The unique mechanism of functional mitral regurgitation in acute myocardial infarction: a prospective dynamic 4D quantitative echocardiographic study.

Aims: Mechanisms of chronic ischaemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) are well-characterized by apically tethered leaflet caused by papillary muscles (PMs) displacement and adynamic mitral apparatus. We investigated the unique geometry and dynamics of the mitral apparatus in first acute myocardial infarction (MI) by using quantified 3D echocardiography.

Methods And Results: We prospectively performed 3D echocardiography 2.

Echocardiographic Assessment for the Detection of Cardiotoxicity Due to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitor Therapy in Metastatic Renal Cell and Colorectal Cancers.

Background: Cardio-oncology is a recently established discipline that focuses on the management of patients with cancer who are at risk for developing cardiovascular complications as a result of their underlying oncologic treatment. In metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor (VEGF-i) therapy is commonly used to improve overall survival. Although these novel anticancer drugs may lead to the development of cardiotoxicity, whether early detection of cardiac dysfunction using serial echocardiography could potentially prevent the development of heart failure in this patient population requires further study.

Concomitant acute stroke, pulmonary and myocardial infarction due to in-transient thrombus across a patent foramen ovale.

Non-atherosclerotic myocardial infarction (MI) is an important but often misdiagnosed cause of acute MI. Furthermore, non-atherosclerotic MI with concomitant acute stroke and pulmonary embolism due to in-transit thrombus across a patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a rare but potentially fatal combination (1, 2, 3). Early detection of this clinical entity can facilitate delivery of targeted therapies and avoid poor outcome (1, 2).

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function by Echocardiography with Tissue Doppler in Systemic Sclerosis.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SS) is a connective tissue abnormality characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Cardiac involvement with consequent myocardial dysfunction in SS is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

Objective: To investigate the left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients with SS and preserved systolic function.

2-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography predicts severe coronary artery disease in women with normal left ventricular function: a case-control study.

Background: Women who have coronary artery disease (CAD) often present with atypical symptoms that may lead to misdiagnosis. We assessed strain, systolic strain rate and left ventricular dyssynchrony with 2- dimensional- speckle tracking echocardiography to evaluate its use as a non-invasive method for detecting CAD in women with normal ejection fraction compared with healthy women controls with a normal angiogram.

Methods: We included 35 women with CAD confirmed by coronary angiography and a positive exercise stress echocardiography and 35 women in a control group with a low pretest probability of CAD, normal angiogram and a normal stress echocardiography with normal EF.

A rash with a heavy heart.

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is relatively rare and frequently misdiagnosed. Other disorders presenting with increased left ventricular (LV) mass can mimic its diagnosis. This case illustrates unique findings of primary light chain (AL) amyloidosis in a patient with remarkable signs of CA.

Prognosis of Light Chain Amyloidosis With Preserved LVEF: Added Value of 2D Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography to the Current Prognostic Staging System.

Objectives: This study evaluated whether 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) has incremental value for prognosis over traditional clinical, echocardiographic, and serological markers-with main focus on the current prognostic staging system-in light-chain (AL) amyloidosis patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

Background: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is the major determinant of outcome in AL amyloidosis. The current prognostic staging system is based primarily on serum levels of cardiac troponin T (cTnT), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and free light chain differential (FLC-diff).

Predicting outcomes after percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy: the impact of left ventricular strain imaging.

Aims: This study aimed (1) to evaluate the impact of preprocedural two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) on long-term outcome after successful percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy (PMBV) in patients with mitral stenosis (MS) and (2) to determine whether 2D-STE detects underlying diastolic dysfunction as defined by invasive haemodynamic study.

Methods And Results: Sixty-four consecutive MS patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥50%) and who underwent successfully PMBV were studied. Successful immediate result was defined as post-procedural mitral valve area ≥1.

Rationale for setting up a cardio-oncology unit: our experience at Mayo Clinic.

Background: The diagnosis and management of cardiovascular complications have become a clinical concern for oncologists, cardiologists, surgeons, interventional radiologists, radiation therapy physicians, internists, nurses, pharmacists, administrators, and all the stakeholders involved in the care of cancer patients. Anticancer therapies have extended the lives of patients with cancer, but for some this benefit is attenuated by adverse cardiovascular effects.

Methods: This review article aims to provide an overview of the rationale of setting up a cardio-oncology unit and reflect on our own experience establishing this service, and conclude with some fundamental aspects of consideration for evaluation and management of patients with cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Early Diastolic Strain Rate in Relation to Systolic and Diastolic Function and Prognosis in Aortic Stenosis.

Objectives: This study examined the impact of early mitral inflow velocity-to-early diastolic strain rate (E/SRe) ratio on long-term outcome after aortic valve replacement (AVR) in aortic stenosis (AS).

Background: In AS, increased filling pressures are associated with a poor prognosis and can be estimated using the early diastolic mitral inflow velocity-to-early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus (E/e') ratio. Recent studies suggest that the E/SRe ratio surpasses the E/e' ratio in estimating outcome.

Effect of positive end-expiratory pressure on porcine right ventricle function assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography.

Background: Right ventricle (RV) dysfunction and hypotension can be induced by high levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). We sought to determine in an animal model if a novel ultrasound analysis technique: speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), could determine deterioration in RV function induced by PEEP and to compare this to a conventional method of RV analysis: fractional area change (FAC). STE is a sensitive, angle-independent method for describing cardiac deformation ('strain') and is particularly useful in analyzing RV function as has been shown in pulmonary hypertension cohorts.