术中经食管超声心动图在二尖瓣关闭不全术式选择和术后监测中的作用

目的　评价术中多平面经食管超声心动图 (TEE)在二尖瓣关闭不全患者术式选择、术后疗效监测中的作用。方法　对 72例行二尖瓣手术的患者 (其中 5 8例二尖瓣重建术患者和 14例二尖瓣置换术患者 )术中予以TEE监测。结果　 5 8例二尖瓣成形术患者术后即刻疗效评估显示 :无或轻微二尖瓣反流 (MR) 2 8例 ,轻度MR 2 2例 ,轻中度以上MR 8例 (前叶病变 7例 ,均合并瓣下结构受损 ,后叶病变仅 1例 )。二尖瓣成形术的患者术后共有 5 6例接受超声随访 ,平均随访期为 (9.86± 6 .32 )个月。手术即刻 2 8例无或轻微MR的患者术后短期随访中 1例 (3 .6 % )出现轻度MR ,1例出现中度MR (3 .6 % ) ,2 2例术后即刻示轻度MR患者 ,1例失访 ,5例出现轻中度MR(2 2 .7% )。术后即刻示轻度MR在以后出现轻中度MR的机会高于手术即刻无或仅有轻微MR者(P <0 .0 5 )。结论　以二尖瓣前叶病变为主引起二尖瓣关闭不全的患者 ,成形术后出现轻中度以上反流的机会高于二尖瓣后叶病变的患者。成形术后即刻示轻度二尖瓣反流的患者在以后出现轻中度反流的机会高于手术即刻无或仅有轻微反流的患者     

经胸和经食管超声心动图在全机器人二尖瓣修复术中的应用

目的探讨经胸(TTE)和经食管(TEE)超声心动图在全机器人二尖瓣修复术中的作用。方法对22例于我科因重度二尖瓣反流行全机器人二尖瓣修复术患者的超声影像资料进行回顾性分析。在术前,应用TTE评价二尖瓣反流功能解剖(病因、反流发生机制及脱垂瓣叶部位)及反流严重程度。在术中,应用TEE于体外循环(CPB)转机前,进一步明确二尖瓣反流发生机制及脱垂瓣叶部位;建立外周CPB时,引导下、上腔静脉插管及升主动脉内心脏停搏液灌注针的放置;心脏复跳后,即刻评价有无残余二尖瓣反流。在患者出院前,应用TTE再次评价有无残余二尖瓣反流。结果在术前,TTE评价二尖瓣反流病因的准确度为100%;TTE诊断二尖瓣脱垂及其发生部位的准确度分别为100%和97.0%。在术中,TEE诊断二尖瓣脱垂及其发生部位的准确度与术前TTE相同;TEE可准确引导上、下腔静脉插管及升主动脉内心脏停搏液灌注针放置,其成功率为100%;心脏复跳后,TEE显示所有患者手术均成功,无残余二尖瓣反流和手术相关并发症。患者出院前TTE证实所有患者均无残余二尖瓣反流。结论术前TTE可准确评价二尖瓣反流功能解剖,为判断二尖瓣修复可行性及选择手术适应证提供有价值的信息。术中TEE可进一步明确二尖瓣反流功能解剖;准确引导上、下腔静脉内插管及升主动脉内灌注针的放置;即刻评价手术效果。因此,TTE和TEE在全机器人二尖瓣修复术中是不可缺少的检查手段。     

经食管实时三维超声心动图在二尖瓣病变中的应用价值

目的初步探讨经食管实时三维超声心动图（RT3D—TEE）在二尖瓣病变术前诊断、术中监测及术后评价中的临床应用价值。方法应用RT3D—TEE对31例二尖瓣病变患者进行术前、术中及术后检查,并与外科手术结果对比。结果RT3D—TEE清晰显示23例风湿性瓣膜病变患者的二尖瓣病变情况、累及瓣膜情况,并指导手术成功完成;准确显示7例二尖瓣脱垂患者的病变部位并量化病变情况;准确诊断1例二尖瓣人工机械瓣置换术后再狭窄患者的病因。31例患者均获得满意的RT3D—TEE图像。结论RT3D—TEE能在二尖瓣病变术前、术中及术后提供真实准确的评价信息。     

经食管超声在二尖瓣成形术中的作用

目的评价多平面食管超声(TEE)在判断二尖瓣病变区域上的准确性、二尖瓣成形的效果及预测成形术能否成功等方面的作用。方法167例单纯二尖瓣反流接受瓣膜成形术患者,TEE术中全程监测,并与手术所见比较。结果TEE诊断二尖瓣叶病变区域的准确性为96.0%,而敏感性及特异性分别为94.8%和96.3%;TEE判断腱索断裂的准确性为95.8%。成形术的成功率为97.0%,失败的5例患者中,2例系手术技术原因,2例为前后叶多区域病变,另1例瓣环有明显钙化。结论TEE可准确评估二尖瓣病变的区域、腱索断裂及其部位,但对腱索断裂的根数不能准确判断;手术能否成功与瓣叶广泛的病变(至少累及3个区域)、瓣环钙化及外科医生的技术熟练程度有关。     

超声心动图在双孔二尖瓣成形术治疗二尖瓣关闭不全围手术期中的应用

目的探讨超声心动图在二尖瓣关闭不全双孔二尖瓣成形术病例筛选以及术中、术后疗效评价中的应用价值.方法对6例(左心房黏液瘤3例,先天性心脏病3例)二尖瓣脱垂导致二尖瓣关闭不全的患者行双孔二尖瓣成形术,男4例,女2例,年龄4～60岁,平均(30±19.7)岁.心功能Ⅱ级2例,Ⅲ级3例,Ⅳ级1例.于术前应用经胸壁超声心动图,观察二尖瓣瓣膜回声及活动情况,了解造成二尖瓣关闭不全的原因,筛选适合成形修复术的病例,测量瓣口流速、跨瓣压差、返流面积、左心房及左心室内径.3例术中应用经食道超声心动图或经心外膜检查,复跳后除检查原发病治疗效果外,着重观察双孔大小、瓣口流速及跨瓣压差、有无返流,评估成形术效果.结果术后检查6例均为二尖瓣前叶脱垂导致关闭二尖瓣不全,左心房、二尖瓣环扩大,未见腱索断裂以及瓣叶回声异常,其中2例为二尖瓣重度返流,4例为中度返流.术后左心室短轴切面瓣叶开放呈"8"字形双孔,瓣叶对合良好,四腔切面见2束红色血流进入左心室.1例无返流,3例轻度返流,2例中度返流,二尖瓣返流明显减轻,左心房内径明显缩小(t=5.1,P＜0.01),二尖瓣口流速、跨瓣压差无显著变化,提示手术效果良好.结论超声心动图在双孔二尖瓣成形术的病例筛选、术中及术后疗效评估中具有重要的临床应用价值,可作为首选的影像诊断方法.     

经食管实时三维超声心动图对三尖瓣环径测量位点的研究

目的 探讨在右室流出道切面测量三尖瓣环径(TVD)的可行性与准确性.方法 75例因左心瓣膜损害而行瓣膜置换术患者,根据反流程度分为轻度、中度、重度3组.术前经胸超声心动图(TTE)在心尖四腔观测量TVD(TTE-TVD);术中开胸前分别于食管中段四腔观(TEE)、右室流入(RVIT)及流出道观(RVOT)进行超声成像,分别测量最大TVD,并观察麻醉后与术前三尖瓣反流程度的变化.同时使用经食管实时三维超声(RT-3D TEE)及其瓣环定量软件观察三尖瓣环立体形态变化.结果 75例患者组内对比:TTE-TVD、TEE-TVD及RVIT-TVD测值之间差异无明显统计学意义(P＞0.05),而RVOT-TVD均明显大于同组其他切面测值(P＜0.05);组间比较:轻度与中度反流组患者同一切面测值间差异无统计学意义,重度反流组与前两组比较则各切面测值差异有统计学意义(P ＜0.05).全麻后三尖瓣反流程度均较术前有一定程度减轻;RT-3D TEE显示三尖瓣环“马鞍状”立体结构演变为狭长的平面状结构,瓣环主要朝向背离三尖瓣隔瓣方向扩张.结论 右室流出道切面所测瓣环径能反映TVD扩张最大程度,并能有效指导患者三尖瓣成形术决策选择.     

超声心动图评价二尖瓣前叶脱垂缘对缘成形术效果

目的 应用经胸超声心动图(TTE)评价二尖瓣前叶脱垂缘对缘成形术效果.方法 随机对19例二尖瓣前叶脱垂患者行缘对缘成形术患者术前及术后进行TTE检查,检测二尖瓣反流(MR)程度、二尖瓣口面积(MVA),左房、左室大小,左室射血分数(LVEF)及肺动脉收缩压(PASP).结果 二尖瓣前叶脱垂缘对缘成形术前瓣膜重度反流19例,术后无反流1例,轻微反流15例,轻度反流3例;术前左房大小为(51.63±10.03)mm,术后为(44.79±9.22)mm(P=0.000);术前左室大小为(59.37±8.29)mm,术后为(52.68±7.31)mm(P=0.000);术前PASP为(45.37±18.34)mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa),术后为(33.00±9.43)mm Hg(P=0.002);术前MVA为(4.13±0.24)cm<'2>,术后为(2.90±0.28)cm<'2>(P=0.000);术前LVEF为(66.0±9.0)%,术后为(67.0±6.0)%(P=0.751).结论 缘对缘成形术是一种简单、有效保留瓣下结构,恢复左房、室正常形态,维护左室功能的手术方法 .     

经食管实时三维超声定量评价二尖瓣瓣环在功能性与器质性二尖瓣反流时的形态变化

目的使用经食管实时三维超声(RT-3D-TEE)对比分析正常二尖瓣瓣环与缺血性心肌病、二尖瓣脱垂(器质性瓣膜病)所致中度以上二尖瓣反流(MR)时二尖瓣瓣环的形态及变化规律,探讨不同病因致二尖瓣反流时瓣环变化规律,为外科二尖瓣成形术提供依据。方法对入选10例正常人(对照组)、8例缺血性心肌病(缺血组)及8例二尖瓣脱垂伴中度以上二尖瓣反流病例(脱垂组)进行经食管实时三维超声心动图检查,获取完整心动周期内的实时三维图像,并使用3D-QLAB软件后处理分析二尖瓣瓣环的不同参数。结果 (1)缺血组与对照组在瓣环投影面积变化率、瓣环周长变化率及高度变化率方面差异有统计学意义(P0.05),但在瓣环最大投影面积、瓣环最大高度、瓣环最大周长及瓣环最大内径(前后径及左右径)方面差异无统计学意义;(2)二尖瓣脱垂组与对照组在各瓣环参数方面差异无统计学意义。结论经食管实时三维超声心动图定量评价二尖瓣瓣环形态及运动变化规律是可行的。缺血性二尖瓣反流与二尖瓣脱垂患者二尖瓣瓣环形态运动变化规律有明显不同,RT-3D-TEE能够定量评价二尖瓣瓣环形态及运动变化规律,为外科二尖瓣成形术提供依据。     

经食管实时三维超声心动图的临床应用

目的探讨经食管实时三维超声心动图（RT-3D-TEE）的临床应用价值。方法应用PhilipsiE33型超声诊断仪,X7-2t经食管纯净波矩阵多平面实时三维探头,对44例患者进行RT-3D-TEE检查。其中心腔内血栓待排除患者18例,房间隔缺损7例,心瓣膜病18例（风湿性心脏病二尖瓣狭窄6例,二尖瓣脱垂10例,人工机械瓣瓣周漏1例,三尖瓣脱垂1例）,黏液瘤1例。术中监测26例。结果RT-3D-TEE能够实时直观地显示心脏立体解剖结构的三维图像;显示房间隔缺损部位和范围,在微创外科封堵术中实时全程监测,引导封堵器的植入。心脏瓣膜病术前能够清晰地显示心脏瓣膜及其病变,术后即刻可观察成形术效果或评价人工瓣膜功能。结论RT-3D-TEE操作简便、实时采集、快速成像,可同步显示三维立体影像,分辨率高,图像质量好,在临床应用,尤其在心脏外科术中应用前景广阔。     

实时三维经食管超声心动图在感染性心内膜炎外科手术治疗中的应用价值

目的 探讨实时三维经食管超声心动图(RT 3D-TEE)在感染性心内膜炎(IE)手术中的应用价值.方法 回顾性分析我院经临床确诊并进行外科手术治疗的27例感染性心内膜炎病例,所有病例均经病理证实.术中使用RT 3D-TEE,观察赘生物发生部位、瓣膜病变程度,有无并发症形成等,并与术前二维经胸超声心动图(2D-TTE)检查结果相比较.结果 与手术结果比较,术中RT 3D-TEE判断瓣膜穿孔以及诊断脓肿、腱索断裂、乳头肌断裂的灵敏性、Youden指数均优于2D-TTE.术中RT 3D-TEE判断赘生物的准确率与2D-TTE比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.035).术中RT 3D-TEE发现2例二尖瓣成形术后二尖瓣中至重度反流,人工瓣瓣周漏2例,1例二尖瓣生物瓣置换术后左室流出道狭窄.结论 术中RT3D-TEE有利于术前进一步了解受累瓣膜及瓣膜外的感染扩散情况,从而制定最佳的手术方案;心脏复跳后可即刻评估手术效果.     

实时三维经食管超声心动图在二尖瓣成形术中的应用价值

目的 初步探讨实时三维经食管超声心动图在二尖瓣成形术中的临床应用价值.方法 采用Philips IE33 超声诊断仪、X7-2t探头.应用实时三维经食管超声心动图对6例二尖瓣脱垂患者二尖瓣成形术前、术后进行评价,并与心外科手术结果对照.结果 实时三维经食管超声心动图能准确评价和真实显示二尖瓣脱垂的形态、部位、范围、空间关系及并发症,与心外科视野和手术结果一致,在二尖瓣成形术前的决策中起重要作用.结论 实时三维经食管超声心动图为二尖瓣成形术提供了快速而准确的评价手段.     

实时三维经食管超声心动图对二尖瓣脱垂的诊断价值

目的比较实时三维经食管超声心动图（RT-3D-TEE）与二维经胸超声心动图（2D-TTE）、二维经食管超声心动图（2D-TEE）对二尖瓣脱垂的诊断价值。 方法回顾性分析2018年1月至2020年12月于武汉亚洲心脏病医院因二尖瓣脱垂行外科手术治疗,并在术前进行了2D-TTE、2D-TEE和RT-3D-TEE的患者共370例。以术中诊断为“金标准”,计算3种检查方法对二尖瓣脱垂瓣叶定位、腱索及赘生物形成的诊断效能,对3种检查方法的敏感度、特异度及准确性进行比较,并采用Kappa检验分别对3种方法诊断结果与术中诊断结果的一致性进行分析。 结果370例患者中,术前2D-TTE诊断出二尖瓣脱垂361例,检出率97.5%;术前2D-TEE诊断368例,检出率99.4%;而RT-3D-TEE检出率达100%。RT-3D-TEE对瓣叶脱垂的分区定位的敏感度、特异度和准确性均高于2D-TTE（P均＜0.05）,对腱索断裂诊断的敏感度和准确性亦高于2D-TTE,差异有统计学意义（P均＜0.05）,且RT-3D-TEE对脱垂分区定位的准确性高于2D-TEE（P均＜0.05）。一致性分析结果显示,RT-3D-TEE各项指标与术中诊断均具有良好的一致性（Kappa值均＞0.75,P均＜0.05）。 结论RT-3D-TEE较2D-TTE、2D-TEE对二尖瓣脱垂区域的定位及相关病变的识别更准确,可为手术医师提供更为直观、精准的影像信息,帮助制定个性化治疗方案。     

术中经食管实时三维超声心动图在心脏瓣膜疾病中的应用价值

目的 探讨术中经食管实时三维超声心动图(RT-3D-TEE)在心脏瓣膜疾病诊治中的应用价值.方法 应用Philips iE33型超声诊断仪,X7-2t经食管多平面实时三维探头,对32例拟行手术治疗的心脏瓣膜病患者,在手术室分别于术前及术后即刻行RT-3D-TEE检查,对二尖瓣脱垂患者运用QLAB 7.0分析系统进行定量分析.结果 RT-3D-TEE能够实时、直观、清晰地显示心脏瓣膜的三维立体结构及功能状态,在评价病变部位、性质及程度上与术中直视所见基本一致.经RT-3D-TEE检查后补充诊断2例,调整手术方案3例,实施补救性手术1例.结论 RT-3D-TEE成像清晰,在术前诊断、手术方案制定及手术效果评价方面均具有独特优势,在心脏外科手术中应用前景广阔.     

实时三维经食管超声心动图评价房间隔缺损动态变化特征

目的 探讨实时三维经食管超声心动图(RT-3D TEE)评价房间隔缺损(ASD)的大小、形态及边缘等随心动周期的动态变化特征及其影响因素.方法 对20例继发孔型ASD患者(20个ASD)分别应用二维经食管超声心动图(2D-TEE)及RT-3D TEE测量ASD的最大径,并与经皮导管球囊充盈测量直径(stretched balloon diameter,SBD)或开胸手术测值进行相关分析.通过实时三维3D-Zoom获得ASD三维外科医生观,观察RT-3D TEE状态下ASD的形态、边缘及毗邻等随心动周期的变化特征.测量RT-3DTEE状态下的ASD面积和最大径在心动周期不同时相的数值,计算最大面积变化率和直径变化率,并利用多元线性回归逐步分析法分析其影响因素.结果 ①RT-3D TEE所见的ASD形状在收缩末期时常表现为类圆形或椭圆形,舒张末期时常表现为不规则形或椭圆形.②RT-3D TEE所测ASD的面积和最大径在等容收缩期时最小,等容舒张期时最大,最大径与SBD的相关系数为0.962,优于2D-TEE所测ASD最大径与SBD的相关系数(0.820).③RT-3D TEE所测得的ASD的面积变化率为11.48%～71.12%,最大径变化率为2.8%～43.87%,两者间的相关系数为0.879.结论 RT-3D TEE能实时、直观、清晰、完整地显示ASD随着心动周期而呈周期性变化的特征,弥补2D-TEE视角上的缺陷,为经皮导管球囊介入术和开胸手术治疗术前提供完整的信息.

Abstract：

Objective To determine whether real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography(RT-3D TEE) is an accurate non-invasive technique for defining the morphology of atrial septal defects(ASD). Methods In 20 patients with secundum ASD, mean age 42.2 years (7 male, 13 female) ,live three dimensional surgical views of ASD were acquired,qualitative morphology of ASD such as the shape, presence of fenestrations and the defect margins were noted during the cardiac cycle. The measurements obtained from 2-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography(2D-TEE) and RT-3D TEE were compared to those obtained from stretched balloon diameter(SBD) or surgery. Measurements of the size and area change of ASD were validated during the cardiac cycle by RT-3D TEE,stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed to test the correlation between the maximum change ratios of area and diameter of ASD and age, atrial septal length, ASD shunting velocity, the maximum diameter of ASD and right ventricular systolic pressure. Results ① The morphology of ASD was circle-like or elliptical in systole,irregular or elliptical in diastole. ②The area and diameter of ASD measured by RT-3D TEE was minimal in isovolumetric contraction phase, maximal in isovolumetric diastole phase. The correlation coefficient of maximum diameter measured by 3D with SBD was 0.962 , greater than that by 2D and SBD (0.820). ③The change ratio of area and maximum diameter of ASD acquired by RT-3D-TEE was 11.48%-71.12% and 2.80%-43.87% respectively,and the correlation coefficient of them was 0.921. Conclusions RT-3D TEE using live 3D-Zoom mode accurately displayed the varying morphology,dimensions and spatial relations of ASD. RT-3D TEE can offer visualization morphological changing of ASD in different periods of cardiac cycle,providing more information for percutanous catheter intervention and open heart surgery.     

经食管实时三维超声心动图在室间隔缺损封堵器大小选择中的应用价值

目的 探讨经食管实时三维超声心动图(RT-3D TEE)在指导室间隔缺损(VSD)封堵器大小选择中的应用价值.方法 60例单纯VSD患者,三维组30例,术中应用RT-3D TEE采集VSD三维全容积图像或实时三维局部放大动态图像,测量心动周期中VSD最大面积、最小面积以及最大径,根据最大面积获得具有相似腰部面积的封堵器直径,在此直径基础上加1~2 mm作为所选用封堵器的大小;同时多角度采集VSD二维图像,测量缺损大小.二维组30例,术中应用经食管超声心动图(TEE)于心脏四腔或五腔观、左心室长轴以及大动脉短轴观测量缺损大小,在最大径基础上加1~2 mm作为所选用封堵器的大小.结果 RT-3D TEE观察VSD形状具有多态性.RT-3D TEE测量心动周期中VSD最大面积与最小面积差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).RT-3D TEE所测VSD最大径与同组二维测量最大径差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).三维组术后即刻未出现残余分流及封堵器移位,术中变更封堵器大小3次,封堵成功平均需 1.10 次(33/30);二维组因即刻出现残余分流致封堵失败2例,封堵成功者术中变更封堵器大小12次,封堵成功平均需 1.43 次(40/28),差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).结论 RT-3D TEE 能准确反映VSD的形态及大小,有助于封堵器大小的选择.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the usefulness of real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT-3D TEE) in the perventricular device occlusion of the ventricular septal defect (VSD).Methods Sixty patients underwent perventricular device occlusion of VSD were divided into two groups.Group A:30 patients,3D images of VSD were obtained intraoperatively by RT-3D TEE.3D images were analyzed and the maximal and minimum area and maximal diameter of VSD were measured in the cardiac cycle.The size of selected VSD occluder was the diameter calculated from the maximal area based on the formula πD2/4 and plus 1～2 mm.Simultaneously,two dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2D TEE) images of VSD were obtained and measured on standard views.Group B:other 30 patients,intraoperative 2D TEE was performed to measure the diameter of VSD on standard views.The selection VSD occluder was based on the maximal diameter plus 1～2 mm.Results The VSDs shape showed oval,class round and irregular by RT-3D TEE imaging.There was a significant difference between the maximal area and smallest area of VSD appeared in the cardiac cycle obtained by RT-3D TEE (P<0.01).There was a significant difference between the maximal diameter by measurement of RT-3D TEE and 2D TEE (P<0.01).Of all 30 patients with evaluation of VSD size based on the RT-3D TEE,1.1 times attempts of device occlusion were performed on one patient (33/30).Of the other 30 cases with evaluation of VSD size by 2D TEE,2 cases were failed with device occlusion because of instant residual shunt.Of the remaining 28 cases,1.43 attempts of device occlusion were performed on one patient (40/28).Conclusions RT-3D TEE can accurately reveal the size of VSD,and aid in the selection of VSD occluder in the device occluding procedure of VSD.     

经食管实时三维超声心动图在心脏外科手术中的应用

目的探讨经食管实时三维超声心动图在心脏外科手术中应用的可行性及价值。方法对接受心脏外科手术的24例患者进行经食管实时三维超声心动图术中监测,其中风湿性心脏病二尖瓣病变或二尖瓣主动脉瓣联合病变10例,二尖瓣脱垂2例,机械瓣置换术后机械瓣功能异常1例,主动脉瓣二瓣化畸形1例,室间隔缺损1例,房间隔缺损合并室间隔缺损1例,心内膜垫缺损2例,法洛四联症2例,大动脉转位合并室问隔缺损、房间隔缺损、左心室流出道狭窄1例,三尖瓣闭锁合并房间隔缺损、肺动脉狭窄1例,主动脉夹层2例。结果经食管实时三维超声心动图能够在术前清晰显示病变的三维结构,与术中所见基本一致,术后可即刻通过三维图像更直观评价手术效果。结论经食管实时三维超声心动图可方便应用于心脏术中监测,为心脏手术术前决策及术后效果评价提供重要信息,补充了常规术中超声应用的不足。     

The first four cases of successful NeoChord procedure in Chinese mainland

BACKGROUND: Transapical off-pump NeoChord procedure is a novel minimally invasive surgical repair of degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR). Here, we report the first four cases of NeoChord procedure in patients with mitral valve prolapse in Chinese mainland. METHODS: Four patients, aged 86, 84, 80 and 60 years, with severe MR due to posterior middle scallop prolapse (P2), underwent transapical off-pump artificial chordae implantation on April 9 and 10, 2019. The procedure was performed by left mini-thoracotomy under general anaesthesia and guided by 2D and 3D dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE). RESULTS: Mitral valve repair via NeoChord procedure was successfully performed with implantation of 3 artificial chordae in the first patient and 3, 2, and 3 artificial chordae in the following patients, respectively. Intraoperative TEE and pre-discharge transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed only mild to moderate MR of these four patients and no postoperative complications were noted. There were no changes of TTE finding between one-month follow-up and pre-discharge. CONCLUSION: The successful NeoChord procedures in four Chinese indicate that the valve repair using the NeoChord system for Chinese population is feasible.     

Advances in 3D echocardiography for mitral valve

The advent of real-time (RT) 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in 2007 has enhanced our understanding of the location and extent of the pathology of the native, as well as prosthetic, mitral valve (MV), particularly for MV prolapse and the anatomy of perivalvular dehiscence with prosthetic MV. MV quantification programs provide precise assessment of many quantitative MV parameters allowing 3D echocardiography to determine and quantify the geometry of mitral apparatus, including mitral annulus and periannular region, leaflet volume and anatomy, tethering distances, and tenting volumes. The detailed, accurate and optimal RT spatial visualization of the MV with 3D TEE gives greater confidence to the echocardiographer, interventionalist and the surgeon alike, facilitating medical and surgical treatment decisions. This article highlights recent advances in RT 3D TEE and transthoracic echocardiography echocardiographic imaging of the MV.     

Advances in 3D echocardiography for mitral valve

The advent of real-time (RT) 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in 2007 has enhanced our understanding of the location and extent of the pathology of the native, as well as prosthetic, mitral valve (MV), particularly for MV prolapse and the anatomy of perivalvular dehiscence with prosthetic MV. MV quantification programs provide precise assessment of many quantitative MV parameters allowing 3D echocardiography to determine and quantify the geometry of mitral apparatus, including mitral annulus and periannular region, leaflet volume and anatomy, tethering distances, and tenting volumes. The detailed, accurate and optimal RT spatial visualization of the MV with 3D TEE gives greater confidence to the echocardiographer, interventionalist and the surgeon alike, facilitating medical and surgical treatment decisions. This article highlights recent advances in RT 3D TEE and transthoracic echocardiography echocardiographic imaging of the MV.