Diagnosis of aortic dissection by transesophageal echocardiography.

Coarctation of the Aorta: Quantitative Analysis by Transesophageal Echocardiography

Summary Transesophageal echocardiography and standard two-dimensional echocardiography were performed in 15 patients with suspected coarctation of the aorta. Aortic diameters and crosssectional areas were determined by means of TEE and compared with clinical findings and catheterization data. The isthmus of the aorta could be imaged in all patients using TEE, but in only seven patients using standard suprasternal echocardiography. Compared with controls, aortic diameters were narrowed in 9 of 15 patients, and cross-sectional areas were reduced in 13 of 15. There was a satisfactory correlation between TEE data and angiographic and hemodynamic data. TEE is a promising method of a diagnosing a…

Mitral valve aneurysm revealed by cross-sectional echocardiography in a patient with mitral valve prolapse

We report a cerebral ischemia in a 23-year-old woman, in whom a mitral valve aneurysm with thrombotic masses was diagnosed by cross-sectional echocardiography. A prolapsing mitral leaflet was also visualized.

Hemichorea associated with varicella-zoster reinfection and endocarditis. A case report.

A 20-year-old woman developed transient right-sided hemichoreatic movements after household exposure to varicella-zoster. Some days before the appearance of involuntary movements a vesicular rash had occurred. About 6 months later an elevated IgG serum titer against varicella virus was found and two-dimensional echocardiography showed signs of an endocarditis. During the following 2 months the IgG value returned to within the normal range and the choreatic movements disappeared almost totally. The possibility is discussed that endocarditis had been caused and maintained by serum antibodies to varicella-zoster virus which cross-reacted with valvular tissue. Embolization to the region of the …

Reliability and Accuracy of Echocardiography for Follow-up Studies after Intervention

By two-dimensional echocardiography limitations of M-mode echocardiography have been eliminated. As a direct and noninvasive method two-dimensional echocardiography seems to be an ideal method for analysis of left ventricular function in follow-up studies. In relation to other methods there are no limitations concerning x-ray exposure, physicians and patients safety. Before different studies can be discussed, reliability and accuracy of two-dimensional echocardiography have to be evaluated. Beat-to-beat, day-to-day, intra- and interobserver variability will be discussed, followed by description of follow-up studies after intervention.

Combined medical and mechanical recanalization in acute myocardial infarction

A technique of combined medical and mechanical recanalization was employed in 96 patients with acute transmural myocardial infarction. The mean time between onset of symptoms and admission to hospital was 170 +/- 65 min (X +/- SD). After 10 +/- 16 min, 250,000 U streptokinase was administered intravenously for 20 min. Intracoronary thrombolysis was commenced within 38 +/- 14 min. First coronary angiograms demonstrated reperfusion, an open vessel in 25/96 patients (26%). In 15/71 patients (21%) reperfusion occurred during thrombolysis therapy, before mechanical recanalization could be performed. Recanalization was achieved mechanically in 37/71 patients (52%) with occluded coronary vessels. …

Echocardiography in myocardial infarction

This paper discusses the usefulness of echocardiography in thrombolysis, its diagnostic value and drawbacks for therapy and the possibilities for follow-up studies. The diagnostic value is seen in the possibility of localizing and defining the extent of myocardial infarction, not only of the left but also of the right ventricle, and recognizing the complications of myocardial infarction as soon as possible 1, 2, 4.