No abstract available.
Aged ; *Cardiac Catheterization/instrumentation ; Computed Tomography Angiography ; Coronary Angiography/methods ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial/diagnostic imaging/*therapy ; Humans ; Septal Occluder Device ; Treatment Outcome

Intraventricular hydrodynamics is considered an important component of cardiac function assessment. Vector flow mapping (VFM) is a novel flow visualization method to describe cardiac pathophysiological condition. This study examined use of new VFM and flow field for assessment of left ventricular (LV) systolic hemodynamics in patients with simple hyperthyroidism (HT). Thirty-seven simple HT patients were enrolled as HT group, and 38 gender- and age-matched healthy volunteers as control group. VFM model was used to analyze LV flow field at LV apical long-axis view. The following flow parameters were measured, including peak systolic velocity (Vs), peak systolic flow (Fs), total systolic negative flow (SQ) in LV basal, middle and apical level, velocity gradient from the apex to the aortic valve (ΔV), and velocity according to half distance (V1/2). The velocity vector in the LV cavity, stream line and vortex distribution in the two groups were observed. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the conventional parameters such as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left atrium diameter (LAD) between HT group and control group (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, a brighter flow and more vortexes were detected in HT group. Non-uniform distribution occurred in the LV flow field, and the stream lines were discontinuous in HT group. The values of Vs and Fs in three levels, SQ in middle and basal levels, ΔV and V1/2 were higher in HT group than in control group (P<0.01). ΔV was positively correlated with serum free thyroxin (FT4) (r=0.48, P<0.01). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that LVEDD, FT4, and body surface area (BSA) were the influence factors of ΔV. The unstable left ventricular systolic hydrodynamics increased in a compensatory manner in simple HT patients. The present study indicated that VFM may be used for early detection of abnormal ventricle contraction in clinical settings.
Adult ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Young Adult

The diameter and collapsibility of the inferior vena cava (IVC) should be interpreted in consideration with other clinical and echocardiographic parameters before drawing definitive diagnostic conclusions. We report a case of a 46-year-old female with isolated IVC dilation and diminished inspiratory collapse without other abnormalities, and provide a brief review of the literature.
Atrial Function, Right ; Atrial Pressure ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Dilatation, Pathologic ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Phlebography/methods ; Respiratory Mechanics ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vena Cava, Inferior/*pathology/physiopathology/radiography/ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the suitable types of ventricular septal defects for asymmetric occluders, and elucidate the critical role of echocardiography in choosing occluders, guiding successful occlusion and avoiding injury during operation. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 179 patients with ventricular septal defects who received minimal-invasive surgical device closure with asymmetric occluder. We analyzed the types, size and morphology of ventricular septal defects suitable for asymmetric occluders. The therapeutic efficiency was evaluated by follow-ups. RESULTS: Out of the 179 successful cases treated with asymmetric occluders, 86.59% had perimembranous ventricular septal defects, and double-committed sub-arterial ventricular septal defects accounted for 13.41%. In general, the size of occluders to be selected was the maximum diameter of the defects plus 2-3 mm. Follow-ups showed that occluders were placed and fixed properly. No severe residual shunt, valve regurgitation or heart block were discovered. CONCLUSION Application of asymmetric occluders expands the range of indications for occlusion via small chest incision. Accurate echocardiography helps to improve the safety and successful rate of the surgery.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; instrumentation ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Septal Occluder Device

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation and transcatheter mitral valve repair (MitraClip) procedures have been performed worldwide. In this paper, we review the use of two-dimensional and three-dimensional transesophageal echo for guiding transcatheter aortic valve replacement and mitral valve repair.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/*therapy/*ultrasonography ; Balloon Valvuloplasty ; Bioprosthesis ; *Cardiac Catheterization/adverse effects/instrumentation ; *Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color ; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation/adverse effects/instrumentation/*methods ; Humans ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency/*therapy/*ultrasonography ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prosthesis Design ; Severity of Illness Index ; Surgical Instruments ; Ultrasonography, Interventional/*methods

BACKGROUNDDoppler color echocardiography is a common method for detecting coronary artery lesions in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD). However, the diagnostic accuracy for the whole coronary artery lesions is limited. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) and Doppler color echocardiography for the assessment of coronary artery lesions caused by KD.

METHODSSixteen patients, 12 with typical KD and 4 with atypical KD, underwent DSCT and Doppler color echocardiography. The position and internal diameter of each coronary artery lesion was measured. Correlation analysis was used to compare the diagnostic value of the two imaging modalities.

RESULTSIn the typical KD group, seven patients did not have any coronary artery lesion as confirmed by both DSCT scans and Doppler color echocardiography; in four patients proximal coronary artery injuries were identified by both modalities; in one patient an aneurysm in the middle and distal segments of the coronary artery was detected by DSCT but was negative in Doppler color echocardiography. In the atypical KD group, three cases showed the same results with both modalities, while one case with coronary artery stenosis in the middle segment was identified by DSCT but not detected by Doppler color echocardiography. There was a good correlation between the two imaging modalities (Kappa value, 0.768 (>or= 0.75)).

CONCLUSIONDSCT coronary artery angiography is an accurate, non-invasive, and valuable technique for detecting and following up coronary artery lesions in patients with KD.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the area of the regurgitant orifice, as measured by the use of multidetector-row CT (MDCT), with the severity of aortic regurgitation (AR) as determined by the use of echocardiography for AR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 45 AR patients underwent electrocardiography-gated 40-slice or 64-slice MDCT and transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography. We reconstructed CT data sets during mid-systolic to enddiastolic phases in 10% steps (20% and 35-95% of the R-R interval), planimetrically measuring the abnormally opened aortic valve area during diastole on CT reformatted images and comparing the area of the aortic regurgitant orifice (ARO) so measured with the severity of AR, as determined by echocardiography. RESULTS: In the 14 patients found to have mild AR, the ARO area was 0.18+/-0.13 cm2 (range, 0.04-0.54 cm2). In the 15 moderate AR patients, the ARO area was 0.36 +/- 0.23 cm2 (range, 0.09-0.81 cm2). In the 16 severe AR patients, the ARO area was 1.00 +/- 0.51 cm2 (range, 0.23-1.84 cm2). Receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis determined a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 82%, for a cutoff of 0.47 cm2, to distinguish severe AR from less than severe AR with the use of CT (area under the curve = 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-1.00; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Planimetric measurement of the ARO area using MDCT is useful for the quantitative evaluation of the severity of aortic regurgitation.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aortic Valve/physiopathology/radiography/ultrasonography ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency/*radiography/*ultrasonography ; Area Under Curve ; Body Weights and Measures/methods ; Echocardiography/methods ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color/methods ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal/methods ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; ROC Curve ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Severity of Illness Index ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To explore and evaluate the characteristics of spectra wave shapes and parameters of the superior vena cava (SVC) Doppler flow patterns in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH) by echocardiography. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with PAH as the PAH group and the paired healthy subjects as the control group were included in this study. Transthoracic echocardiography was used, and the spectra of SVC flow Doppler velocities in the right supraclavicular fossa view were examined and recorded. Peak velocity and velocity time integral (VTI) were measured. RESULTS: The spectra wave shapes of SVC flow velocity in the PAH group were distinguished from those of the control. The peak velocity and VTI of S waves during inspiration and the rate of respiratory changes of peak velocity of SVC flow Doppler velocity in moderate and severe PAH groups were significantly lower than those of the control (P<0.05).The peak velocity and VTI of D waves of SVC flow Doppler velocity in the PAH groups were significantly lower than those of the control (P<0.05). The rate of respiratory changes of peak velocity of D waves in the PAH groups was significantly lower than those of the control (P<0.05). The peak velocity and VTI of AR, and VR waves of SVC flow Doppler velocity in the PAH groups were significantly higher than those of the control (P<0.05). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between pulmonary arterial systolic pressure(PASP) and the Vexp/Vins ratio (r=0.760, P<0.001). CONCLUSION The spectra wave shapes of SVC flow velocity in the PAH groups were distinguished from those of the control which may have some diagnostic value for PAH.The peak velocities and VTI of S waves during inspiration, D waves, AR waves and VR waves of SVC flow Doppler in the PAH groups are different from the control. The ratio of Vexp/Vins of S wave may be a non-invasive quantitative index to detect PAH.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Case-Control Studies ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vena Cava, Superior ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

Now real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) is an important tool to diagnose the complex congenital heart malformation. However, searching the cross-sections to view the cardiac anomalies in a three-dimensional ultrasound image of the heart by hand on the RT3DE system is time consuming, not repeatable, and easy to miss some places. In order to improve the existing diagnostic tool, we adopted the methods based on template matching for automatically finding the best cross-sections which are defined by Sun Kun et al. to view the cardiac anomalies in RT3DE's full-volume data. Among the methods is the entropy correlation coefficient which measured the similarity of the best cross-sections with the highest accuracy. The automatic search for these cross-sections is much quicker than the manual search. And with good repeatability it will make good preparation for the subsequent computer-aided diagnosis such as measure and registration, which is significant for the diagnosis of the complex congenital heart malformation.
Algorithms ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color ; methods ; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods

This investigation was aimed to detect the carotid elasticity in normal adults by use of echo-tracking (ET) technique. The stiffness parameter (beta), pressure-strain elasticity modulus (Ep), arterial compliance (AC), argumentation index (AI) and one-point pulse wave velocity (PWV beta) of carotid in 145 normal adults with the average age of 47.0 were calculated. The population were divided into five groups according to age: 20-29 y, 30-39 y,40-49 y, 50-59 y and > or = 60 y. The elasticity parameters between left and right side, between male female and between different age groups were compared using SAS 6.12 statistic software. There was no difference in carotid elasticity regarding the side and gender. The carotid beta, Ep, AI and PWV beta were noted to increase with age while AC was noted to decrease with age. The carotid elasticity was found to correlate with age significantly, but not with side and gender. This change can be detected by ET technique.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Carotid Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; physiology ; Compliance ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color ; methods ; Elasticity ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult