Agreement between 4D transesophageal echocardiography and multi-detector computed tomography in measuring aortic root dimensions and coronary ostia heights.

Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is the gold standard non-invasive tool for evaluating aortic root dimensions. We assessed the agreement between 4D TEE and MDCT-derived aortic valve annular dimensions, coronary ostia height, and minor dimensions of sinuses of Valsalva (SoV) and sinotubular junction (STJ). In this prospective analytical study, we measured the annular area, annular perimeter, area-derived diameter, area-derived perimeter, left and right coronary ostial heights, and minor diameters of the SoV and the STJ using ECG-gated MDCT and 4D TEE. TEE measurements were calculated semi-automatically by the eSie valve software. We enrolled 43 adult patients (27 males, median age: 46 years). We found strong correlations and good agreement between the two modalities in annular dimensions (area, perimeter, area-derived diameter, and perimeter-derived diameter), left coronary ostial height, minimum STJ diameter, and minimum SoV diameters. Moderate correlations, and agreement, with relatively large differences between the 95% LOA, were demonstrated for the right coronary artery ostial height. 4D TEE correlates well with MDCT in measuring aortic annular dimensions, coronary ostial height, SoV minor diameter, and sinotubular junction minor diameter. Whether this can affect clinical outcomes is unknown. It could replace MDCT if the latter is unavailable or contraindicated.

Left Ventricular Remodeling Following Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty in Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease affects primarily cardiac valves, it could involve the myocardium either primarily or secondary to heart valve affection. The influence of balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) on left ventricular function has not been sufficiently studied. Aim: To determine the influence of balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) on both global and regional left ventricular (LV) function. Methods: Thirty patients with isolated rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) were studied. All patients had cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) before, 6 months and 1 year after successful BMV. LV volumes, ejection fraction (EF), regional and global LV deformation, and LV late gadolinium enhancement were evaluated. Results: At baseline, patients had median EF of 57 (range: 45-69) %, LVEDVI of 74 (44-111) ml/m2 and LVESVI of 31 (14-57) ml/m2 with absence of late gadolinium enhancement in all myocardial segments. Six months following BMV, there was a significant increase in LV peak systolic global longitudinal strain (GLS) (-16.4 vs. -13.8, p < 0.001) and global circumferential strain (GCS) (-17.8 vs. -15.6, p = 0.002). At 1 year, there was a trend towards decrease in LVESVI (29 ml/m2, p = 0.079) with a significant increase in LV EF (62%, p < 0.001). A further significant increase, compared to 6 months follow up studies, was noticed in GLS (-17.9 vs. -16.4, p = 0.008) and GCS (-19.4 vs. -17.8 p = 0.03). Conclusions: Successful BMV is associated with improvement in global and regional LV systolic strain which continues for up to 1 year after the procedure.

Left atrial structural and functional remodeling following balloon mitral valvuloplasty.

Mitral stenosis (MS) is associated with left atrial (LA) functional and morphological changes as a result of chronic increase in LA pressure. Relieving the mitral obstruction via balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) might be associated with LA structural and functional remodeling. To study alterations of LA volume and functions 1 year following successful BMV in patients with isolated rheumatic severe mitral stenosis. Thirty patients (median age 33 years, 22 women) with severe rheumatic MS were included in the study. Using biplane method, trans-thoracic 2D echocardiography was used to estimate LA volume indexed to body surface area (BSA). Maximal, minimal and pre-A left atrial volumes were measured and indexed to BSA. LA volumetric functions were then assessed and the measurements were repeated 6 months and 1 year after successful valvuloplasty. At baseline, median mitral valve area (MVA) was 0.9 (0.6-1.3) cm2 measured by planimetry with a mean pressure gradient of 12.5 (8-24) mmHg. Following BMV, a significant regression of left atrial volume index was noticed at 6 months compared to baseline (51 vs. 60 ml/m2, p = 0.001) with a further decrease at 1 year (48 vs. 51 ml/m2, p = 0.03). At 6 months, volumetric assessment of left atrial functions showed a significant improvement in LA total emptying fraction (42% vs 30%, p = 0.001) as well as in LA passive emptying fraction (26% vs 14%, p = 0.033) and LA active emptying fraction (20% vs. 18%, p = 0.016). All these indices showed further improvement at 1 year [47% (P = 0.02), 29% (p = 0.03) and 31% (p = 0.001) respectively]. In patients with isolated rheumatic MS, mitral valvuloplasty was associated with a significant decline of LA volume accompanied by a significant improvement of its volumetric functions.

Management of a huge right atrial thrombus in a patient with multiple comorbidities.

BACKGROUND: Floating right heart thrombi (RHT) represent an underdiagnosed, potentially hazardous, and to some extent rare phenomenon in patients presenting with acute pulmonary embolism (APE). Emergent treatment is usually required for such a condition. CASE PRESENTATION: A 19-year-old young lady presented with progressive shortness of breath, marked renal impairment, thrombocytopenia, and a highly oscillating huge right atrial mass. After she was admitted to the intensive care unit, she arrested in asystole and was resuscitated, and her electrocardiogram (ECG) showed evidence of acute anterior myocardial infarction. Urgent cardiac surgery to remove the right atrial mass was proposed by the heart team as the best option of management. Surgery was emergently performed with extra-corporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) as a support. Following surgery, mechanical support and vasopressors were successfully weaned and the patient achieved a good recovery. CONCLUSIONS: A pulmonary embolism response team (PERT) approach should always be considered where a multidisciplinary team involving a cardiologist, radiologist, cardio-thoracic surgeon, radiologist, and intensivist shall determine the management strategy for a challenging presentation of a massive pulmonary embolism or floating right heart thrombi causing the hemodynamically unstable clinical condition.

Impact of balloon mitral valvuloplasty on left ventricular rotational deformation: Magnetic Resonance Imaging follow up study.

In patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS), some previous studies have investigated the influence of balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) on left ventricular (LV) systolic function. However, the impact of BMV on LV twisting motion in this clinical setting has not been studied before yet. To describe changes in LV torsion in patients with rheumatic MS following BMV. Thirty patients (median age 33 years, 22 women) with isolated severe MS were studied. CMR myocardial tissue tagging was used for assessment of LV rotational deformation. LV torsion was calculated as the twist value (the net difference between apical counterclockwise and basal clockwise rotation) normalized to the length of the ventricle and multiplied by the mean radius at the base and apex. All patients had CMR studies before, 6 months and 1 year after successful BMV. At baseline, patients had a mitral valve area of 0.9 (0.6-1.3) cm2, mean pressure gradient of 12.5 (8-24) mmHg across the valve as measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Median LV ejection fraction (LVEF) estimated by CMR was 57 (range: 45-69) %. A significant improvement in LV base-apex torsion was shown at 6 months (3.3° vs. 2.5°, p < 0.001) with a further improvement at 1 year (4.1° vs. 3.3°, p = 0.05). Similar pattern of change was seen in LV base-mid torsion with a significant increase at 6 months (3.6° vs. 2.3°, p < 0.001) and a further increase at 1 year (4.7° vs. 3.6°, p = 0.007). These changes were associated with a significant increase in LVEF (62% vs. 57%, p < 0.001) at 1 year following BMV. Successful BMV is associated with a significant improvement in LV torsion that is accompanied by a significant improvement in LVEF.