A rare variant of a ruptured sinus of valsalva aneurysm forming an aorto-atrial fistula: a case report and review of literature.

Background: Sinus of valsalva aneurysms (SOVAs) are infrequent findings and generally diagnosed incidentally. A SOVA may be at risk for rupture, which would lead to an aorto-cardiac shunt. These patients present similarly to decompensated heart failure. Case Presentation: We present a case of a 44-year-old female with a ruptured non-coronary SOVA diagnosed by echocardiogram during evaluation for exertional dyspnoea. A trans-oesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) revealed a 2.1 cm non-coronary SOVA with windsock communication to the right atrium. The patient refused surgery, and two years later, presented with florid right heart failure with preserved left ventricular function. The right ventricle was severely dilated and hypokinetic with right atrial enlargement. After finally agreeing to surgery, a pre-operative catheterization revealed non-obstructive coronaries and a significant left to right shunt with elevated pulmonary pressure. The patient had suboptimal response to diuretic therapy and was sent for successful repair of the aneurysm with the closure of the aorto-atrial fistula via bovine pericardial patch and resolution of the left to right shunt as demonstrated by intra-operative TEE. Her right-sided heart failure symptoms subsequently resolved. Discussion: SOVA is a rare finding but should still be considered in the differential in young and middle-aged patients with symptoms of acute heart failure, hemodynamic compromise, and a new continuous heart murmur. Early surgical repair is highly recommended to prevent acute and long-term complications.

Lactobacillus jensenii mitral valve endocarditis: Case report, literature review and new perspectives.

Lactobacillus is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive rod usually found in the normal microbiota of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract. Frequently dismissed as a contaminant, it is implicated in several diseases. We describe a rare case of endocarditis caused by Lactobacillus jensenii in an immunocompetent 40 year-old male patient, with a history of mitral valve repair. He presented complaining of asthenia and his laboratory results showed a moderate increase in inflammatory markers. A trans-thoracic echocardiography confirmed a vegetation on the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, with associated severe mitral insufficiency. Blood cultures revealed the significant growth of L. jensenii. The patient developed an acute abdomen with intestinal ischemia and occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery, requiring urgent surgical laparotomy. A cerebral MRI showed multiple minor emboli in the frontal and left parietal cortex. The patient consequently underwent surgery to have his mitral valve replaced with a mechanical valve. L. jensenii was isolated in culture from the mitral valve and from a mesenteric artery thrombus. After one week of combined amoxicillin and gentamicin therapy, ampicillin alone was continued for a total of six weeks and the patient could be discharged in a good general condition. Only five cases of L. jensenii are described in literature, and they mainly affect immunocompromised hosts. In our case, a long delay between the start of symptoms and the full onset of the disease was observed. tolerance of Lactobacilli to penicillin is a key determinant of therapy choice.

Intraoperative TOE guided management of newly diagnosed severe tricuspid regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension during orthotopic liver transplantation: a case report demonstrating the importance of reversibility as a favorable prognostic factor.

BACKGROUND: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and pulmonary hypertension (PHT) are highly dynamic cardiovascular lesions that may progress rapidly, particularly in the orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) waitlist population. Severe TR and PHT are associated with poor outcomes in these patients, however it is rare for the two to be newly diagnosed intraoperatively at the time of OLT. Without preoperative information on pulmonary vascular and right heart function, the potential for reversibility of severe TR and PHT is unclear, making the decision to proceed to transplant fraught with difficulty. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of successful orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in a 48 year old female with severe (PHT) (mean pulmonary arterial pressure > 55 mmHg) and severe TR diagnosed post induction of anaesthesia. The degree of TR was associated with systemic venous pressures of > 100 mmHg resulting in massive haemorrhage during surgery and difficulty in distinguishing venous from arterial placement of vascular access devices. Intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) proved crucial in diagnosing functional TR due to tricuspid annular and right ventricular (RV) dilatation, and dynamically monitoring response to treatment. In response to positioning, judicious volatile anaesthesia administration, pulmonary vasodilator therapy and permissive hypovolemia during surgery we noted substantial improvement of the TR and pulmonary arterial pressures, confirming the reversibility of the TR and associated PHT. CONCLUSION: TR and PHT are co-dependent, dynamic, load sensitive right heart conditions that are interdependent with chronic liver disease, and may progress rapidly in patients waitlisted for OLT. Use of intraoperative TOE and pulmonary artery catheterisation on the day of surgery will detect previously undiagnosed severe TR and PHT, enable rapid assessment of the cause and the potential for reversibility. These dynamic monitors permit real-time assessment of the response to interventions or events affecting right ventricular (RV) preload and afterload, providing critical information for prognosis and management. Furthermore, we suggest that TR and PHT should be specifically sought when waitlisted OLT patients present with hepatic decompensation.

Real-time three-dimensional trans-oesophageal echocardiography-guided balloon dilation of pulmonary venous pathway obstruction in a patient with dextro-transposition of the great arteries after atrial switch surgery: a case report.

A percutaneous transcatheter balloon dilation of a pulmonary venous pathway obstruction was successfully performed in a 40-year-old patient after a Mustard procedure. During the procedure, real-time three-dimensional trans-oesophageal echocardiography demonstrated the morphology of the obstruction. Our case highlights the usefulness of real-time three-dimensional trans-oesophageal echocardiography as a guide for transcatheter intervention in the increasing number of adults with CHD.

Expanding our FoCUS: the utility of advanced echocardiography in the emergency department.

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) use is widespread amongst emergency physicians (EPs). Many sonographic modalities have proven useful in the emergency department (ED), including basic echocardiography. Progressing to more advanced echocardiography allows for improved accuracy when making time-critical diagnoses and management decisions, particularly among the sickest patients. Acquisition of this skill set by EPs is feasible and enhances patient care.

HypnosIS to faciLitate trans-Esophageal echocardiograPhy Tolerance: The I-SLEPT study.

BACKGROUND: Trans-oesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is one of the major diagnostic tests in cardiovascular medicine, but the procedure is associated with some discomfort for the patient. AIM: To determine the additive value of hypnosis as a means of improving patient comfort during TOE. METHODS: We randomly assigned 98 patients with non-emergency indications for TOE to a 30-minute hypnosis session combined with topical oropharyngeal anaesthesia (HYP group) or topical oropharyngeal anaesthesia only (CTRL group) before the procedure. The primary efficacy endpoint was the level of patient discomfort assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: The VAS score was significantly reduced in the HYP group compared with the CTRL group (6 [5; 8] vs. 7 [5; 9]; P=0.046). No statistically significant differences were observed in terms of procedure failure (HYP group 2.2% vs. CTRL group 3.9%; P=1.00) and procedure length (HYP group 7 [5; 11] minutes vs. CTRL group 8 [7; 11] minutes; P=0.29). However, the patients' subjective estimations of the length of the procedure were significantly shorter in the HYP group than in the CTRL group (8 [5; 10] vs. 10 [10; 20] minutes; P<0.0001). There were no major adverse events in either group. The reported minor events rate was lower in the HYP group (36% vs. 57%; P=0.04). CONCLUSION: Hypnosis is an efficient alternative or complementary method for improving patient comfort during TOE.

Incidence of thromboembolism following detection by trans-oesophageal echocardiography of left atrial thrombus.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus is an accepted risk factor for ischemic stroke. Following a literature review we were unable to identify a study that determined the incidence of ischemic stroke in patients with a confirmed LAA thrombus. The purpose of this study was to establish the incidence of ischemic stroke in patients with a LAA thrombus confirmed on trans-oesophageal echocardiography (TOE). METHOD: A ten year retrospective single centre study was conducted for the period March 2005 to February 2014 in St. Vincent's University Hospital, Ireland. All TOE studies performed during this period were reviewed. A chart review was carried out on any patient who had a LAA thrombus, left atrial (LA) thrombus or pre-thrombus state identified. Charts were reviewed for documented neurological deficits consistent with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack within six months following TOE study. RESULTS: Overall 1903 TOE studies were reviewed. A total of 67 TOE studies detected a LAA thrombus, LA thrombus or pre-thrombus state. In the days prior to TOE, an ischemic stroke had occurred in two of the patients. Following detection of thrombus or pre-thrombus state on TOE and optimization of oral anti-coagulation (OAC), no patient had an ischemic stroke over the subsequent six months. CONCLUSION: This is the only study to date that has looked at the incidence of ischemic stroke following a confirmed LAA thrombus, LA thrombus or pre-thrombus state. This single centre study found low stroke rates over a six month follow-up period in patients with a confirmed LAA thrombus, LA thrombus or pre-thrombus state and optimization of OAC. Larger studies would be required to confirm these findings.

A minimum dataset for a standard transoesphageal echocardiogram: a guideline protocol from the British Society of Echocardiography.

A systematic approach to transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is essential to ensure that no pathology is missed during a study. In addition, a standardised approach facilitates the education and training of operators and is helpful when reviewing studies performed in other departments or by different operators. This document produced by the British Society of Echocardiography aims to provide a framework for a standard TOE study. In addition to a minimum dataset, the layout proposes a recommended sequence in which to perform a comprehensive study. It is recommended that this standardised approach is followed when performing TOE in all clinical settings, including intraoperative TOE to ensure important pathology is not missed. Consequently, this document has been prepared with the direct involvement of the Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthetists (ACTA).

Unexpected refractory intra-operative hypotension during non-cardiac surgery: Diagnosis and management guided by trans-oesophageal echocardiography.

We present a case of severe refractory hypotension in a patient undergoing de-bulking liver resection for massive polycystic liver disease. Emergent trans-oesophageal echocardiography (TOE) revealed dynamic left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction with systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the anterior mitral leaflet (AML). Notably, he had a structurally normal heart on pre-operative trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE). Diagnosis of SAM by TOE, possible mechanisms and specific management of refractory hypotension in this context are discussed.

A RCT study on oral lidocaine plasmagel on improvement of the postoperative odynophagia in patients receiving trans-oesophageal echocardiography examination for cardiac surgery / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of oral lidocaine plasmagel on the postoperative odynophagia in patients receiving trans-oesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examination for cardiac surgery.Methods Sixty patients for cardiac surgery were divided randomly into the control group (C group) and the oral lidocaine plasmagel group (L group) with 30 cases in each group.Patients in L group received 2％ oral lidocaine plasmagel 20 ml before anesthesia,while C group did not.The incidence of postoperative odynophagia was compared between two groups.Results Postoperative odynophagia pain score were significantly higher in C Group than that in L Group.Conclusions Oral lidocaine plasmagel can alleviate the postoperative odynophagia in patients receiving trans-oesophageal echocardiography examination for cardiac surgery.

Surgical management of a life-threatening retro-pharyngeal haematoma following trans-oesophageal echocardiography.

Trans-oesophageal echocardiography is generally considered a safe procedure, but occasional life-threatening complications have been reported. The aim of this clinical investigation is to outline the need of surgical management in cases of large retro-pharyngeal haematoma following trans-oesophageal echocardiography. In the case reported here, a patient with cervical spondylosis on anti-coagulant therapy was referred to the Head and Neck Department because of a retro-pharyngeal haematoma with severe upper airway obstruction following transoesophageal echocardiography. Tracheotomy was required to guarantee respiratory function, while trans-cervical surgery was performed to evacuate the haematoma. Total recovery was achieved within 10 days. In conclusion, the head and neck surgeon should consider the need of surgical management in cases of retro-pharyngeal haematoma following trans-oesophageal echocardiography.