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@#Objective To explore the value of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) to monitor and evaluate aortic insufficiency (AI) within one year after the implantation of the left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Methods We retrospectively collected and analyzed the TTE data of 12 patients who received LVAD implantation from 2018 to 2020 in our hospital. All patients were males, with an average age of 43.3±8.6 years. We analyzed temporal changes in the aortic annulus (AA), aortic sinus (AoS), ascending aorta (AAo), the severity of AI and the opening of aortic valve before operation and 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after LVAD implantation. Results All 12 patients survived within 1 year after LVAD implantation. One patient was bridged to heart transplantation 6 months after implantation, and two patients did not receive TTE after 3 and 6 months. Compared to pre-implantation, AoS increased at 1 month after implantation (31.58±5.09 mm vs. 33.83±4.69 mm). The inner diameters of AA, AoS and AAo increased at 3, 6 and 12 months after LVAD implantation compared to pre-implantation (P<0.05), but all were within the normal range except for one patient whose AoS slightly increased before operation. After LVAD pump speed was adjusted, the opening of aortic valve improved. The severity of AI increased at 6 and 12 months after LVAD implantation compared to pre-implantation, and increased at 12 months compared to 6 months after LVAD implantation (P<0.05). Conclusion TTE can evaluate aortic regurgitation before and after LVAD implantation and monitor the optimization and adjustment of LVAD pump function, which has a positive impact on the prognosis after LVAD implantation.
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Objective To identify the suitable echocardiographic predictor,the standard 2-demensional echocardiography and speckle tracking imaging (STI) techniques were applied for the late referred children with transposition of great arteries with intact ventricular septum (TGA-IVS) after neonatal period.Methods 22 children with TGA-IVS after neonatal period were enrolled.According to the intraoperative left ventricular (LV)/right ventricular systolic pressure ratio,they received pulmonary artery banding (PAB group,n =10) or arterial switch operation (ASO group,n =12).15 body surface area matched healthy children were served as control group,Echocardiography was performed before the operation.The dynamic images in basal and apical short axis view were collected respectively.Meanwhile,using the STI technique,the rotation curves at apex and base was analyzed.Results All the patients discharged eventually.A right to left bulging of the ventricular septum was observed in all the patients by the 2D short-axis view.There were no differences in wall thickness and ejection fraction between control,PAB and ASO group.Compared with the control group,the end diastolic diameter,end diastolic volume and indexed LV mass in PAB and ASO group were significantly reduced,however,no difference in the end diastolic diameter and volume and LV mass was observed between the PAB and ASO group.The hypoplasia of LV in PAB and ASO group was associated with an extended time to peak basal rotation and reduced basal rotation and global torsion.Furthermore,the shorter time to peak apical rotation and reduced apical rotation and global torsion were only observed in PAB group.Conclusions The standard echocardiography could be useful for the initial evaluation for regressed LV of the children with TGA-IVS.However,STI allows a much more precious approach to the assessment of LV regressing after neonatal period.The apical rotation and global torsion might be the better predictor to identify the borderline or regressed LV for the surgical management for the children with TGA-IVS.
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ObjectiveTo identify the suitable echocardiographic predictor of speckle tracking imaging (STI) for evaluation of development of left ventricle(LV) after pulmonary artery banding (PAB).Methods Seven children older than 3 months with transposition of great arteries with intact ventricular septum (TGA) were enrolled,they received pulmonary artery banding (PAB group).Eight body surface area matched healthy children were severed as control group.Using the STI technique,the rotation curves at apex and base were analyzed.ResultsAll the patients discharged eventually.The intraoperative LV/RV systolic pressure ratio in PAB group was (0.32 ± 0.04):1.There were no differences in ejection fraction and wall thickness between control and PAB group.However,the end diastolic diameter and end diastolic volume in PAB group was significantly reduced.Compared with the control group,the hypoplasia of LV in PAB group was associated with an extended time to peak basal rotation,and furthermore,the basal and global torsion was significantly reduced by 3 times.ConclusionsSTI showed local rotation and global torsion might be thevaluable predictor to evaluate the regressed and the development of LV peri-PAB procedure for the older children with TGA.
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0bjective To summarize the experience of postoperative and mid-term echocardiographic evaluation of modified Blalock-Tasussig(BT)shunts. Methods During 2003-2006,thirty five consecutive patients received modified BT shunts and survived postoperative 6 months were enrolled in this study.Transthoracic echocardiography was utilized to evaluate the patency of shunts and the change of pulmonaryarteries(PA)and left ventricle(LV). Results Three patients received the emergence surgery for the intervention for the BT shunts. The follow-up was (21.2±11.3) months. During the follow up,the obstruction of shunts occurred in 7 cases. After the placement of shunts,the mean size of PA increased by 31.2%,meanwhile,the size of LV increased by 25.6%. Nineteen patients received the followed definitive repair or palliative operations. Compared with the patients still waiting for the growth of PA,the patients who receiving the second staged procedure achieved the more appropriate PA growth. Furthermore,for the above patients,there was no significant difference between the angiographic and echocardiographic evaluation for the PA size. Conclusions Echocardiography could accurately diagnose the patency of shunts and record the growth of PA and LV following BT shunts. Echocardiography is a highly reliable noninvasive approach for the perioperative evaluation and mid-term follow-up for the modified BT shunts.