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Transcatheter native mitral valve replacement (TMVR) is a novel procedure that has the potential to overcome some of the current limitations associated with the transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve (MV) repair technique. The aim of this study was to describe the key steps in periprocedural echocardiographic guidance of TMVR with the Tendyne system, emphasizing potential caveats and areas of difficulty. The imaging pathway can be schematized in four fundamental steps: baseline evaluation of mitral regurgitation (MR), preprocedural screening and planning, intraprocedural guidance, and follow-up. Baseline evaluation of MR in TMVR includes the guidelines-recommended imaging pathway of MR assessment. A dedicated preprocedure cardiac multimodality imaging screening and planning for TMVR is able to determine patient eligibility according to the anatomic characteristics and measurements, provide information for appropriate valve sizing, and detect features that can predispose to potential hazard or complications. Cardiac computed tomography and two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are the main actors in this phase. The road map for intraprocedural TMVR guidance includes the following: (1) apical access assessment: 2D TEE assessment of the site for optimal left ventricular apical access as planned by the preprocedural computed tomography; (2) support for catheter and sheath localization, trajectory, and positioning; and (3) valve positioning and radial orientation. Thereafter, the prosthesis is withdrawn toward the left ventricle and deployed intra-annularly. Post-deployment includes assessment for correct clocking and hemodynamics, perivalvular leakage, and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Two-dimensional and 3D TEE and fluoroscopy provide intraprocedural guidance. The follow-up of the Tendyne device includes the guidelines-recommended imaging pathway of bioprosthesis. Knowledge of multimodality imaging use is key for the interventional imagers and crucial in the success of the procedure.

Cardiovascular emergencies represent life-threatening conditions requiring a high index of clinical suspicion. In an emergency scenario, a simple stepwise biomarker/imaging diagnostic algorithm may help prompt diagnosis and timely treatment along with related improved outcomes. This article describes several clinical cases of cardiovascular emergencies, such as coronary stent thrombosis-restenosis, takotsubo syndrome, acute myocarditis, massive pulmonary embolism, type A acute aortic dissection, cardiac tamponade, and endocarditis.

Introduction Microbubbles (MBs) or cavitation is high-velocity, echo-bright findings present during the closing or opening of a mechanical valve (MVP). Cavitation bubble growth or gas emboli are less frequently described. We evaluated the hemodynamic parameters involved in the formation of gas emboli and the impact of gas emboli on requests for additional investigations. Methods and results Transthoracic echocardiographic studies (TTE) of 57 patients (31 males, mean age 46.8 ± 13.8 years) with gas emboli were evaluated after heart valve replacement surgery. The majority (72%, n = 42) had a mitral or combined mitral/aortic MVP, with 28% (n = 16) an aortic MVP. The last TTE with and without gas emboli were considered for the same patient and the no emboli group was the control group (42 patients). The patient's blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were available for each TTE. Comparing the two TTEs, the systolic and diastolic BP, transmitral and aortic gradients, and left ventricular ejection fraction were similar but the HR (80.9 ± 18.7 vs 72.5 ± 13.9 bpm, P = .02) was significantly higher in the group with gas emboli. A TEE was performed 52 times in 27 patients, due to gas emboli, with one case positive for thrombus/vegetation. For 19 patients, a brain CT was requested. In two patients, the indication for the brain CT was gas emboli but the result was negative. Conclusion Gas emboli are frequently present and associated to an increased HR. They can cause the misdiagnosis of endocarditis or thrombus formation with significant additional requests for diagnostic examinations.

International audience; Ultrasound is the imaging modality of choice for the initial evaluation of disorders that involve the abdominal aorta (AA). The diagnostic value of ultrasound resides in its ability to allow assessment of the anatomy and structure of the AA using two- dimensional, three-dimensional, and contrast-enhanced imaging. Moreover, ultrasound permits evaluation of the physiologic and hemodynamic consequences of abnormalities through Doppler interrogation of blood flow, thus enabling the identification and quantification of disorders within the AA and beyond its boundaries. The approach to ultrasound imaging of the AA varies, depending on the purpose of the study and whether it is performed in a radiology or vascular laboratory or in an echocardiography laboratory. The aim of this review is to demonstrate the usefulness of ultrasound imaging for the detection and evaluation of disorders that involve the AA, detail the abnormalities that are detected or further assessed, and outline its value for echocardiographers, sonographers, and radiologists.

Retinal arterial macroaneurysms with supravalvular pulmonic stenosis (RAMSVPS), also known as Familial Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysms (FRAM) syndrome, is a very rare multisystem disorder. Here, we present a case series comprising ophthalmologic and systemic evaluation of patients homozygous for RAMSVPS syndrome causative IGFBP7 variant. New clinical details on 22 previously published and 8 previously unpublished patients are described. Age at first presentation ranged from 1 to 34 years. The classical feature of macroaneurysms and vascular beading involving the retinal arteries was universal. Follow up extending up to 14 years after initial diagnosis revealed recurrent episodes of bleeding and leakage from macroaneurysms in 55% and 59% of patients, respectively. The majority of patients who underwent echocardiography (18/23) showed evidence of heart involvement, most characteristically pulmonary (valvular or supravalvular) stenosis, often requiring surgical correction (12/18). Four patients died in the course of the study from complications of pulmonary stenosis, cerebral hemorrhage, and cardiac complications. Liver involvement (usually cirrhosis) was observed in eight patients. Cerebral vascular involvement was observed in one patient, and stroke was observed in two. We conclude that RAMSVPS is a recognizable syndrome characterized by a high burden of ocular and systemic morbidity, and risk of premature death. Recommendations are proposed for early detection and management of these complications.

Background Pseudomonas stutzeri is a nonfluorescent denitrifying bacterium widely distributed in the environment, and it has also been isolated as an opportunistic pathogen from humans. It is a Gram-negative bacterium and a common inhabitant of soil and water. Case presentation We report the case of a 51-year-old arab gentleman who has systemic lupus erythematous complicated by lupus nephritis and underwent renal transplantation twice. He underwent mitral valve replacement and 4 years later was diagnosed with prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Pseudomonas stutzeri. Conclusions Literature review was conducted and revealed that this pathogen may be of a particular medical relevance in immunocompromised patients. Our case proves that early infection and relapse despite optimal antibiotics course are possible outcomes of Pseudomonas stutzeri endocarditis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second case of fulminant early prosthetic valve endocarditis occurring only 1 month post-cardiac surgery with relapse despite a complete antibiotics course.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background. Patients who underwent liver transplantation (LT) may suffer from heart disease that can be related to the liver disease itself or to other associated pathologies. It has been suggested that there is a specific heart disease associated with cirrhosis, termed cirrhotic cardiomyopathy which is characterized by the presence of increased baseline cardiac output, systolic and diastolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and increased in pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP). The aim of the study was to evaluate the cardiac structural and functional changes after LT and eventually to determine the improvement in PASP. Method. 51 patients were considered for the analysis who had a good quality pre and post LT echocardiograms. The echo-study was done preLT and repeated within 4 months and 3 years after LT. All studies were red of-line, global longitudinal stains (GLS) of the LV and right ventricle (RV) were analyzed using TOMTEC application. A Paired T-test was used to compare the echocardiographic parameters. The group was also divided according to tertiles of pre LT PASP for the evaluation of pulmonary pressure. Results . Patients` mean age was 58.1 ± 7.8 years, 32 (62.6%) men, mean time between the 2 echocardiographic studies was 529.2 ± 471 days. After LT all the patients were on immunosuppressant therapy (calcineurin inhibitors, ciclosporin and/or tacrolimus). After LT blood pressure (BP) (83.4 ± 16 vs 91.5 ± 14 mmHg, p = 0.009 for mean BP ), heart rate (72.5 ± 15.2 vs 80.6 ± 15.3 bpm, p = 0.004), increased as LV mass index (78.6 ± 21.1 to 91.4 ± 29, p= 0.003) and relative wall thickness (0.34 ± 0.06 to 0.39 ± 0.08, p = 0.001). LV ejection fraction did not change while there was a significant decrease in LV GLS (-20.9 ± 4.4% vs -17.4 ± 3.9%, p Conclusion. Increased in BP has been found in patients after LT , likely related to immensuppressive therapy. LV remodeling, impaired diastolic function were likely a conseguence of increase in BP and the increased in PASP and worst RV- pulmonary circulation coupling was secondary to impaired diastolic function and increased filling pressure. After LT, patients require particular clinical attention and echocardiographic monitoring included GLS for target organ damage and prompt adequate therapy at least in terms of BP control to avoid later cardiovascular complications.

Data obtained from echocardiographic studies are used on a daily basis to guide clinical decision-making regarding patient management and the need for additional diagnostic investigations. Interrogation of blood flow in the pulmonary veins by spectral, most often pulsed-wave, Doppler is an important component of any comprehensive echocardiographic study. Whereas it is most often used to help assess left-sided filling pressure and quantify the severity of mitral regurgitation, the pulmonary vein Doppler profile provides added diagnostic insights into several disorders that affect heart function and allows assessment of their hemodynamic consequences on the heart. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge in the field of PV Doppler interrogation, highlight the physiological and pathological parameters that influence it, and delineate the manifestations of various cardiovascular disorders on the flow profile.

Cardiovascular emergencies represent life-threatening conditions requiring a high index of clinical suspicion. In an emergency scenario, a simple stepwise biomarker/imaging diagnostic algorithm may help prompt diagnosis and timely treatment along with related improved outcomes. This article describes several clinical cases of cardiovascular emergencies, such as coronary stent thrombosis-restenosis, takotsubo syndrome, acute myocarditis, massive pulmonary embolism, type A acute aortic dissection, cardiac tamponade, and endocarditis.

Cardiac lipomas are rare benign heart tumors. Their clinical manifestations primarily depend on their dimension and location. We describe a case of a 14-year-old boy complaining of palpitations. ECG showed non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT). Echocardiography and cardiac MRI showed a large apical mass suggestive of a cardiac lipoma. The patient underwent open-heart surgery which detected a pericardial mass, partially attached to the myocardium, and crossed by the distal segment of LAD. This critical anatomical relationship prevents its complete resection. The biopsy confirmed mature fat tissue. Postoperatively, Propranolol was started for NSVT episodes. After 8 months, he presented with VT recurrence. A subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) was implanted. Two months later, he was admitted for an electrical storm with six appropriate shocks. Since then, amiodarone was added. Lipomas are not always benign and their surgery might be very difficult and unhelpful. A multidisciplinary team is crucial for their diagnosis and management.

A 33-year-old lady who underwent left atrial myxoma resection was found to have on a 3 years follow up transthoracic echocardiography (E) a multilobular mass in the right atrium. A 2D transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) was performed. Two Multi-lobulated masses were seen in the right atrium(RA); one bigger attached by a peduncle to the atrial wall in between the interatrial septum (IAS) and the superior vena cava and one smaller attached to the inferior RA wall; a remnant likely a suture was seen on the right side of the fossa ovalis; another small mass was noted on the left atrial (LA) side of the IAS; a small mass attached close to the posteromedial commissure and P3 scallop of the mitral valve was also detected. The RA mass was partially protruding into the tricuspid valve during diastole with no significant obstruction to flow. Three dimensional TEE allows an anatomical imaging able to identify the peduncles of two right atrial masses and three LA masses that were confirmed at surgery and consistent with cardiac myxoma at histopathology : one close the previous resection area, one at the opening of the LAA (panel A, white arrow) and one close to the posterior commissure of mitral valve (panel B, yellow arrow) and that were not seen by 2D. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast identified and showed opacification of : two masses in the RA with the pedicles ; - one mass on the LA side of interatrial septum; - one mass close to mitral valve posterior commissure ; however it was not able to detect the small mass close to the LAA. In our case 2D Echocardiography and MRI were able to identify 4 of the 5 recurrences found at surgery. 3D TEE was the only technique able to identify all 5 lesions. MRI is considered the gold standard for detecting cardiac tumor masses; however, even after careful review, it was not possible to identify the presence of the mass close to LAA. In particular 3D TEE was able to image the left atrial masses by an "en face view" of the left atrium from above. In addition, the unique 2D planes in unconventional views allow a more clear identifications of the peduncles of the masses in the right atrium. The identification of the peduncles is mainstay for the diagnosis of recurrent myxomas and exclude other tumors like metastasis or sarcomas. In fact multiple recurrence are very rare in particular if we consider that are in the two atria. Genetic tests for Carney complex were negative. The MRI allowed to confirm the vascularization of the contrast and to identify the peduncles of two masses in the right atrium. A multimodality imaging is able to correctly detect recurrent myxomas by identifying the anatomical features and the vascularization and lead to the diagnosis ; 3DE was the only technique able to correctly identify all the recurrent myxomas and and its use has the potential for being considered the key adjunctive modality for the anatomy when advanced surgical plan is required. Abstract P860 Figure.

Spectral (pulsed-wave) Doppler interrogation of flow in the hepatic veins (HVs) is a part of any comprehensive echocardiographic examination. Analysis of the direction, velocity, and duration of the Doppler waveforms and their phasic response to respiration allows distinguishing normal from abnormal

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) requires urgent diagnosis and treatment to avoid related complications. Clinical presentations of VTE are nonspecific and require definitive confirmation by imaging techniques. A clinical pretest probability (PTP) score system helps predict VTE and reduces the need for costly imaging studies. D-dimer (DD) assay has been used to screen patients for VTE and has shown to be specific for VTE. The combined use of PTP and DD assay may improve exclusion of VTE and safely avoid imaging studies. Materials and methods: We prospectively used the Wells PTP score and a DD test to evaluate 230 consecutive patients who presented with VTE symptoms. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to identify a new DD cutoff value, which was applied to VTE diagnosis and compared with the upper limit of locally established reference range for prediction of thrombosis alone and in combination with the clinical PTP score. Results: We evaluated 118 patients with VTE symptoms fulfilling the inclusion criteria, 64 (54.2%) with clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and 54 (45.8%) with symptoms of pulmonary embolism (PE). The PTP was low in 28 (43.8%) and moderate/high in 36 (56.25%) of the suspected DVT patients, and low in 29 (53.7%) and moderate/high in 25 (46.3%) of the suspected PE patients. Eighteen cases were confirmed by imaging studies: 9 DVT and 9 PE. The agreement between confirmed cases and PTP was significant with PE but not DVT. The negative predictive value for both DVT and PE with current DD cutoff value of

The diagnosis of myocardial ischemia in the emergency department can be challenging particularly in a patient in whom the chest discomfort has abated. Symptoms can be atypical, physical exam is often noncontributory, the electrocardiogram is usually nondiagnostic and cardiac enzymes remain normal. Thus, the decision for hospital admission or discharge can be quite difficult. Here, we describe such a patient in whom echocardiography with strain imaging identified the presence of postsystolic shortening (PSS) at the left ventricular apex. This suggested the likelihood of ischemic memory in the territory of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. At coronary angiography a high grade stenosis was present in the proximal LAD artery. Our report highlights the role of echocardiography in the detection of myocardial ischemia and apical PSS as a marker of ischemic memory. The diagnosis of myocardial ischemia in the emergency department can be challenging particularly in a patient in whom the chest discomfort has abated. Symptoms can be atypical, physical exam is often noncontributory, the electrocardiogram is usually nondiagnostic and cardiac enzymes remain normal. Thus, the decision for hospital admission or discharge can be quite difficult. Here, we describe such a patient in whom echocardiography with strain imaging identified the presence of postsystolic shortening (PSS) at the left ventricular apex. This suggested the likelihood of ischemic memory in the territory of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. At coronary angiography a high grade stenosis was present in the proximal LAD artery. Our report highlights the role of echocardiography in the detection of myocardial ischemia and apical PSS as a marker of ischemic memory. © 2013, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.