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Aims Our goal was to identify the prevalence of aortic dilation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most prevalent (0.2%) heritable, genetic cardiovascular disease. Aortic dilation also represents a spectrum of familial inheritance. However, data regarding the prevalence of aortic dilation in HCM patients is lacking. Methods and results This is an observational retrospective study of all patients referred to our HCM centre. Aortic dilation was defined based on recent American Society of Echocardiography and European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging published guidelines. Of the 201 HCM patients seen between Jan. 1, 2011 and March 31, 2014, 18 (9.0%) met the definition of aortic dilation. Mean age was 56.3 ± 9.3 years, 77.8% were male, mean ascending aorta diameter was 4.0 ± 0.4 cm in males and 3.8 ± 0.2 cm in females, mean sinuses of Valsalva diameter was 4.2 ± 0.2 cm in males and 3.8 ± 0.4 cm in females, and 13 (72.2%) had left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. HCM patients with dilated aorta were more likely males, less likely hypertensive and had larger left ventricle diameter and more aortic valve regurgitation; remaining characteristics were similar. Conclusion We report a novel observation with 9.0% prevalance of dilated aorta in HCM patients. Further studies are needed to help define the genetic and pathophysiologic basis as well as the clinical implications of this association in a larger group of HCM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article presents a case study of the three-dimensional trans-oesophageal echocardiography of synovial sarcoma, which invades the left atrium of a 36-year-old male with right hemiplegia and aphasia.

The article describes the case of a 71-year-old man with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who underwent percutaneous closure of the atrial septal defect (ASD) using an Amplatzer septal occluder device.

Clinical images of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) colour flow Doppler and M-mode transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiographic images demonstrating severe aortic regurgitation due to an unsupported non-coronary flail cusp with high-frequency diastolic flutter, pertaining to an 85-year-old woman with recent onset dyspnoea and fatigue, are presented.

A photograph of a three dimensional electrocardiography of a cardiac tumour in a 76-year-old womam is presented.