The diagnostic value of transthoracic echocardiography for eosinophilic myocarditis: A single center experience from China.

The aim of this study is to explore the value of transthoracic echocardiography in the diagnosis of eosinophilic myocarditis. The echocardiographic characteristics of nine patients with eosinophilic myocarditis in our hospital between January 2004 and January 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. In our study, four of the nine patients were diagnosed to have small pericardial effusion. The obliteration of the apical cavity was observed in five of the nine patients. There were six patients with both mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, one patient with only mitral regurgitation, and one patient with only tricuspid regurgitation. Transthoracic echocardiography showed that the diameters of the left and right atria were both increased in eight of the nine patients. The diameter of the left ventricle was increased in five patients, and the right ventricular diameter was increased in four patients. The left ventricular ejection fraction was decreased in two of the nine patients. Five of the nine patients had pulmonary hypertension, and one patient had severe pulmonary hypertension. Transthoracic echocardiography is the primary method for the diagnosis of eosinophilic myocarditis and is also useful in follow-up of the disease.

Preliminary clinical study of real-time three-dimensional echocardiographic volume-time curve in evaluating left ventricular diastolic function.

The volume-time curve change in patients with normal left ventricular (LV) diastolic function and diastolic dysfunction was evaluated by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE). LV diastolic dysfunction was defined by E'0.05). It is concluded that PFR, as a diastolic filling index of RT3DE, can reflect the early diastolic function and serve as a new non-invasive, quick and accurate tool for clinical assessment of LV diastolic function.

[Thoracic aorta echocardiographic features of patients with bicuspid aortic valve].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the thoracic aorta features in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with echocardiography. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the echocardiographic features and clinical manifestations in 273 patients with BAV detected from 1991-04 to 2006-02. RESULTS: (1) Aortic dimensions of the anulus, the sinuses of valsalva, the sinotubular junction, the ascending aorta at the level of its largest diameter of 31 patients with functionally normal BAV were significantly increased compared that in control subjects (P < 0.01 to P < 0.001) while the dimension of the descending aorta posterior to the left atrium was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). (2) There is no relation between the vulval positions of BAV and aortic dimensions (P > 0.05). (3) The dimensions of the annulus as well as the sinuses of valsalva were negatively related to the aortic valve gradient, and the dimension of the annulus, the sinuses of valsalva and sinotubular junction were positively related to the degree of aortic regurgitation in 273 patients with BAV (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results show there is a hemodynamic independent thoracic aortic dilation in patients with functionally normal BAV. Gradient and aortic regurgitation are related to the dimension of the annulus, the sinuses of valsalva and sinotubular junction in patients with BAV.

[Effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy on cardiac function post A-V and V-V optimization].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of A-V, V-V delay optimization on cardiac function and clinical improvement in patients with refractory heart failure underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). METHOD: Thirty-two patients with chronic heart failure received CRT and cardiac function was measured at 7 days, 3 months and 6 months post CRT before and after A-V and V-V delay optimizations. RESULTS: A-V delay optimization was initiated in 28, 10 and 6 cases at 7th day, 3rd month and 6th month after CRT. V-V delay optimization was performed in 29, 6 and 5 cases at 7th day, 3rd month and 6th month after CRT. Ts-SD, LVEF, VTI and E/Em were significantly improved after CRT compared to pre-CRT (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.05; respectively). Compared to pre-optimization, the indexes of ventricular synchronization were significantly improved (P < 0.05) while indexes of cardiac function remained unchanged post optimization at 7th day after CRT. The indexes of ventricular synchronization post optimization were similar at 7th, 3rd and 6th months after CRT (P > 0.05). LVEF and diastolic filling time were significantly increased after 6 months CRT post A-V, V-V delay optimization (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: A-V, V-V delay optimization at 7th day after CRT can significantly improve ventricular synchronization and is associated with further improved cardiac function 6 months after CRT.