Dissection of the interventricular septum: Echocardiographic features.

Dissection of the interventricular septum (IVS) is an extremely rare entity. An institutional echocardiographic database was retrospectively reviewed; 13 patients with a diagnosis of IVS dissection were found and confirmed by cardiac surgery. The purposes of the study were: to determine the value of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in establishing the diagnosis of IVS dissection, and to detail the TTE features of IVS dissection.Thirteen patients with IVS dissection diagnosed by TTE, 8 males and 5 females were taken from 789,114 TTE studies performed between 1985 and 2014. All underwent cardiac surgery during which their diagnosis was confirmed. The etiology, location, 2-dimensional morphology, and color Doppler findings of IVS dissection were noted.The right sinus of Valsalva (SOV) was involved in 11 of the 13 patients. In 5 patients, a single aneurysm of the right SOV was seen dissecting into the IVS. One patient with a combination of a bicuspid aortic valve and a right SOV aneurysm dissected into the IVS. In 4 patients, aortic valve infective endocarditis resulted in IVS dissection. In 1 patient, mechanical aortic valve prosthetic replacement was complicated by annular detachment and a severe paravalvular leak causing IVS dissection. In all 11 patients, TTE showed a dissecting cystic-like mass in the IVS from the base to the mid-septum or confined to the septal base. The path of the dissection in these 11 patients was traced to the right SOV and communications between the IVS dissection and the aortic root were identified. In the remaining 2 patients, IVS dissection followed septal rupture due to a myocardial infarction, and communication was seen between the IVS dissection and the right ventricle.The study showed that most of the dissections of the IVS commence in the right SOV, due to either congenital anomalies or infective endocarditis, or following aortic valve replacement or myocardial infarction. The TTE characteristic of IVS dissection is a cystic-like mass seen in the IVS.

Echocardiographic versus histologic findings in Marfan syndrome.

This retrospective study attempted to establish the prevalence of multiple-valve involvement in Marfan syndrome and to compare echocardiographic with histopathologic findings in Marfan patients undergoing valvular or aortic surgery. We reviewed echocardiograms of 73 Marfan patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery from January 2004 through October 2009. Tissue histology was available for comparison in 29 patients. Among the 73 patients, 66 underwent aortic valve replacement or the Bentall procedure. Histologic findings were available in 29 patients, all of whom had myxomatous degeneration. Of 63 patients with moderate or severe aortic regurgitation as determined by echocardiography, 4 had thickened aortic valves. The echocardiographic findings in 18 patients with mitral involvement included mitral prolapse in 15. Of 11 patients with moderate or severe mitral regurgitation as determined by echocardiography, 4 underwent mitral valve repair and 7 mitral valve replacement. Histologic findings among mitral valve replacement patients showed thickened valve tissue and myxomatous degeneration. Tricuspid involvement was seen echocardiographically in 8 patients, all of whom had tricuspid prolapse. Two patients had severe tricuspid regurgitation, and both underwent repair. Both mitral and tricuspid involvement were seen echocardiographically in 7 patients. Among the 73 patients undergoing cardiac surgery for Marfan syndrome, 66 had moderate or severe aortic regurgitation, although their valves manifested few histologic changes. Eighteen patients had mitral involvement (moderate or severe mitral regurgitation, prolapse, or both), and 8 had tricuspid involvement. Mitral valves were most frequently found to have histologic changes, but the tricuspid valve was invariably involved.

Intracardiac leiomyomatosis: clinical findings and detailed echocardiographic features--a Chinese institutional experience.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous leiomyomatosis is a rare, benign, smooth muscle tumor originating in the uterus that may extend through the inferior vena cava into the heart. Intracardiac leiomyomatosis (ICL), present in 10% of patients with intravenous leiomyomatosis, may cause right heart failure, tricuspid valve obstruction, and pulmonary embolism. The imaging characteristics of ICL continue to be reported. The purposes of this study were to characterize the echocardiographic features of ICL and to correlate the clinical findings. METHODS: Between 1999 and 2012, 12 female patients with suspected ICL underwent cardiac surgery and histologic confirmation of the tumor. The clinical data, echocardiographic findings, and histologic results were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The ages of the patients with ICL ranged from 40 to 59 years. Ten patients (83%) had undergone myomectomy or hysterectomy, one patient had a uterine fibroid, and one patient had endometriosis. Seven patients (58%) reported dyspnea and/or palpitations, and one patient had syncope; four patients were asymptomatic. Echocardiographic findings included six patients with homogenous right atrial masses, four patients with myxoma-like right atrial masses, and two patients with serpentine, convoluted right atrial masses. In nine patients, the right atrial masses were noted to cross the tricuspid valve. All masses extended from the inferior vena cava. No masses appeared to adhere to the right atrium, right ventricular or pulmonary arterial walls, or tricuspid valve. Tricuspid regurgitation was noted in all patients. No pulmonary emboli were present. CONCLUSIONS: The echocardiographic features of the ICL tumors varied. Tricuspid regurgitation and tumors emerging from the inferior vena cava were seen in all patients. Cardiac symptoms, including dyspnea, palpitations, and syncope, occurred in 67% of patients; the remaining 33% were asymptomatic.

Endocarditis 2014: an update.

The epidemiology of infective endocarditis is changing due to a number of factors, including more frequent and varied antibiotic use, the emergence of resistant microorganisms, and an increase in the implantation of cardiovascular devices. This review outlines and consolidates the most recent guidelines, including the 2007 and 2010 AHA/ACC guidelines and scientific statements for the prevention and management of infective endocarditis and for the management of cardiovascular device infections. The evidence-based guidelines, including the 2009 HRS consensus document, for the treatment of patients with cardiovascular device-related infections are also reviewed. Only patients with prosthetic valves, patients with prior endocarditis, cardiac transplant patients with a valvulopathy, and certain congenital heart disease patients now require endocarditis prophylaxis. There is an increasing incidence of cardiovascular device-related infections due to the higher frequency of implanted devices and higher morbidity and mortality rates in older patients.

Coronary artery pseudoaneurysm following blunt trauma.

A 42-year-old male was admitted with persistent atypical chest pain following a motorcycle accident six months previously. A pseudoaneurysm, diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography and computed tomography, was excised and the right coronary artery underwent bypass grafting.

Comparison of frequencies of patent foramen ovale and thoracic aortic atherosclerosis in patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke undergoing transesophageal echocardiography.

Studies have shown an association between the presence of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and cryptogenic stroke (CS) in patients aged <55 years. In addition, protruding atheromatous plaques in the ascending aorta and aortic arch are an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke in patients aged ≥55 years. The aim of this study was to determine the association of CS in the 2 age groups with PFO and with atheromatous plaques in the ascending aorta and in the aortic arch. Transesophageal echocardiograms in 229 patients evaluated for CS were compared to those in 314 patients evaluated for cardiac disease other than PFO with no histories of stroke (the control group). The prevalence of PFO and the presence of complex atheromatous plaques in the ascending aorta and aortic arch were determined in all patients and compared between the CS and control patients in the 2 age groups. The prevalence of PFO was significantly higher in patients with CS than in control patients among those aged <55 years (31 of 114 [27%] vs 24 of 171 [14%], p = 0.006) and those aged ≥55 years (28 of 115 [24%] vs 21 of 143 [15%], p = 0.049). The incidence of atrial septal aneurysm was similar in the 2 groups irrespective of patient age, as was the prevalence of complex atheromatous plaques. Multivariate analysis showed that PFO was independently associated with CS, irrespective of patient age (<55 years: odds ratio 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 4.5, p = 0.01; ≥55 years: odds ratio 1.9, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 3.5, p = 0.03). In conclusion, PFO was significantly associated with CS in younger (aged <55 years) and older (aged ≥55 years) patients. Atrial septal aneurysm and complex atheromas in the ascending aorta and aortic arch do not appear to be associated with CS.

Echocardiographic determination of the prevalence of primary myxomatous degeneration of the cardiac valves.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data on the prevalence of primary myxomatous degeneration (PMD) of the cardiac valves. Because the gold standard for the diagnosis is pathology, its preoperative detection rate is relatively low. The purposes of this study were to determine the capability of echocardiography to identify PMD compared with surgical pathological findings and to determine the echocardiographic features of PMD. METHODS: Echocardiograms were retrospectively compared with pathologic findings in 1,080 patients undergoing surgery for moderate or severe cardiac valve regurgitation. PMD of the mitral, aortic, and tricuspid valves was retrospectively identified, with a comparison of the echocardiographic and pathologic findings, to estimate the prevalence of PMD and to summarize its echocardiographic features. RESULTS: Of 1,080 patients, 104 were diagnosed with PMD (prevalence, 9.62%). Echocardiography identified valvular prolapse and thickening in 85% of patients. The echocardiographic characteristics of PMD included valvular regurgitation, valvular thickening, valvular prolapse, and rupture of chordae tendineae. Combinations of these characteristics were seen on multiple valves. Among patients with PMD, 59 had only mitral valve involvement, 25 had only aortic valve involvement, two had only tricuspid valve involvement, 10 had both mitral and aortic valve involvement, and three had both mitral and tricuspid valve involvement. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing surgery for valvular regurgitation, a high prevalence of PMD was found. PMD has distinctive echocardiographic features, suggesting its preoperative diagnosis.

Relation between the incidence, location, and extent of thoracic aortic atherosclerosis detected by transesophageal echocardiography and the extent of coronary artery disease by angiography.

Atherosclerotic lesions in the thoracic aorta detected by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) have been correlated with coronary artery disease (CAD). We determined whether simple or complex aortic plaques seen on transesophageal echocardiogram correlated with extent, location, and severity of CAD. The study population consisted of 188 patients who underwent TEE and coronary angiography. Atherosclerotic plaques seen on transesophageal echocardiogram were defined as (1) complex plaques in the presence of protruding atheroma ≥4-mm thickness, mobile debris, or plaque ulceration or (2) simple plaques in the absence of findings consistent with complex plaques. Extent of CAD was grouped into 4 groups according to number of coronary vessels with ≥70% stenosis. Numbers of patients with CAD with 0-, 1-, 2-, and 3-vessel disease were 99, 31, 28, and 30 respectively. Compared to patients without CAD, patients with CAD (n = 89) had a significantly greater prevalence of aortic atherosclerotic plaques irrespective of degree of plaque complexity or location (p <0.05). Multivariate analysis found that hypertension (odds ratio 3.0, 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 7.0, p = 0.013), diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 4.9, p = 0.022), and aortic plaque (odds ratio 3.8, 95% confidence interval 1.8 to 8.2, p = 0.001) were significantly associated with CAD. There was a significant relation between simple and complex aortic plaques with increasing severity of CAD (p <0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that complex plaque in the descending aorta (odds ratio 5.4, 95% confidence interval 1.8 to 16.4, p = 0.003) was the strongest predictor of CAD. In conclusion, simple and complex thoracic atherosclerotic plaques detected by TEE are associated with increasing severity of CAD. Complex plaque in the descending aorta was the strongest association with presence of CAD.

Guidelines for the primary prevention of stroke: a guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This guideline provides an overview of the evidence on established and emerging risk factors for stroke to provide evidence-based recommendations for the reduction of risk of a first stroke. METHODS: Writing group members were nominated by the committee chair on the basis of their previous work in relevant topic areas and were approved by the American Heart Association (AHA) Stroke Council Scientific Statement Oversight Committee and the AHA Manuscript Oversight Committee. The writing group used systematic literature reviews (covering the time since the last review was published in 2006 up to April 2009), reference to previously published guidelines, personal files, and expert opinion to summarize existing evidence, indicate gaps in current knowledge, and when appropriate, formulate recommendations using standard AHA criteria (Tables 1 and 2). All members of the writing group had the opportunity to comment on the recommendations and approved the final version of this document. The guideline underwent extensive peer review by the Stroke Council leadership and the AHA scientific statements oversight committees before consideration and approval by the AHA Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee. RESULTS: Schemes for assessing a person's risk of a first stroke were evaluated. Risk factors or risk markers for a first stroke were classified according to potential for modification (nonmodifiable, modifiable, or potentially modifiable) and strength of evidence (well documented or less well documented). Nonmodifiable risk factors include age, sex, low birth weight, race/ethnicity, and genetic predisposition. Well-documented and modifiable risk factors include hypertension, exposure to cigarette smoke, diabetes, atrial fibrillation and certain other cardiac conditions, dyslipidemia, carotid artery stenosis, sickle cell disease, postmenopausal hormone therapy, poor diet, physical inactivity, and obesity and body fat distribution. Less well-documented or potentially modifiable risk factors include the metabolic syndrome, excessive alcohol consumption, drug abuse, use of oral contraceptives, sleep-disordered breathing, migraine, hyperhomocysteinemia, elevated lipoprotein(a), hypercoagulability, inflammation, and infection. Data on the use of aspirin for primary stroke prevention are reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive evidence identifies a variety of specific factors that increase the risk of a first stroke and that provide strategies for reducing that risk.

Malposition of a central venous catheter in the right main pulmonary artery detected by transesophageal echocardiography.

The authors report a case of a malpositioned central venous catheter, the malposition of which was not recognized on chest x-ray or chest computed tomography but was correctly diagnosed on transesophageal echocardiography.

Primary prevention of ischemic stroke: a guideline from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Council: cosponsored by the Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease Interdisciplinary Working Group; Cardiovascular Nursing Council; Clinical Cardiology Council; Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism Council; and the Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Interdisciplinary Working Group.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This guideline provides an overview of the evidence on various established and potential stroke risk factors and provides recommendations for the reduction of stroke risk. METHODS: Writing group members were nominated by the committee chair on the basis of each writer's previous work in relevant topic areas and were approved by the American Heart Association Stroke Council's Scientific Statement Oversight Committee. The writers used systematic literature reviews (covering the time period since the last review published in 2001 up to January 2005), reference to previously published guidelines, personal files, and expert opinion to summarize existing evidence, indicate gaps in current knowledge, and when appropriate, formulate recommendations based on standard American Heart Association criteria. All members of the writing group had numerous opportunities to comment in writing on the recommendations and approved the final version of this document. The guideline underwent extensive peer review before consideration and approval by the AHA Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee. RESULTS: Schemes for assessing a person's risk of a first stroke were evaluated. Risk factors or risk markers for a first stroke were classified according to their potential for modification (nonmodifiable, modifiable, or potentially modifiable) and strength of evidence (well documented or less well documented). Nonmodifiable risk factors include age, sex, low birth weight, race/ethnicity, and genetic factors. Well-documented and modifiable risk factors include hypertension, exposure to cigarette smoke, diabetes, atrial fibrillation and certain other cardiac conditions, dyslipidemia, carotid artery stenosis, sickle cell disease, postmenopausal hormone therapy, poor diet, physical inactivity, and obesity and body fat distribution. Less well-documented or potentially modifiable risk factors include the metabolic syndrome, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, oral contraceptive use, sleep-disordered breathing, migraine headache, hyperhomocysteinemia, elevated lipoprotein(a), elevated lipoprotein-associated phospholipase, hypercoagulability, inflammation, and infection. Data on the use of aspirin for primary stroke prevention are reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive evidence is available identifying a variety of specific factors that increase the risk of a first stroke and providing strategies for reducing that risk.

Primary prevention of ischemic stroke: a guideline from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Council: cosponsored by the Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease Interdisciplinary Working Group; Cardiovascular Nursing Council; Clinical Cardiology Council; Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism Council; and the Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Interdisciplinary Working Group: the American Academy of Neurology affirms the value of this guideline.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This guideline provides an overview of the evidence on various established and potential stroke risk factors and provides recommendations for the reduction of stroke risk. METHODS: Writing group members were nominated by the committee chair on the basis of each writer's previous work in relevant topic areas and were approved by the American Heart Association Stroke Council's Scientific Statement Oversight Committee. The writers used systematic literature reviews (covering the time period since the last review published in 2001 up to January 2005), reference to previously published guidelines, personal files, and expert opinion to summarize existing evidence, indicate gaps in current knowledge, and when appropriate, formulate recommendations based on standard American Heart Association criteria. All members of the writing group had numerous opportunities to comment in writing on the recommendations and approved the final version of this document. The guideline underwent extensive peer review before consideration and approval by the AHA Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee. RESULTS: Schemes for assessing a person's risk of a first stroke were evaluated. Risk factors or risk markers for a first stroke were classified according to their potential for modification (nonmodifiable, modifiable, or potentially modifiable) and strength of evidence (well documented or less well documented). Nonmodifiable risk factors include age, sex, low birth weight, race/ethnicity, and genetic factors. Well-documented and modifiable risk factors include hypertension, exposure to cigarette smoke, diabetes, atrial fibrillation and certain other cardiac conditions, dyslipidemia, carotid artery stenosis, sickle cell disease, postmenopausal hormone therapy, poor diet, physical inactivity, and obesity and body fat distribution. Less well-documented or potentially modifiable risk factors include the metabolic syndrome, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, oral contraceptive use, sleep-disordered breathing, migraine headache, hyperhomocysteinemia, elevated lipoprotein(a), elevated lipoprotein-associated phospholipase, hypercoagulability, inflammation, and infection. Data on the use of aspirin for primary stroke prevention are reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive evidence is available identifying a variety of specific factors that increase the risk of a first stroke and providing strategies for reducing that risk.

Who should receive a statin drug to lower cardiovascular risk? Does the drug and the dose of the drug matter?

As the numbers of completed outcomes based clinical trials evaluating the use of statin drugs for the management of cardiovascular risk continue to increase, it is clear that the numbers of patients that may benefit from these drugs continues to grow. The recently published studies are reviewed in this summary. The distinction is made between patients requiring either primary or secondary cardiovascular preventive management. The review identifies the increasing numbers of patients who may benefit from the use of statins as primary preventive management, and the changing concepts of the utilization of statin drugs for secondary preventive management, including the more aggressive titration of the drugs to provide incremental improvement in patient outcomes. Available data on the use of statins in the elderly patient are reviewed, and observations are made regarding the intrinsic properties and adverse effects of the drugs.