Impact of inter-vendor variability on evaluation of left ventricular mechanical dispersion.

Purpose: Left ventricular mechanical dispersion (LVMD) is a novel speckle tracking parameter for prognostic assessment of arrhythmic risk prediction. There is growing evidence to support its use in a variety of cardiomyopathic processes. There is paucity of data addressing any presence of inter-vendor discrepancies for LVMD.

Incremental Value of ePLAR-The Echocardiographic Pulmonary to Left Atrial Ratio in the Assessment of Sub-Massive Pulmonary Emboli.

Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is characterized hemodynamically by abrupt obstruction in trans-pulmonary blood flow. The echocardiographic Pulmonary to Left Atrial ratio (ePLAR, tricuspid regurgitation V/mitral E/e') has been validated as a non-invasive surrogate for trans-pulmonary gradient (TPG) that accurately differentiates from chronic pulmonary hypertension. This study assessed ePLAR as an incremental echocardiographic assessment tool compared with traditional measures of right ventricular pressure and function.

Echocardiographic Pulmonary to Left Atrial Ratio (ePLAR): A Comparison Study between Ironman Athletes, Age Matched Controls and A General Community Cohort.

Background: During exercise there is a proportionally lower rise in systemic and pulmonary pressures compared to cardiac output due to reduced vascular resistance. Invasive exercise data suggest that systemic vascular resistance reduces more than pulmonary vascular resistance. The aim of this study was the non-invasive assessment of exercise hemodynamics in ironman athletes, compared with an age matched control group and a larger general community cohort.

Female False Positive Exercise Stress ECG Testing - Fact Versus Fiction.

Background: Exercise stress testing is a well validated cardiovascular investigation. Accuracy for treadmill stress electrocardiograph (ECG) testing has been documented at 60%. False positive stress ECGs (exercise ECG changes with non-obstructive disease on anatomical testing) are common, especially in women, limiting the effectiveness of the test.

Left Ventricular Global Strain Analysis by Two-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography: The Learning Curve.

Background: The application of left ventricular (LV) global strain by speckle-tracking is becoming more widespread, with the potential for incorporation into routine clinical echocardiography in selected patients. There are no guidelines or recommendations for the training requirements to achieve competency. The aim of this study was to determine the learning curve for global strain analysis and determine the number of studies that are required for independent reporting.