Atooshe Rohani
Abstract
One in five adults has patent foramen ovale (PFO), which is typically without symptoms. Because of the low pressure in both atria and the anatomical position of the septum secundum, there is no left-to-right shunting and little right-to-left shunting in the general condition; however, when the right ...
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One in five adults has patent foramen ovale (PFO), which is typically without symptoms. Because of the low pressure in both atria and the anatomical position of the septum secundum, there is no left-to-right shunting and little right-to-left shunting in the general condition; however, when the right atrial pressure increases, this slit-like flap separates and allows right-to-left shunting. According to the Johnson criteria, simultaneous occurrences of arterial emboli, such as those caused by cerebrovascular accident or pulmonary embolism, demonstrate the presence of paradoxical embolism through a PFO. When a patient presents with multivascular arterial embolism, the clinician should perform a contrast transthoracic echo, a transesophageal (TEE), a real-time three-dimensional TEE, and even an intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) in order to differentiate between PFO, flat atrial septal defect (ASD) and hybrid defects. The randomized trials that have assessed therapeutic interventions for paradoxical embolism have not produced any clear guidelines as to how best to treat this condition. The classic treatment is surgical embolectomy with exploration of the right chambers and the pulmonary arteries under full cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients with a history of ≥1 paradoxical embolism may be indicated for device PFO closure.
Afsoon Fazlinejad; Ali Samadzade; Ramin Khameneh Bagheri; Nayere Tousi; Amin Rezaeian
Abstract
Introduction: Left ventricular remodeling is a relatively prevalent complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and it is associated with higher rates of medical issues and mortality. Left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and wall motion score index (WMSI) are unable to detect accurately minor ...
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Introduction: Left ventricular remodeling is a relatively prevalent complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and it is associated with higher rates of medical issues and mortality. Left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and wall motion score index (WMSI) are unable to detect accurately minor lesions following AMI. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), which is obtained through 2D-speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE), provides an angle-dependent measurement by which the infarcted area can be assessed as a means of identifying potential dysfunction. The main objective of this study was to evaluate whether GLS could adequately predict LV remodeling in AMI patients. Methods: The MEDLINE database from database inception to May 6th, 2015, was searched for relevant keywords and the reference lists of systematic reviews and eligible studies were also screened. All studies involving patients with their first reported case of AMI were examined for GLS by 2D-STE and were evaluated for LV remodeling at a three-month follow-up point. Four English-language prospective cohort studies were eligible for inclusion in this study.Result: A total of 291 AMI patients (mean age=57.92 years) were investigated across four different studies. The main finding of this study was that the most reliable and consistent measurement for the purposes of predicting LV remodeling in AMI patients is GLS obtained at the time of discharge, especially in STEMI patients.Discussion: In addition to their poor reproducibility, inability to stratify risks, and inter-observer variability, compensatory hyperkinesis of intact myocytes and myocardial stunning after an AMI are among the main reasons why LVEF and WMSI may not be the most effective predictors of LV remodeling in AMI.Conclusion: GLS obtained by 2D-STE at the time of discharge could be used as a reliable predictor of LV remodeling in AMI patients.
Leila Bigdelu; Afsoon Fazlinejad; Ali Azari; Somaye Bakefayat; Marzie Farazandeh
Abstract
Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common dysrhythmia postoperatively after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Myocardial strain and strain-rate imaging is used for the assessment of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) as a new echocardiographic method. Methods: PubMed and Scopus were ...
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Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common dysrhythmia postoperatively after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Myocardial strain and strain-rate imaging is used for the assessment of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) as a new echocardiographic method. Methods: PubMed and Scopus were searched thoroughly using the following search terms: (strain and strain rate) AND (atrial fibrillation OR AF) on March 2015 to find English articles in which the strain and strain-rate echocardiographic imaging had been used for the evaluation of AF in patients undergone CABG. Full text of the relevant papers was fully reviewed for data extraction.Result: Of overall 6 articles found in PubMed, 10 records found in Scopus and 4 articles found through reference list search, only 6 papers fully met the inclusion criteria for further assessment and data extraction. The results of strain and strain-rate assessment showed that in total of 542 patients undergoing CABG, POAF occurred in 106 patients. Studies showed that the reduction of left atrial (LA) strain rate is correlated with AF. Consistently, the results of present review showed that LA strain and strain-rate in patients who developed AF postoperatively after CABG are significantly reduced, suggesting that strain and strain-rate could be a predictor of POAF.Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, strain and strain-rate is a suitable and accurate echocardiographic technique in the assessment of left atrial function , and it might be helpful to detect the patients who are at high risk of POAF.
Sareh Mousavi; Fereshteh Ghaderi; Ali Eshraghi
Abstract
Adipose tissue surrounding the heart may contribute in the progression of coronary atherosclerosis due to its proximity to the coronary arteries. In addition, epicardial adipose tissue has paracrine and endocrine functions. It can secrete numerous bioactive molecules. Most previous studies examined the ...
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Adipose tissue surrounding the heart may contribute in the progression of coronary atherosclerosis due to its proximity to the coronary arteries. In addition, epicardial adipose tissue has paracrine and endocrine functions. It can secrete numerous bioactive molecules. Most previous studies examined the relation between coronary artery disease and epicardial adipose tissue have used echocardiography and have reported controversial results, probably due to differences in measurement techniques and study populations. This study aimed to give a brief review on the value of echocardiographic assessment of epicardial adipose tissue in the prediction of coronary artery disease severity.Epicardial adipose tissue, easily and non-invasively evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography, can be considered as an adjunctive marker to classical risk factors despite all the limitations. Moreover, it might be recommended as a useful quantitative screening examination for the prediction of the presence and the severity of coronary artery disease and the extent of atherosclerosis.