RESUMEN
Objective: To evaluate the benefit of using three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) over conventional two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2DTEE) in evaluation of various morphological features of atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) during transcatheter closure. Methods: This is an observational cross sectional study including 115 patients (45 PFO and 70 ASD patients) who underwent 2D/3DTEE guided transcatheter closure from April 2019 to October 2021 in cardiology department, Tanta university hospital. Results: 70 ASD patients were divided into two groups; the pediatric age group (18 patients, mean age 9.05 ± 3.51 years) and the adult group (52 patients, mean age 39.3 ± 10.15 years). ASD morphology was simple in 12.9% and complex in 87.1% of patients, where 3DTEE was superior in the evaluation of posterior, infero posterior rims, fenestrated flimsy rims, aneurysm shape, orientation, and quality of its tissue. Procedural success was defined as complete defect closure with no complications. The procedure was successful in 68 and failed in 2 patients. 45 PFO patients were divided into two groups; the pediatric age group (14 patients, mean age 13.5 ± 3.25 years) and the adult group (31 patients, mean age 35.2 ± 4.5 years). PFO morphology was simple in 22.2% and complex in 77.8% of patients, where 3DTEE was superior in the evaluation of the exact PFO opening from the left atrium, additional fenestrations, aneurysm shape, orientation, and quality of its tissue. The procedure was successful in all patients. Conclusion: 3DTEE guided transcatheter ASD/PFO closure provides an additional value over conventional 2DTEE in assessment of complex ASD/PFO morphology.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The successful application of noninvasive Doppler spectrum analysis has been reported for the hemodynamic assessment of LIMA graft after myocardial revascularization. HYPOTHESIS: The objective of this study was to assess the utility of transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTE) in providing information on LIMA flow in patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. METHODS: In all, 22 patients (aged 62 +/- 8 years) with LIMA graft to the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery who underwent coronary angiography were assessed using high-frequency (5 MHz) transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. They were compared with 25 patients with angina (control group A, aged 59 +/- 12 years), in whom an ungrafted LIMA was assessed, and with 17 patients (control group B, aged 59 +/- 9 years) with angiographically normal coronary arteries, in whom the LAD was assessed. RESULTS: A biphasic pattern (systolic and diastolic) was recorded in all cases. In 14 patients with a normal graft or < 70% stenosis (Group 1) and in control group B, blood flow was maximal during diastole. In eight patients with severe graft stenosis > 70% (Group 2) and control group B, blood flow was maximal during systole, with low diastolic flow. The diastolic fraction of the velocity time integrals was 0.81 +/- 0.11 for Group 1 and 0.25 +/-0.06 for Group 2 (p < 0.05). A diastolic velocity time integral fraction < 0.5 predicted > 70% stenosis with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. The ratio of systolic/diastolic peak velocities was 0.61 +/- 0.31 for Group 1 and 3.21 +/- 0.49 for Group 2 (p < 0.05). A systolic/diastolic peak velocity > 1 predicted stenosis > 70% with a sensitivity and specificity of 100 and 90%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: High-frequency TTE is a useful noninvasive method for detecting LIMA graft blood flow. Severe graft stenoses exhibited Doppler velocity patterns, which were different from those of patent grafts, or grafts with moderate stenoses.