Transesophageal Echocardiographic Imaging of the Left Atrium Behind the Ascending Aorta Mimicking Aortic Dissection Validation by Contrast Echocardiography.

We describe the presence of a localized echo-free space behind the ascending aorta, which could mimic an aortic dissection. This space was confirmed to be the left atrium by intraoperative contrast echocardiography.

Flail Aortic Valve in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Diagnosis by Transesophageal Echocardiography.

This case report describes a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who demonstrated by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) a flail right coronary cusp of the aortic valve causing severe aortic regurgitation. This finding was confirmed at surgery, which showed near detachment of the right coronary leaflet near the commissure. Destruction of areas of the aortic valve has been reported in one previous case report in the absence of infective endocarditis or a traumatic process. This is the second case to our knowledge and the first to describe identification by TEE. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 13, July 1996)

Color Doppler Visualization of Intramyocardial Coronary Arteries Using a New Echo System: Effect of Contrast Enhancement and Vasodilation.

Utilizing a new echocardiographic system, intramyocardial coronary arteries could be demonstrated by color Doppler in a small number of open chest animals. Both intravenous and intracoronary injections of a contrast agent (Levovist) resulted in significant enhancement of color flow signals with an increase in the length, width, and the number of these vessels. Similar results were obtained with intravenous infusion and direct intracoronary injections of a vasodilator (adenosine). (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 13, November 1996)

Live three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic identification of discrete subaortic membranous stenosis.

We describe an adult patient in whom live three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography illustrated the exact site and full extent of the subaortic membrane as well as the narrow opening within the membrane, indicative of severe stenosis. To our knowledge this has not been reported previously.