Cardiovascular Echography

Left atrial volume during stress is associated with increased risk of arrhythmias in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Giuseppe Limongelli, Vincenzo Fioretti, Marco Di Maio, Marina Verrengia, Marta Rubino, Rita Gravino, Daniele Masarone, Antonello D'Andrea, Quirino Ciampi, Eugenio Picano, Perry Elliott, Giuseppe Pacileo Journal of Cardiovascular Echography 2019 29(1):1-6 Introduction: In patients affected by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), left atrial volume index (LAVi) is associated with an increased risk of tachyarrhythmias and major clinical events. To date, the clinical meaning of LAVi measured during exercise (stress LAVi [sLAVi]) has not yet been investigated in HCM. This study sought to evaluate the correlation between LAVi/sLAVi and clinical outcome (risk of arrhythmias and heart failure [HF]) in patients with HCM. Methods and Results: We enrolled a total of 51 consecutive patients with HCM (39 men; mean age: 39.41 ± 17.9 years) who underwent standard and stress echocardiography, following a common protocol. During follow-up (median follow-up was 1.82 years), the following composite endpoints were collected: ARRHYT endpoint (atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), sustained VT, ventricular fibrillation, syncope of likely cardiogenic nature, and sudden cardiac death) and HF endpoint (worsening of functional class and left ventricular ejection fraction, hospitalization, and death for end-stage HF). Eight patients were lost at follow-up. ARRHYT endpoint occurred in 13 (30.2%) patients (8, 18.6%, supraventricular and 10, 23.2%, ventricular arrhythmias), whereas HF endpoint occurred in 5 (11.6%) patients. sLAVi (mean value of 31.16 ± 10.15 mL/m2) performed better than rLAVi as a predictor of ARRHYT endpoint (Akaike Information Criterion: 48.37 vs. 50.37, if dichotomized according to the median values). A sLAVi value of 30 mL/m2 showed a predictive accuracy of 72.1% (C-statistics of 0.7346), with a high negative predictive value (87.5%). Conclusion: These findings encourage future studies on sLAVi, as a potential predictor of arrhythmias and adverse outcome in patients with HCM.

StepWise protocols for scoring of mitral valve using three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography in mitral stenosis Ashraf M Anwar, Wael M Attia Journal of Cardiovascular Echography 2019 29(1):7-13 Aim: This study aims to propose protocols that enable scoring of mitral valve (MV) in mitral stenosis using the three-dimensional (3D) scoring system. Methods: A two-staged study was conducted. The first stage was designed to select the best 3D images of MV leaflets and chordae through analysis of 471 images. The second stage was designed to organize the best 3D images into protocols for complete scoring of MV. It included 35 consecutive patients; 23 had sinus rhythm (SR) and 12 had atrial fibrillation (AF). Both single- and multi-beat 3D acquisition from apical and parasternal windows were focused on MV leaflets and chordae using all 3D modalities (live, zoom, and full volume). To propose the protocols, 1563 images were analyzed. Results: In SR with good apical window, 2 protocols were recommended for complete scoring of leaflets and chordae (4 zoom 3D images [1 image for leaflets and 3 images for chordae] and 1 full-volume 3D image) using single- and multi-beat acquisition. In AF, the same 2 protocols using single-beat acquisition were recommended. From parasternal window, complete scoring of leaflets was obtained by 3 recommended protocols (single- or multi-beat zoom 3D images from parasternal short axis [PSAX], multibeat live 3D images from PSAX, and single- or multi-beat full-volume 3D images from parasternal long axis) in SR and 1 protocol in AF (single-beat zoom 3D images from PSAX). Scoring of chordae was incomplete in all patients by all 3D modalities. Conclusions: The proposed 3D-transthoracic echocardiography protocols suit all patients regardless of echo window and heart rhythm and enabled complete MV scoring.

Three-dimensional echocardiographic imaging of a Gerbode defect complicating transcatheter aortic valve replacement Hani Al Sergani, Domenico Galzerano, Olga Vriz, Jehad Al Buraiki Journal of Cardiovascular Echography 2019 29(1):14-16 We describe a case of a 77-year-old male who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR) with Edwards SAPIEN XT size 26 mm for severe aortic stenosis. Postprocedural transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showed left-to-right shunt between the left ventricular outflow tract just below the bioprosthesis and the right atrium across the atrioventricular septum (Gerbode defect). Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) allowed a detailed anatomical imaging of the shape and the location of a small, circular, atrioventricular defect that was a type II, direct, supravalvular, Gerbode-type defect. This is the third report of a Gerbode defect after TAVR whose diagnosis has important implications on clinical decision-making. TEE plays a key role; its diagnostic ability is enriched by the additional value of 3DE.

Ventricular Septal Defect Complicating Inferior Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Case of Percutaneous Closure Donatella Ferraioli, Giuseppe Santoro, Michele Bellino, Rodolfo Citro Journal of Cardiovascular Echography 2019 29(1):17-19 Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is one of the most serious mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Despite the incidence of post-AMI VSD in reperfusion era has reduced from 1%–2% to 0.17%–0.31%, it is a still life-threatening condition with poor prognosis. Surgical VSD closure is considered the best treatment approach since conservative management carries an extremely high mortality rate. Over the last decade, percutaneous transcatheter closure has emerged as an alternative therapeutic strategy for a patient with post-AMI VSD, with outcomes similar to cardiac surgery (30-day mortality 14%–66%). We present a case of inferior AMI complicated by posterobasal VSD and cardiogenic shock successfully treated with percutaneous closure. The role of echocardiography in diagnosis, management, and percutaneous procedure guiding has been emphasized.

Amniotic fluid embolism in a grown-up congenital heart disease patient Elena De Angelis, Costantina Prota, Rosanna Matturro, Rodolfo Citro Journal of Cardiovascular Echography 2019 29(1):20-22 Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare but potentially lethal obstetric condition affecting women during labor, delivery, or also in the immediate postpartum period, when amniotic fluid, fetal cells, hair, or other debris could enter the maternal circulation. We present the first case of AFE described in literature in a 33-year-old patient with a complex history of congenital heart disease, where the crucial points for successful course were the prompt recognition and treatment of the disease and the use, for the first time, as diagnostic tool for AFE, of right ventricular free-wall longitudinal speckle-tracking strain.

Dual coronary-pulmonary fistula firstly found at routine doppler echocardiogram Grazia Casavecchia, Stefano Zicchino, Matteo Gravina, Alessandro Martone, Andrea Cuculo, Luca Macarini, Matteo Di Biase, Natale Daniele Brunetti Journal of Cardiovascular Echography 2019 29(1):23-25 Congenital coronary-pulmonary fistulas (CPFs) are defined as an abnormal direct communication between one or more coronary arteries, with a cardiac or thoracic structure bypassing the capillary network. We report the case of a 73-year-old male, with a history of hypertension, asymptomatic for angina and dyspnea, who was referred for routine clinical control. Echocardiogram unexpectedly showed the presence of diastolic flow from the pulmonary trunk in parasternal short-axis view. Pulsed-wave Doppler confirmed the presence of diastolic flow and displayed the typical coronary flow pattern. Coronary angiography hence showed the presence of dual CPFs originating from the second segment of the left anterior descending coronary and the right coronary arteries. Careful routine Doppler echocardiograph examination may raise the suspicion of CPF in case of otherwise unexplained symptoms and may represent a simple, easy, repeatable tool for the first suspected diagnosis and follow-up of CPFs.

A rare case of left subacute atrial dissection: Multimodality imaging approach Alberto Lavorgna, Carmine Villani, Donatello Fabiani, Cosimo Napoletano Journal of Cardiovascular Echography 2019 29(1):26-28 Today, left atrial dissection is described as a rare complication of cardiac surgery, particularly after a mitral valve replacement. We report a rare case of left subacute atrial dissection occurred as a result of a domestic accidental fall. Transesophageal echocardiogram, angio-computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging showed an intramural formation with clear margins and a seamless cleavage with the posterolateral wall of the left atrium, which determined an obstacle to the ventricular filling. The patient was then operated in order to empty the hematoma and reattach the atrial wall.

Giant right coronary artery aneurysm detected by transthoracic echocardiography Matteo Pernigo, Marco Triggiani, Samuele Pentiricci, Graziano Montresor Journal of Cardiovascular Echography 2019 29(1):29-31 Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) are rare findings caused by atherosclerosis in about 50% of cases. They are usually diagnosed using coronary angiography, cardiac computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. In this report, we present a rare case of giant, isolated right CAA, detected by transthoracic echocardiography in an adult patient with unstable angina. Diameters of the aneurysm were 3.6 cm × 2.7 cm. Anterior-septal hypokinesia of the left ventricle was also noted. A comprehensive echocardiographic examination, including contrast study, excluded alternative diagnoses and supported the hypothesis of a coronary ectasia. The coronary angiography confirmed the diagnosis of giant coronary aneurysm and revealed a severe three-vessel disease. The patient was treated with cardiac surgery a few days later: two coronary artery bypass grafts and exclusion of the aneurysm by surgical legation were successfully performed.

A nonfatal massive pulmonary embolism in a very old patient: The protective filter-effect of the Chiari Network Andrea Sonaglioni, Gian Luigi Nicolosi, Michele Lombardo, Claudio Anza Journal of Cardiovascular Echography 2019 29(1):32-34 The Chiari network, a net-like structure within the right atrium, has been described as an embryonic remnant of no clinical significance. Its role in facilitating paradoxical arterial embolic events and as a potential site for thrombus formation has been reported in the literature. This case illustrates the protective filter-effect of the Chiari network in a 92-year-old women who presented with the clinical signs and symptoms of acute cor pulmonale. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a large, S-shaped, and extremely mobile right atrial thrombus within the Chiari network. Here, the authors describe how the Chiari network may have prevented the occurrence of a fatal pulmonary embolism acting as a protective factor.

Never too grown-up for a congenital heart disease: Diagnosis of transitional atrioventricular canal in a 50-year-old male Francesca De Angelis, Ketty Savino, Alessandro Colombo, Mariagrazia Sardone, Giuseppe Ambrosio Journal of Cardiovascular Echography 2019 29(1):35-38 Transitional atrioventricular (AV) septal defects are uncommon congenital heart defects, and diagnosis is usually made in childhood. We present the case of intermediate AV canal diagnosed in a man referring to cardiological examination for the first time in his life at the age of fifty for exertional dyspnea. The absence of medical examination or execution of electrocardiogram or echocardiogram in childhood or in youth and the very late appearance of symptoms lead to a late diagnosis of this congenital heart disease (CHD). This case underlines the importance of including CHD in the differential diagnosis of symptoms such as chronic dyspnea, also in adulthood.