Incremental value of live/real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography over the two-dimensional technique in the assessment of left ventricular endocardial rupture with myocardial dissection and contained apical epicardial rupture following myocardial infarction.

We report the incremental value of live/real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3DTTE) over two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2DTTE) in making a definitive diagnosis of left ventricular endocardial rupture with myocardial dissection and contained apical epicardial rupture in an elderly male patient presenting with acute myocardial infarction. To the best of our knowledge, this has not been described previously.

Evaluación de la función ventricular y auricular derecha con ecocardiografía 3D en tromboembolia pulmonar aguda / Assessment of right ventricular and atrial function with 3D echocardiography in acute pulmonary embolism

Introducción: La tromboembolia pulmonar aguda (TEP) es un padecimiento grave. La ecocardiografía tridimensional (ECO-3D) es un método accesible, novedoso y preciso para cuantificar la función ventricular y auricular derechas. A la fecha, no existen suficientes estudios que evalúen su papel en esta entidad. Objetivo: Determinar la utilidad del ECO-3D en la evaluación de la función ventricular y auricular derecha, y el riesgo de complicaciones cardiovasculares en pacientes con TEP aguda. Material y métodos: Se analizaron 35 pacientes, admitidos al HC CMN SXXI con TEP por angioTAC, mediante equipo Phillips IE 33, se midieron parámetros bidimensionales (2D) y 3D relacionados con función ventricular y auricular derecha (TomTec y qlab 10). Se evaluaron complicaciones cardiovasculares intrahospitalarias. Resultados: El riesgo relativo de eventos cardiovasculares mayores combinados (ECMC) intrahospitalarios por ECO-3D fue: índice de esfericidad de la aurícula derecha > 1.32; RR 20.3 IC 95% 2.9-13.8; p = 0.0001, FEVD RR 7.3 IC 95% 2.5-20.9; p = 0.0001, VDFVD > 77 mL RR de 7.3 IC 95% 2.56-20.9; p = 0.0001, VSFVD RR 5.5 IC 95% 2.26-13.3; p = 0.0001. El análisis multivariado mostró tres predictores de riesgo independiente: índice de esfericidad de la aurícula derecha > 1.32, TEP masiva y presión arterial media. Conclusiones: La evaluación combinada mediante ecocardiografía 3D de función ventricular y auricular derechas permiten una evaluación cuantitativa, predicción del riesgo para la presentación de complicaciones cardiovasculares y tiempo de estancia intrahospitalarios en pacientes con TEP aguda.

Introduction: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious condition. Tridimensional Ecocardiography (3D ECHO) is an accessible, novel and accurate method for determination of right ventricular and atrial function. To date there are insufficient studies to assess their role in this entity. Objective: Determine the usefulness of ECO-3D in evaluating right atrial and ventricular function, and the risk of cardiovascular complications in patients with acute PE. Material and methods: 35 patients were admitted to the HC CMN SXXI with PE by CT angiogram, we analized 2D and 3D parameters by Philips iE33, right atrial and ventricular function (TomTec and QLAB 10). Hospital cardiovascular complications were evaluated. Results: The relative risk of major combined cardiovascular events for 3D ECHO was: right atrial sphericity index > 1.32; RR 20.3 95% CI 2.9-13.8; p = 0.0001, RVEF RR 7.3 95% CI 2.5-20.9; p = 0.0001, RVEDV> 77 mL RR 2.56 95% CI 7.3-20.9, p = 0.0001, RR 5.5 RVESV 95% CI 2.26-13.3; p = 0.0001. Multivariate analysis showed three independent risk predictors: right atrial sphericity index > 1.32, massive PE and mean arterial pressure. Conclusions: The combined assessment by 3D echocardiography right ventricular and atrial function allow a quantitative assessment, risk prediction for cardiovascular complications and presentation of time-hospital stay in patients with acute PE.

Incremental role of three-dimensional over two-dimensional ultrasound in the assessment of traumatic peripheral arteriovenous fistula.

We present a patient with an accidental self-inflicted stab wound to his right thigh in whom three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound was able to find two communications between the right femoral artery and the femoral vein, in contrast to two-dimensional (2D) peripheral ultrasound which could find only one communication between them, thereby showing an incremental value of 3D over 2D ultrasound.