Transesophageal echocardiography for the evaluation of atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to K Chandrasekaran.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Right ventricular failure has been noted in up to 25% of patients requiring a left ventricular assist device. Altered septal motion or function is one proposed mechanism of right ventricular failure during left heart bypass. We studied the effect of regional ischemia and reperfusion of the interventricular septum on right ventricular function during complete left heart bypass. In six calves the septal perforating branches of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery were isolated for intermittent occlusion. Complete left heart bypass was established with a Pierce-Donachy left ventricular assist device. Right and left ventricular function were studied with two-dimensional echocardiography and with intraventricular pressure monitors. Establishment of left heart bypass did not significantly affect right ventricular developed pressure, right ventricular end-diastolic area, or right ventricular fractional change in area. Left heart bypass significantly (p less than 0.001) decreased percent systolic septal wall thickening. Septal ischemia during left heart bypass resulted in a decrease in right ventricular developed pressure (p = 0.09), significant increase in right ventricular end-diastolic area (p = 0.002) and significant decrease in right ventricular fractional change in area (p less than 0.001), and a further decrease in interventricular septal wall thickening (p = 0.016). The interventricular septum became thin with flattening of its normal contour. Septal reperfusion resulted in right ventricular recovery with significant improvement in all factors (p less than 0.02). Similar results were documented during a second episode of septal ischemia with recovery after septal reperfusion. In some cases, septal ischemia may be an important factor in the development of right ventricular failure during left heart bypass.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Atherosclerotic disease of the thoracic aorta is common in the elderly and patients with clinical coronary artery disease. Although embolization can occur from atherosclerotic debris within the thoracic aorta, it is not commonly considered in the differential diagnosis of the source of a systemic embolism. In the current study, the prevalence, clinical significance and embolic potential of intraaortic atherosclerotic debris as detected by transesophageal echocardiography was determined. Intraaortic atherosclerotic debris was identified in 38 (7%) of 556 patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography. An embolic event occurred among 11 (31%) of the 36 study patients with intraaortic atherosclerotic debris. The incidence of an embolic event was higher when the debris was pedunculated and highly mobile (8 [73%] of 11 patients) than when it was layered and immobile (3 [12%] of 25 patients) (p less than 0.002). Among 15 patients undergoing an invasive procedure of the aorta, the incidence of embolism was 27%. In conclusion, in a patient with an embolic event, the thoracic aorta should be considered as a potential source. Transesophageal echocardiography can reliably detect intraaortic atherosclerotic debris, and when it is identified, an invasive aortic procedure should be avoided if possible.
Regional blood-brain barrier permeability-surface area products (PAs) of cationized bovine serum albumin (cBSA) with isoelectric point (pI) approximately 8 or greater than or equal to 11 and of native bovine serum albumin (nBSA;pI approximately 4) were determined in awake male Sprague-Dawley rats after bolus intravenous injection. The albumins were labeled with 125I. Brain uptakes were assessed by autoradiography and by direct assay of radioactivity in brain regions. nBSA uptake into brain was statistically insignificant over 3 h, whereas cBSA uptake was significantly even at 6 min. Mean PA values of cBSA with pI approximately 11 (1.69-2.65 x 10(-5) ml.s-1.g-1) in most brain regions were twofold higher than PAs of cBSA with pI approximately 8 (0.98-1.37 x 10(-5) ml.s-1.g-1), whereas mean PA for nBSA did not differ significantly from zero. Autoradiographs of brain slices and net distributions in brain compartments at 6 and 30 min after injection suggested that cBSA entered the brain parenchyma via blood vessels and cerebrospinal fluid but that the former was the main route. The results quantitate for the first time regional brain PA values for cationized proteins and suggest specific mechanisms at cerebral blood vessels that distinguish transport of cationized from noncationized macromolecules.
PURPOSE: Doppler ultrasound is a sensitive modality for detecting and quantitating valvular regurgitation in patients with infective endocarditis. Because valvular regurgitation leads to heart failure, we evaluated the prognostic significance of Doppler-detected valvular regurgitation in patients with endocarditis who had not yet developed clinical heart failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 65 patients with a clinical diagnosis of infective endocarditis from May 1985 to March 1990. A total of 49 patients were included in the study: 33 patients with native valve endocarditis and 16 patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis. The initial Doppler echocardiogram was examined in these patients to determine the presence and degree of valvular regurgitation. RESULTS: Significant (moderate to severe) valvular regurgitation was detected in 23 (47%) patients. The presence or absence of significant valvular regurgitation did not predict the development of congestive heart failure, the need for surgery, or death (p = NS). The development of congestive heart failure was significantly associated with the need for surgery (p less than 0.0001) and death (p less than 0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the detection of significant valvular regurgitation in patients with infective endocarditis who have not yet developed heart failure is not predictive of future complications nor does the absence of significant valvular regurgitation identify a group of patients with a more favorable prognosis. In our series, patients who developed congestive heart failure had a significantly higher incidence of surgery and death. Therefore, decisions regarding clinical management in patients with infective endocarditis should not be made solely on the presence or absence of echocardiographically detected valvular regurgitation.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
To evaluate the effect of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction on Doppler-derived transprosthetic hemodynamic indexes in patients with normally functioning St. Jude aortic valve prostheses, 74 consecutive patients were studied. LV ejection fraction was assessed by using Simpson's biplane rule. The 34 patients with normal ejection fraction (greater than or equal to 0.51) (group A) generally had the highest values of peak (31 +/- 13 mm Hg) and mean (16 +/- 6 mm Hg) gradients, whereas 19 patients with moderate to severe reduction of ejection fraction (less than or equal to 0.31) (group C) had the lowest values (17 +/- 6 and 9 +/- 3 mm Hg, respectively) (p less than 0.05). Significant decreases (p less than 0.05) for acceleration and corrected (for heart rate) velocity time integral in group C were noted compared to group A, and group B (21 patients with mild to moderately reduced ejection fraction [0.50 to 0.32]). A significant inverse correlation for Doppler-derived peak and mean gradients and corrected velocity time integral was demonstrated with increasing aortic valve prosthetic sizes from 19 to 29 mm in group A patients (r = -0.41 to -0.71) but less so in group B or C. Thus, in addition to valve size, LV function should be considered an important factor in detecting prosthetic valvular flow characteristics and dysfunction. A normal derived velocity and gradient in patients with moderately to severely depressed LV function may not rule out significant valvular stenosis.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Transthoracic high frequency (7.5 MHz) ultrasonography can visualize the distal left anterior descending coronary artery. Thirty-seven patients were studied before and after administration of 0.4 mg sublingual nitroglycerin to determine whether this technique could quantitatively record changes in coronary artery diameter after intervention. Left anterior descending coronary artery diameter increased from 2.2 to 2.8 mm (p less than 0.05). The vasodilator response of this artery was compared with left ventricular mass index in normal subjects, patients with congestive cardiomyopathy and those with end-stage renal disease and left ventricular hypertrophy. Left anterior descending artery diameter increased 55% in normal subjects, 27% in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and 10% in those with end-stage renal disease with left ventricular hypertrophy. These results demonstrate that high frequency ultrasound can detect nitroglycerin-induced changes in left anterior descending artery diameter. The percent increase is related to the diameter before nitroglycerin administration, which is related to the underlying diagnosis and left ventricular mass index.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
High frequency (7.5 MHz) two-dimensional ultrasound in combination with modified acoustic windows allowed visualization of the distal left anterior descending artery in 61 (85%) of 72 patients studied. Visualization was confirmed in one patient who underwent simultaneous high frequency ultrasound recording and selective dye injection into the left coronary artery. In addition, calcific coronary atherosclerosis was identified in one patient. The saphenous vein bypass graft along with its distal site of anastomosis was clearly seen in 3 patients and coronary artery flow was detected in 24 (33%).
Of 3,480 patients who were referred for cardiac ultrasound evaluation, 230 patients (6.6%) underwent transesophageal echocardiography because the transthoracic study was not feasible, technically inadequate, or provided insufficient diagnostic information for optimal patient management. There were 149 inpatients and 81 outpatients. The majority (182 patients, 79%) had aortic or mitral disorders. In 166 patients (72%), transesophageal echocardiography played a significant role in patient management. Transesophageal echocardiography was most useful in evaluating diseases of the aorta (dissection, root abscess, or aneurysm), mitral prosthesis, complications of endocarditis, left atrial appendage thrombi, and in determining the cause of mitral insufficiency. Transesophageal echocardiography was useful in the evaluation of critically ill patients and those with severe lung disease.
Patients with CF may develop hypoxemia which seems disproportionate to the degree of pulmonary disease. In a series of patients with CF and advanced pulmonary disease undergoing transesophageal echocardiography for the evaluation of cor pulmonale, eight of 15 patients were found to have atrial shunts through a stretched foramen ovale. To our knowledge, this is the first observation of intracardiac shunting in CF. This phenomenon may account for unexplained levels of cyanosis and worsening of hypoxemia with exercise, vasodilators, or PEEP and poses the threat of paradoxic emboli when central venous lines are used in these patients.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.