Coexisting bicuspid aortic and pulmonary valves diagnosed by 3D transthoracic echocardiography.

Coexisting bicuspid aortic and pulmonary valves is an extremely rare condition, and there have been few published cases. Diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve is straightforward with 2D echocardiography; however, analysis of the morphology of the pulmonary valve is challenging. In this study, we report on a case of a 32-year-old man with bicuspid aortic and pulmonary valves diagnosed by 2D and 3D transthoracic echocardiography. The enlarged pulmonary artery without any obvious etiology led us to suspect a pulmonary valve anomaly; thus, we comprehensively evaluated it with 2D and 3D echocardiography, which confirmed the diagnosis of bicuspid pulmonary valve.

Myocardial Rupture in Acute Myocardial Infarction: Mechanistic Explanation Based on the Ventricular Myocardial Band Hypothesis.

BACKGROUND: Torrent-Guasp explains the structure of the ventricular myocardium by means of a helical muscular band. Our primary purpose was to demonstrate the utility of echocardiography in human and porcine hearts in identifying the segments of the myocardial band. The second purpose was to evaluate the relation of the topographic distribution of the myocardial band with some post-myocardial infarction ruptures. METHODS: Five porcine and one human heart without cardiopathy were dissected and the ventricular myocardial segments were color-coded for illustration and reconstruction purposes. These segments were then correlated to the conventional echocardiographic images. Afterwards in three cases with post-myocardial infarction rupture, a correlation of the topographic location of the rupture with the distribution of the ventricular band was made. RESULTS: The human ventricular band does not show any differences from the porcine band, which confirms the similarities of the four segments; these segments could be identified by echocardiography. In three cases with myocardial rupture, a correlation of the intra-myocardial dissection with the distribution of the ventricular band was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiography is helpful in identifying the myocardial band segments as well as the correlation with the topographic distribution of some myocardial post-infarction ruptures.

Evaluación postquirúrgica por ecocardiografía del paciente sometido a cambio valvular aórtico: ¿Se aplican las recomendaciones de las guías? / Echocardiographic evaluation of patients after aortic valve replacement: Do we follow the guidelines?

Objetivo: Determinar la metodología de evaluación ecocardiográfica empleada en el Instituto Nacional de Cardiología (hospital de tercer nivel) en pacientes operados de cambio valvular aórtico. Método: Se incluyeron a todos los pacientes consecutivos mayores de 18 años con estenosis aórtica que fueron llevados a cirugía de cambio valvular aórtico en el Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", durante el periodo de enero del 2011 a junio del 2012. Se determinó la fecha de cirugía, tipo de prótesis y el número y fecha de ecocardiogramas realizados después del evento quirúrgico. Resultados: Se encontró que en el 81% de los pacientes el primer ecocardiograma postquirúrgico se realizó durante su internamiento. Esta primera evaluación fue realizada dentro de las primeras 24 a 48 horas a 42 pacientes (51.8%); entre los 3 y los 7 días a 27 pacientes (33.3%); entre los 8 y los 14 días a 7 pacientes (8.6%) y posterior a los 14 días a 5 pacientes (6.1%). A 19 pacientes no se les realizó ecocardiograma. Conclusiones: En el Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", se realiza una evaluación y seguimiento ecocardiográfico de los pacientes operados de cambio valvular aórtico distinto a las recomendaciones internacionales.

Objective: To determine the methodology for the echocardiographic evaluation of patients with aortic valve replacement at the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología. Method: We included all consecutive patients, 18 years old or more with aortic valve replacement secondary to aortic stenosis at the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", between January 2011 and June 2012. We described the date of the surgery, type of prosthetic valve and the number and date of the echocardiograms after the valve replacement. Results: Between January 2011 and June 2012, 100 patients underwent aortic valve replacement. In 81% the first echocardiogram was made during hospitalization. The first evaluation was made within the first 24-48 hours in 42 patients (51.8%), between the 3rd and 7th day in 27 patients (33.3%), between the 8th and the 14th day in 7 patients (8.6%) and after 14 days in 5 patients (6.1%). No echocardiogram was made in 19 patients. Conclusions: At the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez" we made an echocardiographic evaluation and follow up different from the international recommendations for patients with valve replacement.

[Aortic valve calcification evaluated by echocardiography associated with baseline conduction abnormalities as a predictor for pacemaker placement after aortic valve replacement]. / La extension de la calcificación aórtica evaluada mediante ecocardiografia asociada a trastornos de la conducción como predictors de marcapasos dedinitivos en el postoperatorio de cambio valvular aórtico.

INTRODUCTION: Aortic valve replacement in patients with severe aortic stenosis may be complicated by complete atrioventricular block (CAVB), requiring a permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation. Predicting this complication could help to plan the surgical. OBJECTIVE: Determine whether electrocardiography and echocardiography are useful methods for predicting the need for PPM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, observational and transversal study was performed. An echocardiography based semi-quantitative classification was implemented to graduate the extent of calcification of the aortic valve. RESULTS: We included 95 patients; 10 of them required PPM implantation (10.52%). In the pre-surgical basal electrocardiogram we observed that 90% of patients that required PPM had conduction abnormalities as opposed to only 24.7% in the other group, p = 0.001. A 1st and 2nd degree AV block (AVB 1 and 2) was identified in 8 patients that subsequently needed PPM (80%) vs. 5 patients (5.9%), in the group that did not required it, p = 0.001.OR 41.7, IC 95% 6.5-68. We found a grade 3 calcification extent in 80% of patients who required PPM implant compared with only 17.6% of patients in the other group, p = 0.04, OR 4.8, IC 95% 0.76-29. The AVB 1 and 2 were the single predictor in multivariate analysis but the calcification 3 + AVB 1 and 2, increased sensibility. CONCLUISON: In patients with aortic stenosis in whom aortic valve replacement was performed, identifying AVB 1 and 2 on the basal electrocardiogram is a useful tool in order to identify requirement of PPM. The grade 3 of calcification extent increased the sensibility of this prediction.

Evaluación ecocardiográfica de la sincronía ventricular: implicaciones en la selección de pacientes y en los resultados del tratamiento / Echocardiographic assessment of ventriculara synchrony: implications to patient selection and treatment outcome

Heart failure is one of the most prevalent diseases in industrialized countries. Up to 30% of the patients with advanced heart failure present disturbances in intra-ventricular conduction, and this produce asynchrony of ventricular contractility, leading to further deterioration in heart function. Cardiac resynchronization (TRC) is an increasingly important therapeutic option for a subgroup of patients with heart failure. Several methods have been show to be useful in study the mechanical asynchrony. However, there are discrepancies between the results of the different methods. The echocardiography provides the best parameters in predicting a good response.

2D and 3D echocardiography of a left ventricular diverticulum.

A real time transthoracic 3D study of a left ventricular diverticulum established through a narrow orifice located between the aortic and mitral valves is presented. Diverticular morphology was reconstructed and its volumes were calculated by this technique for the first time in the literature.

Subepicardial aneurysm: echocardiographic evaluation and evolution.

Subepicardial aneurysms (SEA) are an infrequent and serious form of subacute cardiac rupture complicating myocardial infarction. An early diagnosis and surgical repair may be life saving. SEA comprise an abrupt interruption of the myocardium, with a narrow neck and thin wall containing only the epicardium. It may progress to fatal cardiorrhexis. We describe the echocardiographic evolution of this type of cardiac rupture and the contribution of contrast-enhanced echocardiography. A possible pathophysiological mechanism is proposed.

[Echocardiographic assessment of ventricular synchrony. Implications to patient selection and treatment outcome]. / Evaluación ecocardiográfica de la sincronía ventricular. Implicaciones en la selección de pacientes y en los resultados del tratamiento.

Heart failure is one of the most prevalent diseases in industrialized countries. Up to 30% of the patients with advanced heart failure present disturbances in intra-ventricular conduction, and this produce asynchrony of ventricular contractility, leading to further deterioration in heart function. Cardiac resynchronization (TRC) is an increasingly important therapeutic option for a subgroup of patients with heart failure. Several methods have been show to be useful in study the mechanical asynchrony. However, there are discrepancies between the results of the different methods. The echocardiography provides the best parameters in predicting a good response.

Dissecting intramyocardial hematoma: clinical presentation, pathophysiology, outcomes and delineation by echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: In large necropsy studies dissecting intramyocardial hematoma (DIH) with serpiginous tracts across the myocardial fibers has been reported in both the septum and the left ventricle free wall. METHODS: We studied 15 patients admitted to the hospital with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in which DIH was demonstrated by either transthoracic and/or transesophageal and confirmed intraoperatively or by necropsy. RESULTS: In nine patients the hemorrhagic dissection was predominantly in the septum and in the remaining it was in the free wall of the left ventricle (LV). Myocardial infarction involved the left ventricular inferior wall in two, and the anterior wall in 13 patients. The overall mortality was 47%, and in the group with septal hematoma it reached to 78%. Echocardiography disclosed the various acoustic densities of the evolving intramyocardial hematoma, its extension through the hemorrhagic dissection, its spontaneous reabsorption, as well as its communication with the ventricular cavities. CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiography is the method of choice for the noninvasive diagnosis of patients with suspected myocardial rupture and intramyocardial dissection postmyocardial infarction.

[Cardiac myxomas and the Carney complex]. / Mixomas cardiacos y complejo de Carney.

The study involved 63 patients with an echocardiographic, surgical and histopathologic diagnosis of cardiac myxoma who were seen over a period of 20 years. Tumor recurrence or relapse was documented in five of these patients (7.9%), 3 of whom had a confirmed diagnosis of Carney complex, while one other patient had a probable diagnosis. Genetic studies demonstrated abnormalities in the PRKAR1A gene on chromosome 17 in 2 patients and their immediate family. In 11 of the 58 patients who did not experience relapse of the myxoma, genetic studies failed to show any abnormality. In conclusion, the possible presence of the Carney complex should be investigated in patients with multiple myxomas or with a cardiac myxoma whose location is atypical.

Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography of the atrial septal defects.

Transesophageal echocardiography has advantages over transthoracic technique in defining morphology of atrial structures. Even though real time three-dimensional echocardiographic imaging is a reality, the off-line reconstruction technique usually allows to obtain higher spatial resolution images. The purpose of this study was to explore the accuracy of off-line three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in a spectrum of atrial septal defects by comparing them with representative anatomic specimens.

Ecocardiografía: aportaciones en la evaluación del daño valvular: nuevas perspectivas / Echocardiography in valvular heart disease: new perspectives

Echocardiography occupies an excellent place in the field of valvular heart disease study. Its presence is being increased in the catheterism and surgery rooms as well as in the intensive cares units. The ultrasound machines development has improved its technology and echocardiographic diagnoses has a greater repercussion in clinical decisions every time. The greater challenge than appears to us is to be able to have prepared enough professionals that know the tool, the physiopathology, the therapeutics modalities, and who can apply and take advantage of the new technological developments for a better cardiological practice.

[Echocardiography in valvular heart disease. New perspectives]. / Ecocardiografía: aportaciones en la evaluación del daño valvular: nuevas perspectivas.

Echocardiography occupies an excellent place in the field of valvular heart disease study. Its presence is being increased in the catheterism and surgery rooms as well as in the intensive cares units. The ultrasound machines development has improved its technology and echocardiographic diagnoses has a greater repercussion in clinical decisions every time. The greater challenge than appears to us is to be able to have prepared enough professionals that know the tool, the physiopathology, the therapeutics modalities, and who can apply and take advantage of the new technological developments for a better cardiological practice.

Long-term follow-up of intramyocardial dissecting hematomas complicating acute myocardial infarction.

Intramyocardial dissecting hematoma is a form of subacute cardiac rupture complicating acute myocardial infarction. Initially contained within the myocardial wall, the hematoma may expand, rupture into adjacent structures, or spontaneously resolve. However, long-term follow-up is unknown because clinical and serial imaging data are lacking. The purpose of this study was to characterize the early and late myocardial wall changes after transmural myocardial infarction using serial ultrasound examinations of the infarct-related segments. Clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic features of 8 patients (7 men, mean age 59 years) who presented with acute myocardial infarction and echocardiographically documented intramyocardial dissecting hematoma were analyzed. All patients had precordial echocardiography and 6 underwent transesophageal echocardiography. Differentiating hematoma from trabeculations, thrombus, or pseudoaneurysm was done with contrast and color flow Doppler. Seven patients presented with S-T elevation in V1 to V4, and in 3 the elevation extended to V5, V6, I, and aVL. One patient presented with S-T elevation in II, III, aVF, V3R, and V4R. The most striking feature was persistent S-T elevation of more than 72 hours in all patients. Hematoma consisted of a cysticlike, echolucent cavity variable in size, adjacent to severely hypokinetic or dyskinetic infarct-related segments. Hematoma acoustic characteristics depended on time of evolution. Two patients underwent elective revascularization and the rest were medically treated. Two patients died and 6 were alive at the mean follow-up of 12 months. In conclusion, persistent S-T elevation is an important clue in suggesting intramyocardial dissecting hematoma, which is confirmed by its unique ultrasound appearance. Serial echocardiography is useful in determining its evolving nature, and may guide outcome.

Mixoma recidivante: Diagnóstico ecocardiográfico bi y tridimensional / Recurrent myxoma: Bi and three-Dimensional echocardiography approach

Se presenta el caso clínico y ecocardiográfico de una paciente en edad pediátrica con mixomas recidivantes, que se manifiesta a los 16 años con embolismo cerebral. Se detecta mixoma auricular izquierdo y se realiza resección quirúrgica y electrocoagulación. A los 40 meses de seguimiento inicia con disnea de grandes esfuerzos, auscultándose soplo expulsivo aórtico. El ecocardiograma bidimensional muestra la presencia de 3 masas tumorales: en aurícula y ventrículo izquierdo y en ventrículo derecho. El mixoma de ventrículo izquierdo obstruía casi en su totalidad la válvula aórtica. Se discuten la utilidad de la ecocardiografía bi y tridimensional como método diagnóstico inicial.

The case of a 16-years old female patient with left atrial myxoma and cerebral embolism is reported. She was subjected to surgical excision of the mass. At 40 months of follow-up she initiates with dyspnea and an aortic murmur is detected. The transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiographic analysis revealed the presence of three tumors: in the left atrium, left and right ventricle. The myxoma of the left ventricle obstructs the aortic valve. We discuss the usefulness of bi-and three-dimensional echocardiography as initial diagnostic method.

[Unruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. Bi and three-dimensional echocardiography approach]. / Valoración ecocardiográfica bi y tridimensional de aneurisma no roto del seno de Valsalva.

Aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva is a rare anomaly that can be congenital or acquire. The most common among the acquire is aortic endocarditis. At the present time echocardiography has be come the election diagnostic method. We present two pediatric patients with unrupture aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva and cardiac failure secondary to a acute aortic insufficiency manifestations. Transthoracic and transesophageal bidimensional images were compared, in one of them also three-dimensional image. Assessing the quality of images, localization and anatomical morphology of aneurysm, obstruction or compression and presence of associated defects. The usefulness of the three dimensional echocardiography assessment for these congenital malformations is demonstrated.

[Echocardiographic diagnosis of obstructive intermittent dysfunction of a mitral disc prosthetic valve]. / Diagnóstico ecocardiográfico de disfinción por obstrucción intermitente de prótesis de disco mitral.

Echocardiographic findings in six patients with obstructive intermittent dysfunction of mechanical disc prosthetic mitral valve (OIPD) are described. All with a clinical picture of gradual installation and progressive dyspnea of several weeks of evolution. TTE with Bd recordings were performed in all of them with "oriented" M mode from apical 4/C view. The findings were compared with a control group of 14 patients with normal prosthetic valves. In the group of OIDP, all patients displayed a variable delay in the opening of the prosthetic disc, registered as a "protodiastolic step" in M mode. In three patients, the dysfunction was due to a thrombus. In two, due to pannus. Three were operated. One with thrombolysis. In two, the treatment consisted of heparin and increased oral anticoagulation. None die during the acute handling of the intermittent dysfunction. Two patients died: one seven months later due to cardiac failure and the other a year later due to prosthetic rethrombosis. In patients with mechanical prosthetic valve in mitral valve position and progressive dyspnea, the presence of a variable delay in the opening of the prosthesis is diagnostic of OIDP and requires urgent handling with thrombolysis or surgery.

Risk factors, echocardiographic patterns, and outcomes in patients with acute ventricular septal rupture during myocardial infarction.

Ventricular septal rupture (VSR), which can complicate an acute myocardial infarction (MI), carries a high mortality rate. Because precordial and transesophageal echocardiography can identify the type of rupture and assess right ventricular (RV) function at the patient's bedside, we examined the prognostic significance of echocardiographic patterns in postinfarct VSR by postulating that complex rupture and RV involvement carry a worse prognosis. Seventeen patients (10 men; mean age 66 years) who had confirmed postinfarct VSR underwent precordial and transesophageal echocardiography followed by coronary angiography. Serial 12-lead and right precordial leads were also available. Type of septal rupture was classified as simple or complex based on autopsy-proved echocardiographic criteria. Three patients had inferior wall MI and 14 had anterior wall MI. ST-segment elevation persisted >72 hours in all 3 patients who had inferior wall MI and in 12 who had anterior wall MI. Segmental wall motion abnormalities helped in detecting the left ventricular entry site, and use of unconventional views superimposed with color flow Doppler provided the RV exit site. RV function was better appreciated with transesophageal echocardiography. Two patients who had inferior wall MI and 7 who had anterior wall MI had complex ruptures. All 3 patients who had inferior wall MI and 7 who had anterior wall MI had electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evidence of RV involvement. Mortality rate was higher in patients who had complex rupture (78% vs 38%, p <0.001) and in those who had RV extension (71% vs 29%, p <0.001). In conclusion, persistent ST elevation is a common finding in patients who have postinfarct VSR. Complex VSR and RV involvement are significant determinants of clinical outcome.

Diagnóstico ecocardiográfico de disfunción por obstrucción intermitente de prótesis de disco mitral / Echocardiographic diagnosis of obstructive intermittent dysfunction of a mitral disc prosthetic valve

Se describen los hallazgos Ecocardiográficos en seis pacientes con disfunción por obstrucción intermitente de prótesis (DOIP) mecánica de disco en posición mitral. Todos con cuadro clínico de instalación gradual, con disnea progresiva de varias semanas de evolución. Se les practicó ETT con registros Bd y de modo M "orientado" desde apical 4/C y se compararon los hallazgos con un grupo control de 14 pts con prótesis normo-funcionante. En el grupo de DOIP, todos presentaban un retardo variable en la apertura de la prótesis, registrada como un "escalón" protodiastólico en el modo M. En la mitad la disfunción fue por trombos. En dos porpannus. Tres se operaron. Uno se trombolizó. En dos se incrementó el tratamiento con heparina IV y con anticoagulante oral. Ninguno falleció durante el manejo agudo de la disfunción intermitente. Dos fallecieron: uno siete meses después en insuficiencia cardíaca y otro, un año después por retrombosis protésica. En pacientes con prótesis mecánica en posición mitral y disnea progresiva, la presencia de un retardo variable en la apertura de la prótesis, es diagnóstica de DOIP y requiere manejo urgente con trombólisis o cirugía.

Echocardiographic findings in six patients with obstructive intermittent dysfunction of mechanical disc prosthetic mitral valve (OIPD) are described. All with a clinical picture of gradual installation and progressive dyspnea of several weeks of evolution. TTE with Bd recordings were performed in all of them with "oriented" M mode from apical 4/C view. The findings were compared with a control group of 14 patients with normal prosthetic valves. In the group of OIDP, all patients displayed a variable delay in the opening of the prosthetic disc, registered as a "protodiastolic step" in M mode. In three patients, the dysfunction was due to a thrombus. In two, due to pannus. Three were operated. One with thrombolysis. In two, the treatment consisted of heparin and increased oral anticoagulation. None die during the acute handling of the intermittent dysfunction. Two patients died: one seven months later due to cardiac failure and the other a year later due to prosthetic rethrombosis. In patients with mechanical prosthetic valve in mitral valve position and progressive dyspnea, the presence of a variable delay in the opening of the prosthesis is diagnostic of OIDP and requires urgent handling with thrombolysis or surgery. (Arch Cardiol Mex 2005; 75: 141-147).