实时三维经食管超声心动图在成人房间隔缺损介入封堵术中的应用

目的探讨实时三维TEE(RT-3D-TEE)在成人房间隔缺损(ASD)经导管封堵术中的应用价值。方法对TTE初筛后拟行封堵治疗的31例ASD患者行RT-3D-TEE检查,测量缺损最大径和面积,与TTE、二维TEE(2D-TEE)测值进行比较;评价缺损解剖特征,判断其是否适宜行封堵术,并选择封堵器型号。结果 TTE、2D-TEE和RT-3D-TEE测量ASD最大径分别为(21.32±6.21)mm、(22.80±5.87)mm和(23.44±5.90)mm,RT-3D-TEE与TTE和2D-TEE比较差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05);RT-3D-TEE所测缺损面积与最大径显著相关(r=0.92,P<0.05);RT-3D-TEE显示房间隔缺损形状多为近似椭圆形,较少为不规则形及近似圆形,可清晰显示ASD残缘情况及周围毗邻结构的空间关系;根据RT-3D-TEE结果,29例属封堵术适应证,并封堵成功,封堵器大小为最大径测值+(5.4±2.3)mm。结论 RT-3D-TEE可直观评价ASD大小、形态及毗邻结构空间关系,在成人ASD封堵治疗中有重要应用价值。     

经食管实时三维超声心动图在经胸微创继发孔型房间隔缺损封堵术中的应用

目的探讨经食管实时三维超声心动图（RT-3D-TEE）在经胸微创封堵术治疗继发孔型房间隔缺损（SASD）中的应用价值。方法对TTE诊断为SASD的58例患者行经胸微创封堵治疗。术前行RT-3D-TEE检查,明确SASD的位置、类型、大小及边缘情况,以选择合适的封堵器;术中于RT-3D-TEE引导下放置封堵器;术后即刻评价封堵效果,1周后复查TTE。结果58例患者均封堵成功,3例少量残余分流;术后1周TTE检查示封堵器位置正常,均无残余分流。结论RT-3I）_TEE可立体显示SASD的部位、形态及与周围结构的空间关系,对于选择封堵器型号、全方位引导放置封堵器及术后疗效评价具有重要临床应用价值。     

The use of transesophageal echocardiography to facilitate removal of a thoracic nail

IMPLICATIONS: Transesophageal echocardiography may be useful in guiding detection and removal of thorax penetrating objects and for the monitoring of complications after removal of such objects.     

实时三维经食管超声心动图在房间隔缺损诊断及介入治疗中的应用进展

经导管房间隔缺损介入封堵术（TCASD）在治疗房间隔缺损（ASD）中已具有较高的成功率,筛选适应证和准确安置封堵器对手术成功至关重要。新近研发的实时三维经食管超声心动图（RT3D-TEE）技术可获取高质量的三维图像,并可直视缺损,精确测量缺损内径和面积,更好地评价缺损残缘及与周围结构的关系;实时、全程监护TCASD,纠正封堵器植入处残余分流、降低术后并发症。RT3D-TEE是评价ASD及指导介入治疗的新选择、新参考。本文对RT3D-TEE在诊断及介入治疗ASD中的应用进展进行综述。     

实时三维经食管超声心动图定量评价心房颤动患者左心耳形态及功能

目的探讨实时三维经食管超声心动图(RT-3D-TEE)定量评估心房颤动(AF)患者左心耳(LAA)形态和功能的可行性。方法选取56例拟接受射频消融术的阵发性AF患者(阵发组)、26例持续性AF患者(持续组)及同期11名健康人(对照组),采用RT-3D-TEE测量3组LAA各参数。结果与对照组比较,阵发组LAA舒张末期容积(LAA-EDV)、收缩末期容积(LAA-ESV)、开口最大面积(A_(max))及最小面积(A_(min))均增大,射血分数(LAA-EF)、最大排空速度(Vep)、面积变化率(A%)及直径变化率(D%)均减小(P均0.05);持续组LAA-EDV、LAA-ESV、A_(max)、A_(min)增大,LAA-EF、Vep、A%、D%减小(P均0.05);阵发组与持续组间各参数差异均无统计学意义(P均0.05)。LAA-EF与ESV (r=-0.73,P0.01)、EDV(r=-0.64,P0.01)、A_(max)(r=-0.36,P0.01)及年龄(r=-0.27,P=0.02)呈负相关,与A%、D%、Vep呈正相关(r=0.86、0.74、0.55,P均0.01),与D_(max)无明显相关(P0.05)。结论 RT-3D-TEE能定量分析AF患者LAA形态及功能变化,对于评估AF患者病情具有一定临床意义。     

Mitral valve repair for double-orifice mitral valve with flail leaflet: the usefulness of real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography

We describe a 66-year-old man who required an operation for severe mitral regurgitation associated with a double-orifice mitral valve. Real-time 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography clearly demonstrated a double-orifice mitral valve with a central fibrous bridge. A flail posterior leaflet was observed on the anterolateral mitral valve orifice. Mitral valve repair using P1 triangular resection, anterolateral commissure plication, and ring annuloplasty with Duran band (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) was successfully performed. Postoperative real-time 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a double-orifice mitral valve without regurgitation or stenosis.     

Measuring aortic valve coaptation surface area using three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography

Background

As aortic valve (AV) repairs become more sophisticated, surgeons need increasingly detailed information about the structure and function of this valve. Unlike two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2D-TEE), using three-dimensional (3D)-TEE makes it possible to image the entire AV. We hypothesized that measuring coaptation surface area (CoapSA) would be feasible and reproducible, and CoapSA would decrease in patients with aortic insufficiency.

Methods

We developed a new technique to calculate the AV-CoapSA using 3D-TEE. We measured the coaptation surfaces between the right coronary cusp/left coronary cusp, right coronary cusp/non-coronary cusp, and left coronary cusp/non-coronary cusp in ten normal AVs and ten AVs with moderate-severe aortic insufficiency (AI). Since computer models have previously shown that CoapSA is trapezoidal, we used the formula: trapezoid area = length × (medial coaptation height + lateral coaptation height)/2. The total CoapSA was calculated by adding all three areas. To adjust for valve size, we indexed the value to the diameter of the ventricular aortic junction (VAJ). Measurements were performed by two observers.

Results

The intra-observer correlation was 0.84 for one observer (P < 0.0001) and 0.93 for the other (P < 0.0001). The inter-observer correlation was 0.87 (P < 0.0001). In normal valves, the CoapSA [mean total (standard deviation)] was significantly greater than in the insufficient valves [1.61 (0.31) cm² vs 1.03 (0.22) cm², respectively; P < 0.001]. After indexing for the VAJ diameter, the total CoapSA remained significantly greater in normal valves than in insufficient valves.

Conclusion

In this proof of concept study, we present a new and innovative technique to measure AV-CoapSA using 3D-TEE. It is reproducible and shows decreased CoapSA in patients with AI. Coaptation surface area may provide insight into mechanisms of AI and may have predictive value following AV repair.     

Cardiac tamponade during transesophageal echocardiography in a patient with infective endocarditis

An 81-year-old man with a history of diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease was admitted because of infective endocarditis. During transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), pericardial effusion rapidly increased and led to cardiac tamponade. Despite intensive therapy, the patient did not recover. Autopsy showed hemopericardium, ruptured sinus of Valsalva, and vegetation on the aortic valve. Our case suggests that cardiac tamponade due to the rupture of a sinus of Valsalva can occur in patients with aortic valve endocarditis complicated by perivalvular abscess. Therefore, we must be aware of this devastating complication and take preventive measures when performing TEE in such patients.     

Detection of left ventricular apical thrombus with three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography

OBJECTIVE. Left ventricular (LV) thrombosis persists as a clinical challenge in echocardiographic diagnosis and is an important risk factor for perioperative embolic events in cardiac surgery. Appropriate detection and monitoring when thrombus is suspected is critical in surgical planning and in avoiding catastrophic patient outcomes. CASE PRESENTATION. The authors present a case of a laminated LV apical thrombus, which was discovered intraoperatively by real-time 3-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography. CLINICAL CHALLENGES. The clinical challenges were (a) LV thrombosis impact on surgical management, (b) key echocardiographic challenges in diagnosing LV thrombosis, and (c) role of 3D echocardiography in the diagnostic algorithm. CONCLUSION. Because of the lack of a gold standard, 2D transthoracic echocardiography remains the imaging modality of choice in assessment; however, there is increasing evidence that 3D technology can be more accurate in intracardiac mass detection and should be considered in the diagnostic algorithm.     

Cardiac function evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography during cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cardiac function at cardiopulmonary bypass weaning, we applied a new technique clinically to determine the approximated Emax without using a conductance catheter. METHODS: Subjects were 5 patients. The left ventricular end-systolic pressure was obtained by overlaying the radial arterial pressure curve on the left ventricular pressure curve. Left ventricular end-systolic volume was assessed by a transesophageal echographic apparatus. At cardiopulmonary bypass weaning, volume loading was applied to increase left atrial pressure by a few mmHg while fixing the pump flow rate at half flow. Changes in left ventricular end-systolic volume and approximated left ventricular end-systolic pressure for total heart beat were plotted during this period, and the gradient of the regression line was taken as approximated Emax. RESULTS: Approximated Emax ranged from 1.29 to 3.28 (mean 2.13 +/- 0.72), and its correlation coefficient was 0.80 +/- 0.06. CONCLUSION: Our new technique is useful in evaluating cardiac function during cardiopulmonary bypass.