Valvoplastia percutânea com balão no tratamento da estenose valvar pulmonar: seguimento clínico em longo prazo / Percutaneous baloon valvoplasty in the treatment of pulmonary valve stenosis: long term follow up

Fundamentação: A Valvoplastia Percutânea com Balão (VPB) é tratamento de escolha na estenose pulmonar (EP). Objetivo: Mostrar os resultados da VPB em um seguimento de até 15 anos. Pacientes e Métodos: Trezentos e dezesseis pacientes com EP foram submetidos a 323 VPB, entre setembro de 1.984 e novembro de 2.000. O sucesso foi definido como a redução e/ou manutenção do gradiente VD-AP em níveis inferiores a 36mmHg e a reestenose quando houvesse nova elevação para níveis iguais ou superiores a 36mmHg após a VPB, no cateterismo e/ou ecodopplercardiograma. A média de idade foi 7,36 ± 9,0 anos. Resultados: Imediatamente após a VPB, o gradiente pico a pico transvalvar reduziu de 70,6 ± 30,3 para 25,36 ± 19,75mmHg (p< 0,001). Dos 316 pacientes, houve 58 perdas, ocorrendo um óbito. Foram acompanhados 257 pacientes e 262 procedimentos. O seguimento médio foi de 5,5 ± 3,84 anos até um máximo de 16,45 anos. Houve sucesso imediato em 207 (79 por cento) e 51 (21 por cento) foram insatisfatórios. Houve 14 (4,33 por cento) complicações, incluindo um óbito por laceração anular e hemopericárdio. Houve reestenose em 9,92 por cento e algum grau de regurgitação pulmonar foi observado em 95,1 por cento, geralmente pequeno. A probabilidade de manutenção de bom resultado com a VPB sem reestenose foi de 96,5 por cento (1 ano), 95,3 por cento (2 anos), 93 por cento (5 anos), 91,3 por cento (8 anos), 87,4 por cento (10 anos) e 78,9 por cento (15 anos). Conclusão: A VPB é um procedimento efetivo, com manutenção dos resultados, no longo prazo e baixo índice de complicações.

Background: Balloon valvuloplasty (BPV) is the treatment of choice for pulmonary stenosis (PS). Objective: The main goal of this study is to To show BVP effectiveness in a 15-year follow-up period. Pacients and Methods: Three hundred and sixteen patients with PS were submitted to 323 BVP between September/84 and November/2000. Success was defined as reduction and/or maintenance of the RV-PA gradient at levels below 36 mmHg in catheterism or echocardiography. Results: Mean age was 7.36 ± 9 years. Results: Immediately after BVP, the transvalvar peak-to-peak gradient was reduced from 70.6 ± 30.3 to 25.36 ± 19.75 mmHg (p<0.001). Pulmonary valvuloplasty was considered successful in 207 (79 percent). The mean follow-up was 5.5 ± 3.84 years, up to a maximum of 16.45 years. There were 14 (4.33 percent) complications and one death due to annular laceration and hemopericardium. Restenosis occurred in 9.92 percent and a small degree of pulmonary regurgitation was observed in 95.1 percent. The probability of maintaining good results free of restenosis was 96.5 percent (1 year), 95,3 percent (2 years), 93 percent (5 years), 91,3 percent (8 year), 87,4 percent (10 years) e 78,9 percent (15 years). Conclusion: The PVB is an effective method for treating PVS and its beneficial effects persist in long-term follow-up. The complications are infrequent and usually mild cases.

Diastolic function study with conventional and pulsed tissue Doppler echocardiography imaging in acromegalic patients.

UNLABELLED: Acromegaly is associated with myocardial hypertrophy and it can progress to diastolic and systolic dysfunction. PURPOSE: To evaluate diastolic function in acromegalic patients through conventional echocardiography (CD) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). METHODS: Seventeen acromegalic patients were submitted to CD and TDI, and early (E) and atriogenic (A) transmitral flow were evaluated in mitral, septal, and tricuspid regions. RESULTS: In comparison with controls the means of conventional (1.06), septal (1.01), and tricuspid (0.98) E/A ratio were significantly lower in acromegalic patients. E/A ratio <1.0 was demonstrated in 41% and 49% of acromegalics by DC and TDI, respectively, with no statistical difference among the two methods. An inverse linear correlation was shown between mitral E/A ratio and acromegalic age (r =-0.7). CONCLUSION: In this study, DC and TDI were equally effective in demonstrating diastolic dysfunction, a common finding in acromegalic patients.

Assessment of diastolic ventricular function in fetuses of diabetic mothers using tissue Doppler.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the presence of ventricular diastolic dysfunction by tissue Doppler in fetuses of diabetic mothers, with or without septal hypertrophy, in comparison to fetuses of nondiabetic mothers. METHODS: A contemporary transverse study in fetuses with a gestational age between 25 weeks to term, studying diastolic function by assessment using tissue Doppler and pulsed wave Doppler of the atrioventricular diastolic flow. The mothers of the fetuses all had previous or gestational diabetes, and were referred to the Fetal Cardiology Unit of the Institute of Cardiology in Porto Alegre, Brazil. We analysed variance with the Student-Neumann-Keuls post hoc test. An alfa of 0.05 was considered significant for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean myocardial velocities of the E'and A' waves at the mural mitral annulus, in fetuses of diabetic mothers with myocardial hypertrophy, were, respectively, 7.00 plus or minus 1.6 centimetres per second, and 10.24 plus or minus 3.3 centimetres per second. In the fetuses of diabetic mothers group without myocardial hypertrophy, the comparable values were 7.19 plus or minus 2.4 centimetres per second and 10.77 plus or minus 3.77 centimetres per second, respectively. In the control group, they were 4.81 plus or minus 0.85 centimetres per second and 8.01 plus or minus 2.2 centimetres per second. The difference between the velocities in fetuses of diabetic mothers and in fetal normal mothers was statistically significant (p less than 0.05). Statistically significant differences were also observed in E' and A' diastolic waves at the aortic mitral annulus, as well as for the tricuspid annulus when tissue Doppler assessment was carried out in the same sample. The mean ratio between the E and E' of mitral and tricuspid waves in the control fetuses of normal mothers was significantly higher than in fetuses of diabetic mothers. CONCLUSION: Pulsed tissue Doppler, when used in fetuses of diabetic mothers and compared with fetuses of nondiabetic mothers, shows evidence of impaired diastolic function, independently of the presence of myocardial hypertrophy.

[Correlation and concordance between echocardiographic measurements obtained during echocardiography and digitized image measurements--transversal study]. / Correlação e concordância entre medidas ecocardiográficas obtidas durante o exame no ecocardiógrafo com medidas de imagens digitalizadas. Estudo transversal.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation and concordance between the measurements of echocardiographic analysis of cardiac dimensions obtained through the Echo off-line applicative (software for obtaining digitized image measurements in a dedicated workstation) available to public domain, and those obtained through the conventional method. METHOD: Transversal contemporary study, of 56 randomized patients whose images were obtained during examinations. The measurements of the M mode and 2D, were done in the ventricles, left atrium, and aorta by the Echo off-line program. These measurements were compared to those obtained by another professional, through Pearson's correlation test (r), alpha = 0.05 and by concordance analysis (Bland and Altman). RESULT: The measurements carried out by the Echo off-line system showed r that varied from 0.85 to 0.98. The analysis of concordance showed that for most measurements, the mean difference between the methods was approximately zero. The variation of absolute values did not show, in average, a clinical significance. The Echo off-line applicative allows a reduction of approximately 30% in the time spent to obtain the measurements. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the accuracy of the Echo off-line program to measure cardiac dimensions in a dedicated workstation, showing that it can be routinely used in echocardiography labs.

Correlação e concordância entre medidas ecocardiográficas obtidas durante o exame no ecocardiógrafo com medidas de imagens digitalizadas: estudo transversal / Correlation and concordance between echocardiographic measurements obtained during echocardiography and digitized image measurements: transversal study

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a correlação e concordância entre medidas ecocardiográficas das dimensões cardíacas, obtidas através do aplicativo Echo off-line (programa para obtenção de medidas de imagens digitalizadas em estação de trabalho dedicada), com as realizadas convencionalmente. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, contemporâneo, sendo randomizados 56 pacientes. Através do programa Echo off-line foram mensuradas as medidas ao modo M e 2D ao nível dos ventrículos, do átrio esquerdo e da aorta. Estas medidas foram comparadas às realizadas por outro profissional, através do teste de correlação de Pearson (r), com alfa crítico de 0,05 e pela análise de concordância (Bland e Altman). RESULTADOS: As mensurações realizadas no sistema Echo off-line demonstraram r de 0,85 a 0,98. A análise de concordância mostrou que, para a maioria das medidas, a diferença média entre os métodos foi aproximadamente zero. A variação de valores absolutos não apresentou, em média, significância clínica. O aplicativo Echo off-line permite uma redução de, aproximadamente, 30 por cento no tempo para realização das medidas. CONCLUSÃO: Este trabalho demonstrou a acurácia do programa Echo off-line para mensurar as dimensões cardíacas em estação de trabalho dedicada, podendo ser utilizado rotineiramente nos laboratórios de ecocardiografia.

Correlation and agreement analysis between standard videotape and digital echocardiography: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have analyzed the correlation between digital and standard videotape echocardiographic images. The advantages of digital echocardiography are a faster exam, lower costs and a greater number of exams performed. Our study's aim was to evaluate the correlation and agreement between cardiac dimensions measured by M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography, using the Echo Off Line free software, and by standard echocardiography. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, randomized study, in 56 patients, whose images were acquired during echocardiographic examination. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic diameters, septal and posterior wall thicknesses, and left atrial and aortic diameters were measured using the Echo Off Line program. These measures were compared to those acquired using the standard method by a different sonographer, through correlation and agreement analysis as described by Bland and Altman. Values of p<0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The correlation index between the methods varied from 0.85 to 0.98 (Pearson's correlation coefficient) for all the variables studied. The analysis showed that there was good agreement between the methods for most of the measures, the mean difference being close to zero. The variability in absolute values, for most measures, did not reach clinical significance. The method's reproducibility (intra-observer) was adequate. This measurement tool demonstrated correlation indices similar to those in the literature consulted, as well as adequate reproducibility indices for intra-observer measures. Its low cost, compared to that of imported workstations on the market, means it can be widely used without significant costs (free software). CONCLUSION: There is a direct correlation and good agreement between M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiographic measures of cardiac dimensions obtained by the Echo Off Line program and by the standard videotape-based method. The Echo Off Line program can be used routinely in echocardiography laboratories.

Variações de parâmetros da função diastólica do ventrículo esquerdo de acordo com a idade através da ecocardiografia com Doppler tissular / Changes in the parameters of left ventricular diastolic function according to age on tissue Doppler imaging

OBJETIVO: Determinar a correlação entre as velocidades diastólicas do Doppler tissular com a idade em amostra de adultos saudáveis, e correlacionar a idade com as velocidades do fluxo transmitral e de veias pulmonares. MÉTODOS: Estudados, através da ecocardiografia, 51 indivíduos saudáveis, com idades entre 21 e 69 anos e registradas as velocidades miocárdicas diastólicas ao Doppler tissular e determinadas as velocidades dos fluxos transmitral e venoso pulmonar. RESULTADOS: As velocidades miocárdicas diastólicas iniciais septal basal e lateral basal apresentaram correlação inversa com a idade, com r = - 0,40 (p = 0,004) e r = - 0,60 (p = 0,0001) respectivamente. As velocidades atriogênicas do Doppler tissular foram diretamente correlacionadas com a idade, sendo no segmento septal basal r = 0,56 (p = 0,0001) e no segmento lateral basal r = 0,50 (p = 0,0001). As velocidades do fluxo transmitral e do fluxo venoso pulmonar também mostraram correlação com a idade. CONCLUSÃO: Existe correlação entre a idade e as velocidades miocárdicas diastólicas do Doppler tissular e com as velocidades do fluxo transmitral e fluxo venoso pulmonar, demonstrando em indivíduos saudáveis uma variação de parâmetros da função diastólica do ventrículo esquerdo com a evolução natural da idade.

Estudo do encurtamento global do átrio esquerdo em fetos de mães diabéticas / Study of global left atrial shortening in fetuses of diabetic mothers

OBJETIVO: Testar a hipótese de que a fração de encurtamento atrial esquerda seja menor nos fetos de mães diabéticas do que em fetos de mães sem doenças sistêmicas. MÉTODOS: Foram examinados, por ecocardiografia, 42 fetos de mães com diabetes prévio ou gestacional e 39 fetos normais de mães sem doença sistêmica (controles), com idades gestacionais a partir da 25ª semana até o termo. A fração de encurtamento atrial esquerda foi obtida pelo quociente diâmetro máximo do átrio esquerdo (AE) - diâmetro mínimo AE/diâmetro máximo AE. Os dados foram comparados pelo teste t de Student, com um alfa crítico de 0,05. RESULTADOS: Os filhos de mães diabéticas apresentaram fração de encurtamento atrial esquerda média de 0,39 ± 0,15 e os fetos do grupo controle de 0,51 ± 0,11. Esta diferença foi significativa, com p < 0,001. CONCLUSÃO: A dinâmica atrial esquerda, com diminuição do seu encurtamento global, está acentuada nos filhos de mães diabéticas. Especulamos que este parâmetro possa ser útil na avaliação da função diastólica ventricular esquerda fetal.

Ductus venosus flow and myocardial hypertrophy in fetuses of diabetic mothers.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that the pulsatility index of ductus venosus (PIDV) is greater in the fetuses of diabetic mothers (FDM) with myocardial hypertrophy (MH) than in the FDM with no MH and in the control fetuses of nondiabetic mothers (FNDM). Comparing the results with mitral and tricuspid diastolic peak flows. METHODS: The cross-sectional study included fetuses with gestational ages ranging from 20 weeks to term, divided into the following 3 groups: 56 FDM with MH (group I), 36 FDM with no MH (group II), and 53 FNDM (group III, control). The Doppler echocardiogram assessed the PIDV through the ratio (systolic velocity - presystolic velocity)/mean velocity. The mitral and tricuspid E and A waves were also assessed. RESULTS: The mean PIDV in groups I, II, and III were 1.13 +/- 0.64, 0.84 +/- 0.38, and 0.61 +/- 0.17, respectively. Using ANOVA and the Tukey test, a statistically significant difference was found in the 3 groups (P = 0.015 between groups I and II; P < 0.001 between groups I and III; and P = 0.017 between groups II and III). The mean mitral E wave was significantly greater in group I (0.39 +/- 0.12 m/s) than in groups II (0.32 +/- 0.08 m/s) (P = 0.024) and III (0.32 +/- 0.08 m/s) (P = 0.023). The mean tricuspid E wave was also greater in group I (0.43 +/- 0.1 m/s) than in group III (0.35 +/- 0.10 m/s) (P = 0.031). CONCLUSION: The PIDV is significantly greater in FDM with MH than in FDM with no MH and in FNDM. Because the PIDV may represent modifications in ventricular compliance, this index may be a more sensitive parameter for assessing fetal diastolic function.

Isolation of the pulmonary veins in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation secondary to mitral valve disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of surgical isolation of the pulmonary veins for re-establishing sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation secondary to mitral valve disease. METHODS: Thirty-three (67% were women) patients with permanent atrial fibrillation and indication for surgical correction of the mitral valve underwent surgical isolation of the pulmonary veins. Their mean age was 56.3+/-10 years, preoperative NYHA functional class was 3.2+/-0.6, left atrial size was 5.5+/-0.9 cm, and ejection fraction was 61.3+/-13%. The surgical technique consisted of a circumferential incision surrounding the 4 pulmonary veins, excision of the left atrial appendage, and a perpendicular incision originating in the inferior margin of the circumferential incision isolating the pulmonary veins down to the mitral valve. Early arrhythmias were aggressively treated with cardioversion. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 23.9+/-17 months, and 3 patients died in the postoperative period. Ten patients required electrical cardioversion in the postoperative period; 87% had sinus rhythm in the last medical visit, and 33% were using amiodarone. CONCLUSION: Isolation of the pulmonary veins associated with mitral valve surgery is an effective and safe technique for maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation.

Fluxo no ducto venoso e hipertrofia miocárdica em fetos de mães diabéticas / Ductus venosus flow and myocardial hypertrophy in fetuses of diabetic mothers

OBJETIVO: Testar a hipótese de que o índice de pulsatilidade do ducto venoso (IPDV) é maior nos fetos de mães diabéticas (FMD) com hipertrofia miocárdica (HM) do que em FMD sem HM e em fetos controles de mães não diabéticas (FMND) comparando os resultados com os picos de velocidade dos fluxos diastólicos nas valvas mitral e tricúspide. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal incluindo fetos com idade gestacional entre 20 semanas até o termo, divididos em 3 grupos: 56 FMD com HM (grupo I), 36 FMD sem HM (grupo II) e 53 FMND (grupo III, controle). O Doppler-ecocardiograma avaliou o IPDV através da razão (velocidade sistólica - velocidade pré-sistólica)/velocidade média. As ondas E e A dos fluxos mitral e tricúspide foram também avaliadas. RESULTADOS: A média do IPDV no grupo I foi de 1,13 ± 0,64, no grupo II, de 0,84 ± 0,38 e no grupo III de 0,61±0,17. Aplicando-se a ANOVA e o teste de Tukey, houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os 3 grupos (p= 0,015 entre os grupos I e II, p < 0,001 entre os grupos I e III e p = 0,017 entre os grupos II e III). A média da onda E mitral foi significativamente maior no grupo I (0,39 ± 0,12 m/s) do que nos grupos II (0,32 ± 0,08 m/s) (p=0,024) e III (0,32 ± 0,08 m/s) (p=0,023). A média da onda E tricúspide foi também maior no grupo I (0,43 ± 0,1 m/s) do que no grupo III (0,35 ± 0,10 m/s) (p= 0,031). CONCLUSAO: O IPDV é significativamente maior em FMD com HM do que em FMD sem HM e do que em FMND. Como o IPDV pode representar modificações na complacência ventricular, este índice pode ser um parâmetro mais sensível para a avaliação da função diastólica fetal.

Randomized study of surgery for patients with permanent atrial fibrillation as a result of mitral valve disease.

BACKGROUND: The Cox Maze procedure has been used to treat atrial fibrillation in patients with mitral valve disease. Recently, ectopic foci, originating in the pulmonary veins, were demonstrated in patients with atrial fibrillation, and the indication was that their arrhythmia could have a focal origin. In the light of this new evidence, a simplified surgical technique to isolate the pulmonary veins was developed to eliminate permanent atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. This study compares three surgical procedures proposed to maintain sinus rhythm after mitral valve surgery. METHODS: A prospective clinical trial of 30 patients with mitral valve disease and permanent atrial fibrillation who had undergone mitral valve surgery were randomized in accordance with the type of surgery used on each: (1). associated en bloc isolation of pulmonary veins, (2). the Maze procedure, or (3). mitral valve correction alone. The preoperative clinical characteristics were similar in the three groups. RESULTS: The overall postoperative complications were similar in all three groups. The cardiopulmonary bypass time and the aortic cross-clamping time were shorter in the control group, but this factor bore no relation to increased morbidity in the intervention groups. The relative risk of atrial fibrillation after surgery was 0.08 in the group undergoing isolation of pulmonary veins (p = 0.010; 95% confidence interval, 0.01 to 0.71) and 0.20 in the Maze group (p = 0.044; 95% confidence interval, 0.04 to 1.02) compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: En bloc isolation of pulmonary veins associated with mitral valve surgery appears to be safe and just as effective as the Maze procedure in maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation.

[Short- and long- term results of percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty in pulmonary valve stenosis]. / Resultados imediatos e tardios da valvoplastia percutânea com balão na estenose valvar pulmonar.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term results of percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty at a single institution. METHODS: This study comprised 189 patients with pulmonary valve stenosis undergoing percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty from 1984 to 1996, whose mean age was 7.97+/-9.25 years. The procedure was classified as successful when the RV-PA gradient was reduced to levels < 36 mmHg; restenosis was indicated by RV-PA gradients > 36 mmHg after an effective procedure. RESULTS: After the procedure, the peak-to-peak transvalvular gradient decreased from 70.12+/-30.06 to 25.11 +/-20.23 mmHg (P<0.001). Immediate success was obtained in 148 (78.72%) patients. A later reduction in the gradient to values < 36 mmHg was obtained in 24 other patients previously categorized as unsuccessful. Therefore, percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty was considered effective in 172 (91.01%) patients. Effectiveness increased to 93.53% (159/170) in the cases of typical morphology. Follow-up ranged from 4.39+/-3 years to 13.01 years. Restenosis was observed in 24 (13.95%) patients. Pulmonary regurgitation was detected in 95.1% of the patients, being more intense than mild in 29.5% of the patients. The probability of maintaining an appropriate result, at any time point, with no restenosis was 92.29% in 2 years, 87.38% in 5 years, 82.46% in 8 years, and 64.48% in 10 years. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty was effective and safe for the treatment of pulmonary valve stenosis with excellent short- and long-term results.

Isolamento das veias pulmonares em pacientes com fibrilação atrial permanente secundária a valvopatia mitral / Isolation of the pulmonary veins in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation secondary to mitral valve disease

OBJETIVO: Analisar a eficácia do isolamento cirúrgico das veias pulmonares para restabelecer ritmo sinusal em pacientes com fibrilação atrial secundária à doença mitral. MÉTODOS: 33 pacientes com indicação de correção cirúrgica da valva mitral e com fibrilação atrial permanente, foram submetidos ao isolamento cirúrgico das veias pulmonares, sendo 67 por cento mulheres. Média de idade de 56,3±10 anos, classe funcional NYHA pré-operatória de 3,2±0,6, tamanho de átrio esquerdo de 5,5± 0,9 cm, fração de ejeção de 61,3±13 por cento. A técnica cirúrgica consistiu de incisão circunferencial ao redor das 4 veias pulmonares, excisão do apêndice atrial esquerdo e de incisão perpendicular desde a borda inferior da incisão, isolando as veias pulmonares, até o ânulo da valva mitral. Arritmias precoces foram tratadas, agressivamente, com cardioversão. RESULTADOS: O seguimento médio foi de 23,9±17 meses e ocorreram 3 óbitos no pós-operatório. Dez pacientes necessitaram de cardioversão elétrica no pós-operatório; 87 por cento apresentavam ritmo sinusal na última consulta e 33 por cento estavam em uso de amiodarona. CONCLUSAO: Isolamento das veias pulmonares associado à cirurgia da valva mitral é uma técnica efetiva e segura na manutenção de ritmo sinusal em pacientes com fribilação atrial permanente.

Resultados imediatos e tardios da valvoplastia percutânea com balão na estenose valvar pulmonar / Short- and long- term results of percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty in pulmonary valve stenosis

OBJETIVO: Determinar os resultados em longo prazo da valvoplastia percutânea por balão em uma instituição isolada. MÉTODOS: Estudados 189 pacientes com estenose valvar pulmonar submetidos a valvoplastia percutânea por balão, entre 1984-1996, com idade média de 7,97±9,25 anos, classificando-se como bem sucedida, a redução do gradiente VD-AP em níveis < 36mmHg e reestenose gradientes > 36mmHg após procedimento eficaz. RESULTADOS: Após o término do procedimento, o gradiente pico a pico transvalvar reduziu-se de 70,12±30,06 para 25,11±20,23 mmHg (p<0,001). Obtiveram sucesso imediato 148 (78,72 por cento) pacientes. Houve redução posterior do gradiente para valores < 36mmHg em outros 24 pacientes categorizados sem sucesso no grupo. Assim a valvoplastia percutânea por balão foi considerada efetiva em 172 (91,01 por cento) pacientes. A efetividade aumentou para 93,53 por cento (159/170) nos casos de morfologia típica. O tempo de seguimento foi de 4,39±3anos até o período máximo de 13,01 anos. Observou-se reestenose em 24 (13,95 por cento). A presença de regurgitação pulmonar foi detectada em 95,1 por cento dos pacientes, sendo que em 29,5 por cento com grau maior do que leve. A probabilidade de se manter um resultado adequado, até qualquer ponto no tempo, sem a ocorrência de reestenose, foi de 92,29 por cento em 2 anos, de 87,38 por cento em 5 anos, de 82,46 por cento em 8 anos e de 64,48 por cento em 10 anos. CONCLUSAO: A valvoplastia percutânea por balão foi efetiva e segura no tratamento da estenose valvar pulmonar com excelentes resultados imediatos e a longo prazo.

Changes in the parameters of left ventricular diastolic function according to age on tissue Doppler imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between diastolic velocities on tissue Doppler imaging and age in a sample of healthy adults and to correlate age with the velocities of transmitral and pulmonary vein flows. METHODS: Echocardiographic assessment of 51 healthy individuals, whose ages ranged from 21 to 69 years. The diastolic myocardial velocities were recorded on tissue Doppler imaging. The velocities of the transmitral and pulmonary vein flows were also determined. RESULTS: The initial basal septal and basal lateral diastolic myocardial velocities showed an inverse correlation with age [r = -0.40 (P = 0.004), and r = -0.60 (P = 0.0001), respectively]. The atriogenic velocities of tissue Doppler imaging correlated directly with age [r = 0.56 (P = 0.0001) in the basal septal segment, and r = 0.50 (P = 0.0001) in the basal lateral segment]. The velocities of transmitral and pulmonary vein flows also correlated with age. CONCLUSION: Age correlates with the tissue Doppler diastolic myocardial velocities and with the velocities of transmitral and pulmonary vein flows. In healthy individuals, the parameters of left ventricular diastolic function vary with the natural evolution of age.

Study of global left atrial shortening in fetuses of diabetic mothers.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that left atrial shortening fraction is lower in fetuses of diabetic mothers than in fetuses of mothers with no systemic disease. METHODS: Forty-two fetuses of mothers with previous diabetes or gestational diabetes and 39 healthy fetuses of mothers with no systemic disease (controls) underwent echocardiographic examination. Their gestational ages ranged from 25 weeks to term. The left atrial shortening fraction was obtained with the following formula: (left atrial maximum diameter - left atrial minimum diameter)/left atrial maximum diameter. Data were compared using the Student t test, with an alpha level of 0.05. RESULTS: Mean left atrial shortening fractions in fetuses of diabetic mothers and in those in the control group were 0.39 +/- 0.15 and 0.51 +/- 0.11, respectively. This difference was significant with P < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Left atrial dynamics, with a reduction in global left atrial shortening, is increased in fetuses of diabetic mothers. We speculate that this parameter may be useful in assessing fetal left ventricular diastolic function.

Pulsatilidade venosa pulmonar em fetos de mäes diabéticas: estudo Doppler-ecocardiográfico pré-natal / Pulmonary vein pulsatility in fetuses of diabetic mothers: prenatal Doppler echocardiographic study

OBJECTIVE: To verify the hypothesis that the pulmonary vein pulsatility index is higher in fetuses of diabetic mothers than it is in normal fetuses of nondiabetic mothers. METHODS: Twenty-four fetuses of mothers with either gestational or previous diabetes (cases), and 25 normal fetuses of mothers without systemic disease (control) were examined. Fetuses were examined through prenatal Doppler and color flow mapping. The pulmonary vein pulsatility index was obtained by placing the pulsed Doppler sample volume over the right superior pulmonary vein and applying the formula (systolic velocity - presystolic velocity)/mean velocity. RESULTS: The mean gestational age of the study fetuses was 30.3±2.7 weeks, and gestational age of the controls was 29±3.3 weeks, with no significant difference in gestational age between groups (p=0.14). Fetuses of diabetic mothers had a mean pulmonary vein pulsatility index of 1.6±1, and those of the control group had an index of 0.86±0.27. CONCLUSION: Fetuses of diabetic mothers had pulmonary vein pulsatility indexes (parameter easily obtained through Doppler echocardiography that may be related to fetal diastolic function) higher than those in fetuses of mothers with normal glycemia

Dynamics of the pulmonary venous flow in the fetus and its association with vascular diameter.

BACKGROUND: The usual positioning of the Doppler sample volume to assess fetal pulmonary vein flow is in the distal portion of the vein, where the vessel diameter is maximal. This study was performed to test the association of the pulmonary vein pulsatility index (PVPI) with the vessel diameter. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-three normal fetuses (mean gestational age, 28.6+/-5.3 weeks) were studied by Doppler echocardiography. Pulmonary right upper vein flow was assessed adjacent to the venoatrial junction ("distal" position) and in the middle of the vein ("proximal" position). The vessel diameter was measured by 2D echocardiography with power Doppler, and the PVPI was obtained by the ratio (maximal velocity [systolic or diastolic peak]-minimal velocity [presystolic peak])/mean velocity. The statistical analysis used t test and exponential correlation studies. Mean distal diameter was 0.33+/-0.10 cm (0.11 to 0.57 cm), and mean proximal diameter was 0.16+/-0.08 cm (0.11 to 0.25 cm) (P<0.0001). Mean distal PVPI was 0.84+/-0.21 (0.59 to 1.38), and mean proximal PVPI was 2.09+/-0.59 (1.23 to 3.11) (P<0.0001). Exponential inverse correlation between pulmonary vein diameter and pulsatility index was highly significant (P<0.0001), with a determination coefficient of 0.439. CONCLUSIONS: In the normal fetus, the pulmonary venous flow pulsatility decreases from the lung to the heart, and this parameter is inversely correlated to the diameter of the pulmonary vein, which increases from its proximal to its distal portion. This study emphasizes the importance of the correct positioning of the Doppler sample volume, adjacent to the venoatrial junction, to assess pulmonary venous flow dynamics.

Pulmonary vein pulsatility in fetuses of diabetic mothers: prenatal Doppler echocardiographic study.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the hypothesis that the pulmonary vein pulsatility index is higher in fetuses of diabetic mothers than it is in normal fetuses of nondiabetic mothers. METHODS: Twenty-four fetuses of mothers with either gestational or previous diabetes (cases), and 25 normal fetuses of mothers without systemic disease (control) were examined. Fetuses were examined through prenatal Doppler and color flow mapping. The pulmonary vein pulsatility index was obtained by placing the pulsed Doppler sample volume over the right superior pulmonary vein and applying the formula (systolic velocity - presystolic velocity)/mean velocity. RESULTS: The mean gestational age of the study fetuses was 30.3 2.7 weeks, and gestational age of the controls was 29 3.3 weeks, with no significant difference in gestational age between groups (p=0.14). Fetuses of diabetic mothers had a mean pulmonary vein pulsatility index of 1.6 1, and those of the control group had an index of 0.86 0.27. CONCLUSION: Fetuses of diabetic mothers had pulmonary vein pulsatility indexes (parameter easily obtained through Doppler echocardiography that may be related to fetal diastolic function) higher than those in fetuses of mothers with normal glycemia.