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A young patient affected by a lung neoplasm, presented at emergency department with cardiac tamponade, underwent pericardiocentesis with a prompt restoration of hemodynamic stability. An hour later, the patient presented again signs of tamponade, without evidence of fluids in the drainage that was left in pericardial space. The echocardiography revealed an intrapericardial thrombus compressing the right chambers. An emergency pericardiotomy was performed and a large thrombus was removed from the pericardial space; cardiac walls were intact. Echocardiography played a pivotal role for the identification of a pericardial thrombus as a complication of pericardiocentesis., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and the feasibility of balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) procedure made by trained operators in centers not performing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)., Background: BAV is a valuable therapeutic tool for patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) at prohibitive risk for TAVI or surgery., Methods: Consecutive high-risk AS patients underwent BAV in five non-TAVI centers, where BAV operators had completed a 6-month training period in high-volume TAVI centers (Group A). All clinical, echocardiographic, and procedural data were prospectively collected and compared with data of patients treated in TAVI center (Group B)., Results: Between June 2016 and June 2017, 55 patients (83.9 ± 7.0 years) were enrolled: 25 in Group A and 30 in Group B. After BAV, a substantial reduction of the peak-to-peak aortic valve gradient was obtained in both groups (-35.3 ± 15.2 vs -28.8 ± 13.9 mmHg, P =0.25). No major bleeding or vascular complications occurred. In-hospital death was observed in three patients of Group A and two patients of Group B (P =0.493). The mean follow-up time was 303 ± 188 days; no patients were lost. The 1-year survival free from overall death (Group A 75.8% vs Group B 68.8%; P =0.682) and heart failure rehospitalization (Group A 73.0% vs Group B 66.8%; P =0.687) was similar in the two groups. At multivariable analysis, low left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (HR: 0.943; P = 0.011) and cardiogenic shock (HR: 5.128; P = 0.002) at admission were independent predictors of mortality., Conclusions: BAV is a safe and effective procedure that can be performed by trained operators in centers not performing TAVI., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is a cornerstone of treatment for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Mounting evidences have opened the debate about the optimal DAPT duration. Considering the ACS-pathophysiology, the most recent guidelines recommend DAPT in all ACS patients for at least 12 months unless there are contraindications such as excessive risk of bleeding. Thus, it can be considered acceptable earlier discontinuation if the risk of morbidity from bleeding outweighs the anticipated benefit. On the other hand, several studies have clearly indicated that a significant burden of platelet related-events, such as stroke and new ACS might occur after this period, suggesting that potential benefits might derive by prolonging DAPT beyond 12 months (Long DAPT). Indeed, although current guidelines give some indications about patients eligible for Long DAPT, they do not embrace several real-life clinical scenarios. Thus, in such scenarios, how to decide whether a patient is eligible for Long DAPT or not might be still challenging for clinicians. This position paper presents and discusses various "real-life" clinical scenarios in ACS patients, in order to propose several possible recommendations to overcome guidelines potential limitations.

The incidence of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has significantly decreased. Conversely, the rate of non-STEMI (NSTEMI) has increased. Patients with NSTEMI have lower short-term mortality compared to patients with STEMI, whereas at long-term follow-up, the mortality becomes comparable. This might be due to the differences in baseline characteristics, including older age and a greater prevalence of comorbidities in the NSTEMI population. Although antithrombotic strategies used in patients with NSTEMI have been well studied in clinical trials and updated guidelines are available, patterns of use and outcomes in clinical practice are less well described. Thus, a panel of Italian cardiology experts assembled under the auspices of the "Campania NSTEMI Study Group" for comprehensive discussion and consensus development to provide practical recommendations, for both clinical and interventional cardiologists, regarding optimal management of antithrombotic therapy in patients with NSTEMI. This position article presents and discusses various clinical scenarios in patients with NSTEMI or unstable angina, including special subsets (eg, patients aged ≥85 years, patients with chronic renal disease or previous cerebrovascular events, and patients requiring triple therapy or long-term antithrombotic therapy), with the panel recommendations being provided for each scenario.

Aims: Patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) who are managed without coronary revascularization represent a mixed and understudied population that seems to receive suboptimal pharmacological treatment., Methods and Results: We assessed patterns of antithrombotic therapies employed during the hospitalization and in-hospital clinical events of medically managed patients with ACS enrolled in the prospective, multicentre, nationwide EYESHOT (EmploYEd antithrombotic therapies in patients with acute coronary Syndromes HOspitalized in iTalian cardiac care units) registry. Among the 2585 consecutive ACS patients enrolled in EYESHOT, 783 (30.3%) did not receive any revascularization during hospital admission. Of these, 478 (61.0%) underwent coronary angiography (CA), whereas 305 (39.0%) did not. The median GRACE and CRUSADE risk scores were significantly higher among patients who did not undergo CA compared with those who did (180 vs. 145, P < 0.0001 and 50 vs. 33, P < 0.0001, respectively). Antithrombotic therapies employed during hospitalization significantly differ between patients who received CA and those who did not with unfractioned heparin and novel P2Y12 inhibitors more frequently used in the first group, and low-molecular-weight heparins and clopidogrel in the latter group. During the index hospitalization, patients who did not receive CA presented a higher incidence of ischaemic cerebrovascular events and of mortality compared with those who underwent CA (1.6 vs. 0.2%, P = 0.04 and 7.9 vs. 2.7%, P = 0.0009, respectively)., Conclusion: Almost one-third of ACS patients are managed without revascularization during the index hospitalization. In this population, a lower use of recommended antiplatelet therapy and worse clinical outcome were observed in those who did not undergo CA when compared with those who did., Clinical Trial Registration: Unique identifier: NCT02015624, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov., (Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2015. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Current recommendations require a QRS duration of ≥120 ms as a condition for prescribing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). This study was designed to test the hypothesis that patients with heart failure (HF) of ischemic origin, current indications for defibrillator implantation, and QRS <120 ms may benefit from CRT in the presence of marked mechanical dyssynchrony., Methods and Results: Patients with intraventricular dyssynchrony on echocardiography were randomly assigned to CRT or dual-chamber defibrillator implantation (CRT defibrillator and dual-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillator arm, respectively). The primary end point was the HF clinical composite response, which scores patients as improved, unchanged, or worsened. The secondary end point was the cumulative survival from HF hospitalization and HF death. An additional secondary end point was the composite of HF hospitalization, HF death, and spontaneous ventricular fibrillation. Twenty-three of 56 patients with CRT defibrillator showed an improvement in their clinical composite response at 1 year, compared with 9 of 55 patients with dual-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (41% versus 16%; P=0.004). After a median follow-up of 16 months, the CRT defibrillator arm showed a nonsignificant higher survival from HF hospitalization and HF death (P=0.077), and a significantly higher survival from the combined end point of HF hospitalization, HF death, and spontaneous ventricular fibrillation (P=0.028)., Conclusions: In this comparison of CRT defibrillator and dual-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, CRT improved clinical status in some patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, mild-to-moderate symptoms, narrow QRS duration, and mechanical dyssynchrony on echocardiography., Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01577446.

Introduction: Atrial remodelling, leading to atrial fibrillation (AF), is mediated by the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system., Methods: Mild hypertensive outpatients (systolic/diastolic blood pressure 140-159/90-99 mmHg) in sinus rhythm who had experienced ≥ 1 electrocardiogram (ECG)-documented AF episode in the previous six months received randomly telmisartan 80 mg/day or carvedilol 25 mg/day. Blood pressure and 24-hour ECG were monitored monthly for one year; patients were asked to report symptomatic AF episodes and to undergo an ECG as early as possible., Results: One hundred and thirty-two patients completed the study (telmisartan, n=70; carvedilol, n=62). Significantly fewer AF episodes were reported with telmisartan versus carvedilol (14.3% vs. 37.1%; p<0.003). Left atrial diameter, assessed by echocardiography, was similar with telmisartan and carvedilol (3.4±2.3 cm vs. 3.6±2.4 cm). At study end, both regimes significantly reduced mean left ventricular mass index, but the reduction obtained with telmisartan was significantly greater than with carvedilol (117.8±10.7 vs. 124.7±14.5; p<0.0001). Mean blood pressure values were not significantly different between the groups (telmisartan 154/97 to 123/75 mmHg; p<0.001; carvedilol 153/94 to 125/78 mmHg; p<0.001)., Conclusions: Telmisartan was significantly more effective than carvedilol in preventing recurrent AF episodes in hypertensive AF patients, despite a similar lowering of blood pressure.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is effective in selected patients with heart failure (HF). Nevertheless, the nonresponder rate remains high. The low-dose dobutamine stress-echo (DSE) test detects the presence of left ventricular (LV) contractile reserve (LVCR) in HF patients of any etiology and may be useful in predicting response to resynchronization., Objective: The purpose of this study was to present the results of the LODO-CRT trial, which evaluated whether LVCR presence at baseline increases the chances of response to CRT., Methods: LODO-CRT is a multicenter prospective study that enrolled CRT candidates according to guidelines. LVCR presence was defined as an LV ejection fraction increase >5 units during DSE test. CRT response is assessed at 6-month follow-up as an LV end-systolic volume reduction ≥10%., Results: Two hundred seventy-one patients were enrolled. The DSE test was feasible without complications in 99% of patients. Nine patients died from noncardiac disease, and 31 presented inadequate data. Two hundred thirty-one patients were included in the analysis. Mean patient age was 67 ± 10 years; 95% were in New York Heart Association class III, and 42% had HF of ischemic etiology. Mean QRS and LV ejection fraction were 147 ± 25 ms and 27% ± 6%, respectively. LVCR presence was found in 185 subjects (80%). At follow-up, 170 (74%) patients responded to CRT, 145/185 in the group with LVCR (78%) and 25/46 (54%) in the group without LVCR. Difference in responder proportion to CRT was 24% (P <.001). Reported test sensitivity is 85%., Conclusion: The DSE test in CRT candidates is safe and feasible. LVCR presence at baseline increases the chances of response to CRT., (Copyright © 2010 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To report, for the first time, angiographic and ECG results as well as in-hospital and 1-month clinical follow-up, after MGuard net protective stent (Inspire-MD, Tel-Aviv, Israel-MGS) implantation in consecutive, not randomized, STEMI patients undergoing primary or rescue PCI., Background: Distal embolization may decrease coronary and myocardial reperfusion after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) setting., Methods: One-hundred consecutive patients underwent PCI, with MGS deployment for STEMI, in five different high-volume PCI centres. Sixteen patients presented cardiogenic shock at admission., Results: All patients underwent successful procedures: mean TIMI flow grade and mean corrected TIMI frame count-cTFC(n)-improved from baseline values to 2.85 +/- 0.40 and to 17.20 +/- 10.51, respectively, with a mean difference in cTFC(n) between baseline and postprocedure of 46.88 +/- 31.86. High-myocardial blush grade (90% MBG 3; 10% MBG 2) was also achieved in all patients. Sixty minutes post-PCI, a high rate (90%) of complete (>or=70%) ST-segment resolution was achieved. At in-hospital follow-up, seven deaths occurred: noteworthy, 5 of 16 patients with cardiogenic shock at admission died. After hospital discharge, no Major Adverse Cardiac Events have been reported up to 30-day follow-up., Conclusions: MGS might represent a safe and feasible option for PCI in STEMI patients, providing high perfusional and ECG improvement. Further randomized trials comparing this strategy with the conventional one are needed in the near future to assess the impact on clinical practice of this strategy., ((c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Background: Myocardial revascularization with drug-eluting stents (DESs) is emerging as an alternative to conventional coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (MV-CAD). First-generation DESs have yielded equivalent safety results at mid-term compared with surgery, but inferior efficacy in preventing the recurrence of ischemic symptoms. The outcome of percutaneous coronary intervention with a second-generation everolimus DES as compared with a paclitaxel DES in patients with MV-CAD has not been established., Aim of the Study: The aim of the study is the assessment of the efficacy and performance of the XIENCE V everolimus-eluting stent in the treatment of de-novo coronary artery lesions in patients with MV-CAD., Study Design: The study is composed of two parts: a prospective, double arm, randomized multicenter trial to assess the angiographic efficacy of the XIENCE V everolimus-eluting coronary stent system (EECSS) compared with the Taxus Liberté Paclitaxel Eluting Coronary Stent System (Taxus Liberté Stent) and a prospective, open-label, single arm, controlled registry to analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of XIENCE V EECSS at mid-term and long-term follow-up in patients treated for MV-CAD., Endpoints: For the EXECUTIVE randomized trial, the primary endpoint is in-stent late lumen loss at 9 months. For the EXECUTIVE registry, the primary endpoint is a composite of all death, myocardial infarction (Q-wave and non-Q-wave), and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization at 12 months. The study will be conducted at 30 study centers in Italy and 600 patients will be enrolled in total: 200 patients will be enrolled (1: 1) in the randomized trial and 400 patients will enter the registry., Sample Size: It was calculated that, assuming a mean in-stent late lumen loss of 0.20 +/- 0.41 mm in the XIENCE V EECSS arm and 0.30 +/- 0.53 mm in the Taxus Liberté stent arm, and a noninferiority margin delta of 0.12 (according to the SPIRIT III results), the analysis of 81 lesions per arm would provide over 90% power. Therefore, 200 patients will be enrolled to account for dropouts., Conclusion: The present study is expected to provide as yet unavailable information about the performance of second-generation stents in the specific setting of patients with MV-CAD.

Background: Much information is available regarding the possible negative effects of long-term right ventricular (RV) apical pacing, which may cause worsening of heart failure. However, very limited data are available regarding the effects of RV pacing in patients with a previous myocardial infarction (MI)., Methods and Results: We screened 115 consecutive post-MI patients and matched a group of 29 pacemaker (PM) recipients with a group of 49 unpaced patients, for age, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, and site of MI. During a median follow-up of 54 months, echocardiograms showed a decrease in LV ejection fraction in the paced group, from 51 +/- 10 to 39 +/- 11 (P < 0.01), and a minimal change in the unpaced group, from 57 +/- 8 to 56 +/- 7 (P = 0.98). Similar change was observed in systolic and diastolic diameters and volumes., Conclusions: The study showed that, in post-MI patients, RV apical pacing was associated with a worsening of LV function, suggesting that, among MI survivors, the need for a PM is a marker of worse outcome.

Introduction: We evaluated whether the dobutamine stress-echo test can select responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Up to 50% of patients do not respond to CRT. Lack of response may be due to a significant amount of scar or fibrotic tissue at myocardial level., Methods and Results: We studied 42 CRT patients. After clinical and echocardiographic evaluation, all patients underwent a dobutamine stress-echo test to assess contractile reserve. Cut-off for the test was an increase of 25% of the left ventricular ejection fraction. Patients were implanted with a CRT-defibrillator and followed up at 6 months. Cut-off for CRT response was a reduction of 15% of left ventricular end-systolic volume. Twenty-five patients responded to CRT; all of them showed presence of contractile reserve. The test showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 88%., Conclusion: Contractile reserve was a strong predictive factor of response to CRT in the studied population.

Background: Although cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has a well-demonstrated therapeutic effect in selected patients with advanced heart failure on optimized drug therapy, nonresponder rate remains high. The LODO-CRT is designed to improve patient selection for CRT. Design and rationale of this study are presented herein., Methods: LODO-CRT is a multicenter prospective study, started in late 2006, that enrolls patients with conventional indications for CRT (symptomatic stable New York Heart Association class III-IV on optimized drug therapy, QRS > or =120 milliseconds, left ventricular [LV] dilatation, LV ejection fraction < or =35%). This study is designed to assess the predictive value of LV contractile reserve (LVCR), determined through dobutamine stress echocardiography (defined as an LV ejection fraction increase >5 units), in predicting CRT response during follow-up. Assessment of CRT effects will follow 2 sequential phases: in phase 1, CRT response end point is defined as LV end-systolic volume reduction > or =10% at 6 months; in phase 2, both LV end-systolic volume reduction and clinical status via a clinical composite score will be evaluated at 12 months follow-up. Predictive value of LVCR will be compared to other measures, such as LV dyssynchrony measures, through adjusted multivariable analysis. For the purpose of the study, target patient number is 270 (with 95% confidence, 80% power, alpha < or = .05). Enrollment should be complete by the end of 2008., Conclusions: The LODO-CRT trial is testing the hypothesis that LVCR assessment, using low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography test, should effectively predict positive response to CRT both in terms of the reverse remodeling process as well as favorable long-term clinical outcome. Moreover, the predictive value of LVCR will be compared to that of conventional intra-LV dyssynchrony measures.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether in patients with ischemic heart failure (HF) with mechanical dyssynchrony the echocardiographic assessment of the extent of scarred ventricular tissue by end-diastolic wall thickness (EDWT) could predict reverse remodeling (RR) after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Recent studies using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging have shown that the burden of myocardial scar is an important factor influencing response to CRT, despite documented mechanical dyssynchrony. EDWT assessed by two-dimensional (2D) resting echocardiography is a simple and reliable marker to identify scar tissue in patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction., Methods: Seventy-four patients with ischemic HF were evaluated 1 week before and 6 months after CRT. Inclusion criteria were New York Heart Association class III or IV, ejection fraction < 35%, QRS duration > 120 ms, and mechanical intraventricular dyssynchrony >/= 65 ms. The left ventricle was divided into 16 segments; left ventricular (LV) segments with EDWT < 6 mm were considered scarred. Percentage global scar area (GSA) was calculated by dividing the number of scarred LV segments by 16., Results: RR, defined as a reduction of LV end-systolic volume >/= 15%, was found in 38 patients (51.4%) with ischemic HF. A significant inverse linear relationship was found between GSA and RR (r = -0.57; P = .0001). Mean percentage GSA was significantly higher in nonresponders (31.6 +/- 18% vs 6.4 +/- 11%; P < .001). GSA

Background: Cardiac mechanical efficiency requires that opposing left ventricular regions are coupled both in shortening and lengthening during the same phase of cardiac cycle. Aim of this study was to evaluate whether global measures of mechanical dyssynchrony are able to predict reverse remodeling of the left ventricle in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)., Methods: Sixty-two patients underwent a clinical examination, including New York Heart Association class evaluation and 6-minute walking distance and both echocardiographic study before and 6 months after CRT. Intraventricular dyssynchrony was evaluated by two-dimensional strain echocardiography, measuring the amount of uncoordinated contraction and relaxation between septum and free wall for both longitudinal and radial function and was presented as the longitudinal global dyssynchrony index (LGDI) and the radial global dyssynchrony index (RGDI). Reverse remodeling was defined by a left ventricular end systolic volume reduction >or= 15%., Results: After CRT 39 patients showed reverse remodeling. In this group, RGDI (0.74 +/- 0.26 vs 0.32 +/- 0.30; P = 0.0001) and LGDI (0.52 +/- 0.28 vs 0.30 +/- 0.24; P = 0.002) were significantly higher than in nonresponders. A receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that RGDI >0.47 and LGDI >0.34 had a sensitivity and a specificity to predict reverse remodeling of 87% and 74%, 82%, and 74%, respectively. Stepwise forward multiple logistic regression analysis showed that RGDI (O.R.:13.4; 95%C.I.:4.2-120.5; P < 0.0001) was an independent determinant of a positive response to CRT., Conclusion: A radial global dyssynchrony index predicts left ventricular reverse remodeling after CRT.

Anomalous origin of the circumflex coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva is the most common coronary anomaly. This anomaly is thought to be of little clinical significance without the presence of severe narrowing of the vessel. A 43-year-old woman was referred to our institution for evaluation of atypical chest pain and equivocal results of the exercise stress test. We decided to perform multislice computed tomography coronary angiography before any other invasive studies. The scan was performed with a 16-row scanner (Aquilion 16 CFX, Toshiba Medical Systems, Tokyo, Japan) after intravenous administration of non-ionic contrast material. Scans revealed that the circumflex coronary artery originated from the right sinus of Valsalva; the initial course was retro-aortic until it reached its target in the atrioventricular groove; peripheral distribution of the circumflex coronary artery was then normal. The anomalous vessel presented a significant stenosis in its proximal tract. Coronary angiography confirmed that the origin of the circumflex coronary artery was from the right aortic sinus and the significant stenosis of the proximal portion of this vessel. This case confirms the full capability and accuracy of multislice computed tomography with the aid of post-processing techniques in the identification and evaluation of the ectopic origin of the left circumflex coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva, displaying accurately the origin, size, course, and relationship of the anomalous vessel with respect to surrounding structures.

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the in-stent restenosis and occlusion of coronary artery stents by multislice computed tomography (MSCT) compared with conventional coronary angiography in patients with atypical chest pain and not practicable/non-conclusive stress test., Methods: Between December 2004 and March 2006, 81 patients were scheduled and of these 72 (65 men, mean age 61 years) with 90 stents underwent MSCT angiography using a 16-slice scanner, Toshiba Aquilion 16, 8-12 months after stent placement., Results: Of the 90 stents, 71 (79%) could be assessed and 19 (21%) were excluded because the image quality at the stent level was incompatible with diagnostic assessment. This results in sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for all assessable stents in the identification of occlusion and/or in-stent restenosis of 82, 96, 87, and 94%, respectively. When the 19 uninterpretable stents were included in the analysis, the diagnostic accuracy of MSCT in detecting in-stent restenosis and occlusion resulted in a sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 71%, positive predictive value of 40%, and negative predictive value of 94%., Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that MSCT angiography is a useful method for evaluating patency/occlusion of large (>or=3 mm) coronary stents in symptomatic patients with atypical chest pain and concomitant not practicable/non-conclusive exercise or stress imaging test.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of multiple cardiovascular risk factors on coronary flow reserve (CFR) in a large patient population with acute chest pain referred for coronary angiography., Methods: Three hundred and ninety-four consecutive patients (mean age 59 +/- 10 years) were enrolled in the study. Blood flow velocity was measured, using transthoracic echocardiography, in the middle-distal tract of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) at rest and during infusion of high-dose dipyridamole in 6 min. CFR was calculated as the ratio of hyperaemic to basal peak diastolic flow velocity. All patients underwent coronary angiography within 48-72 h of CFR evaluation and a LAD stenosis was considered significant for lumen diameter narrowing > or =70%., Results: Out of 394 patients, 11 patients (3%) were excluded because of inadequate quality of the spectral Doppler envelope. In the group of 269 patients with LAD stenosis <70%, CFR was significantly reduced in 64 patients with >2 risk factors compared to 205 patients with < or =2 risk factors (2.24 +/- 0.48 vs. 2.52 +/- 0.53, P < 0.005). On multiple logistic regression analysis, age, hypertension and diabetes mellitus were related to reduced CFR. In 114 patients with significant LAD disease, CFR was not reduced in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. On multiple logistic regression analysis, the percentages of stenosis and diabetes mellitus were independent determinants of CFR., Conclusions: In patients with acute chest pain, the occurrence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors adversely affected CFR in an additive manner, in absence of significant angiographic stenosis. Diabetes mellitus was a powerful coronary risk factor decreasing CFR both in patients with or without significant LAD disease.

We report a case of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy, complicated by left ventricular apical thrombus.

Introduction: Permanent right ventricular (RV) pacing leads have been traditionally implanted in the right ventricular apex (RVA). Nowadays, some deleterious effects of RVA pacing have been recognized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different sites of RV pacing in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) and low ejection fraction (LEF) needing a pacemaker (PM) implantation., Methods: Two hundred seventy-three patients with permanent AF and EF <30% underwent a one-chamber rate responsive (VVIR) PM implant procedure. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A, including 113 patients with the pacing lead tip placed in the RV mid-septum, and Group B of 120 patients with the pacing lead tip placed at the apex of RV. All patients had clinical and Echo control after 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after PM implantation to assess New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and EF., Results: After 18 months, NYHA class changed in Group A from 2.9 +/- 0.4 at implant to 1.7 +/- 0.3 at 18 months (P = 0.01), and in Group B from 3.0 +/- 0.5 at implant to 3.3 +/- 0.6 at 18 months (P = n.s.). EF increased in Group A: 28 +/- 2% at implant, 33 +/- 1% at 18 months (P = 0.0125), while no significant changes were observed in Group B: at implant 27 +/- 2%, 26 +/- 2% at 18 months (P = n.s.)., Conclusion: The present study suggests that more physiological pacing from the RV sept can improve EF and quality of life (QoL) in patients with permanent AF and low EF needing a PM.

Objective: The aim of this prospective, randomised study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and long-term outcomes of the complete disappearance of local electrograms along the linear lesion using the EnSite NavX three-dimensional mapping system as compared with conventional fluoroscopy for ablation of typical atrial flutter (AFL)., Methods: Seventy-three patients with spontaneous AFL episodes were randomised to undergo fluoroscopy-guided (group I, n=35) or EnSite NavX-guided (group II, n=38) ablation. When bidirectional isthmus block was achieved, the catheter was navigated back along the ablation line to assess the presence of local potentials along the lesion line., Results: Bidirectional isthmus block was achieved in all patients. Mean total fluoroscopy time was 19.8 +/- 4.1 min in group I and 9.1 +/- 3.5 min in group II (P<0.001); mean fluoroscopy time required for radiofrequency ablation was 6.9 +/- 1.4 min in group I and 0.6 +/- 0.3 min in group II (P<0.001). During a follow-up of 16 +/- 9 months, three patients in group I (10%) experienced recurrence of AFL as opposed to none in group II (P<0.005)., Conclusions: NavX technology allows accurate re-navigation of the lesion line to assess the presence of local potentials during an ablation procedure for typical AFL. Electroanatomic activation mapping can accurately identify gaps in the linear radiofrequency lesion with no AFL recurrence compared with 20% of recurrences after a standard procedure.

Incisional sustained tachycardias are frequent in patients who have undergone a surgical repair of interatrial defect. A 43-year-old woman with drug refractory, highly symptomatic, persistent atrial tachycardia in the last year, was referred to our unit for catheter ablation. The patient had undergone a cardiac operation for repairing interatrial secundum ostium type defect with a patch five years before. A previous radiofrequency ablation procedure had been performed for common atrial flutter. We describe a case of incisional atrial tachycardia ablation guided by the new EnSite NavX system equipped with a new electroanatomic mapping system.

Aims: A randomized prospective study to evaluate the efficacy, safety and long-term outcomes of the complete disappearance of local electrograms along the linear lesion using the EnSite NavX three-dimensional mapping system compared to the conventional fluoroscopy-based mapping for the ablation of typical atrial flutter (AFL)., Methods: 83 patients with spontaneous AFL episodes were randomized to the conventional procedure (group I, 41 patients) or to the EnSite NavX three-dimensional mapping system (group II, 42 patients). When bidirectional block was achieved, a renavigation of the ablation line was performed to verify the absence of local potentials along the line., Results: In all patients, bidirectional isthmus block was achieved. Total mean fluoroscopy time was 19.8 +/- 4.1 min and 9.1 +/- 3.5 min (p < 0.001) and radiofrequency (RF) mean fluoroscopy time was 6.9 +/- 1.4 min and 0.6 +/- 0.3 min (p < 0.001), respectively, in group I and II. During long-term follow-up of 16 +/- 9 months, there were 4 (10%) AFL recurrences in group I and 0 in group II (p < 0.005)., Conclusion: NavX accurately renavigates the lesion line and verifies local potentials. The electro-anatomic activation map accurately identifies gaps in the RF lesion line and no recurrences were found compared with 10% recurrences after standard procedures for typical AFL., ((c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

A 60-year-old woman with severe chest pain and ECG diagnostic for acute transmural ischemia was transferred to cath lab for primary PTCA. After procedure, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) views revealed an intramural haematoma extending from the ostium of the RCA throughout the sino-tubular junction. These findings and the stable clinical conditions of patient guided us to a conservative therapeutic approach. A TEE study, performed 5 days after admission, showed a complete resolution of intramural haematoma. A waiting strategy can be a valid therapeutic option in selected patients with iatrogenic haematoma and TEE is a useful diagnostic tool for clinical decision making.

Objective: Coronary blood flow exhibits a biphasic pattern at rest with a higher diastolic and a smaller systolic component. In the present investigation, we evaluated whether a decreased diastolic to systolic velocity ratio of basal coronary flow may be useful in the identification of subjects with significant left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) stenosis., Methods: One hundred and twenty-nine consecutive patients (62 with unstable angina, 25 with acute myocardial infarction and 42 with chronic coronary artery disease) were included in the study. Blood flow velocities were recorded in the mid-distal portion of the LAD using an ATL 5000 CV HDI ultrasound system. All patients underwent coronary angiography and were divided into two groups according to the absence (group 1) or the presence (group 2) of significant LAD stenosis (lumen narrowing > or = 70%). In 60 of the 129 patients, coronary flow reserve was evaluated non-invasively., Results: Adequate Doppler recordings in the LAD were obtained by transthoracic echocardiography in 113 patients. There were no differences between groups with regard to sex, cardiovascular risk factors, left ventricular mass and volumes, ejection fraction, whereas the diastolic to systolic velocity ratio of basal coronary flow was significantly lower in group 2 patients (1.41 +/- 4.7 vs. 2.08 +/- 0.64, P < 0.00001). The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that a diastolic to systolic velocity ratio < 1.6 had a sensitivity of 77%, a specificity of 91%, a positive predictive value of 77%, a negative predictive value of 97%, and a diagnostic accuracy of 84% for the presence of significant LAD stenosis. In 55/60 patients, results of basal coronary flow and coronary flow reserve were concordant. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, the diastolic to systolic velocity ratio was a strong independent predictor of LAD stenosis > or = 70% (odds ratio 4.90, 95% confidence interval 1.65-7.30)., Conclusions: The present findings suggest that assessment of basal coronary flow in the LAD may be useful to rule out the presence of significant stenosis.

Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate the haemodynamic and the respiratory response to exercise in patients with hyperthyroidism before and 30 days after normalized thyroid hormones levels. These findings were compared with those of 10 control patients., Methods: Thirty patients (23 women, aged 34.3 +/- 12 years) with untreated hyperthyroidism were studied. Twenty-four patients were treated with methimazole, 13 of which were also treated with propranolol. Six patients underwent surgery. A symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test and an echocardiography were performed in all patients., Results: At rest patients with hyperthyroidism showed at echocardiography an increased cardiac index (P = 0.006 vs euthyroid, P = 0.007 vs normal) and a higher ejection fraction (P = 0.008 vs euthyroid, P = 0.007 vs normal). The duration of the exercise was lower in hyperthyroid patients (P = 0.006 vs euthyroid; P = 0.0068 vs normal). Anaerobic threshold was reached at 49.6% of peak VO2 during hyperthyroidism, at 60.8% during euthyroidism (P = 0.01) and at 62% in normal (P = 0.01). Work rate was lower in patients with hyperthyroidism at anaerobic threshold (P = 0.01 vs euthyroid, P = 0.03 vs normal) and at maximal work (P = 0.001 vs euthyroid, P = 0.01 vs normal). Patients in hyperthyroidism showed a lower increment of heart rate between rest and anaerobic threshold (P = 0.021 vs euthyroid, P < 0.0001 vs normal) and a lower VO2 at anaerobic threshold (P = 0.03 vs euthyroid; P = 0.04 vs normal). Oxygen pulse at anaerobic threshold was significantly reduced in hyperthyroidism (P = 0.04 vs euthyroid, P = 0.005 vs normal)., Conclusions: The mean result is that after only 30 days of appropriate antithyroid treatment there was an appreciable improvement of exertion capacity.

Background: Coronary flow reserve (CFR) assessment by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography has been found to be useful in subjects with suspected coronary artery disease. An important clinical question is whether such technique can be successfully applied in patients admitted to the coronary care unit with an acute coronary syndrome to detect a significant left anterior descending (LAD) disease., Methods: One hundred fifty-nine patients with acute coronary syndrome (93 patients with unstable angina, 66 with acute inferior or lateral myocardial infarction) were included in the present analysis. Patients underwent a high-dose dipyridamole stress (0.84 mg/kg) with combined assessment of CFR in the LAD and regional wall motion. Blood flow velocities were recorded in the mid-distal portion of the LAD using a digital ultrasonographic system and CFR was calculated as the ratio of hyperemia-induced peak diastolic velocity to resting peak diastolic flow velocity. All patients underwent coronary angiography and a significant LAD stenosis was classified for lumen narrowing > or = 70%., Results: Adequate Doppler recordings in the LAD were obtained in 92% of patients. A contrast agent was used in the 39% of examinations. No major adverse reaction occurred in any patient. A receiving operating characteristic curve showed that a CFR value < 1.9 had a sensitivity of 85%, a specificity of 87%, a positive predictive value of 71%, a negative predictive value of 94% and a diagnostic accuracy of 86% for identifying a significant LAD stenosis. The area under the receiving operating characteristic curve computed for CFR was significantly higher than for wall motion score index (p < 0.001). In a stepwise forward, multiple logistic regression analysis, both CFR (OR = 4.8, 95% C.I. 3.7-5.3; p < 0.00001) and the wall motion score index for the LAD territory (OR = 4.2, 95% C.I. 2.6-6.8; p < 0.0001) were independent determinants of LAD stenosis > or = 70%., Conclusion: Early assessment of CFR by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography is feasible and safe and provides additional information to identify subjects with acute coronary syndrome and significant LAD stenosis.

Background: The hypothesis that left ventricular hypertrophy regression in hypertension relates to blood pressure (BP) control and to non-antihypertensive activity of some drugs was tested by comparing the effects of telmisartan and carvedilol on 24-h mean ambulatory BP and left ventricular mass (LVM) regression, measured using three-dimensional echocardiography (3-DECHO) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)., Methods: A total of 82 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension and an optimal echocardiographic acoustic window were randomized to receive once-daily telmisartan 80 mg or carvedilol 25 mg for 44 weeks., Results: Ten patients withdrew from the study because office diastolic BP remained >90 mm Hg. The 24-h mean ambulatory systolic/diastolic BP reductions were similar in both treatment groups (telmisartan, from 159.6 +/- 10.2/97.8 +/- 5.4 to 128.6 +/- 6.5/78.2 +/- 5.8 mm Hg; carvedilol, from 157.8 +/- 11.1/95.7 +/- 11.9 to 128.2 +/- 5.6/78.7 +/- 5.2 mm Hg). However, night-time and last 6-h mean BP reductions were nonsignificantly greater with telmisartan. Using 3-DE, telmisartan (P< .001) and carvedilol (P< .001) progressively reduced LVM index by 21.97 +/- 5.84 (15.7%) and 12.31 +/- 3.14 (9.1%) g/m2, respectively, at week 44. Similar magnitudes of reductions were observed using MRI (15.5% and 9.6%, respectively). Reductions in LVM index achieved with telmisartan were statistically superior to carvedilol (P< or = .001)., Conclusions: The superior LVM regression with telmisartan versus carvedilol suggests telmisartan has a mechanism that may be beyond that of lowering BP in hypertensive patients.

Background: B-mode ultrasound studies indicate that hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with preclinical structural and functional arterial abnormalities. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of elevated plasma homocysteine levels on coronary flow reserve (CFR)., Methods: A total of 20 healthy subjects aged 41 +/- 7 years were studied on 2 separate days, a week apart, before and after methionine load (100 mg/kg of body weight) or placebo in a double-blind crossover study. At each visit, homocysteine levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography and CFR was determined by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography., Results: After methionine load, plasma homocysteine increased from 10.7 +/- 2.8 mumol/L to 30.4 +/- 5.1 mumol/L ( P < .0001) and CFR decreased from 3.0 +/- 0.4 to 2.3 +/- 0.3 ( P < .001). CFR was inversely related to postload homocysteine levels ( r = -0.21, P = .02). After placebo, there was no change in CFR., Conclusion: In asymptomatic adults, acute hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with a significant reduction in CFR.

We report a case of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome in a young man, who showed symptoms and electrocardiographic findings mimicking an acute coronary syndrome. Two-dimensional echocardiography, together with laboratory data, allowed us to make the diagnosis and to start a treatment with imatinib mesylate, a 2-phenylamonopyrimidine-based tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which reversed the cardiac abnormalities.

We present a case of esophageal duplication cyst, echocardiographically appearing as a mass above the roof of the left atrium and behind the right pulmonary artery. The differential diagnosis and the management of such disease are discussed.

Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography is commonly performed to detect a possible cardiac source of systemic embolism and it has been the mainstay of detection and diagnosis of cardiac masses. The transesophageal approach has enhanced the ability to detect cardiac sources of embolism by allowing a better visualization of posterior cardiac structures such as the left atrium with left atrial appendage, pulmonary veins and thoracic aorta and by providing higher resolution images to improve assessment of the presence and extent of cardiac masses. In this case report, echocardiography, using both transthoracic and transesophageal approach, allowed to detect a neoplastic mass arising from the upper left pulmonary vein in a patient presented with a transient ischemic attack. Further investigations showed a malignancy involving the lung. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case in which a cerebral embolic episode represents the clinical onset of a lung cancer, pointing out the importance of echocardiography in all cases of undetermined cerebral ischemic attack.

Background: Regurgitant orifice area (ROA) has been proposed as a marker of severity in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR). However, such fundamental quantitative echocardiographic parameter has failed to achieve widespread use, since it is difficult to measure. In the present study, we evaluated the accuracy and feasibility of a simplified method for quantification of ROA in patients with varying grades of MR., Methods: We studied two groups of individuals with echocardiographically diagnosed MR. Group I included 70 patients retrospectively evaluated, in whom we were able to obtain an adequate flow convergence region by color Doppler and recording of continuous-wave Doppler regurgitant jet. Group II included 32 MR patients prospectively evaluated. The degee of MR was assessed by two quantitative echocardiographic measures: the regurgitant fraction and the ROA, calculated either dividing peak flow rate by the maximal velocity through the orifice or with the simplified formula: r2/2., Results: In group I, the mechanism of MR was organic in 18 patients and ischemic/functional in 52 patients. ROA calculated by the simplified formula correlated well with the conventional one (r = 0.85) and with the regurgitant fraction (r = 0.72). In group II, we could calculate the ROA by the conventional method in 56% of patients, whereas use of the simplified approach allowed ROA evaluation in 78% of patients., Conclusion: Our data suggest that the use of a simplified formula may increase the number of patients having ROA, a fundamental parameter of MR severity, measured in clinical practice.

Antihypertensive efficacy, effects on left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and tolerability of telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, were compared with those of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Adult patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension and an optimal acoustic window by two-dimensional echocardiography were randomised at baseline to 12 months' double-blind, once-daily treatment with telmisartan 80 mg or HCTZ 25 mg. Two-dimensional echocardiography and freehand precordial three-dimensional echocardiography and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were performed at baseline and after treatment. Of the 41 telmisartan group patients and 28 HCTZ group patients, 40 and 25, respectively, completed the study. Following treatment, 24-h mean SBP (telmisartan 157 +/- 11 vs 133 +/- 7 mmHg, P<0.001; HCTZ 154 +/- 10 vs 144 +/- 11 mmHg, P<0.003) and DBP (telmisartan 96 +/- 6 vs 83 +/- 5 mmHg, P<0.001; HCTZ 95 +/- 7 vs 87 +/- 8 mmHg, P<0.003) were significantly reduced. Telmisartan produced significantly greater 24-h mean SBP and DBP reductions than HCTZ (P<0.001). LVMI was significantly reduced by telmisartan (141 +/- 16 vs 125 +/- 19 g/m2, P<0.001), but not by HCTZ (139 +/- 20 vs 135 +/- 22 g/m(2)). Incidences of adverse events in both the treatment groups were low; two cases of hypokalaemia occurred with HCTZ. In conclusion, telmisartan 80 mg was well tolerated and significantly reduced SBP, DBP and LVMI after 12 months' treatment compared with HCTZ., (Journal of Human Hypertension (2004) 18, 53-59. doi:10.1038/sj.jhh.1001637)

Objective: We sought to assess the ability of a Doppler index of global myocardial performance (MPI), measured at entry, to predict inhospital cardiac events in a series of patients with first acute myocardial infarction (AMI)., Methods: A complete 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examination was performed within 24 hours of arrival at the coronary care department in 96 patients (81 men and 15 women; mean age 58 +/- 9 years) with first AMI. Patients were divided a posteriori into 2 groups according to their inhospital course: group 1 comprised 75 patients with an uneventful course and group 2 comprised 21 patients with a complicated inhospital course (death, heart failure, arrhythmias, or post-AMI angina)., Results: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with regard to history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, site and size of infarction, and conventional parameters of diastolic function. However, patients with complications were significantly older (63 +/- 10 vs 55 +/- 8 years, P =.005) and had higher wall-motion score index and left ventricular end-systolic volume compared with patients without events (1.84 +/- 0.27 vs 1.52 +/- 0.30, P =.001; and 66 +/- 29 vs 47 +/- 21 mL, P =.009, respectively), whereas the ejection fraction was reduced (40 +/- 10% vs 52 +/- 10%, P =.0001). The mean value of the MPI was significantly higher in patients with cardiac events than in those without events (0.65 +/- 0.20 vs 0.43 +/- 0.16, P =.0001). A MPI >/= 0.47 showed a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 68% for identifying patients with events, on the basis of the receiver operator curve. In a multivariable model, the MPI at admission remained independently predictive of inhospital cardiac events (odds ratio 15.6, 95% confidence interval 2.4-99, P =.003)., Conclusion: These data suggest that in the acute phase of AMI, the MPI measured at entry may be useful to predict which patients are at high risk for inhospital cardiac events.

Objective: We sought to test the value of a simple Doppler index, the mitral/aortic flow velocity integral ratio (MAVIR), as a screening method to identify patients with hemodynamically significant mitral regurgitation (MR)., Methods: Included in the study were 91 patients (mean age 61 +/- 14 years; 54% men) with echocardiographically diagnosed MR. The cause was organic in 23 patients and ischemic/functional in 68. MR degree was assessed by 2 quantitative echocardiographic measures: the regurgitant fraction and the regurgitant orifice area., Results: A good correlation was found between MAVIR and both regurgitant fraction (r = 0.75) and orifice (r = 0.60). When we divided patients into 3 groups on the basis of the regurgitant fraction, used as reference standard, MAVIR significantly increased in proportion to MR severity (0.7 +/- 0.1 for mild MR vs 1.1 +/- 0.2 for moderate and 1.4 +/- 0.3 for severe regurgitation; P <.0001). A ratio > 1 identified 28 of 30 patients with severe MR (regurgitant fraction > 60%), whereas all patients with mild MR (regurgitant fraction < 40%) had a ratio < 1. Using a regurgitant orifice >or= 40 mm(2) as threshold for severe MR, a significant difference in MAVIR was also present among patients who had severe MR compared with those having mild and moderate regurgitation (P <.0001)., Conclusions: These findings suggest that MAVIR is a sensitive index, potentially widely applicable in clinical practice as a screening parameter for identifying patients with hemodynamically significant MR.

We present an unusual case of painless acute aortic dissection with an atypical echocardiographic presentation that could be confused with an aortic stenosis. Transesophageal echocardiography excluded the presence of aortic stenosis and disclosed a systolic anterior movement of the mitral valve as the cause of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. It also revealed a type A aortic dissection.

Cerebrovascular mortality represents 25% of all cardiovascular mortality. Defining the pathological mechanism of an episode of ischemic stroke is important for epidemiological, prognostic and overall therapeutic purposes. About 1/4 of ischemic strokes are defined as being of unknown cause. The use of transesophageal echocardiography for studying the aortic arch and thoracic aorta, revealed that aortic atheroma can be considered as an embolic source. Retrospective studies documented a significant prevalence of atheroma >4 mm in the aortic arch in patients with previous stroke (15%); while prospective studies documented an increased risk for cardiovascular events in patients with plaque of =/> 4 mm in thickness at the level of the thoracic aorta compared with controls without these lesions: in particular, the incidence of recurrent stroke is 12%/year, while the incidence of cardiovascular events is 26%. Plaques defined unstable and at risk of embolic event are protrudent, >4 mm in thickness, without calcification and have on their surface mobile thrombus. Embolization from a protrudent atheroma can have a iatrogenic cause, that is cardiac catheterization or placement of an intra-aortic balloon- pump or during cardiopulmonary bypass. The management of the subject with aortic atheroma is not well defined. Encouraging dates with the use of statins are from a recent meta-analysis also anticoagulant treatment versus antiplatelet treatment, reduced incidence of stroke in a significant manner. The surgical therapy of aortic endoarterectomy, has, at this moment, a limited indication, because is not without risk. Transesophageal ecocardiography is a method of choice for the study of the aortic atheroma and it should be done in every patient with stroke by unknown cause.

The vascular endothelium has a central role in regulating vasomotor tone, smooth muscle cell proliferation, platelet and leukocyte adhesion to the arterial wall, thrombosis and fibrinolysis. Disturbances of these endothelial functions have been suggested to be important in the early and advanced phases of atherosclerosis. The development of a simple, valid ultrasound-based method allowed to non-invasively evaluate endothelial function in a large number of individuals with traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The ultrasound technique measures changes in brachial artery diameter in response to an increase in blood flow (reactive hyperemia) and thus in shear stress, which causes endothelium-dependent dilation. This methodology is not yet perfect. The critical issues today involve the definition of "normal values", and standardized scanning and reading protocols to reduce variability.

Over the last decade, it has become progressively clear that the most important mechanism responsible for acute coronary and cerebrovascular events is atherosclerotic plaque rupture with superimposed thrombus formation. Anatomo-pathological studies have shown that the risk of rupture depends on plaque type rather than plaque size. The determinants of carotid plaque vulnerability to rupture are similar to those responsible for coronary instability: 1) size and consistency of the lipid-rich atheromatous core, 2) ongoing inflammation and repair processes within the fibrous cap, and 3) the thickness of the fibrous cap covering the core. Unstable plaques contain a soft, lipid-rich core that is covered by a thin and inflamed cap of fibrous tissue. External factors such as mechanical and hemodynamic stresses may be important not only in precipitating disruption of vulnerable plaques, but also in their cellular differentiation. Several imaging techniques have been used to identify plaques at high risk of events. High-resolution B-mode ultrasound is a noninvasive, inexpensive technique which allows a characterization of carotid plaque dimension, internal structure and surface. Nevertheless, such a method is not perfect. The subjective evaluation of plaque morphology on B-mode ultrasound, the need of improving reproducibility and the lack of a uniform terminology are critical issues, which need to be addressed.

Lipomatous hypertrophy of interatrial septum is a very rare condition associated with supraventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. The authors describe two clinical cases of lipomatous hypertrophy and underline usefulness of multiplane transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis of this affection.

Background: Despite the increasing number of reports on lipomatous hypertrophy of interatrial septum, a standardization of measurement of the dimensions of the interatrial septum (IAS) in the different phases of cardiac cycle has not been reported. Moreover, no data on modification of thickness with age and in specific cardiac diseases are available., Objective: Our purpose was to study whether the changes of thickness and thinning of IAS may be related to age, left atrial dimension, cardiac cycle and different cardiac diseases., Methods: 248 patients (mean age 52.7 +/- 19.9 years) underwent transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal (TEE) echocardiography. IAS was measured at the constant regions anterior and posterior to the fossa ovalis. IAS thickness (tk), thinning (th) and % thinning (% th) were measured., Results: IAS thickness ranged from 4 to 13 mm at the time of ventricular end-systolic phase (mean 6.7 +/- 1.9 mm) and from 6 to 16 mm at the time of atrial systole (mean 9.9 +/- 1.8 mm); significant statistical difference between these values was found (P < 0.01). IAS thinning ranged from 1 to 7 mm (mean 3.42 +/- 1.8) while % IAS thinning from 18 to 76% (mean 36.53 +/- 16.36%). Statistical analysis showed a significant positive correlation between age and ventricular end-systolic thickness and atrial systolic thickness and thinning. An insignificant correlation was found between age and % IAS thinning and between left atrial dimension and IAS tk and th., Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that IAS thickness increases by age; no correlation exists between IAS thinning and age. There is no difference between IAS thickness and thinning in patients with or without cardiac disease. We believe that the thickness of IAS can be considered hypertrophic only if it exceeds the value of 15 mm during both ventricular end-systolic and atrial systolic phases of the cardiac cycle. IAS thickness and thinning might be an additional parameter to evaluate systolic atrial function particularly with regard to maintenance of synus rhythm after conversion from atrial fibrillation as well as to better understand its role in determining the filling of ventricles in different clinical conditions.

The authors describe an unusual case of bacterial endocarditis. A very rare etiologic agent, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, was isolated. The patient was not fisherman or butcher and he did ot other risky job. Moreover the disease had an atypical course.

In a prospective study, atrial morphology was evaluated by both transoesophageal and precordial echocardiography in 86 unoperated children with congenital heart disease (age range = 0.2 to 14.8 years, mean = 3.8 years) to determine what advantages, if any, might be inherent in the transoesophageal approach. The information derived from both ultrasound approaches was correlated and compared to information obtained during subsequent cardiac catheterization (78 patients) and, or, surgical inspection (53 patients). Atrial appendage morphology and hence atrial situs was determined by transoesophageal echocardiography in every case (82 solitus, two right atrial isomerism, two left atrial isomerism). In addition, the transoesophageal approach indicated left juxtaposition in four patients, compared to only one by precordial examination. Probe patency of the foramen ovale was correctly predicted in 21 patients by transoesophageal imaging, but in only 10 by precordial imaging. In two children significant secundum defects, undetected by the precordial route, were identified. Multiple atrial septal defects were correctly defined in four patients by transoesophageal study but in only one by precordial study. Sinus venosus defects were documented in four by the transoesophageal approach, but in only one by the precordial. Primum defects were equally well documented (nine patients) by either technique, but the associated valve leaflet morphology was better documented by transoesophageal study in 5/9. A subtotal cor triatriatum was diagnosed in one child only by transoesophageal investigation. Transoesophageal echocardiography allows a much more detailed evaluation of atrial morphology than precordial imaging even in infants. It provides direct diagnosis of atrial situs, detection of juxtaposed atrial appendages and improved demonstration or definitive exclusion of atrial septal defects.

To determine the relative value of exercise two-dimensional echocardiography and 99m Tc methoxyisobutylisonitrile single photon emission computed tomography (MIBI SPECT) for the detection of myocardial ischaemia, 103 consecutive patients with either proven or suspected coronary artery disease, who were referred for perfusion scintigraphy, were studied by a combination of the two techniques during the same symptom-limited upright bicycle exercise test. Appropriate echocardiographic images were recorded both at rest and immediately post-exercise and subsequently analysed by means of digital cine loop processing. Both echocardiographic and MIBI SPECT images were visually analysed. For each technique, three different responses to exercise were defined: normal (absence of rest and exercise abnormalities); ischaemic (transient scintigraphic perfusion defects and transient wall motion abnormalities during exercise echocardiography); and fixed abnormalities (fixed scintigraphic perfusion defects; echocardiographic wall motion abnormalities at rest without worsening after exercise). To allow a valid comparison of each technique in localizing ischaemia, the left ventricle was divided into the following six major regions for both methods: anterior, posterolateral, inferior, interventricular septum (subdivided in anterior and posterior septum) and apex. Eleven of the 103 patients had to be excluded from the final analysis because of unsatisfactory examinations: seven with non-interpretable exercise echocardiograms and four with non-interpretable MIBI SPECT images. The response to exercise was concordantly classified by both techniques in 84% of patients (k = 0.78). Exercise echocardiography revealed the presence of ischaemia in 38 and MIBI SPECT in 45 patients (agreement = 77%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)