Multiplane transesophageal echocardiographic acquisition of ascending aortic flow velocities: A comparison with established techniques.

Acquisition of ascending aortic flow velocities with monoplane transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) have been problematic because of limitations of available imaging planes and alignment of the Doppler beam with aortic flow. The rotatable imaging array of multiplane TEE (Multi TEE) may provide improved alignment with ascending aortic blood flow. The purpose of this study was to establish the validity of maximal aortic flow velocities (VMax) and velocity time integrals (VTI) obtained by a Multi TEE continuous wave Doppler technique by comparison with those obtained by established echocardiographic techniques, suprasternal Doppler (SSD), and monoplane TEE (Mono TEE). Forty-five patients scheduled for elective surgery were prospectively studied. Multi TEE-obtained VMax and VTI were significantly greater (P <.05), 120 +/- 28.9 cm/s and 25.8 +/- 7 cm, than those obtained by the SSD method, 100.2 +/- 28.6 cm/s and 19.8 +/- 6.8 cm, respectively. Bias analysis revealed that Multi TEE better assessed VMax (mean difference -19.7, SD of the difference of 28 cm/s) and VTI (mean difference -5.9, SD of the difference of 6.4 cm) than the SSD method. Multi TEE exhibited values for VMax 10% or greater than those obtained by SSD in 18 (48. 6%) of 37 patients, and Multi TEE was 10% or greater than SSD in 23 (67%) of 37 patients for VTI determination. Values obtained by Multi TEE and Mono TEE showed close agreement. Multi TEE provides a favorable alignment for continuous wave Doppler interrogation of aortic flow and compared favorably to established techniques. This technique expands the utility of TEE to evaluate aortic valvular function and cardiac performance.     

Accuracy of three-dimensional volume measurement using biplane transesophageal echocardiographic probe: in vitro experiment.

Two phased-array scanning methods can be used for volumetric transesophageal echocardiographic imaging: (1) pull-back "breadloaf" reconstruction, and (2) rotation "fan-like" reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to (1) test accuracy and precision of pull-back versus rotational geometries for three-dimensional volume determination, and (2) test accuracy of the resulting surface/volume rendered images. The endoscope shaft was inserted into a tube with the handle connected to a stepper device. Seventeen balloons (61 to 471 ml) were put into a water bath consecutively. Two scans were performed: (1) pull-back: the probe was withdraw in 1 mm steps to obtain parallel "breadloaf" slices, and (2) rotational: the probe was rotated in increments of 1.8 degrees, 3.6 degrees, or 5.4 degrees to obtain "fan-like" slices. Each image was digitized for computer analysis. The data were interpolated into 128 x 128 x 128 voxels for three-dimensional reconstruction. Volume measurement was done using a stereometric random marking method. Volumes obtained from the reconstructed images were compared with the true volume (weight) by linear regression analysis. Excellent correlation between measured and actual volumes was obtained from rotation scans as follows: for 1.8 degrees steps (r = 0.9987, SEE = 6.5 ml), for 3.6 degrees steps (r = 0.9959, SEE = 11.5 ml), and for 5.4 degrees steps (r = 0.9943, SEE = 13.5 ml). The pull-back scans showed r = 0.9990, SEE = 5.8 ml. Three-dimensional surface/volume rendered images of the balloons indicate that 1.8 degrees rotation scans are almost as good as 1 mm pull-back scans. We conclude that volume measurements from rotation scans in vivo will not be hindered by scan geometry or software interpolation.     

Ambulatory follow-up of aortic dissection: comparison between computed tomography and biplane transesophageal echocardiography

Aim of the study was to assess the relative usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) in the follow-up of patients who survived an aortic dissection. Materials and Methods. We evaluated 44 patients (age = 57±12 years) with treated aortic dissection: 14 had a De Bakey type I, 20 a type II and 1 patient a type III dissection treated surgically; 1 patient had a type I, 1 a type II and 7 a type III dissection treated medically. All entered an outpatient follow-up program with serial evaluations at 1, 6 and 12 months after initial diagnosis by dual noninvasive imaging protocol. A contrast-enhanced CT scan and a TEE with biplane probe were performed on the same day and in random order. Results. A total of 252 evaluations with both CT and TEE were considered. A completely normal study was found in 45 TEE and 48 CT evaluations. The following abnormal findings could be documented by one or both techniques: thrombus in the false lumen (TEE: n=48; CT: n=45 evaluations); intimal flap (TEE and CT: n=68); aortic dilatation (TEE and CT: n=15); pericardial effusion (TEE and CT: n=3); aortic pseudoaneurysm (TEE: n=2; CT: n=3); isthmic coarctation (TEE and CT: n=1). Regarding the presence or absence of these abnormalities, which are within the diagnostic domain of both imaging techniques, the results were fully concordant in 245 studies, and discordant in 7, with an overall agreement of 97%. In addition, some abnormal findings could be detected by TEE only: aortic insufficiency (n=36); intimal tear (n=25); spontaneous echocontrast effect in the false lumen (n=39 evaluations). Other abnormal findings could be detected by CT only: a pleural effusion in 4, a truncus anonymous dissection in 1, a pseudoaneurysm due to suture dehiscence of the distal anastomosis of the ascending aorta in 1 evaluation (which yielded ambiguous results by TEE, with turbulent flow departing from the graft). Conclusion. Both CT and TEE are atraumatic, safe and accurate techniques for serial follow-up imaging of patients treated for aortic dissection. Information provided by CT is largely redundant, rather than additive, to that provided by TEE. The latter should be probably preferred for shorter imaging time, accuracy and convenience, although CT might still play a role in selected cases of ambiguous TEE results.     

Clinical, laboratory, and transesophageal echocardiographic correlates of interatrial septal thickness: a population-based transesophageal echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: The determinants of interatrial septal (IAS) thickening ("lipomatous hypertrophy"), a common echocardiographic finding in the elderly, are poorly defined. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical, laboratory, and transesophageal echocardiographic correlates of IAS thickening in the general population. METHODS: The thickness of the IAS was measured by transesophageal echocardiography in 384 patients (median age: 66 years; range: 51-101 years; 53% men) participating in a population-based study (Stroke Prevention: Assessment of Risk in a Community). The associations between atherosclerosis risk factors, clinical cardiovascular disease, aortic atherosclerotic plaques, and IAS thickness were examined. RESULTS: Age and body surface area (BSA) were significantly associated with IAS thickness (median: 6 mm; range: 2-17 mm). IAS thickness increased by 12.6% per 10 years of age (95% confidence interval: 9.0-16.4%) adjusting for sex and BSA, and increased by 7.0% per 0.1 m 2 BSA (confidence interval: 5.0-9.2%) adjusting for age and sex. Overall, age, sex, and BSA accounted for 22.5% of the variability in IAS thickness. Current smoking (20.4% increase in IAS thickness in current smokers) and hypertension treatment (8.5% increase in treated patients) were associated with increased IAS thickness, adjusting for age, sex, and BSA ( P < .05), but these two risk factor variables jointly explained only an additional 2.3% of the variability in IAS thickness beyond the variability explained by age, sex, and BSA. Clinical coronary artery and cerebrovascular disease, atrial arrhythmias, and aortic atherosclerotic plaques were not associated with IAS thickness, adjusting for age, sex, and BSA ( P > .3). CONCLUSIONS: IAS thickening is an age-associated process. Atherosclerosis risk factors are weakly associated with IAS thickening, whereas atherosclerotic vascular disease is not.     

Percutaneous tracheostomy in critically ill patients: a prospective, randomized comparison of two techniques

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively compare two commonly used methods for percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) in critically ill patients. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, clinical trial. SETTING: Trauma and general intensive care units of a university tertiary teaching hospital, which is also a level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS: One hundred critically ill patients with an indication for PDT. INTERVENTIONS: PDT with the Ciaglia technique using the Ciaglia PDT introducer set and the Griggs technique using a Griggs PDT kit and guidewire dilating forceps. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Surgical time, difficulties, and surgical and anesthesia complications were measured at 0-2 hrs, 24 hrs, and 7 days postprocedure. Groups were well matched, and there were no differences between the two methods in surgical time or in anesthesia complications. Major bleeding complications were 4.4 times more frequent with the Griggs PDT kit. With the Ciaglia PDT kit, both intraoperative and at 2 and 24 hrs, surgical complications were less common (p = .023) and the procedure was more often completed without expert assistance (p = .013). Tracheostomy bleeding was not associated with either anticoagulant therapy or an abnormal clotting profile. Multivariate analysis identified the predictors of PDT complications as the Griggs PDT kit (p = .027) and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score (p = .041). The significant predictors of time required to complete PDT were the APACHE II score (p = .041), a less experienced operator (p = .0001), and a female patient (p = .013). CONCLUSIONS: Patients experiencing PDT with the Ciaglia PDT kit had a lower surgical complication rate (2% vs. 25%), less operative and postoperative bleeding, and less overall technical difficulties than did patients undergoing PDT with the Griggs PDT kit. Ciaglia PDT is, therefore, the preferred technique for percutaneous tracheostomy in critically ill patients.     

Single-needle acupuncture alleviates gag reflex during transesophageal echocardiography: a blinded, randomized, controlled pilot trial

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of single-needle acupuncture in suppressing gag-reflex in transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). DESIGN: Prospective, blinded trial. Settings/locations: Patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack undergoing TEE because of presumed cardioembolic origin in a specialized stroke unit of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Subjects/Study interventions: Forty-one (41) patients were studied. Patients received single-needle acupuncture with a 0.2 x 13 mm disposable acupuncture needle (Suzhou Medical Appliances, China), 10-mm deep either at Chengjiang (midline between lower lip and chin) or superficially at a sham point (tip of the chin) during TEE or no acupuncture for alleviating gag reflex. OUTCOME MEASURES: Severity of gagging was rated on a visual-analogue scale. RESULTS: The acupuncture group experienced significantly less gagging than the sham group (p = 0.037) or the nonacupuncture group (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture of CV24 is an easy to apply and effective method to reduce gag reflex during TEE.     

经胸和多平面经食管超声心动图诊断三尖瓣下移畸形

目的：探讨经胸超声心动图（TTE）和多平面经食管超声心动图（MTEE）在三尖瓣下移畸形诊断中的应用价值及对外科手术的指导意义。方法：回顾性分析13例经手术证实的三尖瓣下移畸形患者术前TTE和其中5例术中MTEE的表现,并与手术结果进行对照。结果：13例TTE检查中单纯隔叶下移1例,三尖瓣隔、后叶均下移12例;其中5例术中MTEE检查三尖瓣重度下移并功能右室发育小,室壁薄2例,三尖瓣叶严重畸形3例。13例患者根据不同程度的畸形分别行瓣膜成形术6例,瓣膜置换术5例,双向Glenn术2例。结论：TTE可诊断三尖瓣下移畸形,MTEE可更准确地评价瓣膜及右心室的功能,二者结合可更好地指导外科医生对不同程度的畸形选择不同的手术方式,提高手术成功率。     

多平面经食管超声对食管癌的术前评价

目的　评价多平面经食管超声心动图 (MTEE)在食管癌术前诊断和分期中的作用。方法　对 2 9例食管癌患者进行了X线钡餐、纤维胃镜和MTEE检查 ,所有患者均经手术治疗并将上述检查结果与术后病理结果作对照。结果　MTEE判断食管癌的T分期与病理结果一致性较好 ,Kappa值为 0 .6 3 ,MTEET分期准确率为 81.5 %。MTEE测量食管癌的长度和最大厚度与病理结果无显著性差异 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,而纤维胃镜测量肿瘤的长度与病理结果有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 5 )。MTEE对食管周围淋巴结总显示率为 5 3 .1% ,转移淋巴结显示率为 6 9.2 %。结论　MTEE对食管癌术前的诊断和分期有较高的准确性 ,其辅助诊断作用在临床上有一定实用价值     

A prospective,randomised and blinded comparison of first shock success of monophasic and biphasic waveforms in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that biphasic waveforms are more effective than monophasic waveforms for defibrillation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), yet their performance has only been compared in un-blinded studies. METHODS AND RESULTS: We compared the success of biphasic truncated exponential (BTE) and monophasic damped sine (MDS) shocks for defibrillation in OHCA in a prospective, randomised, double blind clinical trial. First responders were equipped with MDS and BTE automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in a random fashion. Patients in ventricular fibrillation (VF) received BTE or MDS first shocks of 200 J. The ECG was recorded for subsequent analysis continuously. The success of the first shock as a primary endpoint was removal of VF and required a return of an organized rhythm for at least two QRS complexes, with an interval of <5 s, within 1 min after the first shock. The secondary endpoint was termination of VF at 5 s. VF was the initial recorded rhythm in 120 patients in OHCA, 51 patients received BTE and 69 received MDS shocks. The success rate of 200 J first shocks was significantly higher for BTE than for MDS shocks, 35/51 (69%) and 31/69 (45%), P=0.01. In a logistic regression model the odds ratio of success for a BTE shock was 4.01 (95% CI 1.01-10.0), adjusted for baseline cardiopulmonary resuscitation, VF-amplitude and time between collapse and first shock. No difference was found with respect to the secondary endpoint, termination of VF at 5 s (RR 1.07 95% CI: 0.99-1.11) and with respect to survival to hospital discharge (RR 0.73 95% CI: 0.31-1.70). CONCLUSION: BTE-waveform AEDs provide significantly higher rates of successful defibrillation with return of an organized rhythm in OHCA than MDS waveform AEDs.     

A randomized,blinded, prospective trial to compare the safety and efficacy of three bowel-cleansing solutions for colonoscopy (HSG-01*)

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: There are conflicting data regarding the optimal bowel preparation for colonoscopy. This study was carried out to compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of three widely used bowel lavage solutions: the standard polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution based on the GoLytely formulation (PEG-EL1; Klean-Prep); a sulphate-free PEG-EL solution based on the NuLytely formulation (PEG-EL2, Endofalk); and a sodium phosphate preparation (NaP, Fleet Phospho-Soda). PATIENT AND METHODS: A total of 185 consecutive patients scheduled for elective colonoscopy were prospectively randomly assigned to undergo pre-colonoscopic bowel cleansing with either 4 l of PEG-EL1 (n=64), 3 l of PEG-EL2 (n=59), or 90 ml of NaP (n=62). The quality of preparatory colonic cleansing for each segment from the rectum to the ascending colon was scored on a five-level rating scale (1, very good to 5, very poor) by endoscopists who were blinded with regard to the type of preparation used. The primary outcome measure for the comparison of treatments was the "worst" score in any of the rated bowel segments. Safety and tolerability were evaluated by means of a symptom questionnaire completed by each patient immediately before the procedure. RESULTS: Of the 185 patients who were randomly assigned to one of the three treatments, 175 underwent colonoscopy and 173 were evaluable with regard to efficacy - 59, 54, and 60 patients treated with PEG-EL1, PEG-EL2, and NaP, respectively. The treatment groups were comparable with regard to the baseline characteristics. PEG-EL1 was statistically significantly superior to the other treatments in relation to the "worst cleansing" score ( P相似文献   

A prospective blinded study on emergency pain assessment and therapy

A prospective blinded observational study was carried out to document acute pain assessment and management in an academic emergency department. Over a 2-month period, 42 patients with a primary complaint of pain were studied. Physicians and nurses did not document levels of pain or changes in pain during patient stays. Eleven of 42 patients had severe pain upon arrival, 5 of whom received medications, only 1 obtaining good relief. No other patient received medication, although five others received some intervention for their pain. Eleven of 38 patients who were discharged home had severe pain on discharge. Despite minimal pain relief, patient satisfaction with pain management was relatively high. Pain assessment and treatment may be poorer than previous retrospective studies have indicated.     

Nerve guidance with versus without prepuncture ultrasound visualization for psoas compartment block and perineural catheter insertion: A randomized, prospective, blinded study

Lumbar plexus block may offer significant advantages in terms of postoperative analgesia, patient satisfaction, surgical outcome and patient rehabilitation. Ultrasound guidance has been used to describe psoas compartment block-related anatomy and to estimate transverse process depth before needle insertion and prediction of actual needle-to plexus intercept depth. The aim of this prospective randomized blinded study is to compare the Nerve-Stimulation Guidance with versus without the Pre-puncture Ultrasound Visualization in terms of onset time of the lumbar plexus sensory and motor block in patients undergoing total hip replacement.46 patients undergoing total hip replacement were randomly allocated to receive posterior lumbar plexus block (LPB) using nerve stimulation guidance with (group US, n = 23) or without pre-puncture ultrasound imaging (group NS, n = 23).Onset time of sensory and motor blocks was recorded every 5 min for the first 30 min starting from the injection of the local anesthetic injection. Readiness for surgery was defined as complete numbness to pinprick test in the region supplied by the lumbar plexus and Bromage’s score = 3.Need for additional local anesthetic boluses or general anesthesia, intraoperative opioid consumption and first postoperative 24 h local anesthetic and rescue Analgesics consumption were also recorded.The time required for the execution of the block was 3 (2–15) min in Group US and 5 (2–20) min in Group NS (p = 0.06). The mean time to readiness for surgery was 12 ± 5 in Group US and 19 ± 6 min in Group NS (p = 0.04) . 3 Patients in Group US (13%) and 4 patients in Group NS (17%) (p = 0.73) required general anesthesia due to failed block. Intraoperative opioid consumption was similar in the two groups. There were no differences in complications, postoperative local anesthetic and rescue analgesics consumption and pain scores.Nerve-Stimulation technique combined with Pre-puncture Ultrasound Visualization for continuous lumbar plexus blocks is comparable to Nerve-Stimulation technique in terms of percentage of block success, intraoperative opioid consumption and postoperative pain relief. Pre-puncture Ultrasound Visualization may reduce the time required for readiness to surgery.     

A meta-analytic comparison of echocardiographic stressors

Background: The relative performance of alternative stressors for stress echocardiography for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) is not well established. Methods: All studies published between 1981 to December 2001 who met inclusion criteria were included in this analysis. We performed a summary receiver operator characteristic (SROC) analysis and calculated weighted mean of the likelihood ratio and sensitivity/specificity. A covariate analysis using meta-regression methods was also performed. Results: Forty-four studies presented data on Exercise, 11 on Adenosine, 80 on Dobutamine, 40 on Dipyridamole, 16 on transatrial pacing transesophageal echocardiography (Tap-TEE), and 7 on transatrial pacing transthorasic echocardiography (Tap-TTE). SROC analysis showed that the following order of most discriminatory to least: Tap-TEE, Exercise, Dipyridamole, Dobutamine and Adenosine. Weighted means sensitivity/specificity were Exercise: 82.6/84.4%, Adenosine: 68.4/80.9%, Dobutamine: 79.6/85.1%, Dipyridamole: 71.0/92.2%, Tap-TTE: 90.7/86.1%, and Tap-TEE: 86.2/91.3%. Covariate analysis showed that the discriminatory power of Exercise decreased with increasing mean age. Conclusions: Tap-TEE is a very accurate test for both ruling in and ruling out CAD although its invasiveness may limit its clinical acceptability. Exercise is a well-balanced satisfactory test for both ruling in and ruling out but performance might be lower for the elderly. Dobutamine offers a reasonable compromise for Exercise. Dipyridamole might be good for ruling in but not for ruling out CAD. The incapability in ruling-out CAD was a major problem in clinical application of the stress. Adenosine was the least useful stressor in diagnosing CAD.     

Pain, coping, emotional state and physical function in patients with chronic radicular neck pain. A comparison between patients treated with surgery, physiotherapy or neck collar--a blinded, prospective randomized study

Purpose: To describe and explore the relationships between pain, emotional state and coping strategies in patients with chronic radicular neck pain before and after surgery or conservative treatments. Methods: We randomize 81 conseutive patients with cervical radicular pain and nerve root compression, verified by MRI, to either surgical decompression with fusion or physiotherapy or neck collar. Emotional state was both measured with Mood Adjective Check List, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and with a Coping Strategies Questionnaire. Pain was measured with VAS and function with Disability Index Rating. Measurements were made before treatment, and follow ups after 3 and 12 months post treatment. Results: We found generally a low emotional state with anxiety, depression and sleep-disturbances not only connected to pain. Pain improved faster in the surgery group but after one year no differences were seen. Surgery and physiotherapy improved function with heavy work compared to collar after 3 months. Many patients used active coping before treatment, but after treatment more passive coping strategies were found. Conclusion: We recommend a multidisciplinary rehabilitation with cognitive behavioural therapy and psychological interventions.     

Comparison of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic examinations with the operative findings: prospective review of 1918 cases.

The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare the intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic (IOTEE) findings with the operative findings in 1918 consecutive cardiac cases. Forty-eight discordant findings were found between the IOTEE and operative findings. Of the 48 discordant findings, most were related to valve pathology. Structural abnormalities that were missed by IOTEE included those of the aortic valve, 12 cases (25%), mitral valve, 13 cases (27%), and pulmonic and tricuspid valves, 5 cases (10%). Functional discrepancies occurred in 8% of cases. Overall, incidence of discrepant findings between IOTEE and operative findings was low (2.5%). This resulted in an alteration of the planned surgical procedure in a small number of cases (0.3%).     

A prospective,multi-center randomized,controlled, blinded trial of vagus nerve stimulation for difficult to treat depression: A novel design for a novel treatment

Few treatment options exist for patients with difficult-to-treat depression (DTD). One potentially efficacious treatment is vagus nerve stimulation (VNS): chronic stimulation of the vagus nerve using an implanted stimulator. Given a series of recent VNS clinical studies, including a large, five-year naturalistic investigation, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reconsidered the previous non coverage determination and announced coverage for patients participating in a “coverage with evidence” trial. This study, entitled, A PRospective, Multi-cEnter, Randomized Controlled Blinded Trial DemOnstrating the Safety and Effectiveness of VNS Therapy® System as AdjunctivE Therapy Versus a No Stimulation Control in Subjects With Treatment-Resistant Depression (RECOVER), includes DTD patients with at least four unsuccessful antidepressant treatments in the current episode and will randomize both unipolar and bipolar DTD participants, each up to 500 evaluable enrollees. Predetermined interim analyses will define the necessary sample size. All participants will be implanted with VNS devices: half receive active stimulation during year one, and half receive delayed stimulation after year one. Participants will be followed for 5 years. This RCT is unique for DTD studies: 1) large sample size and long study duration (one year of controlled comparison); 2) use of a percent time in response as the primary outcome measure, given the chronic illness and its fluctuating course (vis-à-vis meeting a response criteria at a single time point); 3) inclusion of diverse measures of VNS impact on function, including quality of life, degree of disability, health status, and suicidality.     

Multiplane transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation of transvenous defibrillation leads

Permanent transvenous cardioverter–defibrillator leads were investigated by multiplane transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) (1) to determine whether intracardiac lead segments can be visualized, (2) to verify the position of the coils, and (3) to detect possible thrombus formation. The diagnostic information obtained in 62 patients by TEE was compared to that of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Abnormal findings were only visualized by multiplane TEE. However, further controlled studies are needed to determine the clinical relevance of displaced caval (one patient) and ventricular coils (15 patients), ventricular (1 patient) or atrial (6 patients) loops, and of clinically uneventful thrombi (13 patients). © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.