ABSTRACT
We examined the effect of tissue harmonic imaging on the echocardiographic splitability score and valve area measurement of 40 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis. Planimetered valve areas were unaffected by the use of harmonic imaging, but valve scores were increased, particularly in patients with scores <10.
Subject(s)
Echocardiography/methods , Mitral Valve Stenosis/diagnostic imaging , Mitral Valve/diagnostic imaging , Rheumatic Heart Disease/diagnostic imaging , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Humans , Linear Models , Mitral Valve/pathology , Mitral Valve Stenosis/classification , Rheumatic Heart Disease/classificationSubject(s)
Heart Valve Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color , Blood Flow Velocity , Blood Pressure , Data Display , Forecasting , Heart Valve Diseases/physiopathology , Hemorheology , Humans , Image Enhancement , Mitral Valve Insufficiency/diagnostic imaging , Mitral Valve Insufficiency/physiopathology , Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency/diagnostic imaging , Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency/physiopathology , Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color/instrumentation , Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color/methodsABSTRACT
We describe a patient undergoing pneumonectomy for large-cell carcinoma, which at the time of surgery was found to invade the pulmonary veins. Transesophageal echocardiography was used to confirm and localize suspected tumor embolization during surgery. Although tumor embolization from the pulmonary veins has been previously reported in the literature, this is the first case, to our knowledge, of transesophageal echocardiographic documentation of such an occurrence. The use of echocardiography in patients at potential risk for tumor involvement of the pulmonary veins is discussed.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/diagnostic imaging , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/surgery , Echocardiography , Lung Neoplasms/surgery , Monitoring, Intraoperative , Neoplastic Cells, Circulating , Pneumonectomy , Aorta/diagnostic imaging , Brachiocephalic Trunk/diagnostic imaging , Echocardiography/methods , Esophagus , Heart Atria/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pulmonary Veins/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
Right atrial thrombi represent pulmonary emboli in transit, and they may be fatal in patients treated conservatively with anticoagulation. This case provides an opportunity to review echocardiographic findings and management decisions in this disease entity. As the literature now favors thrombolytic therapy in suitable patients, we present a case in which transthoracic echocardiography provided rapid assessment of the outcome of this form of therapy.
