Serial assessment of mitral regurgitation by pulsed Doppler echocardiography in patients undergoing balloon aortic valvuloplasty

Mitral regurgitation was serially assessed by pulsed Doppler echocardiography in 144 patients undergoing balloon aortic valvuloplasty for symptomatic aortic stenosis. Regurgitant scores of 0, 1, 2 and 3 were assigned to pulsed Doppler patterns corresponding to no, mild, moderate and severe mitral regurgitation, respectively. Before balloon aortic valvuloplasty, mitral regurgitant score correlated significantly (p less than 0.005) but weakly with aortic valve area (r = -0.24), left ventricular ejection fraction (r = -0.34) and left ventricular systolic pressure (r = 0.23). There was no significant correlation between mitral regurgitation and either mean catheterization or mean Doppler aortic valve gradient. Balloon aortic valvuloplasty produced significant decreases in both catheterization and Doppler mean transvalvular aortic valve gradients (56 +/- 19 to 31 +/- 12 and 60 +/- 19 to 48 +/- 16 mm Hg, respectively; both p less than 0.0001) and a significant increase (p less than 0.0001) in aortic valve area assessed by catheterization (0.6 +/- 0.2 to 0.9 +/- 0.3 cm2). Left ventricular ejection fraction did not change, but cardiac output increased (p less than 0.001) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure decreased (p less than 0.0001). Pulsed Doppler findings of mitral regurgitation were present in 102 of the 144 patients. Eighty-eight patients had a score compatible with mild or more severe degrees of mitral regurgitation, and 49 had a score indicative of moderate or severe valvular insufficiency. In the entire group of 144 patients, mitral regurgitant score decreased significantly from 1.1 +/- 1.0 to 1.0 +/- 1.0 (p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Usefulness of tissue Doppler echocardiography to predict perioperative cardiac events in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery

Guidelines have not recommended routine echocardiography to predict perioperative cardiac events (PCE). We aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of tissue Doppler echocardiography-derived E/E′ for risk stratification before noncardiac surgery. We reviewed 445 consecutive patients with cardiovascular diseases who had undergone tissue Doppler echocardiography before noncardiac surgery. The revised cardiac risk index (RCRI) was assessed from clinical records. After excluding patients who could not have E/E′ measurements, 200 patients were further analyzed. PCEs included death, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, heart failure and deferred surgery. Eleven patients developed PCEs. E/E′ was significantly higher in patients with PCE (18.4?±?5.8 vs. 12.2?±?4.5, p?<?0.0005). Multivariate analysis showed E/E′ (odds ratio 1.2, p?<?0.007) and RCRI (OR 4.8; 95%, p?<?0.006) were independent predictors of PCE. E/E′ appeared to be useful in perioperative risk stratification among patients with cardiovascular diseases undergoing noncardiac surgery.     

Influence of haemodynamics and myocardial ischaemia on Doppler transmitral flow in patients undergoing dobutamine echocardiography

To examine whether pulsed Doppler left ventricular filling indicescan reliably detect myocardial ischaemia in patients with coronaryartery disease undergoing dobutamine stress echocardiographywe studied three groups matched for age and global indices ofleft ventricular function. Group 1 patients (n=10) had normalcoronary arteries whereas those in Groups 2 (n=12) and 3 (n=15)had significant coronary disease (70% diameter stenosis) atangiography. After stopping cardiouctive treatment, patientsunderwent incremental dobutamine stress (5, 10, 15 and 20 µg.kg^–1. min^–1) during pulsed Doppler interrogationof diastolic filling with simultaneous heart rate and bloodpressure measurements. Only Group 3 patients developed myocardialischaemia using electrocardiographic and cross sectional echocardiographiccriteria, subset 3A (n=4) comprised those with inducible mitralregurgitation on colour Doppler. Electrocardiographic R-R intervaldecreased (–311 ± 123 ms, P<0·001) andmean blood pressure altered (5±17 mmHg, P=ns) uniformlyacross groups. The respective changes in peak early velocity,peak atrial velocity and their ratio for Groups 1 (0·08± 0·09 m. s^–1, 0·26 ± 0·18m.s^–1 and – 0·32 ± 0·36), 2(0·07 ± 0·07 m.s^–1 0·18±0·15m.s^–1 and –0·13±0·21) and 3(0·09±0·12 m.s^–1, 0·20±0·13m.s^–1 and –0·17±0·21) weresimilar (all P=ns between groups). Corresponding data for subset3A (0·23 ± 0·04 m.s^–1 0·20± 0·10 m.s^–1and 0·00 ± 0·16)revealed a significantly greater increase in peak early velocityand normalized velocity ratio in these patients. Overall, changesin peak early (r= –0·47, P<0·01) andatrial velocity (r–0·65, P<0·001) andtheir ratio (r=0·35, P<0·05) correlated withreduction in R-R interval but not alterations in blood pressure.In conclusion, tachycardia during dobutamine stress masks theeffects of myocardial ischaemia on Doppler diastolic indicesalthough a minority of patients with inducible mitral regurgitationmanifest a relatively distinct filling profile.     

Unexplained pulmonary hypertension is associated with systolic arterial hypertension in patients undergoing routine Doppler echocardiography

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity of the association between systemic hypertension (HTN) and unexplained pulmonary hypertension (PHTN) as identified with Doppler echocardiography. METHODS: All patients with a reported systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) on routine Doppler echocardiography from our 1997 echocardiographic database were identified. Exclusions included all diseases known to be associated with PHTN. Of 1,174 patients, 503 had PHTN (defined as a SPAP of >/= 40 mm Hg), of whom 42 (8.4%) had unexplained PHTN. These PHTN patients were matched for age (mean [+/- SD] age, 70 +/- 11 years) with 84 randomly selected patients from the same database who had normal SPAP values and no diseases associated with PHTN. RESULTS: The mean SPAP of those patients with unexplained PHTN was 48 +/- 9 mm Hg vs 31 +/- 5 mm Hg for those without unexplained PHTN. HTN was more prevalent in those with PHTN (98% vs 72%, respectively; p = 0.0008). Patients with unexplained PHTN had significantly higher mean systolic BP, as routinely measured at the end of the echo (154 +/- 26 vs 138 +/- 21 mm Hg, respectively; p = 0.0006), but they did not differ in diastolic BP (80 +/- 14 vs 78 +/- 11 mm Hg, respectively; p = 0.39). PHTN patients and control subjects did not differ with respect to gender (women, 74% vs 70%, respectively), race (white, 64% vs 65%, respectively), body mass index (30 +/- 8 vs 28 +/- 8 kg/m(2), respectively), or left ventricular ejection fraction (64 +/- 6% vs 63 +/- 7%, respectively). When only those with known HTN were considered, PHTN patients still had higher systolic arterial BP (155 +/- 25 vs 143 +/- 21 mm Hg, respectively; p = 0.013) and tended to be on more BP medications (1.6 +/- 1.1 vs 1.2 +/- 0.9, respectively; p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Unexplained PHTN occurs mostly in the elderly, is associated with systolic HTN, and those hypertensive patients with concomitant PHTN have higher systolic arterial pressures.     

The utility of transesophageal echocardiography and Doppler color flow imaging in patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery

To assess the value of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography during cardiac valve surgery, 154 consecutive patients who had a valve operation in conjunction with pre- and postcardiopulmonary bypass transesophageal imaging were studied. Prebypass imaging yielded unsuspected findings that either assisted or changed the planned operation in 29 (19%) of the 154 patients. Imaging immediately after bypass revealed unsatisfactory operative results that necessitated immediate further surgery in 10 (6%) of the 154 patients. Postbypass left ventricular dysfunction, prompting administration of inotropic agents, was identified in 13 patients (8%). Transesophageal echocardiography proved most useful when both two-dimensional and Doppler color flow imaging were employed in patients undergoing a mitral valve operation, where surgical decisions based on echocardiographic results were made in 26 (41%) of 64 cases. Postbypass echocardiographic findings identified patients at risk for an adverse postoperative outcome. Of 123 patients whose postbypass valve function was judged to be satisfactory, 18 (15%) had a major postoperative complication and 6 (5%) died, whereas of 7 patients with moderate residual valve dysfunction, 6 (86%) had a postoperative complication and 3 (43%) died (p less than 0.05 for both). Likewise, of 131 patients with preserved postbypass left ventricular function, 12 (9%) had a major complication and 7 (5%) died, whereas of 23 patients with reduced ventricular function, 17 (73%) had a postoperative complication and 6 (26%) died (p less than 0.05 for both). These data indicate that intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography is useful in formulating the surgical plan, assessing immediate operative results and identifying patients with unsatisfactory results who are at increased risk for postoperative complications.     

Prophylactic use of ofloxacin in granulocytopenic patients with hematological malignancies during post-remission chemotherapy.

The prophylactic efficacy of ofloxacin (OFLX) therapy was evaluated in 51 granulocytopenic episodes in 22 patients with hematological malignancies during post-remission chemotherapy in a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Oral administration of OFLX plus amphotericin-B (AMPH) and polymyxin-B (PL) reduced episodes of fever and infection more than did the control regimen with PL and AMPH alone (p less than 0.01), and the reduction in the incidence of infection was evident even in patients showing severe granulocytopenia (p less than 0.01). Furthermore, the first fever after the onset of granulocytopenia in the OFLX regimen developed later than that in the control regimen (p less than 0.05). Clinically, the prophylactic efficacy was 92% for the OFLX regimen and 40% for the control regimen (p less than 0.01). These findings suggest that OFLX is a promising prophylactic agent following post-remission chemotherapy. Patient hemomyelogram findings similar to those of patients with other malignancies may imply that OFLX is widely effective in granulocytopenic patients taking aggressive chemotherapy.     

Relationship with plasma neurohormones and dyssynchrony detected by Doppler echocardiography in patients undergoing permanent pacemaker implantation

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether isovolumic relaxation flow (IRF) and isovolumic contraction flow (ICF) resulted from asynchrony and asynergy due to VVI and DDD pacemakers modulated neurohormones, we measured neurohormone levels in plasma and investigated the characteristics of IRF and ICF using Doppler echocardiography. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 11 patients with dual-chamber pacemakers (DDD) and 11 patients, with ventricular inhibiting mode (VVI). All patients underwent Doppler echocardiography of the left ventricle. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), renin and aldosteron were measured. The LV was scanned for the presence of intracavitary flow during the isovolumic relaxation and isovolumic contraction period. The plasma levels of BNP and ANP were significantly lower in DDD mode than in VVI mode (56 +/- 32 pg/ml vs. 94 +/- 32 pg/ml, p = 0.022 and 98 +/- 20 pg/ml vs. 134 +/- 17 pg/ml, p = 0.042, respectively). There were no significant differences in the plasma level of renin or aldosteron. VVI mode versus DDD mode increased isovolumic relaxation flow time (129 +/- 41 vs. 111 +/- 36 sec, p = 0.020) and isovolumic relaxation flow velocity (50 +/- 4 vs. 37 +/- 2 cm/s, p = 0.018). A strong relationship between blood ANP and BNP levels and IRF velocity was found in patients with a VVI pacemaker (r: 0.632, p: 0.028; r: 0.528, p: 0.024, respectively). CONCLUSION: VVI mode has a longer isovolumic relaxation time, isovolumic relaxation flow velocity and has higher ANP and BNP plasma levels than DDD mode. IRF resulting from asynergy and asynchrony in VVI mode pacemakers versus DDD mode pacemakers affects the plasma levels of ANP and BNP compared to renin and aldosteron.     

Ambulatory follow-up of aortic dissection by transesophageal two-dimensional and color-coded Doppler echocardiography

Follow-up of 18 patients with aortic dissection (five with type I, one with type II, 11 with type III dissection according to DeBakey) by transesophageal, two-dimensional and color-coded Doppler echocardiography showed a persistence of the false lumen in five of seven patients (71%) after surgery and in nine of 11 patients (82%) after medical therapy. In two patients treated with surgery, the dissected part of the aorta had been resected, whereas in two patients treated medically, a progressive and complete obliteration of the false lumen was observed. In the false lumen, thrombus formation was absent in four, localized in four, and progressive in six patients. Flow within the false lumen could be registered in 14 patients, and two distinct flow patterns were differentiated (laminar biphasic flow or slowly circulating flow). Persisting intimal tears were visualized by two-dimensional echocardiography in four patients, whereas color-coded Doppler showed an additional one to three intimal tears in the descending aorta in 10 patients. Flow across these intimal tears was biphasic in 75% of patients; that is, systolic flow was directed from the true to the false lumen with diastolic flow reversal. Unidirectional flow was detected in 25% of the communications, directed in 20% from the true to the false lumen, serving as an entry only and in one (5%) as reentry only. Additional information concerning complications like extension of the dissection (one of 18 patients), localized dilatation of the regurgitation (three of 18 patients) were detected by this method. Concerning the morphologic findings and the detection of flow characteristics, the transesophageal approach was superior to conventional echocardiography especially in the descending thoracic aorta. Thus, transesophageal two-dimensional and color-coded Doppler echocardiography seems to be an ideal method not only for the easy detection of aortic dissection but also for follow-up.     

Transesophageal echocardiography with color Doppler during interventional catheterization

Echocardiography has been used during interventional cardiac catheterization for guidance of the procedure and assessment of results. However, limited echocardiographic windows and logistical difficulties make conventional echocardiography during interventional catheterization impractical and of limited value. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) with Doppler color flow mapping is more useful than conventional echocardiography for guidance of interventional catheterizations. Device closure of congenital atrial and ventricular septal defects (ASDs and VSDs) and of postoperative residual interatrial and interventricular communications, balloon valvuloplasty, and Brockenbrough atrial septal puncture with ASD creation have been performed under combined fluoroscopic and TEE guidance. Transesophageal echocardiography can be performed continuously throughout the procedure, allowing simultaneous fluoroscopic and echocardiographic assessment of catheter position. Localization of individual device arms during transcatheter device closure of ASDs and VSDs is easier and more accurate when TEE is used, resulting in a lower incidence of incorrect device positioning. Doppler color flow mapping is used to determine number, location, and size of defects, to detect residual shunts after device closure, and to assess valve insufficiency after balloon valvuloplasty and other procedures. Combined TEE and fluoroscopic guidance of interventional procedures, with echocardiographic assessment of results, reduces the amount of radiation and contrast used during the procedure, allowing performance of additional interventional procedures during the same catheterization. Transesophageal echocardiography is indicated during interventional procedures in which simultaneous Doppler color flow mapping and precise localization of catheter, balloon and/or device position will result in a higher success rate and decreased morbidity.     

Doppler echocardiography in critically ill cardiac patients.

E-D is a powerful technique that can provide invaluable information in the acutely ill cardiac patient. It can help in the early diagnosis of conditions causing acute chest pain such as AMI and aortic dissection. E-D can help diagnose the causes of underlying hemodynamic instability such as hypotension and pulmonary edema, and it can help determine the initial management strategy. In this regard, E-D can replace Swan-Ganz catheterization in most patients. In patients with AMI who may appear to be hemodynamically stable, it can provide information regarding the following: size of risk area; status of the regions of the myocardium remote from the infarcted zone; effect of reperfusion therapy on regional myocardial function; presence or absence of nonsurgical complications such as ischemic mitral regurgitation, LV thrombus, or aneurysm; and patients at risk for immediate or late cardiac events. It is likely that as the newer generation of cardiologists becomes adequately trained in E-D, this technique will find routine use in every critical care unit.     

Negative predictive value of dipyridamole vs. dobutamine stress echocardiography in the long-term follow-up of patients undergoing major vascular surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Perioperative cardiovascular complications are a significant cause of post-surgical morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing major vascular surgery (MVS). Dobutamine stress echocardiography is the most important method of detecting coronary artery disease in these patients. Although dipyridamole stress echocardiography (SE-DIP) and dobutamine stress echo (SE-DOB) have demonstrated similar negative predictive value (NPV) in the early postoperative period in patients undergoing MVS, there are few data concerning the negative predictive value of SE-DIP in the long-term follow-up of this subgroup of patients. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to compare the long-term NPV of these two types of stress echocardiography and to compare it with perioperative NPV, based on the working assumption that they are similar. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was made of 157 patients based on preoperative evaluations for vascular surgery between February 1997 and February 2000. Clinical history and the results of consecutive stress exams were analyzed. We excluded patients with a positive stress echo and those that performed dobutamine stress echo which was considered inconclusive since they did not reach 85% of the maximum heart rate for their age. Therefore, 110 patients were included, 29 (26.4%) with dobutamine and 81 (73.6%) dipyridamole-atropine. The patients were followed after surgery for a period of 2.2 +/- 1 years. Cardiac events were defined as cardiac death, nonfatal acute myocardial infarction and hospitalization for unstable angina. The cumulative probability of event-free survival was compared. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 65 +/- 10 years, and 108 (98.1%) were men. After 2.2 +/- 1 years of follow-up, 7 cardiac events occurred in the group with negative SE-DIP (8.6%) and 3 in patients with negative SE-DOB (10.3%). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups concerning event-free survival (3.7 +/- 0.2 vs. 3.5 +/- 0.2 years for SE-DIP and SE-DOB respectively; p = 0.91). Negative predictive values for SE for perioperative and long-term cardiac events were 97.3% and 90.9% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SE-DIP is a good alternative to SE-DOB in the preoperative evaluation of patients undergoing MVS, with the NPV of SE-DIP being similar to SE-DOB in the perioperative period and in long-term follow-up.     

Argument for a Doppler echocardiography during exercise in assessing asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis

Aims: Exercise stress testing (EST) is recommended by guidelines torisk-stratify patients with asymptomatic valvular aortic stenosis(AS), though the role of quantitative exercise-Doppler echocardiographyhas rarely been studied. This prospective study sought to correlatestandard EST results with the haemodynamic measurements madeduring exercise by Doppler echocardiography. Methods and results: We performed rest and semi-supine exercise Doppler echocardiographyin 44 consecutive patients (mean age = 68 ± 12 years)with aortic valve areas 0.6 cm²/m². The effective aortic valvearea (EOA), cardiac output (CO), maximal transvalvular velocity,and pulmonary pressure were monitored over the test. No seriousadverse event was observed. EST was positive in 26 (Group 1)and negative in 18 (Group 2) patients. Baseline echocardiographicmeasurements were similar (EOA 0.77 ± 0.15 vs. 0.78 ±0.14 cm²; CO 5.5 ± 1.6 vs. 5.9 ± 2 L/min) in bothgroups. Exercise-induced changes in CO (+2.9 ± 2 vs.+4.3 ± 1.8 L/min, P = 0.04) and EOA (–0.04 ±0.18 vs. +0.15 ± 0.24 cm², P = 0.015) were significantlygreater in Group 2. A correlation between changes in EOA andchanges in CO during exercise was observed, but significantlyhigher in Group 2 (P = 0.04). Conclusion: In the presence of severe asymptomatic AS, exercise Dopplerechocardiography, assessing the mechanisms behind a positiveEST, appears very promising but further studies with prognosisassessment remain necessary.     

Long-term follow-up of 369 diabetic patients undergoing dialysis

We studied the long-term outcome (after four years) in 233 patients with type I and 136 with type II diabetes mellitus treated with long-term dialysis between 1966 and 1982. The seven-year cumulative survival improved from 12% before 1976 to 20% after 1976. Sixty-eight of the patients survived for more than four years, and 25 are still alive. Of deaths, 51% were due to cardiovascular disease, 24% to the discontinuation of dialysis, 14% to infections, and 11% to other causes. Over the course of the study, older and sicker patients were increasingly accepted for dialysis, and younger and healthier patients were increasingly accepted for transplantation. The 25 patients who are still alive and undergoing dialysis were hospitalized 1.4 times per patient year for 19 hospital days per patient year the first year and for eight days per patient year after that. Two became blind, three had amputations, seven worked full-time. The results of long-term dialysis in patients with diabetes have improved greatly over the last two decades.     

Exercise Doppler echocardiography in patients with pure mitral stenosis

Exercise increases heart rate and cardiac output and is helpful in the determination of dynamic mitral gradient in patients with mitral stenosis. However exercise is difficult to perform during cardiac catheterization in a premedicated recumbent patient and is only feasible when the brachial approach is used. Therefore, in the haemodynamic laboratory, exercise has important practical limitations. In order to obtain similar information using a reproducible and non-invasive technique, we tested the feasibility of combined two-dimensional and continuous wave Doppler echocardiography during exercise in a selected number of patients with pure mitral stenosis and in sinus rhythm. Seven patients, ranging from 14 to 48 years (average: 35 +/- 13), underwent baseline two-dimensional and continuous wave Doppler examinations, repeated after 2 minutes of supine bicycle exercise at a workload of 25, 50, 75 watts. The following parameters were derived and averaged: mean velocity of flow across the mitral valve, mean mitral valve gradient, diastolic filling period and heart rate. The increase in mitral valve flow was from 1.5 +/- 0.3 to 2.2 +/- 0.5 m/s (p less than 0.001); the corresponding increase in mean pressure gradient was from 11 +/- 3 to 21 +/- 8 mmHg (p less than 0.001). The decrease in the diastolic filling period was from 424 +/- 170 to 272 +/- 73 msec (p less than 0.005). The increase in heart rate was from 60 +/- 10 to 100 +/- 18 beats/minute (p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)