0000000000256386
AUTHOR
Rainer J. Zotz
Freehand three-dimensional assessment of left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction with ultrasound contrast agent LK565
Accurate assessment of left ventricular function by determining left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction is important in evaluating the prognoses of patients with heart failure. Two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography suffers from low correlation with reference methods like ventriculography. Three-dimensionally (3D) assessed data have been proved to have better conformity. Endocardial border delineation remains a problem, however, especially in patients with suboptimal recordings. Few data exist on 3D-echocardiographic volumetry with ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs). We evaluated the second-generation UCA LK565 for its boundary-tracing capacities in freehand 3D echocardiography in a ph…
Fragment reconstruction of coronary arteries using transesophageal echocardiography for coronary diagnostics
Aims Ultrasound differs procedurally from the established methods for non-invasive coronary visualization and is therefore an interesting alternative for non-invasive diagnostics. In this study, fragment reconstruction of coronary arteries by transesophageal echocardiography (FRC-TEE) was investigated for the first time in a patient population being evaluated for coronary angiography. Methods and results Ultrasonic and angiographic findings were compared visually and using quantitative measurements in 50 patients. One hundred and seventy-one vessels were examined by FRC-TEE. The total lengths visualized were 9.6+ 1.7 cm for the right coronary artery, 7.0+ 1.1 cm for left circumflex, 3.9+ 1.…
Spontaneous echo contrast caused by platelet and leukocyte aggregates?
Background and Purpose —Spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC) is correlated to clinical thromboembolic events. We sought to determine the origin of SEC by utilizing direct analysis of left atrial blood. Methods —We examined the blood of 13 patients with and 19 without SEC. Blood samples were taken from the femoral vein and artery and from the right and left atria after transseptal puncture. Samples were incubated with fluorescence-labeled antibodies directed against the platelet (CD41a-PE, CD42b-PE, and CD62p-FITC) and leukocyte membrane epitopes (CD45-APC and CD14-FITC). The expressed epitopes were analyzed by dual laser flow cytometry immediately after blood withdrawal. Results —I…
Changes of neurohumoral parameters and endothelin-1 in response to exercise in patients with mild to moderate congestive heart failure
Plasma endothelin levels are increased in patients with moderate and severe CHF. Conflicting data exist about the endothelin-1 (ET) level in patients with mild to moderate CHF and the effect of maximal exercise on plasma ET levels.We determined the plasma levels of ET and various neurohumoral parameters in 93 patients with CHF in functional class II and III of the NYHA classification at rest and after maximal bicycle exercise. Baseline ET level was increased compared to an age-matched healthy volunteer group (6.95+/-0.31 vs 3.29+/-0.17 pg/ml, mean+/-S.E.M., P0.05), without significant differences between NYHA class II and III patients. Maximal exercise did not increase the ET level. In cont…