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Biomedical subjects

Nilda Espinola-Zavaleta

Publications and source records attributed to Nilda Espinola-Zavaleta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Aortic obstruction: anatomy and echocardiography.

Echocardiography is a valuable non-invasive technique for identifying the site and type of aortic obstruction. Knowledge of the morphological details of each type of obstruction is the basis for correct interpretation of the diagnostic images and clinical decisions. This study was undertaken to correlate the echocardiographic images with anatomic specimens of equivalent valvular and supravalvular aortic obstruction. Specimens were part of the collection of the Department of Embryology. Fifty six patients were studied, and forty specimens with aortic obstruction were analyzed. Echocardiographic characteristics: Thirty one (55.3%) patients were women and twenty five (44.7%) men. Valvular aortic obstruction was found in Thirty six patients (64.3 %) and supravalvular aortic obstruction in twenty (35.7%). Anatomic characteristics: Of the forty specimens examined, twenty one (52.5%) had valvular aortic obstruction and nineteen (47.5%) supravalvular aortic obstruction. The anatomoechocardiographic correlation clearly showed that the anatomic findings of the specimen hearts and aortas corresponded to echocardiographic images of valvular and supravalvular aortic obstruction and provided solid corroboration of echocardiographic diagnoses.

Adolescent↗

Non-compacted cardiomyopathy: clinical-echocardiographic study.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical and echocardiographic findings of ventricular noncompaction in adult patients. Fifty-three patients underwent complete clinical history, electrocardiogram, Holter and transthoracic echocardiogram. Forty patients (75%) were in class I/II of the New York Heart Association, and 13 (25%) in class III/IV. Ventricular and supraventricular escape beats were found in 40% and 26.4%, respectively. Holter showed premature ventricular contractions in 32% and sustained ventricular tachycardia in 7.5%. Ventricular noncompaction was an isolated finding in 74% of cases and was associated with other congenital heart disease in 26%. Noncompacted ventricular myocardium involved only left ventricle in 62% of the patients and both ventricles in 38%. The mean ratio of noncompacted to compacted myocardial layers at the site of maximal wall thickness was 3.4 +/- 0.87 mm (range 2.2-7.5). The presence of ventricular noncompaction in more than three segments was associated with a functional class greater than II and ventricular arrhythmia with demonstrable statistical significance by chi2(p < 0.003). CONCLUSION: a) Noncompacted cardiomyopathy is a congenital pathological entity that can occur in isolated form or associated with other heart disease and often involves both ventricles. b) A ratio of noncompacted to compacted myocardium greater than 3 and involvement of three or more segments are indicators of poor prognosis. c) Since the clinical manifestations are not sufficient to establish diagnosis, echocardiography is the diagnostic tool that makes it possible to document ventricular noncompaction and establish prognostic factors.

Adolescent↗

Atrial septal defect: anatomoechocardiographic correlation.

This study was undertaken to enhance understanding of the anatomic abnormalities involved in atrial septal defect (ASD) based on the anatomoechocardiographic comparison of equivalent specimens of ASD and the echocardiograms of patients with this anomaly. Of the 72 heart specimens, two had common atrioventricular canal (2.8%) and one had absence of right atrioventricular connection (1.4%). In all, 46 (63.8%) had fossa ovalis type ASD, two (2.8%) had true ostium secundum type ASD, two (2.8%) had ostium primum type ASD, two (2.8%) had superior sinus venosus type ASD, and two (2.8%) had inferior sinus venosus type ASD. One (1.4%) specimen had a coronary venous sinus type ASD and 14 (19.4%) had mixed type ASD. Of the 144 patients evaluated with echocardiography 15 (10.4%) had common atrioventricular canal, one (0.7%) had right absence of atrioventricular connection, 105 (72.9%) had ostium secundum type ASD (fossa ovalis), 10 (7%) had mixed type ASD, 9 (6.2%) had superior venous sinus type ASD, two (1.4%) had ostium primum type ASD, and two (1.4%) had true fossa ovalis type ASD. This series leads us to conclude that the key to successful management of ASD depends on understanding echocardiographic images in terms of anatomic specimens to provide appropriate evaluations for therapeutic decisions and establishment of prognoses.

Adult↗

Echocardiographic follow-up of patients with Takayasu's arteritis: five-year survival.

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a primary vasculitis that causes stenosis or occlusion, rarely aneurysm and distal ischemia. This study was undertaken to examine cardiovascular damage using echocardiography and determine the causes of morbid-mortality in Mexican Mestizo patients with TA. Seventy-six patients were studied by transthoracic echocardiography. Left ventricular diameters, parietal thickness, systolic function, and wall motion were analyzed, also, valvular lesions and aorta features were assessed. Thickness of the interventricular septum was 12 mm +/- 3 (8-19), and that of posterior wall was 12 mm +/- 2 (9-18). The average left ventricular diastolic diameter was 47 mm +/- 7 (33-68) and the left ventricular systolic diameter 32 mm +/- 8 (16-64). The left ventricular ejection fraction was of 57 +/- 11%. Left ventricular concentric hypertrophy was found in 28 (50%) of the 56 hypertensive patients. The five-year survival of patients with left ventricular concentric hypertrophy was 80%, compared to 95% in patients without hypertrophy (P = 0.00). Abnormal wall motion was found in 15 patients. Thirty-one patients had aortic regurgitation, 19 had mitral regurgitation, 13 had tricuspid regurgitation, and 10 and pulmonary hypertension. Six patients had aneurysms of ascending aorta and 7 stenosis of descending aorta. Thirteen of 76 patients died (17%), 85% were hypertensive, and 9% also had acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Echocardiography, a noninvasive technique, shows a great utility in detection and follow-up of cardiovascular manifestations in patients with TA. New techniques, more sensitive toward detecting the early stages of left ventricular dysfunction, are promising to limit left ventricular hypertrophy development.

Adolescent↗

[Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of scimitar syndrome].

Seven patients with scimitar syndrome underwent retrospective clinical and echocardiographic examination. The findings were: respiratory infection with dyspnea on moderate exercise in 90%, scimitar sign in four (57%), dextrocardia in five (71%), and interatrial septal defect in five (71%), one of whom had patent ductus arteriosus. Overall, two patients had patent ductus arteriosus: one also had aortic coarctation and the other, a bicuspid aortic valve. Dilation of the right cavities was found in five (71%) and blunt edge in five (71%). In two patients, anomalous drainage was into the right atrium; in another two, into the inferior vena cava; and in three, towards the junction of the right atrium and the inferior vena cava. In three patients, drainage was obstructed. Six patients with cardiac abnormalities proceeded to surgery. Scimitar syndrome is a rare entity. In the large majority of patients (86%), diagnosis and follow-up can be performed echocardiographically.

Aortic Coarctation↗

Anatomoechocardiographic correlation double inlet left ventricle.

Double inlet left ventricle (LV) is a type of atrioventricular connection in which the morphologically LV receives more than 50% of the atrioventricular valves when they are separate, or more than 75% of a common atrioventricular valve. The aim of this study was to establish an anatomoechocardiographic correlation between the morphologic features of equivalent anatomic specimens and the echocardiographic images of patients to provide a means of interpreting the image correctly and a more precise diagnosis of the cardiac defect. Echocardiography was used to study 18 patients with LV double inlet who were seen in a congenital heart disease clinic. The morphology of 17 hearts with this malformation from the department of embryology was analyzed to compare the anatomic features with their echocardiographic images. Echocardiography proved to be a noninvasive diagnostic tool that allowed characterization of anatomic and functional aspects of double inlet LV.

Adolescent↗

Coronary reserve in Takayasu's arteritis: transesophageal echocardiographic analysis.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of coronary arteries lesion in Takayasu's arteritis varies from 9% to 10% and is usually discovered at autopsy. Recent studies have demonstrated the value of echocardiography in noninvasive detection of significant coronary stenosis. AIM: The aim of our study was to evaluate coronary reserve in 15 patients with Takayasu's arteritis using contrast transesophageal echocardiography (Optison). METHODS: Transesophageal echocardiogram under basal conditions and in the hyperemic phase with dipyridamole challenge, myocardial perfusion studies and coronary angiography were performed on all patients. Seventy-three percent of them had histories of systemic hypertension, and the most frequent cardiovascular symptoms were shortness of breath (80%), headache (46%), angina (40%), and dizziness (33%). RESULTS: The transthoracic echocardiogram showed left ventricular systolic dysfunction in 6% and diastolic dysfunction in 53%. Aortic regurgitation was found in 67% of the patients, and 60% had mitral and/or tricuspid regurgitation. Coronary reserve was diminished in 3 patients with significant coronary lesions and in 2 patients with coronary dilation (33%). In the 3 patients with obstructive lesions and diminished coronary reserve, reversible perfusion defects were found with thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomography. One patient with coronary dilation had normal perfusion, while the other demonstrated reversible and irreversible perfusion defects. One patient without coronary lesions and with normal coronary reserve had an irreversible fibrotic changes and the other reversible defects due to abnormal microcirculation. CONCLUSIONS: Transesophageal echocardiography is a feasible and promising technique for assessing coronary reserve in patients with Takayasu's arteritis.

Adolescent↗

Right ventricular function and ventricular perfusion defects in adults with congenitally corrected transposition: correlation of echocardiography and nuclear medicine.

We undertook our study in order to evaluate right ventricular function and perfusion by conventional and contrast echocardiography in adults with congenitally corrected transposition who had not undergone cardiac surgery, comparing the echocardiographic findings with those obtained using equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography and gated single-photon emission computed tomography with Technetiumc-99 m sestamibi. We discovered severe tricuspid regurgitation in 8 patients (61%). Right ventricular ejection fraction, as calculated by nuclear medicine, had a correlation of 0.67 (p = 0.059) with area fractional shortening and 0.84 (p = 0.01) with ejection fraction calculated by the method depending on descent of the tricuspid ring. All patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation also had right ventricular dysfunction. Of these 8 patients, 7 had persistent perfusion defects, while 6 also had ischemic perfusion defects. Echo contrast had a high sensitivity, at 91%, and also specificity and positive predictive value, both at 100%, for persistent defects, and a negative predictive value of 66% compared to methods depending on nuclear medicine. The sensitivity of contrast echocardiography for detection of ischemic defects was 66%, the specificity 100%, the positive predictive value 100%, and the negative predictive value 77% compared to the methods involving nuclear medicine. The method depending on descent of the tricuspid ring had the highest correlation with equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography in evaluation of right ventricular function in patients with congenitally corrected transposition. We conclude that contrast echocardiography is extremely valuable when assessing right ventricular myocardial perfusion, having high sensitivity and specificity for detecting persistent defects, although sensitivity was less for detection of ischemic defects than that of gated single-photon emission computed tomography with Technetium-99 m Sestamibi. Persistent and ischemic perfusion defects, together with chronic volume overload from tricuspid regurgitation, are the determining factors of right ventricular dysfunction.

Adolescent↗

Effects of the oral endothelin-receptor antagonist bosentan on echocardiographic and doppler measures in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of bosentan (125 or 250 mg twice daily) on echocardiographic and Doppler variables in 85 patients with World Health Organization class III or IV pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). BACKGROUND: Bosentan, an orally active dual endothelin-receptor antagonist, improves symptoms, exercise capacity, and hemodynamics in patients with PAH. METHODS: Patients had primary pulmonary hypertension (84%) or PAH associated with connective tissue disease. Of these, 29 patients received placebo and 56 received bosentan (1:2 randomization). Six-minute walk tests and echocardiograms were performed at baseline and after 16 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar in the placebo and bosentan groups, and echocardiographic and Doppler findings were consistent with marked abnormalities of right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) structure and function that were due to PAH. The treatment effect on 6-min walking distance was 37 m in favor of bosentan (p = 0.036). Treatment effects of bosentan compared with placebo on other parameters were as follows: Doppler-derived cardiac index = +0.4 l/min/m(2) (p = 0.007), LV early diastolic filling velocity = +10.5 cm/s (p = 0.003), LV end-diastolic area = +4.2 cm(2) (p = 0.003), LV systolic eccentricity index = -0.12 (p = 0.047), RV end-systolic area = -2.3 cm(2) (p = 0.057), RV:LV diastolic areas ratio = -0.64 (p = 0.007), Doppler RV index = -0.06 (p = 0.03), and percentage of patients with an improvement in pericardial effusion score = 17% (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Bosentan improves RV systolic function and LV early diastolic filling and leads to a decrease in RV dilation and an increase in LV size in patients with PAH.

Administration, Oral↗

Anatomic three-dimensional echocardiographic correlation of bicuspid aortic valve.

This study was undertaken to verify the echocardiographic characteristics of bicuspid aortic valve (AV) using 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography by comparing the findings with anatomic examination of autopsy specimens from carriers of this condition. Three-dimensional reconstructions of transesophageal echocardiograms were performed on 14 patients with bicuspid AV, and 20 autopsy specimens of bicuspid AVs were analyzed. Echocardiographic images and autopsy material were correlated. Two variants of bicuspid aorta were identified. In group I the AV had 2 leaflets. This group included 9 (9/14) 3-dimensional echocardiographic studies and 13 (13/20) necropsies. In group II 3 sigmoid leaflets had originally developed and 2 underwent dysplastic fusion, resulting in functionally bicuspid valves. Five (5/14) echocardiographic studies and 7 (7/20) anatomic specimens fell into this category. There was a clear correspondence between anatomic and echocardiographic findings, which leads to the conclusion that 3-dimensional echocardiography is a technique that reliably defines the morphological details of bicuspid AV with the precision of anatomopathologic examination.

Adolescent↗

Ebstein's malformation in the setting of Down's syndrome.

We report a patient with Down's syndrome referred to our Department of Echocardiography for evaluation after an episode of tachyarrhythmia. We diagnosed Ebstein's malformation. As far as we know, this association has been reported previously on only three occasions. We review these previous cases, describe our echocardiographic techniques, and discuss our experience.

Adult↗

The impact of right atrial ischemia on inferior myocardial infarction with extension to right ventricle: transesophageal echocardiographic examination.

BACKGROUND: The role of the right atrium in adaptation to the hemodynamic changes produced by extension of myocardial infarction (MI) of the left ventricular inferior wall to the right ventricle is fundamental. HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was analyze a group of patients with MI with extension of right chambers, and particularly right atrial alterations, by transesophageal echocardiography and to correlate it with clinical and angiographic variables. METHODS: Thirty patients with right ventricular (RV) MI involving obstruction of the right coronary artery without stenosis of the left coronary artery were included; 18 underwent early reperfusion. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed on all within 5 days of coronary angiography. Follow-up was continued from hospitalization to the present. RESULTS: When patients with right atrial ischemia were compared with those with normal right atrium, the RV wall movement score was significantly greater in the group with right atrial ischemia, severe RV dilatation was more frequent, and association with proximal occlusion of the artery responsible for the MI, as well as absence of right atrial branches and poor collateral circulation, were significant. Hospitalization was more prolonged in this group, and there was a higher incidence of arrhythmias, complete atrioventricular block, and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Right atrial ischemia associated with RV infarction leads to a higher incidence of complications and higher mortality. Transesophageal echocardiography is a safe, reproducible technique that provides detailed anatomic information about right chambers and aids in the determination of prognosis and therapeutic decisions.

Adult↗

Three-dimensional echocardiography in congenital malformations of the mitral valve.

Three-dimensional echocardiography has proved to be valuable in congenital heart disease by enhancing the evaluation of morphologic abnormalities and increasing the understanding of complex relationships. This study was undertaken to determine how 3-dimensional echocardiography could be best used to study some of the congenital malformations of the mitral valve such as mitral arcade, double orifice mitral valve, accessory mitral tissue, cleft mitral valve, and unicuspid mitral valve. Five patients were studied. Three-dimensional echocardiography was found to be helpful in defining spatial location and extent of deformities.

Adult↗

Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in tumors of the heart.

Three-dimensional echocardiography was used to study 5 women, 4 with intracardiac tumors and 1 with a paracardial neoplasia. Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography was found to be a valuable way to define the morphologic and spatial characteristics of cardiac and paracardial tumors in vivo, establish their relationships with adjacent structures, and assess the hemodynamic effects they can produce.

Adult↗