[Intravascular echography].
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Arteriosclerosis↗
Biomedical subjects
C A Visser
Publications and source records attributed to C A Visser.
Simultaneous transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiography and atrial pacing for detecting coronary artery disease.
This study describes a new technique for assessing wall motion abnormalities, combining transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and transesophageal atrial pacing in 71 patients. Stable capture was reached in 70 patients (99%). In 3 patients (4%) pacing was discontinued prematurely because of discomfort. TEE during pacing was performed in 52 patients with and in 18 patients without coronary artery disease (CAD). In 43 of 52 patients with CAD, regional wall motion abnormalities occurred (sensitivity 83%). No wall motion abnormalities occurred in 17 of 18 patients without CAD (specificity 94%, positive predictive value 98%). Wall motion abnormalities related to another vascular region were observed in 17 of 22 patients with previous myocardial infarction (sensitivity 77%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%). Simultaneous 12-lead electrocardiography during atrial pacing was performed in 57 patients and yielded positive results in 21 of 40 patients with (sensitivity 52%) and in 3 of 17 patients without (specificity 82%, positive predictive value 88%) CAD. Exercise stress testing was performed in 66 patients. Twenty-four of 48 patients with CAD had a positive exercise electrocardiogram (sensitivity 50%); a false-positive exercise electrocardiogram was observed in 3 of 18 patients (specificity 83%, positive predictive value 89%). It is concluded that TEE during transesophageal atrial pacing is a feasible and promising alternative technique for the assessment of CAD, with a higher sensitivity than simultaneous 12-lead and exercise electrocardiography.
Adult↗
Value of exercise Doppler echocardiography in patients with prosthetic or bioprosthetic cardiac valves.
Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of the prosthetic valve function is usually performed at rest, although this situation is not representative for patients' daily activities. Therefore, a symptom-limited Master 2-step test was performed in 61 asymptomatic patients with normal left ventricular function. No adequate Doppler signals were obtained in 5 of 61 patients (8%) within 60 second after termination of exercise. In patients with aortic valve prostheses (n = 24), heart rate increased from 74 +/- 10 to 105 +/- 18 beats/min, the maximal instantaneous gradient from 44 (range 22 to 90) to 68 (range 28 to 165) mm Hg (r = 0.89) and the mean gradient from 24 (range 12 to 50) to 39 (range 18 to 100) mm Hg (r = 0.90). In 6 of 11 patients with a maximal flow velocity ratio between the left ventricular outflow tract and the aortic valve prosthesis less than or equal to 0.25, the mean gradient increased to a value greater than or equal to 50 mm Hg after exercise, whereas in patients with a ratio of greater than or equal to 0.25, this never occurred. In patients with mitral valve prostheses (n = 39), heart rate increased from 80 +/- 12 to 116 +/- 14 beats/min and mean gradient from 6 (range 3 to 10) to 14 (range 6 to 25) mm Hg (r = 0.59). The correlation of the mean diastolic pressure gradient after exercise with pressure half-time was 0.66. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure at rest and after exercise could be determined in 22 of 39 patients (56%) and increased from 34 (range 20 to 70) to 57 (range 35 to 110) mm Hg. It is concluded that the response to exercise can, to a large extent, be inferred from Doppler parameters at rest, particularly in patients with aortic valve prostheses. The clinical implication of the high gradients found in some asymptomatic patients in the present study should be elucidated by follow-up studies.
Adolescent↗
Intraoperative assessment of the mitral valve: transesophageal Doppler echocardiography vs. left ventricular filling of the flaccid heart.
Several methods can be used for the intraoperative assessment of residual mitral regurgitation (MR) following reconstruction of the mitral valve. The aim of this study was to compare the reliability of two of these methods: left ventricular filling of the arrested heart with saline (LVF) and intraoperative transesophageal Doppler echocardiography (TEE). Reliability was assessed by comparing LVF and TEE to postoperative left ventricular angiography (LVA) in 27 patients. LVF, TEE and LVA grading of MR was 0-4. Correlations, as measured by the Kappa statistic, were as follows: LVF-LVA: K = 0.33 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.06-0.59), TEE-LVA: K = 0.48 (95% CI: 0.20-0.77), LVF-TEE: K = 0.43 (95% CI: 0.20-0.67). Considering LVF and TEE as predictors of LVA gradings above 2, sensitivities were 0.4 and 0.6, respectively. Specificities were 1.0 for each method. In conclusion, we found TEE in the beating heart not to be significantly more reliable in the prediction of residual MR than LVF in the flaccid heart.
Adult↗
Prognostic value of biventricular function in hypotensive patients after cardiac surgery as assessed by transesophageal echocardiography.
In patients after cardiac surgery, hypotension, defined as a mean arterial pressure less than 65 mmHg despite adequate filling pressures and positive inotropic medication, poses a problem. In addition, it is often difficult to determine whether these patients have suffered irreversible myocardial injury or if they are likely to recover. In this study, left and right ventricular function, as assessed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), was related to mortality both (1) quantitatively, using fractional area change (FAC), and (2) qualitatively, using a segmental wall motion analysis, which assigned a score to myocardial wall segments, in order to determine whether this technique can be used to predict survival. Mortality rate was very high in patients with biventricular and especially right ventricular failure (FAC less than 35%). Left and right ventricular wall motion abnormality indices were significantly better in survivors compared to nonsurvivors, but no distinct cut-off value could be determined. A wall motion index derived from only 6 segments at the mid-papillary muscle level was found to be as reliable as one based on 16 segments of the entire left ventricle. Thus, TEE provided information about the degree of left and right ventricular dysfunction by using a single cross-section at the papillary muscle level. It identified patients at high risk of death, ie, those with compromised right and biventricular function.
Adult↗
Transesophageal Echo-doppler evaluation of the hemodynamic effects of positive-pressure ventilation after coronary artery surgery.
Transesophageal echocardiography was used to extend knowledge about the impact of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) during mechanical ventilation on right and left ventricular function and right ventricular impedance. At 20 cmH2O PEEP, a progressive increase of right ventricular end-diastolic area was seen (27%) that coincided with a reduction of early left ventricular filling velocity (25%) across the mitral valve, and a decrease of both pulmonary artery flow velocity (end-expiration 27% and end-inspiration 42%) and time-velocity index (end-inspiration 25%). As these changes were not accompanied by a change of the fractional area of contraction, the increase of the right ventricular diameter might be explained by right ventricular compensation due to an imbalance between augmented right ventricular impedance and reduced venous return.
Adult↗
Improved monitoring of myocardial ischaemia during major vascular surgery using transoesophageal echocardiography.
As regional wall motion abnormality (RWA) is the first sign of ischaemia, transoesophageal echocardiography was evaluated as a monitoring device in 51 patients undergoing abdominal aortic surgery. Wall motion of the entire left ventricular wall (nine segments) was semiquantitatively evaluated 15 min before and after aortic cross-clamping and 3 h after declamping. In addition, limb lead II of the electrocardiogram was simultaneously recorded. At baseline, RWA was present in 16 patients (31%). New or worsened RWA 15 min after aortic cross-clamping was seen in 17 patients, of whom 11 had persistent RWA, i.e. it was still present 3 h after declamping. This was associated in seven patients with enzymatically documented myocardial infarction. Only one infarct patient demonstrated ST segment changes of more than 1 mm. Thus, a single electrocardiographic surface lead is insensitive for perioperative myocardial ischaemia detection. Furthermore, new and/or worsened RWA after aortic cross-clamping, which persists until 3 h after declamping, is, to a considerable degree, associated with perioperative infarction.
Aged↗
Transesophageal echocardiography in hypotensive patients after cardiac operations. Comparison with hemodynamic parameters.
Because it is sometimes difficult to determine the cause of hypotension in patients after cardiac operations, we assessed the value of transesophageal echocardiography in this respect, and we studied 60 consecutive patients who had hypotension despite positive inotropic medication and, in some patients, mechanical support. Echocardiographic diagnoses were compared with diagnoses based on hemodynamic parameters. Follow-up examinations were completed in all patients to confirm the final diagnoses. Echocardiographic signs of hypovolemia were present in 14 patients, tamponade in six, left ventricular failure in 16, right ventricular failure in 11, and biventricular failure in eight. Echocardiographic examination proved to be inconclusive in five patients. Comparison with hemodynamic parameters showed agreement on diagnoses (hypovolemia versus tamponade versus cardiac failure) in 30 patients (50%). Echocardiography correctly identified two patients with tamponade and six with hypovolemia; these conditions were not suspected by standard hemodynamic data; in five patients unnecessary reoperation was prevented, although hemodynamic values were suggestive of tamponade. Echocardiography also identified subcategories of patients at high risk of death (those with signs of right ventricular and biventricular failure). These findings suggest that transesophageal echocardiography performed on patients after cardiac operations, at the bedside in the intensive care unit, can readily elucidate the cause of hypotension in the large majority of patients and is a valuable adjunct to hemodynamic evaluation in patient management. Furthermore, it appears to be possible to identify subcategories of high-risk patients, based on these echocardiographic findings.
Aged↗
[No consequences of prolonged drainage following open heart surgery on the incidence of postoperative pericardial effusion].
Pericardial effusion (PE) frequently occurs after cardiac surgery and, in some cases, complicates the postoperative course. This study was performed in order to assess if prolongation of the postoperative drainage period may result in a decreased incidence of PE. For this purpose we studied 100 patients, randomised into two groups. In group I (50 patients) standard drainage of the thorax was performed. In group II (50 patients) the drainage period was prolonged by 24 hours. The amount of fluid drained during the additional period did not correlate with preceding fluid production. Echocardiography performed on the sixth postoperative day revealed a virtually equal incidence of PE in both groups: 26 patients in group I, 29 patients in group II. None of the observed effusions resulted in clinical signs of cardiac tamponade. PE occurred more frequently in patients with more than 60 ml of additional drainage volume (p less than 0.01). We conclude that: (1) prolonging the duration of postoperative drainage does not result in a lower incidence of postoperative PE and (2) the aetiological process causing PE in a number of patients is probably already active during the early postoperative course.
Adult↗
Severity of single-vessel coronary arterial stenosis and duration of angina as determinants of recruitable collateral vessels during balloon angioplasty occlusion.
To determine the factors that influence the presence of collateral vessels during coronary occlusion, we performed standardized contrast injection of the contralateral coronary artery in 58 consecutive patients, without previous myocardial infarction, undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for 1-vessel disease (left anterior descending artery in 45, right coronary artery: in 10 and left circumflex artery in 3). The presence of collateral vessels during coronary occlusion, defined as partial or complete epicardial opacification by collateral vessels of the vessel dilated, was related to clinical, angiographic and electrocardiographic parameters. The angiographic appearance of collateral vessels during balloon inflation showed a weak, although statistically significant, correlation to the percent diameter stenosis before angioplasty (r = 0.28; p = 0.03) and the duration of angina (r = 0.37; p = 0.004). By combining lesion severity with the duration of angina, collateral vessels during coronary occlusion were particularly related to a lesion severity greater than or equal to 70% and duration of angina greater than or equal to 3 months (p less than 0.001). Furthermore, the presence of collateral vessels was associated with an absence of ST-segment shift (greater than or equal to 1 mm) during 1 minute of coronary occlusion (p less than 0.001).
Angina Pectoris↗
Safety of transesophageal echocardiography. A multicenter survey of 10,419 examinations.
BACKGROUND: During the past few years, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been increasingly used in clinical cardiology; data concerning the practicability and safety of the technique, however, are rare. METHODS AND RESULTS: This report analyzes the experience of 15 European centers performing TEE studies for at least 1 year. At the time of this survey, 10,419 TEE examinations had been attempted or performed in these institutions. These TEE examinations were carried out by 54 physicians, 53.7% of whom had been trained in endoscopic techniques. Within the same time period, 160,431 precordial echocardiographic examinations were performed in the 15 institutions; the ratio between TEE and transthoracic studies averaged 9.03 +/- 6.4% (range of the 15 centers, 1.4-23.6%). Of the 10,419 patients, 9,240 (88.7%) were conscious inpatients or outpatients at the time of the TEE examination; the vast majority of the conscious patients did not receive intravenous sedation before TEE. In 201 cases (1.9%), insertion of the TEE probe was unsuccessfully attempted because of a lack of patient cooperation and/or operator experience (98.5%) or because of anatomical reasons (1.5%). In 90 of 10,218 TEE studies (0.88%) with successful probe insertion, the examination had to be interrupted because of the patient's intolerance of the echoscope (65 cases); because of pulmonary (eight cases), cardiac (eight cases), or bleeding complications (two cases); or for other reasons (seven cases). One of the bleeding complications resulted from a malignant lung tumor with esophageal infiltration and was fatal (mortality rate, 0.0098%). CONCLUSIONS: This multicenter survey documents that TEE studies are associated with an acceptable low risk when used by experienced operators under proper safety conditions.
Data Collection↗
Frequency of myocardial indium-111 antimyosin uptake after uncomplicated coronary artery bypass grafting.
The reported incidence of myocardial damage after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is highly related to the methods used. Since indium-111 monoclonal antimyosin antibody scintigraphy has been shown to be highly specific and sensitive for myocardial necrosis, even in small lesions, uptake of this radiotracer was evaluated after CABG. In 23 consecutive patients without previous myocardial infarction who underwent CABG for stable angina, 80 MBq indium-111 antimyosin was injected on the third postoperative day. Planar images were obtained 48 hours later and analyzed for myocardial uptake of indium-111 antimyosin. Scintigraphic results were related to creatine kinase MB levels, duration of both aortic cross-clamping and cardiopulmonary bypass, and electrocardiographic changes. In all patients surgical procedure and postoperative course was uncomplicated. Indium-111 antimyosin uptake was present in 19 of 23 patients (82%). It was diffused in 7 patients and localized in 12. No pathologic Q waves occurred postoperatively. Fourteen patients exhibited ST-segment changes. No good relation was found among indium-111 antimyosin uptake and creatine kinase MB levels, duration of cross-clamping or bypass, and ST-T changes. It is concluded that some degree of myocardial damage, though silent, is common after CABG.
Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
Usefulness of two-dimensional echocardiography for immediate detection of myocardial ischemia in the emergency room.
Inappropriate discharge from the emergency room of patients with acute chest pain may have serious consequences. Regional asynergy is one of the first signs of myocardial ischemia and can be detected with 2-dimensional echocardiography (2-DE). This study determines the value of 2-DE in the emergency room for immediate detection of myocardial ischemia causing acute chest pain at the time the electrocardiogram was nondiagnostic. Forty-three patients (32 men and 11 women) with a normal or nondiagnostic electrocardiogram during acute chest pain were studied with 2-DE. Only patients without a previous myocardial infarction and without known coronary artery disease (CAD) were studied. The entire left ventricular wall was examined for presence of regional asynergy. Coronary angiography was performed within 3 weeks. Cardiac enzyme levels were measured serially to establish or rule out an acute myocardial infarction. Sensitivity of 2-DE for detection of myocardial ischemia was 88% (22 of 25), specificity 78% (14 of 18), negative predictive accuracy 82% (14 of 17) and positive predictive accuracy 85% (22 of 26). Sensitivity of 2-DE for detection of acute myocardial infarction was 92% (12 of 13), specificity 53% (16 of 30) and negative predictive accuracy 94% (16 of 17). Thus, 2-DE during pain and a nondiagnostic electrocardiogram can readily identify patients with CAD in the emergency room, and it can accurately rule out an acute myocardial infarction.
Chest Pain↗
[Balloon valvuloplasty of the aortic valve: short-term and medium-term results in 50 patients].
Fifty patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis underwent a balloon valvuloplasty of the aortic valve with acceptable initial haemodynamic results. Follow-up at one month showed clinical improvement in 66% of the patients. Long-term follow-up (clinical, Doppler echocardiography and repeat cardiac catheterization) was disappointing. The intervention-free rates at one and two years were 44% and 26%, respectively. Aortic balloon valvuloplasty should be limited to patients with a severe aortic stenosis and short life expectancy because of non-cardiac disease and to patients with severely depressed left ventricular function as a bridge to valve replacement.
Adult↗
Early Indium-111 antimyosin scintigraphy for assessment of regional wall motion asynergy on discharge after myocardial infarction.
To assess the relation between early Indium-111 monoclonal antimyosin antibody scintigraphy and degree of regional asynergy on discharge, 38 patients with a first acute myocardial infarct were studied (18 anterior, 20 inferoposterior infarctions). In 21 patients thrombolytic therapy was administered. On the first day of myocardial infarction, 80 MBq Indium-111 Antimyosin was injected. Planar images, anterior, lateral and left anterior oblique, were made 24 hours later. Localized myocardial uptake was present in 37/38 patients, and was evaluated for Count Density Index (count density of infarct zone/left lung count density) in the left anterior oblique images, which displayed the infarct zone well. Regional asynergy on discharge was evaluated by cross-sectional echocardiography and defined mild (hypokinesia) or severe (akinesia or dyskinesia). Count density index was significantly lower in 15 patients with mild asynergy, compared with 22 patients with severe asynergy (1.61 +/- 0.25 vs. 2.42 +/- 0.40, p less than 0.001). This difference was present in both patient groups treated with or without thrombolysis. We conclude that early count density index, reflecting the amount of local necrosis, is highly correlated to the ultimate degree of wall motion impairment.
Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
Prediction of apical thrombus formation in acute myocardial infarction based on left ventricular spatial flow pattern.
The predictive value of the left ventricular spatial flow pattern for thrombus formation was determined in 62 patients with acute myocardial infarction. A normal flow pattern by pulsed Doppler echocardiography was characterized by 1) simultaneous onset of blood motion at the mitral valve and apical level, and 2) a discontinuous Doppler signal along the lateral wall and interventricular septum. The flow pattern was assessed by these criteria, within 24 h after the onset of complaints and after 6 and 12 weeks. In 46 of the 62 patients, a normal flow pattern was found at the first examination; none of these 46 patients developed a thrombus during the study period. An abnormal flow pattern was seen at the first examination in 16 patients; this pattern normalized during follow-up in 6 patients, none of whom developed a thrombus. In the other 10 patients the abnormal flow pattern persisted, and 7 of these developed a thrombus. These findings suggest that a normal left ventricular flow pattern in the setting of acute myocardial infarction is not associated with subsequent thrombus formation. This observation may be of importance if anticoagulation is considered.
Aged↗
Intraoperative transesophageal color-coded Doppler echocardiography for evaluation of residual regurgitation after mitral valve repair.
Because mitral valve competence after mitral valve reconstruction is awkward to assess during this procedure, we evaluated in this respect transesophageal color-coded Doppler echocardiography in 23 patients undergoing mitral valve reconstruction for severe mitral regurgitation. Transesophageal echocardiographic examinations were performed after induction of anesthesia but before sternotomy (baseline), after mitral valve repair before decannulation, and at sternal closure, all at similar mean aortic pressure and echocardiographic instrument settings. The degree of mitral regurgitation by transesophageal color Doppler flow mapping was visually quantified on a 5-point scale (0 to 4), pending the left atrial extent of the regurgitant jet. This was compared with the degree of mitral regurgitation by left ventricular cineangiography performed within several weeks after operation and also visually quantified on a 5-point scale (0 to 4), with use of the right anterior oblique projection. There was good correlation between the two methods (r = 0.83; p less than 0.001). We conclude that residual mitral regurgitation, as assessed by transesophageal color flow mapping in the operating room, highly correlates with the ultimate mitral regurgitation by cineangiography. Therefore transesophageal echocardiography can be helpful for evaluation of mitral valve competence during mitral valve reconstruction, and hence, in case of repair failure, allow valve replacement in the same surgical session, thus avoiding reoperation.
Adolescent↗
Antihypertensive and anti-ischemic effects of nicardipine and nitroprusside in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.
The efficacy of nicardipine vs nitroprusside in controlling hypertension after sternotomy was compared in 120 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and anesthetized with fentanyl (100 micrograms/kg). All had good left ventricular function and had been receiving long term oral beta-blocking therapy. Patients were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups: group C, the control (n = 40), received no vasodilator; group N (n = 40) received intravenous nicardipine at an initial rate of 3 micrograms/kg/min; and group S (n = 40) received intravenous nitroprusside at an initial rate of 1 microgram/kg/min. Vasodilator infusion was begun before surgery and infusion rates were adjusted to maintain systolic blood pressure between 80 and 120% of postintubation (baseline) values. Additional measurements were obtained before incision and after sternotomy. In groups N and S, arterial blood pressure was effectively controlled in all patients. Before the incision, pulmonary artery pressure decreased in group S and systemic vascular resistance decreased in groups N and S. After sternotomy, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, cardiac index and rate-pressure product increased in group C. At this time, pulmonary artery pressure returned to baseline values in group S. In groups N and S, heart rate, cardiac index and rate-pressure product increased, but, compared with baseline values, systemic vascular resistance remained low after sternotomy. Ischemic changes were seen in the electrocardiogram in 11 patients (28%) in group C, 10 patients (25%) in group S and 4 patients (10%) in group N. The concentration of creatine phosphokinase MB was not significantly different in the first 24 postoperative hours in any group.
Aged↗