When 3D echocardiography truly makes the difference: a case report of mitral annular ring dehiscence.

Real time 3D echocardiography has an established incremental diagnostic value over 2D imaging, especially during transesophageal evaluation of native and prosthetic heart valves. A 66 years old male patient, with an history of previous cardiac surgery for mitral annuloplasty and recurrent fever, came to the attention of our echo lab with an indication for transesophageal echocardiography after previous inconclusive transthoracic echocardiograms. Real time 3D echocardiography and 3D color doppler imaging resulted of outmost importance to clarify the presence of annular ring dehiscence, previously not well defined from 2D echocardiography imaging.

Routine Screening with Contrast Echocardiography in Apical Infarctions? A case report.

A a 80-year-old male underwent routine transthoracic echocardiography the day after primary percutaneous revascularization procedure for ST-elevation myocardial infarction. When ultrasound contrast  was injected, regular contrast-enhancement of the left ventricle (LV) excluded the presence of thrombus. A second echocardiogram, performed four months later, showed a hyperechoic image in the LV apex, which was confirmed after contrast injection as a thrombus.

Early detection of fibrotic areas in anterior STEMI by echocardiography. A case report.

We describe the case of a patient admitted to our ward for dyspnea and chest pain. Acutely performed electrocardiogram confirms the clinical suspect of myocardial infarction by showing ST-elevation in the anterior leads (STEMI). Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed, with normal final coronary artery flow.