[Echocardiographic examinations in times of the COVID-19 pandemic : International recommendations and implementation]. / Echokardiographieuntersuchungen in Zeiten der COVID-19-Pandemie : Internationale Empfehlungen und Umsetzung.

Since its first appearance in December 2019, the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread all over the world at a rapid pace causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Originating from the Chinese province Hubei, more than 29.4 million people globally have now been confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus and more than 930,000 patients have died so far from COVID-19 (situation as of 15 September 2020). The virus is mainly spread during close contact by small droplets and aerosols. During the close contact in medical examinations, such as echocardiography, the risk of contracting the virus is increased. Therefore, the use of personal protective equipment is recommended for the protection of patients and medical personnel alike. This article summarizes the current recommendations of international societies and describes the local implementation in Austria.

High incidence of echocardiographic abnormalities of the interatrial septum in patients undergoing ablation for atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrosis or fatty deposition is known to increase the propensity for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). Apart from the pulmonic veins, the interatrial septum (IAS) might play a role in the maintenance of AF. In contrast to left atrial anatomy and adjacent veins, the IAS cannot be visualized in detail with computed tomography. Thus, preprocedural transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) may provide important morphologic information beyond exclusion from atrial thrombi. METHODS: The study comprised 108 consecutive patients (mean age 60 ± 11 years; 98 men). AF was paroxysmal in 91 (84%) and persistent in 17 (16%) patients. We investigated the morphological characteristics of the IAS by TEE in patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation of AF. RESULTS: The IAS was structurally abnormal in 46 (43%) patients, showing the following echocardiograhic findings: atrial septal hypermobility or aneurysm (n = 27) associated with a patent foramen ovale (PFO) (n = 11) or with a small atrial septal defect (ASD) (n = 2), a septal flap associated with a PFO or an ASD (n = 8), and an abnormally thickened IAS (n = 12). A thrombus in the left atrial appendage was discovered in only 2 (2%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: A structurally abnormal IAS was diagnosed in nearly half of the patients undergoing ablation therapy for AF. The information obtained by TEE is mandatory to exclude left atrial thrombi prior the ablation procedure. Moreover, detailed knowledge of morphologic characteristics of the IAS facilitates an optimized and safe performance of the transseptal puncture using long sheaths with large diameters.

Overview of Current International Recommendations for Echocardiography Exams During the Covid-19 Pandemic and Its Local Implementation in Austria.

Since its first appearance in December 2019, the novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) has spread throughout the world at rapid pace causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Originating in the Chinese province Hubei, more than 91.8 million people globally have now been infected with the coronavirus and more than 1.966.000 patients have died thus far from Covid-19 (as of January 13th 2021). The virus spreads primarily by droplet infection as well as via aerosols during close physical contact. Particularly in medical examinations with close physical contact between examiner and patient, like echocardiography, the risk of contracting the virus is increased. Therefore, the use of personal protective equipment is recommended for the protection of patients and medical personnel alike. In this article, the current recommendations of international professional associations on the use of personal protective equipment and their local implementation are presented.