Real-time three-dimensional echocardiographic left ventricular systolic assessment: side-by-side comparison with 64-slice multi-detector cardiac computed tomography

AIMS

To investigate by real-time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE) and cardiac computed tomography (CCT) the analysis of left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and volumes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 67 patients (37 males, 55 +/- 11 years) were studied prospectively by RT3DE and by 64-slice CCT. RT3DE data: LVEF ranged from 30 to 78.6% (63.1 +/- 7.33); left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) from 44.1 to 210 (104.9 +/- 29.7) mL; left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) from 11.4 to 149 ( 38.9 +/- 19.3) mL. CCT data: LVEF ranged from 28 to 86% (66 +/- 8.4); LVEDV from 51 to 212 (110.3 +/- 31.2) mL; LVESV from 7 to 152 (38.2 +/- 19.2) mL. Correlations relative to RT3DE and CCT were: LVEF (r: 0.79, P < 0.0001); LVEDV (r: 0.82, P < 0.0001); and LVESV (r: 0.91, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

It was observed adequate correlation between RT3DE and CCT ventricular systolic function and geometry assessment.

Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in septal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

We report the case of a patient with septal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy undergoing surgical correction in which the use of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography permitted the planning of the surgical approach and an immediate knowledge of the surgical outcome.

Impact of continuous positive airway pressure treatment on left atrial volume and function in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea assessed by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography

Background:

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) has been reported as a predictor of left ventricle (LV) diastolic dysfunction and left atrium (LA) remodelling. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of OSA treatment with a continuous positive airway pressure device (CPAP) on the LA volume and function, as well as on the LV diastolic function.

Methods:

In total, 56 OSA patients were studied. All patients underwent real-time three-dimensional (RT3DE) and two-dimensional echocardiogram with tissue Doppler evaluation in order to estimate LA volumes, function and LV diastolic performance. A total of 30 patients with an apnoea-hypopnoea index greater than 20 were randomly selected to receive sham CPAP (n = 15) or effective CPAP (n = 15) for 24 weeks. They underwent echo examination on three different occasions: at baseline, after 12 weeks and 24 weeks of CPAP or sham CPAP.

Results:

In the effective CPAP group we observed the following changes from the baseline to the 24-week echo evaluation: (a) a reduction in the E/E′ ratio (10.3 (1.9) to 7.9 (1.3), p = 0.03); (b) an increase in the LA passive emptying fraction (28.8% (11.9%) to 46.8% (9.3%), p = 0.01); and (c) a reduction in the LA active emptying fraction (42.7% (11.5%) to 25.7 (15.7), p<0.01). In the sham group, there were no changes from the baseline to the 24-week echo. We found a positive correlation between 24 week/baseline LA active emptying volume and 24 week/baseline E/E′ ratios (r = 0.40, p<0.05) and a negative correlation between 24 week/baseline LA passive emptying volume and 24 week/baseline E/E′ ratios (r = −0.53, p<0.05). No significant changes were found on LA total emptying fraction.

Conclusion:

CPAP improved LV diastolic function and LA passive emptying, but not LA structural variables in OSA patients.

Trial registration number:

NCT00768807.

Analysis of left ventricular regional dyssynchrony: comparison between real time 3D echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of information concerning left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony assessment by real time three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography (RT3DE) versus tissue Doppler imaging (TDI).

AIMS

To compare RT3DE and TDI LV dyssynchrony assessment.

METHODS

A prospective study of 92 individuals (56 men, age 47 +/- 10 years), 32 with dilated cardiomyopathy (CMP), and 60 healthy individuals. By RT3DE, we measured the LV% dyssynchrony index (DI) of 6, 12, and 16 segments (SDI). By pulsed-wave TDI, we measured the QS electromechanical interval in the basal segments of the mitral valve annulus of the septum, the lateral, anterior and inferior walls, and the TDI% DI.

RESULTS

In the normal group, the 3D DI was 1.1 +/- 0.8%, 1.4 +/- 1.3%, 1.8 +/- 1.7%, for 6 segments, 12 segments, and SDI, respectively. The correlation coefficient (Pearson's r) for the TDI DI and SDI was r = 0.2381 (P = 0.0470). In CMP group, the 3D DI was 4.6 +/- 5.4%, 7.9 +/- 7.1%, 11.1 +/- 7.1%, for 6 segments, 12 segments, and SDI, respectively. The correlation coefficient for TDI DI and SDI was r = 0.7838 (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed a good correlation between RT3DE and tissue Doppler LV dyssynchrony assessment in patients with advanced heart failure.

Standard values for real-time transthoracic three-dimensional echocardiographic dyssynchrony indexes in a normal population

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of information describing the real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) and dyssynchrony indexes (DIs) of a normal population. We evaluate the RT3DE DIs in a population with normal electrocardiograms and 2- and 3-dimensional echocardiographic analyses. This information is relevant for cardiac resynchronization therapy.

METHODS

We evaluated 131 healthy volunteers (73 were male, aged 46 +/- 14 years) who were referred for routine echocardiography; who presented normal cardiac structure on electrocardiography, 2-dimensional echocardiography, and RT3DE; and who had no history of cardiac diseases. We analyzed 3-dimensional left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricle end-diastolic volume, left ventricle end-systolic volume, and left ventricular systolic DI% (6-, 12-, and 16-segment models). RT3DE data were analyzed by quantifying the statistical distribution (mean, median, standard deviation [SD], relative SD, coefficient of skewness, coefficient of kurtosis, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, D'Agostino-Pearson test, percentiles, and 95% confidence interval).

RESULTS

Left ventricular ejection fraction ranged from 50% to 80% (66.1% +/- 7.1%); left ventricle end-diastolic volume ranged from 39.8 to 145 mL (79.1 +/- 24.9 mL); left ventricle end-systolic volume ranged from 12.9 to 66 mL (27 +/- 12.1 mL); 6-segment DI% ranged from 0.20% to 3.80% (1.21% +/- 0.66%), median: 1.06, relative SD: 0.5482, coefficient of skewness: 1.2620 (P < .0001), coefficient of Kurtosis: 1.9956 (P = .0039); percentile 2.5%: 0.2900, percentile 97.5%: 2.8300; 12-segment DI% ranged from 0.22% to 4.01% (1.29% +/- 0.71%), median: 1.14, relative SD: 0.95, coefficient of skewness: 1.1089 (P < .0001), coefficient of Kurtosis: 1.6372 (P = .0100), percentile 2.5%: 0.2850, percentile 97.5%: 3.0700; and 16-segment DI% ranged from 0.29% to 4.88% (1.59 +/- 0.99), median: 1.39, relative SD: 0.56, coefficient of skewness: 1.0792 (P < .0001), coefficient of Kurtosis: 0.9248 (P = .07), percentile 2.5%: 0.3750, percentile 97.5%: 3.750.

CONCLUSION

This study allows for the quantification of RT3DE DIs in normal subjects, providing a comparison for patients with heart failure who may be candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Ventricular dyssynchrony index: comparison with two-dimensional and three-dimensional ejection fraction

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular (LV) electromechanical coupling (synchrony) is important in the analysis of the systolic performance, especially for the indication of cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with advanced CHF.

OBJECTIVE

To compare LV synchrony as analyzed by real-time three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography (ECHO) with LVEF measurements as obtained with 2D and 3D ECHO.

METHODS

Prospective study of 92 individuals (56 men, 47 +/- 10 years of age), of which 60 had normal heart structure (ECHO) and ECG (N group), and 32 had dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM group). Using 3D ECHO, LVEF, volumes and dyssynchrony index (%DI) for 16 LV segments were measured. Using 2D ECHO, LVEF (Simpson's method), and LV systolic and diastolic volumes were measured.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Pearson's correlation coefficient, 95% CI, linear regression model, Bland & Altman analysis, p<0.05.

RESULTS

%DI ranged from 0.2900 to 28.1000 (5.2014+/-6.3281), 3D LVEF ranged from 0.17 to 0.81 (0.52+/-0.17); and 2D LVEF ranged from 0.3 to 0.69 (0.49+/-0.11). The correlation between DI and 3D LVEF was (r): -0.7432, p<0.0001, CI: -0.8227 to -0.6350, the linear relation between DI (x) and 3D LVEF (y) was y = 19.8124 + (-27.9578) x, p<0.0001. The correlation between DI and 2D LVEF was (r): -0.7012, p<0.0001, CI: -0.7923 to -0.5797.

CONCLUSION

In this case series, a good negative correlation was observed between LV electromechanical three-dimensional systolic coupling and LVEF as measured by echocardiography (3D and 2D).

Cardiac sympathetic activity pre and post resynchronization therapy evaluated by 123I-MIBG myocardial scintigraphy

BACKGROUND

Imaging with (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) is used for the assessment of cardiac sympathetic activity (CSA). We analyzed CSA before and after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), and correlated these data with CRT response.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Thirty patients with chronic heart failure and classic indications for CRT were prospectively studied before and at least 3 months after CRT. The variables analyzed were: QRS width, left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left-ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), heart/mediastinum MIBG uptake ratio (H/M), and washout rate (WR). After CRT, patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (21 patients), responders improving to functional class (FC) I or II; and group 2 (9 patients), nonresponders remaining in FC III or IV. After CRT, only group 1 showed favorable changes in QRS width (P =.003), LVEF (P =.01), LVEDD (P =.04), and H/M ratio (P =.003). The H/M ratio and WR were associated with CRT response (P =.005 and P =.04, respectively). The H/M ratio was the only independent predictor of CRT response (P =.01). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the optimal H/M ratio cutoff point was 1.36 (sensitivity, 75%; specificity, 71%).

CONCLUSIONS

Improvement in CSA correlated with a positive CRT response. Lower MIBG uptake before therapy was associated with CRT nonresponse. The H/M ratio could be helpful in selecting patients for CRT.

Quantification of right ventricular volumes and function by real time three-dimensional echocardiographic longitudinal axial plane method: validation in the clinical setting

BACKGROUND

Measurement of right ventricular (RV) volumes and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) by three-dimensional echocardiographic (3DE) short-axis disc summation method has been validated in multiple studies. However, in some patients, short-axis images are of insufficient quality for accurate tracing of the RV endocardial border. This study examined the accuracy of long-axis analysis in multiple planes (longitudinal axial plane method) for assessment of RV volumes and RVEF.

METHODS

3DE images were analyzed in 40 subjects with a broad range of RV function. RV end-diastolic (RVEDV) and end-systolic volumes (RVESV) and RVEF were calculated by both short-axis disc summation method and longitudinal axial plane method.

RESULTS

Excellent correlation was obtained between the two methods for RVEDV, RVESV, and RVEF (r = 0.99, 0.99, 0.94, respectively; P < 0.0001 for all comparisons).

CONCLUSION

3DE longitudinal-axis analysis is a promising technique for the evaluation of RV function, and may provide an alternative method of assessment in patients with suboptimal short-axis images.

What Is the Best Approach for the Assessment of Left Atrial Size? Comparison of Various Unidimensional and Two-dimensional Parameters with Three-dimensional Echocardiographically Determined Left Atrial Volume

BACKGROUND

Left atrial (LA) size has prognostic importance in a variety of cardiac conditions. Diameters, area, or volume derived from 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiography (2DE) are commonly used to measure LA size, but involve numerous assumptions. This study examined the accuracy of these 2DE parameters compared to 3-dimensional echocardiographic LA volume (3DV).

METHODS

LA diameters, area, and volume measured from 2DE were correlated with 3DV in 118 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or without structural heart disease.

RESULTS

Diameter (anterior-posterior, superior-inferior, and medial-lateral) and 2DE area measurements had statistically significant, but modest, correlations with 3DV, and exhibited a large degree of scatter in comparison with 3DV. The 2DE-derived volume had an excellent correlation with 3DV, but consistently underestimated LA volume.

CONCLUSION

The 2DE LA volume correlates better than other parameters with 3DV, but often results in underestimation. Thus, caution should be exercised when using unidimensional and 2D measurements of LA size.

Resistance to Passion fruit woodiness virus in Transgenic Passionflower Expressing the Virus Coat Protein Gene

We report the use of the coat protein (CP) gene from Passion fruit woodiness virus (PWV) to produce resistant transgenic plants of yellow passion fruit. A full-length CP gene from a severe PWV isolate from the state of São Paulo, Brazil (PWV-SP) was cloned into pCAMBIA 2300 binary vector, which was further introduced into Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA 105. Leaf disks were used as explants for transformation assays, e.g., 2,700 and 2,730 disks excised from plants from the Brazilian cultivars IAC-275 and IAC-277, respectively. In vitro selection was performed in kanamycin. After transferring to the elongation medium, 119 and 109 plantlets of IAC-275 and IAC-277, respectively, were recovered. Integration of the PWV CP gene was confirmed in seven of eight plants evaluated by Southern blot analysis, showing different numbers of insertional events for the CP gene. Three transgenic plants (T3, T4, and T7) expressed the expected transcript, but the 32 kDa PWV CP was detected by Western blot in only two plants (T3 and T4). The results of three successive mechanical inoculations against the transgenic plants using three PWV isolates showed that the primary transformant T2 of IAC-277 was immune to all isolates.

Papillary Muscle Rupture After Blunt Chest Trauma

We report a case of anterolateral papillary muscle rupture in a 22-year-old man who had blunt chest trauma caused by a car accident. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed severe mitral regurgitation caused by the rupture. He successfully underwent emergency mitral valve replacement and was discharged 9 days after the surgical correction.

Repeated echocardiographic examinations of patients with suspected infective endocarditis

OBJECTIVE

To study the diagnostic contribution of repeated transthoracic (TTE) and transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) among patients with suspected infective endocarditis.

METHODS

262 patients with 266 episodes of suspected infective endocarditis were referred for TTE and TOE over three years in a 423 bed university cardiology hospital. Patients were a mean (SD) of 47.6 (17.9) years old. 139 (52.3%) episodes occurred in men and 127 (47.7%) in women. The diagnostic information obtained from repeated TTE and TOE examinations was evaluated relative to the diagnosis of endocarditis.

RESULTS

TTE examinations were repeated in 192 (72.2%) and TOE examinations were repeated in 49 (18.4%) of 266 episodes. A mean of 2.4 TTE and 1.2 TOE examinations were performed for each episode of suspected endocarditis. The second and third TTEs added diagnostic information in 34 (26.7%) and the second and third TOEs added diagnostic information in 25 (19.7%) of 127 episodes with definite endocarditis. After the third TTE or TOE no additional diagnostic information was obtained.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic contribution of repeated TTE or TOE for the diagnosis of endocarditis decreased as the number of repetitions increased. In this setting, the data do not substantiate more than three TTE or TOE examinations as an efficient strategy to increase the diagnostic yield for all but selected patients with suspected endocarditis.

Mixoma de átrio esquerdo: avaliação ecocardiográfica tridimensional

The patient was a 70-year-old female with antecedents of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, being followed up in the outpatient care clinic due to chronic anemia after corrective surgery for angiodysplasia of the proximal jejunum, in whom an image suggestive of left atrial myxoma was found on routine transthoracic echocardiography. Then multiplanar transesophageal echocardiography and 3-dimensional echocardiography were performed, showing the latter better anatomical details of the tumor. The patient underwent exeresis of the mass with anatomicopathological confirmation of the tumor. Three-dimensional echocardiography proved to be a technique that can provide additional contributions to the diagnostic investigation of structural heart diseases.

Selective contrast echocardiography in percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation in an elderly patient with left ventricular concentric hypertrophy

We report an elderly patient, with hypertension and left ventricular concentric hypertrophy with sigmoid shape of the septum, who presented an unsatisfactory response to medical treatment and who was successfully submitted to myocardial contrast echocardiography-guided percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation.