Transesophageal echocardiographic detection of a pulmonary artery aneurysm complicated by thrombus

The incidence of aneurysms of the pulmonary artery is known to be very low. Although diagnosis and evaluation of pulmonary artery aneurysms may be difficult without angiography, computed tomography and MRI's have emerged as useful noninvasive techniques. However, a transthoracic echocardiogram may reveal a pulmonary artery aneurysm. To our knowledge, transesophageal echocardiographic findings of pulmonary artery aneurysm with thrombus have not been reported in detail. Here, a case of thrombosed aneurysm of the main pulmonary artery diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography and confirmed by computed tomography and MRI is reported.     

Two-dimensional echocardiographic identification of pulmonary artery branch stenosis

Pulmonary artery branch stenosis is a not uncommon congenital lesion, noted in approximately 4% of children at the time of cardiac catheterization. Real-time 2-dimensional echocardiography was used to examine 10 patients with angiographically documented pulmonary branch stenosis. Five cases of pulmonary artery branch narrowing were identified by echocardiography without prior knowledge of angiographic findings. In 5 other patients whose angiographic results were known, the narrowings were identified in 4 of 5 cases. These results demonstrate the feasibility of evaluating pulmonary branch stenosis with the nonionizing, noninvasive method of 2-dimensional echocardiography.     

Two-dimensional echocardiographic diagnosis of pulmonary artery sling in infancy

The vascular anomaly in which the left pulmonary artery arises from the right pulmonary artery and passes posteriorly and leftward between the trachea and the esophagus is termed a pulmonary artery sling. Two-dimensional echocardiograms were performed in five infants with this anomaly and successfully identified it in four, including one patient with truncus arteriosus communis. The subxiphoid long-axis sweep was useful in identifying the origin and initial course of the left pulmonary artery, and short-axis subxiphoid views showed both its origin from the right pulmonary artery and its initial posterior course. Angulation toward the cardiac apex displayed the right pulmonary artery in cross section anteriorly and the left pulmonary artery in cross section posteriorly. A transducer orientation midway between the subxiphoid long- and short-axis positions was helpful in distinguishing a large right upper lobe branch of the right pulmonary artery from a pulmonary artery sling. The precordial short-axis plane displayed the origin and initial posterior and leftward course of the left pulmonary artery, while the bifurcation of the main pulmonary artery, usually easily seen in this view, could not be demonstrated. Two-dimensional echocardiography offers a rapid, noninvasive diagnosis of pulmonary artery sling in infants.     

Two-dimensional echocardiographic analysis of proximal left main coronary artery in humans

The left main coronary artery (LMCA) was evaluated in 100 consecutive patients (88 men and 12 women; mean age 63 years) with anginal syndrome, all in New York Heart Association classes II and III. Each patient underwent two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) from the parasternal short-axis and apical four-chamber views. Coronary angiography was subsequently performed within 24 hours. The LMCA was directly measured by 2DE and coronary angiography at its widest point. Each echocardiogram was blindly evaluated for LMCA aneurysm or obstruction. Eight patients (8%) were excluded because of inadequate visualization of the LMCA. The mean 2DE measurement was 4.4 +/- 0.9 mm vs 4.2 +/- 0.8 mm on coronary angiography (r = 0.86). Atherosclerotic aneurysms of the LMCA were correctly diagnosed in two patients by 2DE. LMCA stenosis (greater than 50%) was found in 11 patients on coronary angiography; three of them had ostial or proximal lesions, three had middle lesions, and five had distal lesions. 2DE correctly diagnosed all three ostial lesions, two of three middle lesions, but only two of five distal lesions. In four patients, dense echoes in the LMCA caused a false positive diagnosis. It was concluded that: the LMCA can be visualized and correctly measured by 2DE; atherosclerotic aneurysms can be detected; and 2DE is yet unable to screen patients for LMCA lesions; however, 2DE is a promising method for evaluating proximal and especially ostial LMCA stenosis.     

Subvalvular aneurysm. Two-dimensional echocardiographic features

A rare case of subvalvular aneurysm diagnosed by two-dimensional echocardiography and confirmed at cardiac catheterization is presented.     

Transesophageal echocardiographic detection of left vertebral artery origin stenosis

We discuss the case of a patient with stroke in whom severe stenosis at the origin of the left vertebral artery was identified by transesophageal echocardiography and subsequently confirmed with conventional angiography.     

Two-dimensional echocardiographic detection of pulmonary venous channel stenosis after Senning's operation

Stenosis of the common pulmonary venous (PV) channel after Senning's operation for complete transposition of the great arteries is a serious problem, and a method for noninvasive diagnosis is highly desirable. Therefore, our purpose was to devise a method to diagnose PV channel stenosis noninvasively. The newly created common PV channels were measured and the short-axis views of the left ventricle were observed by means of two-dimensional echocardiography in 16 patients who had undergone Senning's procedure. In seven patients we used the original procedure and in nine patients we used a modified procedure with a pedicled pericardial patch. The shape of the left ventricle became round abruptly when the width of the PV channel decreased below a critical value (a range of 6 to 9 mm). Three patients with a relatively round-shaped left ventricle and a narrow PV channel (below 9 mm) were all confirmed to have PV channel stenosis at reoperation. All of the patients with a wide PV channel (above 10 mm) and a flat-shaped left ventricle were in good condition both clinically and as determined from the catheterization data. After the operation, patients who had tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary vascular obstruction, or residual left ventricular outflow tract stenosis had a relatively round-shaped left ventricle even though the PV channel was wide enough (above 10 mm). Measurement of the PV channel confirmed the effects of these conditions. Correct diagnosis of PV channel stenosis can therefore be made by observing the shape of the left ventricle and by measuring the PV channel.     

Two-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

In 10 patients undergoing therapy for a mild exacerbation of their chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a quantitative two-dimensional echocardiographic (2DE) study was performed together with hemodynamics to assess left ventricular (LV) function. From the 2DE examination, which was made up of parasternal, subcostal, and apical views, measurements of LV short axis end-diastolic and end-systolic areas (A) at the high papillary muscle level and long axis end-diastolic and end-systolic length (L) permitted us to calculate LV end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes (V) using the formula V = 5/6 AL. Compared with the same measurements obtained in a group of 12 normal volunteers, patients with COPD exhibited a markedly reduced LV cavity (LVES, 28.9 +/- 14.6 ml/m2 versus 51.5 +/- 11.0 ml/m2; LVEDV, 67.7 +/- 24.6 ml/m2 versus 103.2 +/- 19.9 ml/m2). An increased thickness of both left ventricular free wall and interventricular septum was also evidenced in patients with COPD. Left ventricular systolic function, assessed using both peak systolic blood pressure/end-systolic volume ratio and calculated left ventricular ejection fraction, was found to be clearly enhanced in patients with COPD. The influence of right ventricular enlargement on left ventricular diastolic function was also investigated in patients with COPD using progressive volume loading and 2DE right ventricular measurements. After a given threshold of volume loading, reduction in stroke index, opposite variations in right and left ventricular size and septal flattening, suggested the occurrence of ventricular interaction.     

Unilateral absence of the left pulmonary artery associated with coronary-to-bronchial artery anastomosis

Unilateral absence of the pulmonary artery and bronchial-to-coronary artery anastomosis are rarely described congenital vascular anomalies. The authors report a case of a 49-year-old female presenting with both anomalies. The presenting symptoms and pertinent diagnostic imaging are described, including conventional radiographs, angiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, and the therapeutic options available are discussed.     

Two-dimensional echocardiographic identification of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm

Nine patients with proved left ventricular pseudoaneurysm after transmural myocardial infarction were studied by two-dimensional echocardiography. In all patients two-dimensional echocardiography successfully displayed the pseudoaneurysm. The unique two-dimensional echocardiographic characteristics of pseudoaneurysm include: a sharp discontinuity of the endocardial image at the site of the pseudoaneurysm communication with the left ventricular cavity, and the presence of a relatively narrow orifice in comparison with the maximum diameter of the pseudoaneurysm fundus; visualization of the maximum diameter of the pseudoaneurysm fundus frequently required a slightly different tomographic view than that required for demonstration of the orifice. The distinctive echocardiographic features of pseudoaneurysm in these patients and technical implications for optimal visualization are described. Most of the pseudoaneurysms we encountered and many of those previously described were located posteriorly. We found the use of inferior angulated view modified from the standard apical four-chamber view extremely helpful in detecting the orifice in patients with posterior or posterolateral pseudoaneurysms. We conclude that two-dimensional echocardiography is an important technique for diagnosis of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm.     

Two-dimensional echocardiographic diagnosis of left atrial myxoma

Two patients with left atrial myxomas detected with one-dimensional echocardiographic studies were evaluated before and after surgery with real-time phased-array two-dimensional echocardiographic studies. This latter technique provided relatively quantitative information regarding the size, shape, and mobility of the tumor and its effect on cardiac function. In case 1, the two-dimensional echocardiogram showed a relatively immobile tumor measuring 3 x 4.5 cm in diameter in the left atrium only. At surgery a 2 x 4.5-cm myxoma that was attached to the left atrium by a broad-based short stalk was removed. In case 2, the left atrial mass appeared to be 3 x 4 cm in diameter, with much movement during the cardiac cycle. At surgery a 3 x 4-cm left atrial myxoma that was attached to the interatrial septum by a long stalk was removed. In both cases, masses in other cardiac chambers were excluded, the mitral valves were normal, and left ventricular function was normal, all of which were confirmed at surgery and by postoperative echocardiograms. In one patient the information obtained by two-dimensional echocardiographic studies was believed to be sufficient to preempt the need for cardiac catheterization. These cases illutstrate that this new noninvasive technique may provide sufficient quantitative preoperative detail in patients with left atrial tumors to obivate the risk and expense of caridac catheterization.     

Transpharyngeal echocardiographic detection of a left internal carotid artery stent

This case report describes a patient in whom a left internal carotid (LIC) artery stent was detected using a transpharyngeal approach during a transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) study. Using pulsed-Doppler interrogation, flow through and beyond the stent was characterized and restenosis was ruled out.     

Two-dimensional echocardiographic detection of mediastinal pheochromocytoma

A patient had a functioning pheochromocytoma in the aorticopulmonary region of the middle mediastinum. Two-dimensional echocardiography, utilizing the suprasternal approach, was useful in detecting the tumor and in defining its anatomic relationships to other vascular structures within the mediastinum.     

Two-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of regional left ventricular function and geometry following myocardial reperfusion

Two-dimensional echocardiography is ideally suited for the serial noninvasive assessment of regional function and geometry following reperfusion therapy. Patients with substantial myocardial salvage show slow but definite recovery in regional function within the first 2 weeks. The extent of recovery seems to be associated with the degree of necrosis. Patients with some salvage, which is not enough to cause recovery in regional function, may demonstrate lack of infarct expansion and left ventricular (LV) dilatation. In the future, newer approaches such as pharmacologic challenge may play a role in defining post-ischemic myocardium early after the ischemic event.