Incremental value of right parasternal transthoracic echocardiographic examination over the left parasternal approach in assessing ascending aorta size: Additional benefit of three-dimensional echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: The ascending aorta (AA) has not been well studied using two-dimensional right parasternal transthoracic echocardiographic examination (2DRPE). AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess the incremental value of 2DRPE over two-dimensional left parasternal transthoracic echocardiographic examination (2DLPE) in evaluating the size of AA in adult patients (pts) and, secondly, to determine whether live/real time three-dimensional (3D) RPE provided any additional benefit over 2DRPE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The AA was successfully imaged by 2DLPE, 2DRPE, and 3D RPE in 87 of 141 (61.7%) pts which comprised of two groups of consecutive pts separated by an interval of 2 weeks. RESULTS: The maximum length of AA visualized by 2DRPE (4.98 ± 0.89) was larger than 2DLPE in 76/87(87%) pts (P < 0.001). Both the maximum systolic AA inner luminal width and leading edge-to-leading edge width by 2DRPE were greater than 2DLPE (P < 0.001). Similar to other noninvasive imaging modalities where mid-AA width is taken at level of right pulmonary artery, mid-AA width could also be taken at this level by 2DRPE in 79/87(91%) pts since this landmark was visualized during 2DRPE. However, this vessel could be visualized in only 2/87 (2%) pts with 2DLPE. 3DRPE conferred additional benefit over 2DRPE. The maximal AA length by 3DRPE was larger than 2DRPE in 60/87(69%) pts, and the maximal inner lumen and leading edge to leading edge widths were larger in 54/87(62%) and 66/87(76%) pts, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary study demonstrates significant incremental value of 2DRPE over 2DLPE in the assessment of AA. 3DRPE confers an additional advantage over 2DRPE.

Incremental benefit of three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography in the assessment of left atrial appendage aneurysm leading to severe extrinsic compression of a coronary artery.

Left atrial appendage aneurysm (LAA AN) is a rare disease entity, which can be congenital or acquired in nature. We report an adult patient with LAA AN presenting with anginal chest pain in whom live/real time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3DTTE) provided incremental value over the two-dimensional (2D) technique in providing a more comprehensive assessment of the lesion. A literature review of the salient features of LAA AN is also provided in a tabular form.

Usefulness of two- and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of proximal left coronary system compression by a paraprosthetic aortic valve abscess.

Paraprosthetic aortic valve abscess represents a rare, but lethal complication of infective endocarditis. We report a case of proximal left coronary system compression by a paraprosthetic aortic valve abscess whose detection was augmented using live/real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography. Our case illustrates the usefulness of combined two- and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in detecting this finding.

Prosthetic mitral inflow mimicking severe aortic regurgitation (revisited). An echocardiographic challenge.

Assessing aortic regurgitation (AR) severity in patients with mitral valve prosthesis may pose an echocardiographic challenge. We present a case of mild AR in whom difficulty occurred in judging its severity due to eccentric mitral prosthetic inflow signals filling practically completely the proximal left ventricular outflow tract in diastole mimicking severe AR. Frame-by-frame analysis of two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic images using a small sector depth and width was helpful in clarifying the true severity of AR.

Prominent pulmonary venous flow mimicking mitral regurgitation.

The present case highlights a potential pitfall in assessing mitral regurgitation severity due to the presence of similar colored prominent pulmonary vein signals in the left atrium during color Doppler examination.

Two- and three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic assessment of superior vena cava, crista terminalis, and right atrial appendage using the right parasternal approach.

BACKGROUND: The noninvasive assessment of superior vena cava (SVC), crista terminalis (CT), and the right atrial appendage (RAA) has clinical implications in determining the right atrium (RA) pressure in adult patients in whom the inferior vena cava cannot be imaged, in planning electrophysiological procedures and for evaluation of thrombi in RA/RAA. It is difficult to image these structures using standard two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2DTTE), but the right parasternal approach has shown promise in the very few studies published so far. AIM: The aim of this study was to show the feasibility of this approach and its usefulness in qualitative and quantitative assessments of these structures by both 2D and three (3D) TTE in patients with and without known cardiac pathologies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study consisted of 38 adult patients, 17 of whom had cardiac pathologies (Group 1) while the remainder (Group 2) had no evidence of heart disease clinically or by echocardiography. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Both SVC and RAA could be imaged by 2DTTE and 3DTTE in 53% of 40 patients (two separate groups of 20 consecutive patients) studied demonstrating the technical feasibility of this approach. SVC size and collapsibility, CT and RAA size, and RAA fractional shortening were evaluated in both groups by both 2D and 3DTTE. 3DTTE provided incremental value over 2DTTE by its ability to view en face the SVC in short axis and the base of RAA and RAA volumes resulting in more comprehensive assessment of their size and function.

Incremental value of live/real time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography over the two-dimensional technique in assessing carcinoid heart disease involving the aortic valve.

We present a case of an adult with metastatic carcinoid heart disease, in whom live/real time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography provided incremental value over two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography in assessing involvement of the aortic valve.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as a Cause of Lemierre's Syndrome.

Lemierre's syndrome (LS) or jugular vein suppurative thrombophlebitis is well described in literature. The organisms most often responsible are Fusobacterium necrophorum or anaerobic flora. We present a case of LS with an atypical microbiologic cause, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. We also present retrospective review of all LS cases from our institution and identified 2 additional children with LS caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus.