Transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation of right atrial mass lesions

Transesophageal echocardiography with color flow Doppler studies was performed on 10 consecutive patients who had right atrial masses identified by transthoracic echocardiography. In one patient with right atrial myxoma, transesophageal study identified the tumor by its attachment to the atrial septum and ruled out the transthoracic finding of possible additional tumor mass in the right ventricle. In two instances the mass in the atria were deemed to be thrombi because of lack of attachment to the atrial septum, atrial fibrillation, and enlarged right atrial chambers. In all patients, the thrombi appeared larger by transesophageal study and was associated in one instance with atrial septal defect. The atrial septal defect was not identified by the transthoracic study and probably accounted for stroke of the patient through paradoxical emboli. In six patients, because of superior quality images rendered by transesophageal imaging, the right atrial mass lesions were deemed to be anatomic variants, which included prominent eustachian valves, remnants of Chiari network, and thickened atrial septum. We concluded that transesophageal echocardiography is superior to transthoracic imaging in elucidating the cause and significance of right atrial mass lesions and that it helps in guiding appropriate therapy.     

Transesophageal echocardiography and cardiac masses

Although transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography has been a procedure of choice for diagnosing cardiac mass lesions, the advent of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) provided better visualization of cardiac structures, especially those at a considerable depth from the chest wall, and lesions that involve the left atrial appendage. In this study, we examined the experience at our institution with TEE imaging of cardiac mass lesions (excluding valvular vegetations) from April 1988 to July 1990. TEE studies detected 83 lesions (in 80 patients), which we characterized by type and site: 46 left atrial, 16 right atrial, 7 left ventricular, 2 right ventricular, and 12 extracardiac mass lesions. Of the 46 left atrial lesions, 9 were tumors and 37 were thrombi that involved the body of the left atrium, the left atrial appendage, or both. Associated mitral valve disease, chronic atrial fibrillation, or spontaneous microcavitations were common. Of the 16 right atrial mass lesions, 4 were tumors and 12 were thrombi, including "string" thrombi characteristic of venous thromboembolism. Of the seven left ventricular mass lesions, six were thrombi and one was a papilloma. Of the 12 extracardiac mass lesions, 2 were pericardial cysts and the rest were solid lesions. TEE added new or important clinical information beyond that derived from transthoracic echocardiography in left atrial thrombi, right atrial masses, and extracardiac lesions and was assessed to have influenced the management of patients most in these areas also. TEE is a useful addition to transthoracic echocardiography for diagnosis and clarification of cardiac mass lesions in selected patients.     

Contrast transesophageal echocardiographic demonstration of coronary artery fistula within left atrial appendage thrombus in mitral stenosis.

Coronary neovascularization and fistula formation arising from the left circumflex artery demonstrated by coronary angiography is a specific sign for the presence of left atrial appendage thrombus in patients with mitral stenosis. However, the fistula drainage site in the left atrium in relation to the thrombus cannot be ascertained by the angiographic method. We performed transesophageal echocardiography simultaneously with coronary angiography in five patients with severe mitral stenosis and left atrial appendage thrombus. The angiography showed coronary neovascularization and fistula arising from the left circumflex artery in three patients. In these three patients, the transesophageal echocardiography confirmed the presence of a coronary fistula by identifying contrast exuding from the surface of the thrombus. Thus we have shown for the first time the usefulness of contrast transesophageal echocardiography in imaging the exact drainage site of coronary artery fistula from left atrial appendage thrombus.     

经食管超声心动图在风心病二尖瓣狭窄手术方式选择中的应用

目的：评价经食管超声心动图(TEE)在风心病二尖瓣狭窄手术方式选择中的应用价值。方法：67例风心病二尖瓣狭窄患者术前作经胸超声(TTE)和TEE检查，重点探查左房血栓、左心耳血栓、左房雾影、瓣膜返流和瓣膜病变等情况。结果：TTE检查拟行二尖瓣置换术21例，球囊成形术46例。46例球囊成形术者又经TEE检查后，新发现左心耳血栓12例，改二尖瓣置换术；10例二尖瓣轻度返流，TEE证实为中度返流，改二尖瓣置换术。结论：TEE在风心病二尖瓣狭窄手术方式选择中有决定性的作用，对左房血栓、左心耳血栓、左房雾影检出及二尖瓣返流的定量判断较准确、可靠。     

Highly mobile pedunculated left atrial appendage thrombus falling into the mitral valve orifice

We treated two patients with atrial fibrillation and stringlike left atrial appendage thrombus: a 66 year-old man who had apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a 86 year-old woman with no underlying heart disease. In the patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, transesophageal echocardiography showed a highly mobile stringlike echo protruding from the left atrial appendage and sometimes falling into the mitral orifice. Pathologic examination after excision proved the stringlike echo to be a pedunculated structure composed of red and white thrombi. Excision of thrombus was also planned for the woman, who had a history of recurrent cerebral embolism. Because her cerebral CT showed infarction with bleeding, however, surgery was postponed. The stringlike mobile thrombus was not detected by transesophageal echocardiography 1 month later, when a new embolic episode affected a foot. Clinical outcomes of these two patients differed remarkably. The critical findings by transesophageal echocardiography which facilitated differential diagnosis from cardiac tumors were: spontaneous contrast echo accompanying mural thrombuslike echo, and low flow velocity in the left atrial appendage. However, the differential diagnosis may be quite difficult in cases of tumors associated with atrial fibrillation.     

The Role of Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Right Atrial Thrombi

Twenty patients with right atrial thrombi were identified through the use of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. Transesophageal echocardiography identified right atrial thrombi in all 20 cases. Transthoracic echocardiography showed definite thrombi in only 6 (30%) cases and suggested thrombus in another 2 (10%) patients. Thus transthoracic echocardiography results were false-negative for right atrial thrombus in 60% of cases. All 3 thrombi found within the right atrial appendage and 2 of 3 thrombi on pacemaker wires were missed by transthoracic echocardiography. There was no significant difference in the mean size between those thrombi seen (1.37 ± 0.6 cm) and those missed (1.5 ± 0.9 cm) by transthoracic echocardiography. Transesophageal echocardiography also significantly affected treatment. Anticoagulation was initiated or amplified in 13 patients. In 8 of these 13, thrombi were seen only by transesophageal echocardiography. Surgery was performed to remove thrombi in 7 cases, and in 3 (43%) cases it was because of thrombi seen only by transesophageal echocardiography. This study suggests that transesophageal echocardiography should be performed whenever right atrial thrombi are suspected. Transesophageal echocardiography has a significant effect on the diagnosis and management of patients with right atrial thrombi. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 1999;12:64-9.)     

Transesophageal echocardiography

Two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography generally has superior sensitivity and image quality compared with precordial echocardiography. Its unique anatomic perspective posterior to the heart often provides important clinical information not obtainable by other imaging approaches and technologies. It is particularly useful in the diagnosis of mitral valve disease, left atrial masses, endocarditis and its sequelae, and aortic dissections. It is also useful for examination of the left main coronary artery, left ventricular outflow tract, atrial and ventricular septa, and congenital defects. In addition to its application as a diagnostic tool in conscious patients, it can be employed intraoperatively to evaluate and guide surgical intervention. Detection of ventricular wall motion abnormalities by transesophageal echocardiography has been shown to be the most sensitive indicator of myocardial ischemia available in the clinical setting. It has potential for wide application for safely monitoring left ventricular function in patients in intensive care or under anesthesia.     

Left atrial appendage aneurysm presenting with recurrent embolic strokes

A case of left atrial appendage aneurysm is described in a 40-year-old man, who presented with recurrent embolic strokes and was asymptomatic until the last 6 months. Chest X-ray revealed a slightly prominent upper left heart border. The diagnosis was made by transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography and confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging and also by surgery.     

经食管超声心动图对心房颤动患者右心耳自发显影回声和血栓发生的研究

目的探讨经食管超声心动图(TEE)观察慢性心房颤动(房颤)时右心房、右心耳自发显影(SEC)和血栓发生情况。方法选取26例房颤患者和13例窦性心律患者，常规经胸超声心动图资料留取后，采用TEE充分清楚显示左、右心耳图像并采集血流流速曲线和其他相应指标。结果26例房颤患者左心耳内均可测及SEC，共测及血栓形成者10例；房颤患者右心耳内有SEC者共17例，共测及右心耳血栓形成者1例。结论房颤时右心耳内可有血栓发生，TEE检查在房颤抗凝治疗中和复律前后具有重要意义。     

Transthoracic echocardiographic predictors of the left atrial appendage contraction velocity in stroke patients with sinus rhythm

Systemic embolization is a potential complication in patients with thrombi situated in the left atrium and particularly, in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Reduced LAA contraction velocities, determined by the transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), are associated with increased risk of LAA spontaneous echocontrast and thrombus formation, and a history of systemic embolism. However, TEE remains a semi-invasive procedure, limiting its serial application as a screening tool. Therefore, it is desirable to obtain information regarding LAA function by transthoracic echocardiography in patients having cardioembolic stroke. The present study was designed to investigate various echocardiographic variables for patients with stroke to predict LAA dysfunction, reflected as reduced LAA contraction velocity. We studied a total of 61 patients with newly diagnosed acute embolic stroke (42 patients) and transient ischemic attack (19 patients). Computerized tomographic scanning was performed for the diagnosis of embolic stroke. Left atrial functional parameters determined by transthoracic echocardiography, such as left atrial active emptying fraction and acceleration slope of mitral inflow A wave, had significant correlations with the LAA contraction velocity (r = 0.57, p < 0.001; r = 0.54, p < 0.001, respectively). Left atrial volume index, left atrial active emptying volume and left atrial fractional shortening were also correlated with LAA contraction velocity (r = -0.44, p < 0.001; r = 0.38, p = 0.003; r = 0.37, p = 0.004, respectively). In conclusion, transthoracic echocardiography can provide valuable and reliable information about the LAA contraction velocity in stroke patients with sinus rhythm. This finding gives new insights for the appropriate strategy in the evaluation of an acute ischemic stroke.     

The role of echocardiography in diagnosing space-occupying lesions of the heart

In contrast to primary cardiac tumors, which are less frequent and mostly benign in nature, the majority of intracardiac tumors are metastatic lesions. Cardiac ultrasound has evolved enormously since its emergence in the 1950s and is presently the modality of choice for imaging space-occupying lesions of the heart; it provides high quality, real-time images that are extremely valuable in the evaluation of cardiac masses. Although transthoracic echocardiography is an excellent initial diagnostic technique to evaluate and diagnose cardiac masses, transesophageal echocardiography provides superior image resolution and better visualization of cardiac masses in patients with suboptimal transthoracic echocardiography studies. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are additional tools used for cardiac imaging and may provide useful information in addition to that obtained by echocardiography, especially when the images obtained by the latter are suboptimal.     

Transesophageal echocardiographic recognition of infiltrative cardiac sarcoma mimicking mitral stenosis

Primary cardiac sarcomas are very rare. Infiltrative cardiac tumors may be difficult to diagnose by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) only. Herein, we report a case of primary unclassified cardiac sarcoma with clinical and echocardiographic manifestations of mitral stenosis (MS). The tumor was not identified by TTE preoperatively because of its diffuse infiltration of the left atrial wall and both mitral leaflets without protruding mass, and was only discovered by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). This report alerts clinicians that TEE is a necessary adjunctive tool to facilitate the correct diagnosis in patients with obscure etiologies of mitral valve diseases especially when they will receive surgical intervention.     

经食道超声心动图评估非瓣膜性房颤患者左心耳容积和功能的临床意义

  目的  探究经食道超声心动图（TEE）评估非瓣膜性房颤患者左心耳容积和功能的临床价值及意义。  方法  选取2016年8月~2020年8月于成都市新都区人民医院行TEE检查且确诊为非瓣膜性房颤的患者138例为房颤组,另选取同期因怀疑为其他心血管疾病而接受TEE检查的对象47例作为对照组。TEE多切面观察两组患者的左心耳超声图像,应用Simpson双平面法获取左心耳容积参数,所有对象均通过经胸超声心动图采集左房三维容积图像,并导入Qlab9.0分析软件,获取左房的容积及变化参数。比较两组患者的左心房、左心耳容积参数和血流动力学参数,分析不同左心耳功能患者的血栓形成及自发显影情况。  结果  房颤组患者的左房射血分数、左心耳射血分数、心耳容积变化率、左心耳最大排空速度和体表面积标化的左心耳排空指数均小于对照组（P < 0.05）,左房最大容积、左房最小容积、左心耳最大容积和左心耳最小容积均大于对照组（P < 0.05）。房颤组中,左心耳功能正常89例（64.49%）,左心耳功能轻度下降31例（22.46%）,左心耳功能中重度下降18例（13.04%）,不同左心耳功能状态患者的血栓形成和自发显影情况比较,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）,且功能中重度下降患者的血栓形成率高于轻度下降和正常患者（P < 0.05）;功能中重度下降患者的自发显影严重程度高于正常患者（P < 0.05）。  结论  TEE在评估非瓣膜性房颤患者左心耳容积和功能中具有良好的临床价值,患者左心耳功能下降水平越高,发生血栓形成和自发显影风险越大。      

Diagnostic value of transesophageal echocardiography in atrial septal aneurysm

Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 40 consecutive adult patients with an atrial septal aneurysm. In 11 (27%) of 40 patients transthoracic echocardiography failed to demonstrate the lesion and the diagnosis was established by the transesophageal approach only. Interatrial shunting, assessed by echocardiographic contrast study and/or color flow mapping, was detected in 13 (54%) of 24 patients on transthoracic imaging and in 29 (76%) of 38 patients during transesophageal echocardiography. Identification of multiple fenestrations (n=9) and thrombi within the aneurysm (n=2) could be achieved only by transesophageal ultrasound. A cerebrovascular event of suspected embolic origin occurred in 20 (50%) of 40 patients; 11 (55%) of the 20 patients had repeated cerebral events. Except for mitral valve prolapse in 2 patients and spontaneous left atrial contrast phenomenon in 1 patient no other potential cardiac source of embolism could be identified by transesophageal echocardiography. A marked thickening of the aneurysm was present in 14 (70%) of 20 patients with a cerebrovascular event versus only 4 (20%) of 20 patients without a cerebrovascular event (p<0,01). The mechanism of embolization may be both primary thrombus formation within the aneurysm and paradoxical embolization through an interatrial communication as suggested by the findings on transesophageal ultrasound in 2 patients. Although the patients of this study represent a highly selected group it may be concluded that atrial septal aneurysm is a cardiac abnormality with embolic potential. Transesophageal echocardiography has to be regarded the imaging method of choice for evaluation of this lesion.     

Intracardiac Echocardiography

Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) uses a catheter‐based steerable ultrasound probe that is passed into the right heart chambers to image intracardiac structures. The transducer can be variably positioned for optimal imaging: in the inferior vena cava to visualize the abdominal aorta; in the right atrium for the interatrial septum, aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valves, and pulmonary veins; or in the right ventricle for the left ventricular function, outflow tract, or pulmonary artery. Intracardiac echocardiography is primarily used for imaging during an invasive cardiac procedure using conscious sedation, when transthoracic image quality would likely be inadequate, and transesophageal imaging would require general anesthesia. Intracardiac echocardiography is generally well tolerated and provides adequate images and sufficient information for the procedure performed. In the cardiac catheterization laboratory, ICE is routinely used for patent foramen ovale, atrial septal defect, and ventricular septal defect closures, allowing adequate percutaneous placement of septal occluders. It is now being considered in the current era of transcatheter aortic valve implantation necessitating improved imaging approaches for accurate placement. It is also routinely used for trans‐septal punctures during mitral valvuloplasty and, more recently, with the advent of left atrial appendage closure devices. This article provides a comprehensive review of the current technology for ICE and its growing applications in the realm of interventional cardiology.     

应用全方向M型超声研究二尖瓣置换术后房间隔运动速度变化

目的 应用全方向M型超声心动图测量二尖瓣置换术前、术后房间隔运动速度变化,评估左心房功能.方法 选择行二尖瓣置换术患者49例,年龄34～69岁,平均(54.27±9.30)岁,其中男23例,女26例.分别于手术中术前、术后对所有患者进行经食管超声心动图监测,应用全方向M型超声心动图测量收缩期和舒张期房间隔运动峰值速度.应用经胸超声心动图测量左心房容积变化率、左心房前后径、左心室舒张末容积、左心室射血分数.结果 二尖瓣置换术后,房间隔运动峰值速度、左心房容积变化率、左心室舒张末容积及左心室射血分数较术前升高(P＜0.05).术前、术后房间隔运动峰值速度与左心房容积变化率存在相关性(r =0.389、0.354,P＜0.05).结论 全方向M型超声心动图测量的房间隔运动峰值速度能够评价二尖瓣置换术前、术后左心房功能变化.     

实时三维经食管超声心动图在评估非瓣膜性心房颤动患者左心耳血栓形成中的应用

目的 探讨实时三维经食管超声心动图（RT3D-TEE）测量左心耳排空流速（PEV）及三维容积变化率(3D-EF)在预测非瓣膜性房颤患者左心耳自发显影及血栓形成中的应用价值。方法 选取203例心房颤动患者,分为异常组及未见异常组,分别测量左心耳排空流速及三维容积变化率。结果 两组间左心耳排空流速及三维容积变化率有统计学差异,以3D-EF截断值38%预测左心耳自发显影或（和）血栓形成的灵敏性100%,特异度90.6%;以PEV截断值30.85cm/s预测左心耳自发显影或（和）血栓形成的灵敏性100%,特异度89%。结论 实时三维经食管超声心动图检查对预测左心耳自发显影或（和）血栓形成有重要的临床价值。     

三维经食管超声心动图评估非瓣膜性心房颤动患者左心耳封堵术后二尖瓣装置形态

目的:探讨经食管3D超声心动图用于左心耳封堵术后二尖瓣装置形态改变情况的评估价值,旨在为术前封堵器选择提供更多参考。方法：回顾性纳入2017年1月-2022年12月于我院行左心耳封堵术治疗房颤患者共35例,分别于手术前后行经食管2D/3D超声心动图检查,分析二尖瓣装置相关定量参数变化情况,进一步评价术后封堵器压缩比与二尖瓣装置相关定量参数的相关性。结果：术后二尖瓣瓣环瓣环前外侧至后内侧、三维瓣环周长、二维瓣环面积、三维瓣环面积、穹隆容积、穹隆下投影面积及瓣叶联合处直径均显著小于术前(P<0.05)；术后前后径/前外侧至后内侧径显著大于术前(P<0.05)；瓣叶穹隆容积与术后封堵器压缩比呈显著正相关(P<0.05)；术后封堵器压缩比与二尖瓣装置其他相关定量参数间无明显相关性(P>0.05)。结论：经食管3D超声心动图可准确用于左心耳封堵术后二尖瓣装置形态改变评估,同时二尖瓣装置术前穹隆容积及封堵器压缩比均可影响封堵器。     

Transesophageal echocardiography in the evaluation of mediastinal masses.

To assess the diagnostic impact of transesophageal echocardiography in the evaluation of mediastinal masses, 30 patients with mediastinal abnormalities detected by routine chest roentgenogram underwent transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. Subsequently, 29 of the patients underwent computed tomography and 16 underwent magnetic resonance imaging. The location and structure of the masses as well as their relationship to the surrounding structures were assessed. Anatomic confirmation and histopathologic diagnosis of the mediastinal masses by surgical resection and biopsy was available for all patients. Transesophageal echocardiography was more accurate than transthoracic echocardiography in detecting mediastinal masses (90% versus 73%), in identifying their structure (100% versus 90%), and in evaluating their relationship to contiguous organs (89% versus 81%). No complication was observed during the examinations. Computed tomography correctly diagnosed the location, structure, and relationships in all patients but one; magnetic resonance imaging correctly evaluated the mediastinal masses in all 16 patients. Our study suggests that transesophageal echocardiography is a valuable and safe complementary method of evaluating mediastinal masses. Moreover, this technique allows the obstruction of vessels and heart cavities, valve regurgitation, and right and left ventricular function to be easily assessed.     

Transesophageal echocardiography

Transesophageal echocardiography has provided a new acoustic window to the heart, the great vessels, and the mediastinum. It provides anatomical, functional hemodynamic, and blood flow information. High-quality visualization of left atrial appendage, thoracic aorta, atrial septum, and mitral valvular apparatus can be obtained readily. We discuss historical and technical aspects of transesophageal echocardiography, anatomical views, and major clinical indications for this procedure. These indications include intracardiac masses, thoracic aortic dissection, endocarditis, prosthetic and native cardiac valve function assessment, as well as its value in the detection of intracardiac source of systemic emboli. Furthermore, the role of transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of coronary artery and congenital heart disease and as an intraoperative diagnostic and monitoring technique is discussed.