ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in catheter interventional treatment of congenital heart disease. Methods 57 patients with congenital heart disease were selected by preoperative TTE screening and then received Amplatzer occluder interventional treatment under X-ray monitoring. 23 of them were atrial septal defect (ASD), 29 were ventricular septal defect (VSD), 4 were patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and one was VSD complicated with ASD. Results All the patients were treated successfully. The occlusion effect was observed by follow-up immediately after the procedure, and one week, one month, three months, six months, and one year after the procedure. The position of the occluder did not change, the surrounding of the occluder has no residual shunt. 3 cases of ASD and 2 of VSD were failed to plugged. Conclusions TTE has important clinical values in selection of the patients with indication , intraoperative detection of the release of Amplatzer, and postoperatve assessment of the efficacy.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the value of voiding urosonography (VUS) with SonoVue in evaluation of vesicoureteral reflux.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six pediatric patients (72 pyeloureter units [PUUs]) suspected of vesicoureteral reflux underwent both VUS and fluoroscopic voiding cystourethrography (VCUG). The sensitivity of VUS and VCUG and their consistency in detecting vesicoureteral reflux as well as in grading vesicoureteral reflux were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Vesicoureteral reflux was detected in 26 of the 72 PUUs (36.1%) by VUS while in 21 PUUs (29.2%) by VCUG (P=0.347). The two modalities yielded the same results for 65 PUUs (κ=0.843), showing a very good consistency between them. VUS also detected post-urethral valve in 2 patients via transperineal scans.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>VUS with Sonovue has at least comparable, if not better, sensitivity in detecting vesicoureteral reflux with VCUG, and therefore should serve as the primary screening and follow-up modality for vesicoureteral reflux. In addition, transperineal VUS can be helpful in evaluation of post-urethral lesions.</p>