Two-dimensional Doppler color flow mapping in congenital heart disease

The development of a system that images intracardiac anatomy cross-sectionally while simultaneously displaying intracardiac blood flow in realtime has the potential of increasing diagnostic capabilities in the evaluation of congenital heart lesions. This would translate into the ability to visualize intracardiac lesions not identified by standard M-mode, two dimensional (2-D), pulsed, and continuous wave Doppler modalities. A review of 1000 consecutive studies in our laboratory was performed. Doppler color flow mapping was performed in each case after complete segmental analysis by 2-D and Doppler echo. Identification of intracardiac lesions or abnormalities of blood flow by Doppler color flow mapping, not appreciated on routine 2-D/Doppler studies included ventricular septal defect (VSD) (n = 24), atrial septal defect (n = 4), mitral regurgitation (n = 13), tricuspid regurgitation after VSD closure (n = 5), tricuspid regurgitation in association with atrial septal defect (ASD) (n = 7), residual ventricular septal defect after surgery (n = 10), pulmonary insufficiency (n = 4), aortic insufficiency (n = 4), and patent Blalock-Taussig shunt (n = 2). Identification of multiple ventricular septal defects in two patients and the presence of a large left-to-right shunt across an atrial septal defect in the presence of septal aneurysm formation was also aided by Doppler color flow. Use of color flow to identify areas of maximal velocity and turbulence greatly enhanced continuous wave Doppler measurements by directing placement of the Doppler beam within the flow areas.     

CDFI在新生儿先天性心脏病筛查中的应用

目的探讨基层医院彩色多普勒超声（color doppler flow imaging,CDFI）对新生儿先天性心脏病（先心病）筛查和诊断效果。方法回顾性分析2006年3月至2010年8月492例新生儿CDFI检查的结果,统计出现的先心病类型及各类型先心病的发病构成比。结果本组资料共检出先心病患者215例,先心病总检出率为43.7%（215/492）,占出生总数的11.0‰（215/19480）,构成比位居前三位的先心病类型分别为房间隔缺损71例（33.0%）,室间隔缺损67例（31.2%）,动脉导管未闭54例（25.1%）。结论房间隔缺损、室间隔缺损、动脉导管未闭是最常见的新生儿先心病病种,CDFI仍是基层医院首选的先心病筛查方法。     

Assessment of congenital coronary artery fistulas by transesophageal color Doppler echocardiography

PURPOSE: Coronary angiography is the gold standard for imaging the coronary tree, but the relation of coronary artery fistulas to other structures, and their origin and course, may not be apparent. We evaluated the ability of multiplane color Doppler transesophageal echocardiography to identify coronary fistulas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients with angiographically confirmed coronary artery fistulas were investigated by transesophageal echocardiography in four Italian hospitals between January 1997 and May 2001. RESULTS: Transesophageal echocardiography correctly diagnosed fistulous connection in all 21 patients. This included 6 patients with connections from the left circumflex artery (into the right chambers of the heart in 5 patients, and into the left ventricle in 1 patient), 10 patients with a fistula arising from the left anterior descending artery or left main coronary artery (with drainage into the right ventricle or main pulmonary artery), and 5 patients with a fistula from the right coronary artery (with drainage sites in the lateral aspect of the right ventricle, the low posterior right atrium, or the superior vena cava). In 4 of the 21 patients, angiography did not identify the precise site of a fistula into the coronary sinus or right ventricle. CONCLUSION: Color Doppler transesophageal echocardiography is useful in the diagnosis and in the precise localization of coronary artery fistulas.     

Doppler color flow echocardiography: indispensable application to congenital heart disease

Doppler color flow imaging has become indispensable in the diagnosis and management of patients with congenital heart disease. Certain defects may not be possible, or may be very difficult to diagnose by two-dimensional echocardiography alone. Such examples include multiple ventricular septal defects, anomalous pulmonary venous connection, coronary artery malformations, and the hypertensive patent ductus arteriosus. Additionally, color flow Doppler echocardiography significantly provides additional information, and reduces the time for fetal and transesophageal echocardiographic studies. Doppler color flow imaging has become an essential part of the echocardiographic examination. Experience has broadened the use of this important technological advance, with anticipation of an ever expanding future for its clinical application.     

Transcatheter interventions for multiple lesions in adults with congenital heart disease

Recent advances in diagnosis, surgery and interventional management have significantly changed the quality of life of patients with congenital heart disease. Historically, congenital heart disease patients with multiple cardiac lesions have been referred for surgery; however, with the advent of newer technologies and expertise, transcatheter treatment has evolved as an alternative option. A series of patients who underwent interventional procedures for multiple congenital heart disease lesions with excellent procedural and medium-term outcomes is reported.     

右心声学造影在先天性心脏病诊断上的应用

心脏声学造影即心脏超声造影(又称造影超声心动图)1969 年由Gralniak 首先提出,在彩色多普勒超声心动图问世前在先天性心脏病的诊断方面发挥了重要作用.彩色多普勒(CDFI)的普及应用极大地提高了超声诊断先天性心脏病的准确性, 尤其对于左向右分流性先天性心脏病,CDFI能直观显示异常血流的起源、流向及流速,敏感性高,但在显示右向左分流时则敏感性较低[ 1 ].右心声学造影安全、无创、可重复性强,能提供更为详细的右向左分流信息,特别是在复杂心血管畸形的鉴别诊断中具有重要的诊断价值,可为临床提供丰富的解剖及血流动力学资料[ 2 ].即使在彩色多普勒普及的情况下,对右向左分流的先天性心脏病,右心声学造影仍不失为一种有效的诊断方法.     

Echocardiography diagnosis of ruptured congenital right coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm into right ventricle.

We describe a case of ruptured aneurysm of the right coronary sinus of Valsalva (ASV) diagnosed by transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography which allowed to quickly establish a correct diagnosis in a patient with a recent onset of continuous murmur and acute right congestive heart failure.     

Repair of coarctation of aorta with preservation of blood supply to upper limb

In this report, we present a modified technique of extended resection and end-to-end anastomosis of aorta for repair of coarctation of aorta. The advantages of this technique are a larger tension free anastomosis without compromising the blood supply into the left subclavian artery.     

小儿先天性复杂型主动脉缩窄的电子束计算机断层摄影诊断

目的:评价电子束计算机断层摄影(EBCT)在小儿先天性复杂型主动脉缩窄临床诊断中的价值。方法:回顾性分析自2003年7月至2005年7月于我院诊治的先天性复杂型主动脉缩窄(CoA)小儿患者60例,平均年龄1．64岁(28天-6岁)。所有患者均行经胸多普勒超声心动图检查和EBCT检查,其中39例行手术治疗。结果:60例中,每1例至少合并1种心血管畸形,合并室间隔缺损、动脉导管未闭、房间隔缺损分别为40、26、12例, 法乐四联症1例,右心室双出口2例。平均狭窄率(管腔最窄处与近心端正常主动脉内径比值)R=0．42±0．13(0．18- 0．75)。经手术治疗的39例中,38例证实为CoA,其中R≤1／2占84％(32／38),1例EBCT诊断无血液动力学意义,检出率为97．4％(38／39);经胸多普勒超声心动图漏诊11例,检出率为69．2％(27／39)。结论:EBCT有很高的时间分辨率,能清楚显示小儿CoA的大小、形态,检出率高于经胸多普勒超声心动图,对诊断有重要价值。由于经胸多普勒超声心动图在检出心内畸形有着优势,两者联合应用是小儿复杂型主动脉缩窄无创性检查的可靠方法。     

彩色超声心动图诊断冠心病的临床价值

目的探讨和分析彩色超声心动图诊断冠心病的临床价值。方法选取我院经初步诊断为冠心病的患者160例,对所有患者进行彩色超声心动图及冠状动脉造影检查,将患者检查结果进行对比分析,并以冠状动脉造影检查的诊断结果作为评价标准,对彩色超声心动图诊断冠心病的临床价值进行评价。结果 160例初诊冠心病均采用彩色超声心动图检查,结果显示153例有不同程度的冠状动脉主干狭窄,再经冠状动脉造影检查后,确诊冠心病的患者有131例。结论对所有患者采用彩色超声心动图和冠状动脉造影检查后,将两种检查方法的诊断结果对比,充分证明彩色超声心动图诊断冠心病具有十分满意的效果且临床价值较高,值得临床推广及应用。     

冠心病左心功能不全时肺静脉血流频谱的研究

目的 :通过对冠心病 (CHD)左心功能不全患者的肺静脉血流频谱的研究探索肺静脉血流频谱在CHD左心功能评定中的意义。方法 :应用脉冲多普勒技术对 132例左心功能Ⅰ～Ⅳ级的CHD患者及 90例健康人 (正常对照组 )进行了肺静脉血流频谱各项参数的测定并进行对照研究。结果 :与正常对照组相比CHD患者的肺静脉血流频谱D波的最大流速 (Dp)、S波最大流速 (Sp) /Dp及二尖瓣血流频谱的E峰的最大流速 (E)、A峰的最大流速 (A)在Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ级心功能出现异常 (P <0 .0 5～ 0 .0 1) ,肺静脉血流频谱S波持续时间 (ST)及二尖瓣血流E/A在Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ级心功能均出现异常 (P <0 .0 5～ 0 .0 0 1) ,S波的速度和时间积分 (Si)、A波的速度和时间积分 (Ai)在Ⅲ、Ⅳ级心功能时出现异常 ,A波持续时间 (AT)在Ⅲ级心功能时出现异常 (P <0 .0 5 )。Sp、肺静脉的收缩期积分 (SF)在Ⅳ级心功能时才出现异常 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :CHD患者舒张功能受损早于收缩功能 ,一旦出现收缩性心功能不全 ,临床上均为混合型左心功能不全。如果已经存在严重左心收缩功能不全的CHD患者肺静脉血流频谱Dp、D波的速度和时间积分 (Di)、AT及二尖瓣血流频谱E/A正常化说明是左心舒张功能严重受损的一种假性正常化。肺静脉血流频谱Dp、ST、Sp/Dp为CHD患者早期     

Systematic diagnostic method of two-dimensional echocardiography in congenital heart disease

Summary A two-dimensional echocardiographic (2-DE) method of segmental approach for diagnosis of congenital heart disease is presented. Firstly, the visceroatrial situs is determined, i.e., whether it is solitus, inversus, or ambiguous, by identifying the inferior vena cava to right atrium junction. Secondly, it is ascertained whether the ventricular loop is D-loop or L-loop. The ventricular loop is determined by identifying the internal structure of the right and left ventricles by 2-DE. Thirdly, the spatial relationships of the great arteries are determined by identifying the pulmonary artery and aorta. The pulmonary artery is identified by its branches, and the other artery is the aorta. Fourthly, the atrioventricular connection is determined as follows: (1) usual alignment, (2) criss-crossing, (3) straddling, (4) double inlet, and (5) unilateral atrioventricular valve atresia, by using an apical four-chamber echo view. Finally, the ventriculo-great arterial relationship is determined from the apical four-chamber echo view with a tilting maneuver or by echocardiographic recognition of the existence of the fibrous continuities. Following this echocardiographic five-step approach, hemodynamic considerations should be included, and by integrating all the information the diagnosis of congenital heart disease is completed.     

Assessment of coronary flow reserve by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography in left apical ballooning syndrome

We present the time course of transthoracic coronary flow reservein the left anterior descending artery in a patient who suffereda transient left apical ballooning syndrome.     

四种多普勒技术对冠心病的诊断价值

冠心病是危及中老年人健康的主要常见病、多发病,随着人民生活水平的不断提高,冠心病的发病率逐年提高,成为危害人民身体健康的重要杀手。准确诊断冠心病,特别是早期诊断冠心病对冠心病的治疗和预后具有重要意义。冠状动脉造影是临床诊断冠心病的“金标准”,但因有创、需接受射线和价格昂贵等影响而受到一定限制。彩色多普勒超声心动图具有无创、简便、费用低廉、可重复等优点。心肌缺血时,局部心肌运动会发生相应的变化,     

Coarctation of aorta with complete aortic occlusion

Survival to advanced age is exceptional in patients with unrepaired aortic coarctation. We report the case of an 81-year-old man with aortic coarctation and total occlusion who was otherwise asymptomatic. Coarctation was suspected when a femoral-radial pulse delay was noted during his routine physical examination. A 70-mmHg systolic blood pressure gradient between the upper and lower extremities was detected. Subsequent magnetic resonance angiography, aortography, and coronary angiography revealed severe coarctation of the aorta, well-developed collateral vessels, and severe coronary artery disease. A staged percutaneous coronary intervention procedure was performed and the coarctation was managed conservatively with antihypertensive medication.     

Usefulness of the MOSAIC (measurement of stenosis by aliasing coronary flow) method using transthoracic color Doppler echocardiography in unstable angina patients

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of the MOSAIC (measurement of stenosis by aliasing coronary flow) method for the detection of proximal left coronary stenosis in patients with unstable angina (UA) using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE).

Methods

Patients (n = 107) with UA were evaluated. Proximal left coronary flow was sought in the short axis (SAX) at the aortic root level using color Doppler guidance. When detected coronary flow showed color aliasing, the color velocity range was gradually increased until color aliasing nearly disappeared. Then, the color baseline was shifted until the color flow showed “isovelocity”.

Results

Proximal coronary flow was detected in 86 (80.4%) of 107 patients. In these 86 patients, an optimal cutoff value of isovelocity ≥ 47.5 cm/s predicted significant coronary stenosis (percent diameter stenosis ≥ 70%) of the proximal left anterior descending (AHA segment 6) or left main coronary artery with a sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 97%, positive predictive value of 98%, and negative predictive value of 86%. In all 107 patients, the same cutoff value predicted significant coronary stenosis with a sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 98%, positive predictive value of 98%, and negative predictive value of 81%.

Conclusions

The MOSAIC method may play a complementary role in expeditious risk stratification and decision making in patients with UA.     

Coronary flow reserve in hypertensive patients with hypercholesterolemia and without coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND: Coronary flow reserve (CFR) may be reduced both in arterial hypertension and in hypercholesterolemia. The aim of the study was to assess an association between CFR and levels of plasma total cholesterol (TC) in untreated arterial hypertension. METHODS: We studied 54 consecutive, untreated hypertensive outpatients free of coronary heart disease. Twenty of them had normal TC and 34 high TC (>/=200 mg/dL). Standard echocardiograms and transthoracic Doppler interrogation of the distal left anterior descending artery were obtained. Coronary diastolic peak velocities were measured both at rest and after low-dose dipyridamole. The CFR was calculated as dipyridamole/resting velocities ratio. RESULTS: The two groups had similar age, body mass index, heart rate, and diastolic blood pressure (BP). Patients with high TC had higher systolic BP (P < .05), triglycerides (P < .02), LDL-cholesterol, and TC/HDL-cholesterol ratio (both P < .0001) than controls. Left ventricular (LV) mass index, relative wall thickness, and fractional shortening did not differ between the two groups. Coronary diastolic peak velocities were similar at rest but lower after dipyridamole in patients with high TC (P < .02). As a consequence, CFR was reduced (P < .002). In multiple linear regression analyses, adjusting for age, heart rate, systolic BP, smoking, and relative wall thickness, TC (beta = -0.338) or high LDL-cholesterol (beta = -0.301) (both P < .001) were predictors of lower CFR independently of the concomitant effect of potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: In hypertensive patients free of coronary artery disease, the degree of impairment in coronary vasodilator capacity is independently associated with plasma cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol.