Magnetic resonance imaging after percutaneous closure of a patent foramen ovale.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Giesler.
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The converging flow field proximal to a leaking valve is determined among other things by the orifice inlet angle formed by the leaflets. Thus, the inlet angle affects the determination of regurgitant flow rate by the flow convergence method. Based on the hypothesis of spheric isovelocity surfaces, others had postulated that a local velocity within the flow convergence should change inversely proportional to changes in the three-dimensional inlet angle. This concept would allow correction of the determination of regurgitant flow for nonplanar orifice inlet angles. We tested this concept in vitro. In a flow model, the flow convergence region proximal to different orifice plates was imaged by color Doppler: funnel-shaped, planar and tip-shaped (inverted funnels) orifice plates, with circular orifices of 2- and 7-mm diameter. Velocity profiles across the flow convergence along the flow centerline were read from the color maps. As predicted, the local velocities were inversely related to the inlet angle, but only at the 2-mm funnel orifices, this effect was inversely proportional to the three-dimensional inlet angle (i.e., in agreement with the mentioned concept). However, for any 7-mm orifice and/or inlet angle of > 180 degrees, the effect of the inlet angle was considerably less than predicted by the aforementioned concept. With increasing orifice diameter and with decreasing distance to the orifice, the effect of the orifice inlet angle was reduced. The effect of the orifice inlet angle on the flow convergence region is modulated by orifice size and the distance to the orifice. Therefore, correction of flow estimates in proportion to the three-dimensional inlet angle will lead to considerable errors in most situations of clinical relevance, namely to massive overcorrection when analyzing velocities located close to wide orifices.
AIMS: The flow convergence method enables the determination of flow across restrictive orifices. It was validated for planar orifice plates and atrioventricular valves. However, its quantitative application to aortic regurgitation is complicated due to the complex valve anatomy which distorts the converging flow field. An open angle formed by the leaflets causes relatively lower velocities in the region near the orifice, resulting in underestimation of flow. Confinement of the flow convergence region by the ascending aorta relatively increases the velocities at greater distance to the orifice and can cause overestimation of flow. We hypothesized that there is a region at intermediate distance to the orifice, where both these effects on the flow field are minimal, so that the local velocity there is only a function of flow. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a flow model, aortic regurgitation was simulated. The flow convergence was imaged by color Doppler. Different scanning directions were used (analogue to apical and parasternal approach). Velocity profiles across the flow convergence were read along the line from the scanhead to the orifice. At a distance of 7 mm to the orifice, a uniform value was found for the ratio of local velocity v(7 mm)/flow (=0.28 cm(-2)). Variations in size (3.5 to 7 mm), site (central versus lateral) and leaflet angle (planar versus inverted funnel) of the orifice and in the scanning approach had only a minimal effect on this value. CONCLUSION: The aortic regurgitant flow convergence is characterized by a relatively uniform V (7 mm)/Q. Independent of variations in the anatomy and the scanning approach, this value directly reflects flow.
AIMS: An in vitro study of the flow convergence region in aortic regurgitation has shown that regurgitant flow rate can be derived from the local velocity V(7 mm) at 7 mm distance above the leak orifice. This clinical study was performed to test this method in patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 67 patients with aortic regurgitation, the flow convergence region was imaged by color Doppler. By analogy with the afore mentioned in vitro study, velocity profiles of the acceleration across the flow convergence region were read from the color maps. The profiles were fitted by using a multiplicative regression model. The V(7 mm) was read from the regression curve, and instantaneous regurgitant flow Q was derived from the V(7 mm) with the equation developed in vitro (Q = V(7 mm).cm2/0.28). Q showed a close association with the angiographic grade. Q-derived regurgitant stroke volume correlated significantly with invasive measurements by the angio-Fick method (r = 0.897, SEE = 19.9 ml, y = 0.88x + 5.9 ml). CONCLUSIONS: Within the color Doppler flow convergence region of aortic regurgitation, the local velocity at 7 mm distance to the leak reflects regurgitant flow rate.
BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity plays a role in preventive medicine. Our study aimed at establishing the duration of different levels of exercise intensity during a round of golf. METHODS PARTICIPANTS: we studied 21 male and 9 female golfers (mean age 53 +/- 11 and 54 +/- 13 years respectively) volunteering for a round of golf on a hilly course. MEASURES: we recorded mean heart rate (HR) of every 15 seconds. Blood pressure was taken on each tee. Maximum HR (HRmax) reserve of each subject was calculated from the difference between pre-exercise and maximum HR attained during a test to volitional exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. A percentage of this value was added to the resting HR and was expressed as a percentage of HRmax reserve. RESULTS: Before start mean HR (+/- SD) was 86 +/- 11 beats per minute (BPM), during play 113 +/- 18, and during rest after play 100 +/- 24 BPM. Mean maximal HR of holes were 135 +/- 21 BPM. Mean systolic blood pressure was 145 +/- 30 before play, 137 +/- 31 on tees during play and 119 +/- 15 mmHg after play. A mean of 82 +/- 51 minutes was spent at 50-74% of HRmax reserve. 21 +/- 27 and 23 +/- 38 minutes were spent in the two higher intensity classes. An average of 106 +/- 77 minutes were spent at or above the individual heart rate equivalent of 100 W, the mean heart rate for this time was 128 +/- 17 BPM. Creatine kinase (+47%; p < 0.001), uric acid (+9%; p < 0.001) and HDL-cholesterol (+6%; p < 0.05) increased, triglycerides decreased by 18% (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The HR level during the golfround not using an electric cart relative to the maximum attained on the ergometer reaches the exercise intensity of 50 to > 85% HRmax reserve for a mean of over 2 hours, much longer than the 20-60 min recommended for endurance training.
In patients with mitral (n=77: organic=49, functional=28) and tricuspid regurgitation (n=55: functional=54) quantified by angiography, the temporal variation of the proximal flow convergence region throughout systole was assessed by colour Doppler M-Mode, and peak and mean radius of the proximal isovelocity surface area for 28 cm/s blood flow velocity were measured. Additionally, the peak radius derived from two-dimensional colour Doppler was obtained. About 50% of the patients with mitral and tricuspid regurgitation showed a typical temporal variation of the flow convergence region related to the mechanism of regurgitation. The different proximal isovelocity surface area radii were similarly correlated to the angiographic grade in mitral and tricuspid regurgitation (rank correlation coefficients 0.55-0.89) and they differentiated mild to moderate (grade < or =II) from severe (grade > or =III) mitral and tricuspid regurgitation with comparable accuracy (82-96%). However, moderate mitral regurgitation due to leaflet prolapse in two patients was correctly classified by the mean M-mode radius and overestimated by both peak radii. Only half of the patients showed a typical variation of the flow convergence region related to the mechanism of regurgitation. The different proximal isovelocity surface area radii were suitable to quantify mitral and tricuspid regurgitation in most patients. However, in mitral regurgitation due to leaflet prolapse the use of the mean M-mode radius may avoid overestimation.
AIMS: To compare the value of the proximal flow convergence method and the jet area method for the determination of the severity of tricuspid regurgitation. METHODS AND RESULTS: The proximal isovelocity surface area radius and the jet area/length were measured in 71 consecutive patients with angiographically graded (grade 0/I-III) tricuspid regurgitation. Rank correlation coefficients with the angiographic grade were 0.71 (P < 0.001) for the proximal isovelocity surface area radius (aliasing border of 28 cm.s-1), 0.66 (P < 0.001) for the jet area, and 0.63 (P < 0.001) for the jet length. The proximal isovelocity surface area radius was significantly correlated with the jet area/length (correlation coefficients 0.82/0.77, P < 0.001). Correct differentiation between mild to moderate (grade I-II) and severe (grade III) tricuspid regurgitation was achieved in 62 of 71 patients (87%) by means of the proximal isovelocity surface area radius, in 61 of 71 (86%) by the jet area, and in 62 of 71 (87%) by the jet length. Grade III tricuspid regurgitation was not identified in five of 21 patients (24%) by means of the proximal isovelocity surface area radius, in six of 21 (29%) by the jet area, and in seven of 21 (33%) by the jet length. CONCLUSION: The flow convergence method and the jet area method are of similar value for the determination of the severity of tricuspid regurgitation. Both methods differentiated mild to moderate from severe tricuspid regurgitation in most patients. However, underestimation of severe tricuspid regurgitation in 20-30% of the cases represents a serious limitation of both methods.
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Assessment of regurgitant flow by the flow convergence method is based on reading absolute velocities from color Doppler maps. Velocity overestimation by high pass filtering above 100 Hz has been reported. An extremely low filter, however, is impracticable in patients. A ratio of pulse repetition frequency (PRF)/filter of 10/1 usually results in good quality color maps as judged visually. We studied in vitro the influence of RPF and filter on the absolute velocities within color maps of the flow convergence, keeping PRF/filter at 10/1. The color maps were also compared with computerized flow simulations. Flow across different orifice plates was scanned using two different setups for each flow condition: low velocity setup (PRF 600-2500 Hz, filter 50-300 Hz) and high (PRF 1500-6000 Hz, filter 200-600 Hz). From the color maps, velocity profile curves were read along the flow center line across the flow convergence. The high velocity setup provided artefact-free color maps at a distance d = 2-4 through 8-11 mm to the orifice, the low setup at d = 6-8 through 18 mm. Within the overlapping range (d = 6-8 through 8-11 mm), the resulting curves showed no significant differences in local velocity, with a slight trend towards higher velocities with the high velocity setup (2.2-2.9%). The simulations agreed well with color Doppler except for slightly lower values at d > 10-12 mm. Changes in PRF and filter have no significant influence on the absolute velocities displayed within color maps as long as PRF/filter is kept close to 10/1.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop a rational and objective method for selecting a region in the proximal flow field where the hemispheric formula for calculating regurgitant flow rates by the flow convergence technique is most accurate. BACKGROUND: A major obstacle to clinical implementation of the proximal flow convergence method is that it assumes hemispheric isovelocity contours throughout the Doppler color flow map, whereas contour shape depends critically on location in the flow field. METHODS: Twenty mitral regurgitant flow rate stages were produced in six dogs by implanting grommet orifices into the anterior mitral leaflet and varying driving pressures so that actual peak flow rate could be determined from the known effective regurgitant orifice times the orifice velocity. Because plotting flow rate calculated by using a hemispheric formula versus alias velocities produces underestimation near the orifice and overestimation far from it, this plot was fitted to a polynomial function to allow identification of an inflection point within a relatively flat intermediate zone, where factors causing overestimation and underestimation are expected to be unimportant or balanced. The accuracy of flow rate calculation by the inflection point was compared with unselective and selective averaging techniques. Clinical relevance, initial feasibility and correlation with an independent measure were tested in 13 consecutive patients with mitral regurgitation who underwent cardiac catheterization. RESULTS: 1) The accuracy of single-point calculations was improved by selecting points in the flat portion of the curve (y = 1.15x - 3.34, r = 0.87, SEE = 22.1 ml/s vs. y = 1.34x - 1.99, r = 0.71, SEE = 45.6 ml/s, p < 0.01). 2) Selective averaging of points in the flat portion of the curve further improved accuracy and decreased scatter compared with unselective averaging (y = 1.08x + 4.8, r = 0.96, SEE = 11.6 ml/s vs. y = 1.30x + 0.6, r = 0.90, SEE = 20.9 ml/s, p < 0.01). 3) The proposed algorithm for mathematically identifying the inflection point provided the best results (y = 0.96x + 4.5, r = 0.96, SEE = 9.9 ml/s), with a mean error of 1.6 +/- 9.7 ml/s vs. 11.4 +/- 11.7 ml/s for selective averaging (p < 0.01). In patients, the proposed algorithm identified an inflection point at which calculated regurgitant volume agreed best with invasive measurements (y = 1.1x - 0.61, r = 0.93, SEE = 17 ml). CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of the proximal flow convergence method can be significantly improved by analyzing the flow field mathematically to identify the optimal isovelocity zone before using the hemispheric formula to calculate regurgitant flow rates. Because the proposed algorithm is objective, operator independent and, thus, suitable for automatization, it could provide the clinician with a powerful quantitative tool to assess valvular regurgitation.
In 84 patients mitral regurgitation was quantified by angiography. The mechanism of regurgitation was determined by echocardiography (organic, n = 54, functional, n = 30). The radii of the proximal isovelocity surface areas in the flow convergence region for 28 and 41 cm.s-1 blood flow velocity and the area and length of the regurgitant jet were measured using colour flow Doppler imaging. The radii of the proximal isovelocity surface areas correlated more closely with the angiographic grade than the jet parameters irrespective of the mechanism of regurgitation. In more than 90% of the patients, grades I-II mitral regurgitation were correctly differentiated from grades III-IV by means of the radii of the proximal isovelocity surface areas. Using the jet parameters, the differentiation was correct in 50-90% of the patients depending on the mechanism of regurgitation. The jet area method particularly failed to identify grades III-IV organic mitral regurgitation due to a high prevalence of eccentric jets in these patients. It is concluded that the proximal flow convergence method was suitable for the quantification of mitral regurgitation irrespective of the mechanism of mitral regurgitation. On the other hand, the value of the jet area method depended largely on the regurgitation mechanism.
The flow convergence method serves to determine flow across orifices (like valve leaks) by color Doppler. Both the PISA method (proximal isovelocity surface areas) and the PVP method (proximal velocity profile) were developed in vitro at circular orifice plates. Therefore, we studied the influence of a non-circular orifice shape on the color map of the flow convergence. Steady flow across orifices of the following shapes was imaged by color Doppler: Oval (6 x 2 mm), slit (12 x 1.5 mm), three-star (diameter 100, area 30 mm2), circular twin-orifice (two circular orifices diameter 2 mm at 10 mm distance from each other) and oval twin-orifice (two ovals 6 x 2 mm at 10 mm distance). As reference we imaged circular orifices with a similar opening area. The alias method was used to locate discrete velocities within the color map, and the proximal velocity profile along the flow center line was analyzed (mean of 24 subsequent images). The local velocity was plotted (y-axis) against its distance to the orifice (x-axis) providing proximal velocity profile curves. The more the orifice shape differed from circular, the more the proximal velocity profile was shifted downward: The profile proximal to the oval was not different from the reference profile proximal to the circular orifice. The profile proximal to the slit was considerably slowed, and proximal to the three-star was even slightly slower (local velocity -12 %, -23 % and -29 % at 14, 8 and 5 mm distance to the orifice). If the circular reference orifice corresponded to total flow across the twin-orifice, the proximal velocity profile of the latter was also shifted markedly downward (-20 %, -18 % and -23 % at 14, 8 and 5 mm distance to the circular twin-orifice). However, if the reference profile corresponded to flow across only one opening of the twin-orifice, the proximal velocity profile of the latter was shifted considerably upwards (+60 %, +71 % and +50 % at 14, 8, and 5 mm distance). Deviation of the orifice shape from circular leads to lower local velocities within the flow convergence; thus neglecting this orifice shape would result in underestimation of flow by the flow convergence method. However, presence of parallel neighboring flow increases the local velocities; neglecting this effect would lead to corresponding overestimation of flow.
A total of 92 patients with mitral regurgitation (age 63 +/- 13 years, 51 men, 41 women), quantified by angiography, were studied using color-flow Doppler imaging of isovelocity surface areas in the flow convergence region proximal to the regurgitant orifice (PISAs) and of the regurgitant jet in the left atrium. The PISA radii for the flow velocities (aliasing borders) of 28 and 41 cm/s, jet area, jet length, and relation of jet area to left atrial area were measured. A proximal flow convergence region was imaged in 98% (85%) of all patients for a flow velocity of 28 (41) cm/s. A regurgitant jet could be visualized in all patients. The PISA radii for both flow velocities correlated more closely with the angiographic grade (rSp = 0.79 for both flow velocities) than the jet area (rSp = 0.43), jet length (rSp = 0.39), and relation of jet area to left atrial area (rSp = 0.37). A correct differentiation of grade I-II from grade III-IV mitral regurgitation was provided in 95% of the patients by the proximal flow convergence method for both flow velocities and in up to 78% of the patients by the jet area method using the uncorrected jet area. The PISA radii correlated weakly with the parameters from the regurgitant jet (r = 0.5-0.58). It can be concluded that the proximal flow convergence method and the jet area method reach comparable sensitivity for the detection of mitral regurgitation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A total of 79 patients with mitral regurgitation (age 62 +/- 11 years, 45 men, 34 women) quantified by angiography was studied using color-Doppler imaging of isovelocity surface areas in the flow convergence region proximal to the regurgitant orifice (PISAs), of the jet cross-section at the level of the regurgitant orifice and of the regurgitant jet in the left atrium. The PISA-radii for the flow velocities (aliasing borders) of 28 and 41 cm/s, the cross-sectional jet area and the jet length, and relation of jet area to left atrial area were measured. The sensitivity for the detection of mitral regurgitation was at least 97% for the color-Doppler methods investigated in these patients in which a sufficient imaging was obtained. However, a sufficient imaging of the flow convergence region and the jet cross-section was not possible in about 5% of all patients. The PISA-radii for both flow velocities and the cross-sectional jet area correlated more closely with the angiographic grade (rSp = 0.79-0.80, p < 0.001) than the jet area (rSp = 0.39, p < 0.001), jet length (rSp = 0.37, p < 0.001), and relation of jet area to left atrial area (rSp = 0.31, p < 0.01) did. A correct differentiation of grades I to II from grades III to IV mitral regurgitation was provided in 93-95% of patients by the proximal flow convergence and by the cross-sectional jet area method and, at most, in 76% of the patients by the jet area method using the uncorrected jet area.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
BACKGROUND: Although nitrates were introduced more than 100 years ago and have been used for the treatment of angina pectoris, there are still some open questions concerning the mechanism of their action on myocardial ischemia. There are also insufficient data regarding the influence of any anti-ischemic medication on the results of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. METHODS: To assess the influence of a mononitrate, 30 patients with stable angina pectoris, coronary stenosis > or = 70% and normal left ventricular function were examined using quantitative Tc-99m-MIBI exercise-single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). On the same day, 5 h after a randomized double-blind dose of 60 mg sustained-release isosorbide-5-nitrate or placebo, SPECT was repeated with identical stress protocol. The results were analyzed using a semi-automatic polar coordinate program that allows definition of areas with significant decreased blood flow expressed as a percentage of standard vessel area. RESULTS: In the vessel areas with the largest perfusion defects, the mean defect size decreased after isosorbide-5-nitrate from 38.2 +/- 31.0% to 29.1 +/- 33.8% (reduction by 24%; P < 0.05) and increased from 35.2 +/- 27.6% to 36.6 +/- 27.4% after placebo (increase by 4%; P = NS). The difference between defect size changes was also significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acute administration of sustained-release isosorbide-5-nitrate significantly reduces the size of exercise-induced perfusion defects as assessed using quantitative Tc-99m-MIBI-SPECT.
OBJECTIVE: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is an important cause of symptomatic heart failure. Previous studies suggest that thyroid dysfunction affects left ventricular diastolic function but the underlying mechanisms remain controversial. The study was undertaken to asses the influence of acute hypothyroidism on left ventricular diastolic function and to elucidate possible underlying mechanisms by means of Doppler echocardiography in a group of athyreotic patients, whose thyroid state depended only on external thyroid hormone supply and could therefore easily be controlled. PATIENTS: Eleven patients (5 men, 6 women, aged 20-55 years), who had had total thyroidectomy, were investigated during mild hyperthyroidism and during acute hypothyroidism. Additionally, 11 healthy control subjects aged 25-51 years were included in the study. DESIGN: M-mode echocardiography of the left ventricle and pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography of the transmitral flow velocity pattern were carried out. RESULTS: Acute hypothyroidism produced a decrease of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter from 48 +/- 5 to 46 +/- 5 mm (mean +/- SD P < 0.05), of peak velocity of early diastolic filling from 0.52 +/- 0.10 to 0.42 +/- 0.05 m/s (P < 0.05), of peak velocity of late diastolic filling from 0.42 +/- 0.10 to 0.36 +/- 0.09 m/s (P < 0.05), and a decreased time-velocity integral of early diastolic filling (6.2 +/- 1.8 vs 5.1 +/- 0.7 cm, P < 0.05). The other M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic parameters did not differ between the hyperthyroid and the hypothyroid states. CONCLUSIONS: The observed changes of the trans-mitral flow velocity pattern during acute hypothyroidism can be attributed to a reduction of pre-load. There is no direct evidence that acute hypothyroidism affects the intrinsic diastolic properties of the left ventricle.
In this study 97 patients with mitral regurgitation (age 62 +/- 11 years, 55 men, 42 women) quantified by angiography were studied using colour flow Doppler imaging of isovelocity surface areas in the flow convergence region proximal to the regurgitant orifice. The radii of the proximal isovelocity surface areas for the flow velocities of 28 and 41 cm/s were measured. A flow convergence region was imaged in 100% (96%) of the patients with Grade I/II or more and in 92% (64%) of the patients with Grade I mitral regurgitation for a flow velocity of 28 (41) cm/s. The radii of the proximal isovelocity surface areas correlated significantly with the angiographic grade in patients with sinus rhythm as well as atrial fibrillation. A correct differentiation of Grade I to II from Grade III to IV mitral regurgitation was provided in more than 90% of all patients for both flow velocities investigated. Assuming hemispheric proximal isovelocity surface areas, in 11 patients the regurgitant volumes from echocardiography (range: 2.6-241 (0.9-198) ml for a flow velocity = 28 (41) cm/s) correlated with, but considerably overestimated the values from cardiac catheterization (range: 1.4-72.5 ml) with r = 0.79 (0.82) (P < 0.01) and SEE = 57.9 (42.4) ml for a flow velocity of 28 (41) cm/s. It was concluded that colour flow Doppler imaging of the flow convergence region enables the diagnosis of mitral regurgitation and the differentiation between Grade I to II and Grade III to IV mitral regurgitation, but may be of little value in estimating the regurgitant volume, assuming a hemispheric symmetry of the proximal flow convergence region.
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