对比增强超声心动图对拟肝移植患者肺内分流的研究

目的探讨对比增强超声心动图(CEE)对晚期肝病肺内分流的临床诊断价值.方法采用对比超声的检查方法,对连续24例拟肝移植患者进行了前瞻性研究,筛查晚期肝病肺内右向左分流的发生率,并根据左心室微泡的显示程度半定量分析为1～3 .将CEE证实有或无肺内分流的患者分为二组,对比分析其与临床各相关因素(临床特征、肺功能检查、肝功能检查、右心室功能)的关系.结果①24例患者, 10例(41.7%)CEE证实肺内右向左分流.左心室显影异常程度1～2 (6例1 ;4例2 )出现在右心室显影后6～10余个心动周期;②两组患者在年龄、性别、动脉血气分析、肝功能化验等检查结果差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);③两组间在上消化道出血(4/10 vs 0/14)、脾脏厚度(SP)[(65.4±13.3) mm vs (45.4±12.6) mm]对比,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);④两组间在肺动脉收缩压(PASP)及右室Tei指数对比差异有统计学意义[(30.2±14.7)mm Hg vs (11.5±11.8) mm Hg及(0.47±0.16 vs 0.29±0.10);P＜0.05].结论①晚期肝病合并肺内分流而无低氧血症的肺血管扩张(IPVD)比较常见,CEE对诊断IPVD提供了一种简便、敏感、非创伤性的早期检查手段;②门脉高压症是发生IPVD的主要因素;③右室Tei指数可作为评估IPVD患者右心功能的重要参数.     

Tei指数在慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并肺动脉高压患者中的变化

肺动脉高压(PH)是慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)的重要合并症,长期PH会引起右心负荷增加,进而右心衰竭,因此右心室功能的测定对于PH患者的病情估测、疗效评价、判断预后具有十分重要的临床意义.右心室Tei指数能较敏感地反映右心室整体收缩舒张功能,可作为临床无创评价肺心病患者右心室功能的指标.本研究应用多普勒超声心动图测量COPD 合并PH患者不同时期肺动脉收缩压、Tei指数,旨在通过观察肺动脉收缩压、Tei指数的变化及相关性分析,探讨右心功能的变化以及Tei指数的意义.     

tei指数评价慢性阻塞性肺疾病右心功能的价值

目的:探讨Tei指数评价慢性阻塞性肺疾病(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,COPD)右心室功能的价值.材料与方法:对92例COPD患者及32例健康对照组行常规超声心动图检查和肺功能测量,计算右心室Tei指数.结果:COPD患者肺动脉高压组(pulmonary hypertension,PH)右心系统增大,右心室前壁增厚,主肺动脉内径增宽;PH组Tei指数增高,随肺动脉压力增高更为显著;COPD患者的Tei指数与FEV1％和FEV1/FVE等肺功能指标均有明显相关性.结论:COPD患者右心室整体功能已经受损,肺动脉高压患者右心室功能受损更重,Tei指数能有效评价COPD患者右心室功能.     

吸入NO：一种选择性的肺血管扩张剂

吸入ＮＯ：一种选择性的肺血管扩张剂一、肺动脉高压肺动脉高压进行性使右心室不能维持其输出量并常导致右心衰竭和死亡。在新生儿和婴儿，肺动脉高压也可致右向左分流增加和氧去饱和作用。一类血管扩张剂企图用于治疗肺动脉高压，然而，还没有一种更完善的选择性肺动脉扩...     

体位在对比经颅多普勒超声检测卵圆孔未闭右向左分流中的影响

目的 探讨体位对对比经颅多普勒超声(contrast transcranial Doppler,cTCD)检测卵圆孔未闭右向左分流的影响.方法 对276例缺血性脑血管病、偏头痛、发作性眩晕、晕厥住院患者于坐位、仰卧位、左侧卧位、右侧卧位应用cTCD检测右向左分流,位置顺序随机分配.根据微泡数量对右向左分流分流程度进行分级:0级,无微泡;Ⅰ级,1～10个微泡;Ⅱ级,＞10个微泡但未形成“雨帘”;Ⅲ级,雨帘形成.同时进行对比经胸超声心动图(contrast transthoracic echocardiography,cTTE)或对比经食管超声心动图(contrast transesophageal echocardiography,cTEE)或右心导管检查.结果 cTCD检查右向左分流的阳性率为48.2％ (133/276),其中82例经cTTE、28例经cTEE、23例经右心导管检查证实为卵圆孔未闭.平静呼吸时各体位的右向左分流检出率及微泡数差异无统计学意义(P ＞0.05);Valsalva动作后各体位的右向左分流检出率及微泡数高于平静呼吸(P ＜0.001),坐位右向左分流检出率及微泡数高于仰卧位、左侧卧位、右侧卧位(P＜0.05).结论 应用cTCD检测卵圆孔未闭右向左分流,坐位结合Valsalva动作优于仰卧位、左侧卧位、右侧卧位,采取坐位检测右向左分流有助于提高其检出率及微泡数.     

超声心动图评价慢性肺栓塞患者右心室重构的临床价值

目的探讨超声心动图评价慢性肺栓塞患者右心室重构的临床价值。方法 62例慢性肺栓塞患者作为观察组,60例健康人作为对照组,分别采用超声心动图检查,对比两组研究对象右心室横径(RV)、右心房横径(RA)、肺动脉主干内径(MPA)、肺动脉收缩压(SPAP)、右心室心肌机能指数(Tei)、右心室舒张末期容积(RVEDV)、右心室收缩末期容积(RVESV)、右心室射血分数(RVEF)。结果观察组RV、RA、MPA、SPAP、RVEDV、RVESV均显著高于对照组(P0.05或P0.01),RVEF显著低于对照组(P0.01);观察组Tei指数显著低于对照组(P0.01),ICT+IRT显著长于对照组(P0.01),ET显著短于对照组(P0.01)。结论超声心动图检查可直接测量慢性肺栓塞患者右心房、右心室、肺动脉主干及其分支的血栓,了解右心功能变化,同时能够有效评价右心室大小、形态、压力,为右心室重构的诊断提供客观、丰富的信息。     

Tei指数监测蒽环类药物对肿瘤患者右心功能的影响

目的探讨心肌做功指数（MPI,又称Teiindex）在评价蒽环类药物（ATC）对肿瘤患者右心功能早期损害方面的临床应用价值。方法测定并比较50例肿瘤患者ATC化疗前和化疗后6个月常规超声心动图参数及右室Tei指数参数。结果Tei指数各相关参数显示ATC化疗后右心室等容舒张时间IRT′较化疗前明显延长（P〈0.05）;右心室等容收缩时间（ICT′）,右室射血时间（ET′）较化疗前无明显差异（P〉0.05）,但右心室Tei指数较化疗前有显著性差异（P〈0.05）。左室收缩功能指标射血分数（EF）化疗前后无显著性差异（P〉0.05）,仅4例（8%）出现右心室舒张功能指标异常。结论常规超声心动图可用于评价放疗对右心功能的影响,与常规超声相比,Tei指数能更早、更敏感地评价ATC对肿瘤患者右心功能损害。     

Tei指数对慢性阻塞性肺病患者右心室功能的评价

目的：探讨组织多普勒成像（tissue Doppler imaging,TDI）Tei指数在评价慢性阻塞性肺病（chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,COPD）患者右心室功能中的价值。方法：选择临床确诊为COPD的患者38例,同时选取健康对照组20例,均行二维超声心动图,测量右心常规超声指标,并利用TDI技术测量、计算右心室Tei指数。结果：38例COPD患者中,17例患者有慢性肺源性心脏病典型的心脏形态改变,右心房最大横径（the maximum diameter of right atrium,RA）为（4.8±0.4）cm,右心室基底段横径（the diameter of right ventricle,RV）为（4.2±0.1）cm,右心室前壁厚度（the thickness of the front wall of right ventricle,RVAW）为（0.6±0.2）cm,肺动脉收缩压（pulmonary artery systolic pressure,PASP）为（82±17）mmHg,与对照组比较[（3.2±0.6）cm、（2.8±0.4）cm、（0.3±0.1）cm和（12±4）mmHg]差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;右心室Tei指数为0.70±0.08,与对照组比较（0.41±0.07）差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。21例患者有轻度肺动脉高压而无右心形态改变,其RA、RV和RVAW与对照组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;PASP为（43±11）mmHg,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;右心室Tei指数为（0.61±0.11）,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。但2组COPD患者右心室Tei指数比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论：TDI右心室Tei指数能准确有效地评价COPD患者的右心室功能,具有较好的临床应用价值。     

Tei指数对肺移植患者术前右心功能的评估

正终末期肺病由于肺、胸廓或肺动脉的慢性病变导致肺循环阻力增加、肺动脉高压,进而引起右心室室壁肥厚、右房右室增大、甚或右心衰竭,形成慢性肺源性心脏病。典型超声心动图表现为右房室增大,右室壁增厚,肺动脉增宽和肺动脉高压。目前肺移植作为治疗终末期肺病的最佳选择,该类患者手术治疗前对右心功能的测定对患者预后的评价有重要意义。Tei指数虽然在超声心动图中已运用多年,但在估测右心功能方面仍有自己的独到之处。     

超声心动图评价肺栓塞患者右心室功能

目的 运用二维超声心动图(2DE)、组织多普勒成像(TDI)、实时三维超声心动图(RT-3DE),评估肺栓塞(PE)患者右心室形态及功能改变,并探讨其准确性、敏感性及优越性.方法 正常对照组30例,肺栓塞组28例,依据预期的PE相关早期病死率进行危险分层为:高危、中危、低危亚组.所有研究对象行2DE测量右心室常规超声指标,TDI测算右心室Tei指数,RT-3DE测量右心室舒张期末及收缩期末容积、每搏输出量和射血分数(RVEDV、RVESV、RVSV、RVEF).结果 与对照组相比,PE高危组右房室增大及肺动脉压显著升高,右室Tei指数、RVEDV、RVESV明显增大(P＜0.05),RVEF明显减小(P＜0.05);中危组虽无明显右房室增大,但右室Tei指数、RVEDV、RVESV、RVEF均出现异常(P＜0.05);低危组上述指标与对照组比较无统计学差异(P＞0.05).中危组右室Tei指数、RVEDV、RVESV大于低危组而小于高危组,RVEF小于低危组而大于高危组.结论 肺栓塞患者右心室功能可出现不同程度受损;TDI测算右室Tei指数和RT 3DE测量RVEF可客观、准确、较敏感地反映右室功能的变化,是评价肺栓塞患者右室功能的较好指标.     

Chronic active Epstein–Barr virus infection with intrapulmonary shunting: A case report

Chronic active Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection (CAEBV) is a high-mortality form of EBV infection. However, chronic hypoxemia is rare in these patients. We herein reported a case of severe hypoxemia due to intrapulmonary shunting in CAEBV. A 17-year-old girl presented with fever, dyspnea, cyanosis, and hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory tests showed mild liver dysfunction and high copy numbers of EBV-DNA in the peripheral blood. A left supratrochlear lymph node biopsy showed infiltration of highly proliferative T lymphocytes with positive EBV encoded small RNA by in situ hybridization. Technetium-99m-labeled macroaggregated albumin and contrast-enhanced echocardiography confirmed the existence of intrapulmonary shunting, which was probably related to hepatopulmonary syndrome. The final diagnosis was CAEBV with intrapulmonary shunting. The patient was treated with cyclosporine A, etoposide, and dexamethasone. Finally, the patient died of respiratory failure. Intrapulmonary shunting is a rare complication of CAEBV. Early recognition and exploring the cause of hypoxemia should be highlighted in patients with CAEBV.     

Severe hypoxemia associated with liver disease: Mayo Clinic experience and the experimental use of almitrine bismesylate

Severe hypoxemia associated with chronic liver disease is an uncommon disorder most likely due to an intrapulmonary vascular abnormality that has characteristics of both ventilation-perfusion mismatching and diffusion limitation. Anatomically, the intrapulmonary vascular abnormalities can occasionally be detected by angiography. Physiologically, the gas exchange abnormalities can be substantiated by contrast-enhanced two-dimensional echocardiography. Although orthodeoxia and platypnea have frequently been found in these patients, echocardiographic data suggest that vascular abnormalities can exist in the absence of orthodeoxia. We describe 11 patients who had severe hypoxemia and chronic liver disease and review their pulmonary angiographic, contrast echocardiographic, and arterial blood gas findings. Among five of these patients who were given almitrine bismesylate, an experimental medication thought to alter ventilation-perfusion relationships in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, one had improved oxygenation. We recommend that patients with hypoxemia associated with chronic liver disease have detailed studies to rule out reversible forms of hypoxemia and that those with severe hypoxemia undergo testing to determine the existence of intrapulmonary vascular abnormalities, especially if liver transplantation is considered.     

Intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunt: diagnosis by saline contrast bubbles in the pulmonary veins.

A 54-year-old man with end-stage cirrhosis of the liver presented for evaluation of dyspnea. Intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunting was suspected. Transthoracic echocardiography with agitated saline contrast injection from the right antecubital vein was performed. Late arrival of saline contrast bubbles in the left atrium by pulmonary veins leading to complete left heart opacification confirmed the diagnosis of significant intrapulmonary shunting. This case and images illustrate the use of agitated saline contrast in combination with transthoracic echocardiography for the diagnosis of intrapulmonary arteriovenous fistula.     

Anomalous hepatic venous drainage into the left atrium: an unusual cause of hypoxemia

A 50-year-old woman with life-long hypoxemia and digital clubbing had a transient ischemic attack at age 47, without identifiable vascular or cardioembolic source. Extensive work-up revealed a 20% anatomic shunt (while breathing 100% oxygen) and evidence of an intrapulmonary shunt (an agitated saline, contrast-enhanced transesophageal echocardiogram showed bubbles in the left atrium and in 3 of the 4 visualized pulmonary veins) but without evidence of the hepatopulmonary syndrome, intrapulmonary arteriovenous malformations, or any intracardiac shunt. She had the congenital anomalies of cleft palate and lip and inferior vena caval interruption with azygos continuation, and anomalous hepatic venous drainage into the left atrium. In keeping with the sparse evidence of 12 previously reported patients with anomalous hepatic-venous-to-left-atrial drainage, the intrapulmonary shunt was believed to result from the diversion of hepatic venous blood from the pulmonary circulation. Surgical correction of the anomalous drainage and restoration of hepatic venous drainage into the right atrium immediately improved oxygenation, and follow-up contrast-enhanced echocardiography 3 months after the surgery showed resolution of the associated intrapulmonary shunt. This case extends the sparse available evidence with this unusual combination of congenital anomalies, reminds clinicians to consider unusual causes of right-to-left shunt and of paradoxical embolization, and invites clarification of the mechanism by which anomalous hepatic venous drainage into the left atrium allows reversible intra-pulmonary right-to-left shunt.     

Frequency, clinical characteristics, and respiratory parameters of hepatopulmonary syndrome

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency and the clinical characteristics of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) in cirrhotic candidates for orthotopic liver transplantation and to identify the major respiratory parameters predictive of the presence of changes in arterial oxygenation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients underwent transthoracic contrast-enhanced echocardiography, pulmonary scintigraphy, pulmonary function test with diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and measurement of arterial blood gases. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were studied. Twenty-five patients (45%) presented with intrapulmonary vascular dilatations, but only 9 (16%) fulfilled the criteria for HPS. The clinical or demographic characteristics considered did not differ in the patients with and without HPS. The DLCO value was significantly lower in patients with HPS (P=.01). However, 32 (80%) of 40 patients with low DLCO values did not fulfill the criteria for HPS. An alveolar arterial oxygen gradient (AaPO2) of more than 20 mm Hg showed a higher diagnostic accuracy (91%) in the assessment of HPS than did the DLCO of less than 80% predicted (41%) and the AaPO2 of more than 15 mm Hg (71%). CONCLUSIONS: The AaPO2 proved to be a more reliable index than PaO2 and DLCO for the determination of changes in arterial oxygenation in HPS. The DLCO does not seem to be a good marker for HPS screening. Intrapulmonary vascular dilatations were frequent, even in patients who did not fulfill the criteria for HPS.     

Detecting intrapulmonary right-to-left shunt with contrast echocardiography. Observations in a patient with diffuse pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas.

Contrast echocardiography has been useful in detecting intracardiac right-to-left shunts. In a patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and diffuse pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas, we have demonstrated the feasibility of detecting intrapulmonary right-to left shunting using this technique. After venous injection of indocyanine green dye, the characteristic contrast flow pattern consisted of a markedly delayed appearance of echoes in the left ventricle.     

Detection and evaluation of intrapulmonary vascular shunt with "contrast Doppler" transesophageal echocardiography

Contrast echocardiography is useful for detecting intrapulmonary right-to-left shunt lesions. In a patient with suspected pulmonary arteriovenous fistula, contrast transesophageal echocardiography was used to demonstrate the presence of a right-to-left shunt. By use of a combination of two-dimensional echocardiography, contrast injection, and pulsed Doppler echocardiography, each pulmonary vein was successfully interrogated for evidence of contrast shunting. This case demonstrates that contrast transesophageal echocardiography is useful for the detection of intrapulmonary fistulas and that it has the potential for localization of the shunt lesion.     

Hepatopulmonary syndrome.

The hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rare complication of liver cirrhosis and is characterised by the typical triad of liver cirrhosis, arterial hypoxemia, and intrapulmonary vascular dilatation. Except for pleural effusions associated with liver cirrhosis no other disease of the lungs or the heart is detectable. The structural hallmark of HPS is dilatation of pulmonary precapillary vessels which impairs diffusion-perfusion and causes unequal ventilation-perfusion. The diagnosis of HPS is based on PaO2 measurements when breathing room air and 100% oxygen. The increased intrapulmonary vascular diameter allows microbubbles to traverse the lung capillaries when agitated saline is administered intravenously. Only on rare occasions is a patient limited by his pulmonary impairment, the leading morbidity is that of liver disease and its classical complications. Drug therapy is of no proven benefit, oxygen supplementation might improve dyspnea. Vascular embolisation of discrete arteriovenous shunts, if present, or liver transplantation may dramatically improve pulmonary function in selected patients.     

Recurrent transient ischemic attacks in a patient with intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunting detected after closure of a patent foramen ovale.

Paradoxical embolism through right-to-left shunts is widely accepted as a potential cause of cerebral ischemia. Contrast echocardiography is an excellent tool for detection of these shunts. The timing of the appearance of bubbles in the left atrium (ie, early vs late) allows differentiation of foramen ovale patency from intrapulmonary shunting as a result of arteriovenous malformations. We report a patient with recurrent neurologic deficit after surgical closure of a patent foramen ovale. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated residual right-to-left shunting from previously unrecognized pulmonary arteriovenous malformations associated with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler-Weber-Rendu). This case illustrates the fact that contrast echocardiography may fail to identify intrapulmonary shunts when a resting patent foramen ovale coexists.     

Respiratory dysfunction and pulmonary disease in cirrhosis and other hepatic disorders

End-stage liver disease and its complications are a leading cause of death among adults in the United States, and thousands of patients await liver transplantation. The liver plays a central role in health and homeostasis and thus the diseased liver leads to many deleterious effects on multiple organ systems, including the pulmonary system. We review the general effects of cirrhosis on the respiratory system, including mild hypoxemia, atelectasis, and hepatic hydrothorax. Cirrhosis is associated with 2 unique entities that affect the pulmonary vasculature: hepatopulmonary syndrome and portopulmonary hypertension. Hepatopulmonary syndrome, which is found in approximately 20% of patients awaiting liver transplantation, refers to the triad of hepatic dysfunction, hypoxemia, and intrapulmonary vascular dilations, and responds well to liver transplantation. In portopulmonary hypertension, cirrhosis and portal hypertension lead to pulmonary arterial hypertension, and portopulmonary hypertension has been considered a contraindication for transplantation. Currently, patients must have mild to moderate pulmonary hypertension to be considered for transplantation, and may still require long-term therapy with vasodilators to prevent right-ventricular failure and, consequently, failure of the newly transplanted liver allograft.