The value of three-dimensional color Doppler trans-esophageal echocardiography in predicting the number of MitraClip devices needed during the procedure.

PURPOSE: During MitraClip procedure, one or more clips might be needed to effectively reduce the mitral regurgitation (MR). Three-dimensional vena-contracta (3D-VC) assessed by color Doppler three-dimensional trans-esophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) was proven to be well correlated with MR severity. However, its role in predicting the number of MitraClip devices needed during the procedure was not fully determined. Aim of this study is to assess the predictive value of 3D-VC area & length in determining the number of clips needed during the procedure. METHODS: 3D-TEE with color Doppler was performed in 20 patients ( age: 68.9 ± 2.5 years; 65% males; with functional severe/moderately severe MR) who underwent successful MitraClip procedure (reduction of MR to <2+). Manual tracing and measurement of the 3D-VC area (3D-VCA) as well as the 3D-VC length (3D-VCL) was done. These values were compared between patients who received 1 clip (n = 4) and ≥ 2 clips (n = 16). RESULTS: Patients who received ≥ 2 clips had larger 3D-VC area compared to patients who received 1 clip (0.39 ± 0.23 cm2 vs. 0.13 ± 0.03 cm2, p = 0.04, t = 2.22) . Patients who received ≥ 2 clips had bigger 3D-VC length compared to patients who received 1 clip (1.14 ± 0.33 cm vs. p = 0.005, t = 3.25 ). A cut-off values of 0.20 cm2 & 1 cm for the VCA & VCL respectively, are suggestive that the patient will most likely require more than one MitraClip device to treat his mitral regurgitation. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D-VCA & 3D-VCA using 3D TEE is helpful indetermining the number of MitraClip devices needed during the procedure in functional mitral regurgitation.

Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography incremental value in a rare case of a bileaflet tricuspid valve.

Detailed assessment of the tricuspid valve using two-dimensional echocardiography is always challenging, as only two of three leaflets can be seen at a time. Three-dimensional echocardiography can provide the enface view of the tricuspid valve that allows simultaneous visualization of all of the three leaflets. In a 42-year-old male patient scheduled for pulmonary endarterectomy, 3DTEE showed that the tricuspid valve is bileaflet, with one septal and another lateral leaflet. There were two commissures, one of them is anteriorly positioned and the other one is posterior. Our findings were confirmed intra-operatively by direct surgical visualization of the tricuspid valve.

An interatrial tunnel: a rare form of atrial septal defects.

Atrial septal defects (ASDs) account for approximately 6%-10% of congenital heart defects. The well-known types of atrial septal communications are the ostium secundum, ostium primum, sinus venosus types, and coronary sinus defects. A 50-year-old female was referred for TEE for better assessment of MR severity and mechanism. 2D/3D-TEE showed a rare combination of different abnormalities; bi-leaflet mitral valve prolapse, cleft P2, cor triatriatum sinister, and a tunnel-shaped IAS communication. To the best of our knowledge, this is a very rare case with a rare form of atrial septal defect that was not described before. We named this defect an interatrial tunnel.

A Proposed Maneuver to Guide Transseptal Puncture Using Real-Time Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography: Pilot Study.

Aim of Study. To assess the feasibility of a new proposed maneuver "RATLe-90" using real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT-3DTEE) for anatomically oriented visualization of the interatrial septum (IAS) in guiding the transseptal puncture TSP. Methods. The study included 20 patients (mean age, 60.2 ± 6.7 years; 60% males) who underwent TSP for different indications. RT-3DTEE was used to guide TSP. The proposed maneuver RATLe-90 (Rotate-Anticlockwise-Tilt-Left-90) was applied in all cases to have the anatomically oriented en face view of the IAS from the right atrial (RA) aspect. Having this anatomically oriented view, we guided the TSP catheter towards the proper puncture site according to the planned procedure. Results. Using the RATLe-90 maneuver, the anatomically oriented en face view of the IAS from the RA was obtained in all patients. We were able to guide the puncture catheter to the proper puncture site on the IAS. The 3D images obtained were clearly understood by both echocardiographers and interventionists. The RATLe-90 maneuver acquisition time was 19.9 ± 1.6 seconds. The time-to-tent was 64.8 ± 16.3 seconds. Less TEE probe manipulations were needed while guiding the TSP. Conclusions. Application of RT3D-TEE during TSP using RATLe-90 maneuver is feasible with shorter fluoroscopy time and minimizing TEE probe manipulations.

Real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography guided coronary sinus cannulation during CARILLON mitral annuloplasty device therapy for a patient with chronic severe mitral regurgitation.

The coronary sinus (CS) has become a clinically important structure especially through its role in providing access for different cardiac procedures such as arrhythmia ablation, biventricular pacing and recently, percutaneous valvular interventions. Fluoroscopy with or without two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography is the widely used method for guidance. A 78-year-old female patient undergoing percutaneous CARILLON mitral annuloplasty device therapy for chronic severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation. After insertion of the CS catheter through the right internal jugular vein, multiple trials for CS cannulation guided by fluoroscopy and two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography were unsuccessful. So, real time three-dimensional zoom mode was used. Then, the volume was rotated to have the anatomically oriented enface view of the interatrial septum from the right atrial perspective. The CS ostium was identified adjacent to the eustachian valve. Then the catheter was reintroduced through the superior vena cava into the right atrium then easily navigated to cannulate the CS ostium. The position was confirmed by the fluoroscopically known course of the CS plus the pattern of the invasive pressure wave form. CS cannulation is not always feasible using fluoroscopy and/or two-dimensional Echocardiography guidance. Real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography can be used to guide CS cannulation as it provides an anatomically oriented and informative enface view of the CS ostium. It can help reducing fluoroscopic radiation time.