Transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography and Doppler-examinations in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To search for cardiac abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: 35 patients examined by 2-D transthoracal Doppler and transesophageal echocardiography. RESULTS: Mitral and aortic valve abnormalities were seen in 12 patients (34%) respectively, and occurred altogether in 16 patients (46%). They were in general significantly associated with longer disease duration, but not with anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), disease activity, or any other variable, except for time on corticosteroids. which was significantly longer in patients with aortic valve calcifications. CONCLUSION: Valve masses and valve thickening--often in combination--are the most frequent structural findings in SLE, occurring more often on the aortic than on the mitral valves. Factors other than antiphospholipid antibodies, medication, hypertension, or coronary heart disease seem to be responsible for this phenomenon. Drugs that modulate inflammation in endo- and pericardial tissue may, at least in part, be responsible for the observed mitral valve calcifications and pericardial fibrosis.     

Cardiac Involvement in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Initial studies from Bowman Gray School of Medicine showed that 18 of 30 patients with classic rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had cardiac involvement from their disease. These abnormalities were detected by echocardiography and consisted of mitral valve and/or pericardial abnormalities. All patients were followed for 4 years from the initial workup. Mitral valve abnormalities were seen on followup in 63% of the patients who initially showed this abnormality, while pericardial effusion remained in 20%. Pericardial thickening persisted in 6 of 7 patients. None of the patients developed constrictive pericarditis or heart failure. There was no definite correlation between persistence of these abnormalities and other clinical data, but it was noticed that patients who had persistent pericardial effusion and mitral valve abnormalities showed a higher number of involved joints and a higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The cardiac abnormalities described in this study have remained clinically insignificant in this population of RA patients.     

Cardiac involvement in rheumatoid arthritis. Followup study.

Initial studies from Bowman Gray School of Medicine showed that 18 of 30 patients with classic rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had cardiac involvement from their disease. These abnormalities were detected by echocardiography and consisted of mitral valve and/or pericardial abnormalities. All patients were followed for 4 years from the initial workup. Mitral valve abnormalities were seen on followup in 63% of the patients who initially showed this abnormality, while pericardial effusion remained in 20%. Pericardial thickening persisted in 6 of 7 patients. None of the patients developed constrictive pericarditis or heart failure. There was no definite correlation between persistence of these abnormalities and other clinical data, but it was noticed that patients who had persistent pericardial effusion and mitral valve abnormalities showed a higher number of involved joints and a higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The cardiac abnormalities described in this study have remained clinically insignificant in this population of RA patients.     

Effect of atrial fibrillation and mitral regurgitation on calculated mitral valve area in mitral stenosis

Forty-nine patients with mitral stenosis (MS) were studied by Doppler echocardiography and 2-dimensional (2-D) echocardiography to assess the ability of Doppler ultrasound to accurately measure mitral valve orifice area and to assess whether atrial fibrillation (AF) or mitral regurgitation (MR) affected the calculation. Twenty-four patients underwent cardiac catheterization. Mitral valve area by Doppler was determined by the pressure half-time method. Mean mitral valve area of all 49 patients by Doppler and 2-D echocardiography correlated well (r = 0.90). There was good correlation between Doppler and 2-D echocardiography in patients with pure MS in sinus rhythm (r = 0.88), in patients with MR (r = 0.93) and in patients with AF (r = 0.96). In the 7 patients with pure MS in sinus rhythm, there was good correlation between Doppler, 2-D echocardiography and cardiac catheterization (r = 0.95). In patients with either MR or AF, cardiac catheterization appeared to underestimate mitral valve orifice compared with both Doppler and 2-D echocardiography (p less than 0.05). Doppler echocardiography can estimate valve area in patients with MS regardless of the presence of MR or AF.     

Pericardial effusion and mitral valve involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus. Echocardiographic study.

Echocardiography was used in 30 women and 2 men with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in order to determine the incidence and severity of pericardial effusion and mitral valve involvement. 31 patients showed normal thickness of the mitral valve leaflets, only one patient showed irregular thickening of the leaflets suggesting the presence of vegetations. Mitral valve motions were normal in all patients. These results indicate that myocardial and valvular involvement in SLE is usually not severe enough to result in haemodynamic abnormalities. Pericardial effusion was found in 2 patients who were symptom free, whereas 4 of the patients with a past history suggestive of pericarditis showed no echocardiographic evidence of pericardial effusion. These suggest the transient nature of pericarditis in SLE, and the value of echocardiography as a diagnostic tool in detecting clinically inapparent lupus pericarditis.     

Three-dimensional echocardiographic analysis of valve anatomy as a determinant of mitral regurgitation after surgery for atrioventricular septal defects

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a significant complication after atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) surgery. The relation of the valve leaflet morphology and the MR mechanism remains a conundrum. Two-dimensional echocardiography depicts leaflet edges, whereas volume-rendered 3-dimensional echocardiography provides direct visualization of the surface areas of the mitral valve leaflets. This study examines the relation of mitral valve anatomy as determined by 3-dimensional echocardiography with MR origins in patients after AVSD repair. Twenty-seven patients with AVSD surgery and Doppler color MR were prospectively enrolled (median age was 5 years and 16 patients had Down syndrome). Doppler color flow imaging of the MR jet and 3-dimensional echocardiography of the mitral valve were performed with a probe in the transthoracic or transesophageal position. Enface 3-dimensional views of the mitral valve from the left atrium were reconstructed. Analysis of the 3-dimensional data was possible in 21 of the 27 patients. Mean area ratios of the 3 mitral leaflets were calculated (superior 40 +/- 7%, inferior 35 +/- 5%, mural 25 +/- 6%). Both intra and interobserver variability on the area measurements were <5%. In 12 patients (group 1) the jet appeared to emanate medially from the region of coaptation of the superior and inferior components of the anterior leaflet. In 9 patients (group 2) the jet emanated more laterally from the region toward the mural leaflet. The area ratios of the inferior leaflet were 32 +/- 4% in group 1 and 38 +/- 6% in group 2 (p = 0.02). The area ratios of the mural leaflet were 28 +/- 5% in group 1 and 21 +/- 5% in group 2 (p = 0.007). The superior leaflet area ratio was not different in groups 1 and 2, 40 +/- 9% and 41 +/- 6%, respectively. Three-dimensional echocardiography provides new insight into the anatomic determinants of MR following AVSD surgery.     

Cardiac abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus: a prospective M-mode, cross-sectional and Doppler echocardiographic study

A prospective M-mode, cross-sectional and Doppler echocardiographic study was performed on 75 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and 60 sex- and age-matched control subjects. Compared with the control group, patients with lupus had an increased prevalence of echocardiographic abnormalities. These included pericardial effusion and/or thickening (37%), left ventricular hypertrophy (12%), global left ventricular hypokinesis (5%), segmental abnormalities of left ventricular wall motion (4%), right ventricular enlargement (4%), focal verrucous valvar thickening (12%), gross valvar thickening and dysfunction (8%), mitral regurgitation (25%) and aortic regurgitation (8%). Two patients with gross mitral valvar thickening and dysfunction subsequently underwent valvar replacement. Correlation between echocardiographic abnormalities and clinical parameters showed that pericardial effusion was significantly associated with pericardial pain (P less than 0.05) and active disease (P less than 0.001), and left ventricular hypertrophy with systemic hypertension (P less than 0.05). Thus, there was a high prevalence of cardiac abnormalities, especially pericardial and valvar lesions, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Echocardiography is invaluable in identifying these abnormalities and should be used routinely for cardiac evaluation of these patients.     

Evaluation of mitral leaflet motion by echocardiography and jet direction by Doppler color flow mapping to determine the mechanisms of mitral regurgitation.

OBJECTIVES. This study was designed to assess the accuracy of two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography in determining the mechanism of mitral regurgitation, as compared with direct inspection of the valve at operation. BACKGROUND. Valve repair for mitral regurgitation offers substantial advantages over valve replacement, but it is technically more demanding and requires understanding of the mechanism of dysfunction. METHODS. We studied 286 patients undergoing mitral valve repair. Intraoperative two-dimensional echocardiography was used to classify mitral leaflet motion as excessive, normal or restricted. Doppler color flow mapping was used to evaluate the direction and origin of the mitral regurgitant jet. Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography were compared with intraoperative surgical determination of the mechanism of dysfunction, which also classified leaflet motion as excessive, normal or restricted. RESULTS. Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography accurately diagnosed the mechanism of mitral regurgitation in 123 (93%) of 132 patients with posterior leaflet prolapse or flail, 30 (94%) of 32 patients with anterior leaflet prolapse or flail, 11 (44%) of 25 patients with bileaflet prolapse or flail, 6 (75%) of 8 patients with papillary muscle elongation or rupture, 31 (91%) of 34 patients with restricted leaflet motion or rheumatic thickening, 21 (72%) of 29 patients with ventricular-annular dilation and 8 (62%) of 13 patients with a leaflet perforation or cleft. Of 13 patients with two mechanisms of dysfunction by surgical inspection, two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography correctly diagnosed one of the two mechanisms in 12 patients (92%), and both mechanisms in 5 patients (38%). Overall, echocardiographic determination of leaflet motion and Doppler determination of jet direction accurately diagnosed the mechanism of dysfunction in 242 (85%) of 286 patients. CONCLUSIONS. Echocardiography before mitral valvuloplasty provides a dynamic appraisal of the mechanism of dysfunction, enabling the surgeon to systematically understand the dysfunction and successfully apply the correct procedures to eliminate mitral regurgitation without valve replacement.     

Heart valve involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus: an echocardiographic study]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the spectrum of morphologic and functional cardiac involvement in a selected population of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by means of echocardiography. Thirteen patients (2 male and 11 female) affected by SLE, mean age 41.9 years (range, 21-64), underwent M-Mode, two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. Eleven patients had renal disease and 3 of them were undergoing dialysis. One patient had findings of active disease. Six patients had systemic hypertension. None had a history suggestive of rheumatic fever or infective endocarditis. At echocardiographic study nine patients demonstrated findings of valvular involvement. These alterations were defined, according to the echocardiographic features, in two types: vegetation (verrucous Libman-Sacks endocarditis) and thickening. Vegetations were present in 6 patients, involving the mitral valve in all six and the aortic valve in three. The mitral valve vegetations were more frequent on the subannular portion of the posterior leaflet. Seven patients had valvular thickening: involvement of both mitral and aortic valve was present in five, and isolated mitral or aortic valve lesions in the remaining two patients. Combined valvular vegetation and thickening were observed in 4 patients. Eight patients had mild valvular dysfunction on Doppler examination: five isolated mitral regurgitation, two combined mitral and aortic regurgitation and one combined mitral stenosis and regurgitation. In agreement with previous reports, our study shows that valvular involvement in SLE is relatively frequent. Echocardiography can identify additional patterns of valvular lesions different from the known "verrucous Libman-Sacks endocarditis". The degree of valvular dysfunction is not important.     

Calculating cardiac output from transmitral volume flow using Doppler and M-mode echocardiography

To simplify transmitral volume flow determination by Doppler echocardiography, a formula for calculating mean mitral valve orifice area using M-mode echocardiography without any 2-dimensional measurements was developed and evaluated in this study. The maximal mitral orifice area was assumed to be circular and its diameter was calculated from the maximal M-mode mitral leaflet separation. The maximal area was multiplied by the mean to maximal anterior mitral leaflet excursion ratio to correct for phasic changes in flow orifice area during ventricular filling. This measurement had a high correlation (r = 0.97, standard error of the estimate + 0.26 cm2) with mean mitral valve orifice area calculated from frame-by-frame analysis of short-axis 2-dimensional echoes in a select group of 10 normal volunteers and 10 patients with cardiomyopathy who had very high quality images of the mitral valve leaflet tips. Cardiac output calculated using the new method for orifice area estimation combined with apex view mitral valve Doppler velocities was then validated in 48 consecutive patients undergoing thermodilution cardiac output determinations with a close correlation between Doppler and thermodilution cardiac output (2.3 to 6.1 liter/min, r = 0.93, standard error of the estimate = 362 ml). The correlation improved when 12 patients with mild mitral insufficiency were excluded (r = 0.95). The M-mode echocardiogram-derived mitral valve orifice method combined with Doppler mitral valve velocities is accurate, easy to perform, has a high success rate and should increase the applicability of Doppler echocardiography for estimation of cardiac output.     

Association between antiphospholipid antibodies and cardiac abnormalities in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

PURPOSE: Although the antiphospholipid antibodies are well recognized to be associated with thrombosis, recurrent abortion, and thrombocytopenia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), their relationship with cardiac disease is less clear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between anti-phospholipid antibodies and cardiac abnormalities in patients with SLE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 75 consecutive SLE patients and 60 healthy sex- and age-matched control subjects were evaluated in a case-control study. All participants underwent M-mode, two-dimensional, and Doppler echocardiography. Antiphospholipid antibodies levels were assayed in each patient. The prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with and without echocardiographic abnormalities was compared. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, SLE patients had significantly more pericardial abnormalities, left ventricular hypertrophy, left atrial enlargement, left ventricular dysfunction and verrucous valvular thickening, global valvular thickening with dysfunction, and mitral and aortic regurgitation. Among these abnormalities, antiphospholipid antibodies were significantly associated with isolated left ventricular (global or segmental) dysfunction (four of five positive; p less than 0.05), verrucous valvular (mitral or aortic) thickening (seven of nine positive; p less than 0.005), global valvular (mitral or aortic) thickening and dysfunction (five of six positive; p less than 0.02), as well as mitral regurgitation (16 of 19 positive; p less than 0.001) and aortic regurgitation (five of six positive; p less than 0.02). CONCLUSION: Valvular lesions and myocardial dysfunction are associated with elevated antiphospholipid antibodies. This study has important implications for the pathogenic role of anti-phospholipid antibodies in relation to these cardiac abnormalities.     

Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of mitral valve morphology by intraoperative volume-rendered three-dimensional echocardiography

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) performed to evaluate mitral valve anatomy during valve repair has certain limitations and pitfalls. The study aim was to assess the feasibility, accuracy and incremental value of three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE), coupled with 2DE in evaluating mitral valve structure, before and after repair and pericardial posterior annuloplasty. METHODS: The site and extent of mitral valve prolapse, systolic and diastolic changes of mitral annular area were evaluated using 2D and 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), both pre- and postoperatively in 34 patients before and after mitral valve repair and pericardial posterior annuloplasty. RESULTS: Concordance between 2DE and surgery in evaluating prolapsing mitral valve scallops was 76% for the anterior leaflet and 75% for the posterior leaflet; for 3DE and surgery, concordance was 87% and 93% respectively. There was a significant reduction in maximal and minimal annular area after surgery, with a statistically significant difference between systolic-diastolic changes. CONCLUSION: 3DE, coupled with 2DE, is feasible and accurate in delineating the extent and location of prolapsing scallops of the mitral valve. The combined approach is also valuable in planning mitral valve surgery and evaluating the mitral valve annulus in vivo.     

Cardiac involvement in patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome

To evaluate cardiac involvement in primary antiphospholipid syndrome, two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic studies were performed in 34 consecutive patients with this syndrome. All patients had an increased level of serum anticardiolipin antibodies with no evidence of malignancy or systemic lupus erythematosus. The clinical manifestations of primary antiphospholipid syndrome were arterial thrombosis in 14 patients, venous thrombosis in 6 and recurrent fetal loss in 14. Valvular lesions were observed on two-dimensional echocardiography in 11 patients (32%) (9 women and 2 men), aged 24 to 57 years (mean +/- 1 SD 36 +/- 10). Abnormal echocardiographic findings were observed in 9 (64%) of 14 patients with arterial thrombosis versus 1 (17%) of 6 patients with venous thrombosis and 1 (7%) of 14 patients with recurrent fetal loss. The most common echocardiographic abnormality was mitral leaflet thickening, found in five patients; this was associated with mitral regurgitation in three and with combined mild mitral stenosis and regurgitation in one patient. Localized subvalvular mitral thickening was observed in one patient and calcification of the anulus in another. Aortic valve thickening was observed in two patients, one of whom also had a moderate degree of aortic regurgitation. Vegetation-like lesions on the mitral or aortic valve were found in two patients. It is concluded that valvular lesions are commonly found in primary antiphospholipid syndrome, particularly when the syndrome is manifested by peripheral arterial thrombosis. The location and appearance of valvular lesions in this syndrome are heterogeneous. Most patients have no clinically significant valvular disease. Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic studies are often informative in these patients.     

Echocardiographic abnormalities in ankylosing spondylitis.

Twenty four patients with ankylosing spondylitis of 10 or more years' duration were assessed for evidence of cardiac disease. Seven patients (29%) had evidence of cardiac disease, including one patient with a pericardial effusion, three with conduction abnormalities, and two with aortic incompetence. Aortic incompetence in one patient was clinically silent and was detected only with Doppler echocardiography. This patient had, in addition, thickening of the posterior aortic wall, an echocardiographic feature not previously described in ankylosing spondylitis. There was no evidence of aortic valve disease in a control group matched for age and sex. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis and cardiac abnormalities were older, had a longer disease duration, and more peripheral joint disease than those without cardiac abnormalities. Doppler echocardiography is a useful technique in the assessment of cardiac disease in ankylosing spondylitis and may detect aortic valve disease at an early preclinical stage.     

The predictive value of mitral leaflet motion and thickness index scores on early restenosis after mitral balloon valvuloplasty

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is any association between mitral leaflet motion (LMI) and leaflet thickness index (LTI) scores and the rate of restenosis 3 months after successful mitral balloon valvuloplasty. The study population consisted of 46 patients with symptomatic rheumatic mitral stenosis who underwent balloon valvuloplasty (37 women, 9 men; mean age, 36 +/- 9 years). Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography were performed in all patients on the day before, immediately after, and 3 months after valvuloplasty. The severity of restriction of leaflet motion and the severity of leaflet thickening were classified into grades of mild (a score of 0), moderate (a score of 1), and severe (a score of 2). Subvalvular disease and commissural involvement were homogeneous in all patients. Before and immediately after mitral balloon valvuloplasty, there were no significant differences in mitral valve area among the groups with different LMI and LTI scores. However, at 3 months after valvuloplasty, reduction in mitral valve area was more significant in patients who had higher pre-procedural LMI and LTI scores (P < 0.05). The rates of early restenosis were 0 with a total score of 0, 14.2% with a total score of 1-2, and 32% with a total score of 3. In conclusion, quantitative assessment of LMI and LTI scores by 2-dimensional echocardiography may be helpful in predicting early restenosis after mitral balloon valvuloplasty. Early reduction in mitral valve area is significant in patients who have higher total LMI and LTI scores.     

Effect of aortic regurgitation on the assessment of mitral valve orifice area by Doppler pressure half-time in mitral stenosis

Evaluation of the severity of mitral stenosis by continuous-wave Doppler pressure half-time measurement is now well established. However, few data exist regarding the effect of aortic regurgitation (AR) on the validity of this method. Therefore, 73 patients were studied in whom cardiac catheterization and Doppler echocardiographic examinations were performed. Mitral valve orifice area was determined by the Gorlin equation, 2-dimensional echocardiography and Doppler pressure half-time. Doppler pressure half-time and catheterization estimates of mitral valve area correlated well (r = 0.85) in patients without significant mitral regurgitation. This correlation was maintained in patient subgroups with and without significant (at least 2+) AR (r = 0.86 and 0.83, respectively). Similarly, Doppler and 2-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of mitral valve area showed a strong correlation (r = 0.84). Again, the correlation between the 2 methods was similar in patients with and without significant AR (r = 0.86 and 0.82, respectively). Thus, Doppler pressure half-time estimates of mitral valve orifice area are accurate even in patients with AR.     

Pericardial effusion after cardiac surgery: incidence, site, size, and haemodynamic consequences.

OBJECTIVE--To evaluate the incidence, characteristics, and haemodynamic consequences of pericardial effusion after cardiac surgery. DESIGN--Clinical, echocardiographic, and Doppler evaluations before and 8 days after cardiac surgery; with echocardiographic and Doppler follow up of patients with moderate or large pericardial effusion after operation. SETTING--Patients undergoing cardiac surgery at a tertiary centre. PATIENTS--803 consecutive patients who had coronary artery bypass grafting (430), valve replacement (330), and other types of surgery (43). 23 were excluded because of early reoperation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Size and site of pericardial effusion evaluated by cross sectional echocardiography and signs of cardiac tamponade detected by ultrasound (right atrial and ventricular diastolic collapse, left ventricular diastolic collapse, distension of the inferior vena cava), and Doppler echocardiography (inspiratory decrease of aortic and mitral flow velocities). RESULTS--Pericardial effusion was detected in 498 (64%) of 780 patients and was more often associated with coronary artery bypass grafting than with valve replacement or other types of surgery; it was small in 68.4%, moderate in 29.8%, and large in 1.6%. Loculated effusions (57.8%) were more frequent than diffuse ones (42.2%). The size and site of effusion were related to the type of surgery. None of the small pericardial effusions increased in size; the amount of fluid decreased within a month in most patients with moderate effusion and in a few (7 patients) developed into a large effusion and cardiac tamponade. 15 individuals (1.9%) had cardiac tamponade; this event was significantly more common after valve replacement (12 patients) than after coronary artery bypass grafting (2 patients) or other types of surgery (1 patient after pulmonary embolectomy). In patients with cardiac tamponade aortic and mitral flow velocities invariably decreased during inspiration; the echocardiographic signs were less reliable. CONCLUSIONS--Pericardial effusion after cardiac surgery is common and its size and site are related to the type of surgery. Cardiac tamponade is rare and is more common in patients receiving oral anticoagulants. Echo-Doppler imaging is useful for the evaluation of pericardial fluid accumulations after cardiac surgery. It can identify effusions that herald cardiac tamponade.     

Five-year follow-up by transesophageal echocardiographic studies in primary antiphospholipid syndrome

This prospective study describes valvular abnormalities assessed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS) over a 5-year follow-up. Of the 56 patients with APLS evaluated at baseline, 47 (84%) had repeat TEE examinations, including 3 patients who died before the end of the follow-up. The first TEE study showed cardiac involvement (thickening or vegetations and embolic sources) in 34 subjects (61%), with mitral valve thickening, the most common abnormality, present in 30 patients (54%). Embolic sources were found in 14 patients (25%; 9 severe spontaneous echocardiographic contrast, 5 Libman-Sacks endocarditis), associated with mitral valve thickening or stenosis in 10 patients. Over the 5-year follow-up, cardiac involvement was unchanged in 30 subjects (64%). New cardiac abnormalities were observed in 17 patients (36%), 15 (88%) with high immunoglobulin-G (IgG) anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) titers and 2 (12%) with low IgG aCL titers. In conclusion, this study showed that mitral valve thickening and embolic sources are frequently observed in patients with APLS. Anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet treatment was ineffective in terms of valvular lesion regression. New appearances of cardiac involvement are significantly related to high IgG aCL titers.     

Reproducibility of Doppler echocardiographic quantification of aortic and mitral valve stenoses: comparison between two echocardiography centers

Doppler echocardiography has been widely used as a noninvasive method to quantify valvular heart diseases. This study assessed the variability between 2 echocardiography centers concerning 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic results in the quantification of mitral and aortic valve stenoses. Forty-two patients were studied by 2 different echocardiography centers in a blinded, independent fashion. In patients with aortic and mitral valve stenosis, mean and maximal flow velocities were measured. The aortic valve orifice area was calculated according to the continuity equation. Mitral valve orifice area was determined by direct planimetry and by pressure half-time. In patients with an aortic valve stenosis, a close relation between the 2 centers was found for the maximal and mean flow velocities (coefficient of correlation, r = 0.72 to 0.92; coefficient of variation, 3.7 to 7.7%). A close correlation and a small observer variability was found for the flow velocity ratio determined by flow velocities measured in the left ventricular outflow tract and over the stenotic valve (r = 0.88; coefficient of variation, 0.01 +/- 0.009). In contrast, there was a poor correlation between the diameter of the left ventricular outflow tract and the aortic orifice area (r = 0.36 and 0.59, respectively). In patients with a mitral valve stenosis, mean and maximal velocities were closely correlated (r = 0.85 and 0.77, respectively). Velocities were not found to be significantly different between the 2 centers. Variability between the 2 centers for the mitral valve orifice area was 9.8% (2-dimensional echocardiography) and 5.7% (pressure half-time).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Findings on Doppler echocardiography in asymptomatic intravenous heroin users.

To detect potential cardiac abnormalities induced by intravenous heroin use, 68 persons without a previous episode of infective endocarditis were studied by Doppler echocardiography. A control group of 41 normal subjects was studied for comparison. The following measurements were considered: (1) diameter of heart chambers, (2) systolic left ventricular function, (3) morphologic valvular abnormalities, (4) presence of valve regurgitations, (5) Doppler indexes of diastolic function, and (6) estimation of pulmonary arterial resistances. Results showed no significant differences regarding the size of the heart chambers or systolic left ventricular function. A significantly higher incidence of valvular abnormalities (focal thickening or valve prolapse) was found in drug addicts (p = 0.0009) at the mitral and tricuspid valves, as was valvular regurgitation detected by Doppler (p = 0.04). Also, a significantly prolonged deceleration time of mitral and tricuspid early diastolic Doppler flow was found in the study group (p = 0.0001 and 0.027, respectively) although a different hemodynamic condition in the study group (pharmacologically reduced preload) precluded these findings to be attributable to an actual diastolic dysfunction. No differences were observed in pulmonary arterial resistances. It is concluded that mitral and tricuspid valve abnormalities can be detected by echocardiography in asymptomatic intravenous heroin users, whereas no apparent effects are observed in morphologic or functional parameters of cardiac structures other than the valves.