Biomedical subjects

R Erbel

Publications and source records attributed to R Erbel.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

Long-term follow-up of global and regional left ventricular function by two-dimensional echocardiography after thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction.

In order to evaluate changes in left ventricular volumes and regional left ventricular function after thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction serial two-dimensional echocardiography was performed during a follow-up of 2 years in 206 consecutive patients treated with streptokinase and adjunctive angioplasty in a randomized group of patients. Unexpected progressive left ventricular enlargement was detected both with and without angioplasty. In anterior wall infarction, end-diastolic volume index increased from 55 +/- 14 to 91 +/- 28 ml/m2 (+65%, P < 0.01) and end-systolic volume index increased from 31 +/- 11 to 55 +/- 23 ml/m2 (+79%, P < 0.01), whereas ejection fraction decreased from 45 +/- 9 to 41 +/- 7% (-9%, P = NS). Averaged regional anterior wall motion improved during the first 4 weeks (11 +/- 10 to 16 +/- 12%), but subsequently deteriorated (16 +/- 12 to 10 +/- 6, P < 0.05). The number of segments with pathological wall motion increased. Similar volumetric and regional wall motion data were demonstrated in inferior wall infarction. We believe this reflects a chronic ventricular remodelling phenomenon. This process takes place predominantly during the first 3 months, but continues over the whole follow-up period. Forty percent of the patients suffered symptoms of heart failure on long-term follow-up. Attenuation of progressive ventricular enlargement remains a therapeutic challenge in the long-term care of these patients. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are promising agents in this regard.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Exercise echocardiography for the evaluation of patients after nonsurgical coronary artery revascularization.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the accuracy of stress echocardiography for detecting the progression of coronary artery disease after nonsurgical revascularization. BACKGROUND: The expanding role of nonsurgical coronary revascularization procedures mandates the development of sensitive noninvasive techniques for the detection of recurrent ischemia. METHODS: Bicycle stress echocardiography was performed in a series of 86 patients 6.5 +/- 1.3 months after a revascularization procedure. Seven patients were excluded from analysis because of poor echocardiographic image quality. RESULTS: Digital analysis achieved a sensitivity of 83% for the entire group and a specificity of 85% for stress echocardiographic detection of significant coronary artery disease. Sensitivity was greater in patients with (88%) than in those without (75%) prior myocardial infarction, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Additional analysis using an increase in end-systolic volume index or a decrease in ejection fraction during stress as an additional marker for ischemia tended to enhance sensitivity (90% for the entire group and 93% for the subgroup with prior myocardial infarction). CONCLUSIONS: Stress echocardiography is a useful and sensitive method for the follow-up of patients undergoing nonsurgical revascularization procedures. The addition of volume determination to routine wall motion analysis may be helpful in patients with prior infarction who have scar tissue that may be difficult to distinguish from an adjacent exercise-induced wall motion abnormality.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

PubMed1993

Quantitative analysis of elastic recoil after balloon angioplasty and after intracoronary implantation of balloon-expandable Palmaz-Schatz stents.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to measure elastic recoil from sequential angiograms after balloon angioplasty and after implantation of a balloon-expandable Palmaz-Schatz stent in the same patient, and to compare the results with the late angiographic outcome. BACKGROUND: The immediate result of coronary balloon angioplasty is influenced by plastic deformation, primarily of the atherosclerotic plaque, and by elastic recoil, primarily of the less or nondiseased vessel circumference. METHODS: The extent of elastic recoil was measured quantitatively as the difference between maximal balloon size and the resulting vessel diameter or cross-sectional area. RESULTS: Analysis was performed in 60 patients who received a single stent for late restenosis after initially successful coronary balloon angioplasty. Minimal lumen diameter (minimal cross-sectional area) was 0.98 +/- 0.43 mm (0.97 +/- 0.67 mm2) before balloon angioplasty, 2.06 +/- 0.36 mm (3.68 +/- 1.17 mm2) after angioplasty (both p < 0.001 vs. values before angioplasty) and 2.98 +/- 0.26 mm (7.12 +/- 1.28 mm2) after stenting (both p < 0.001 vs. postangioplasty results). No significant changes in vessel reference diameters or areas were measured. Mean balloon/artery ratios were similar in both procedures, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96. The calculated mean elastic recoil was 0.98 +/- 0.50 mm in diameter (31%) and 3.67 +/- 2.05 mm2 in area (48%) after balloon angioplasty compared with 0.10 +/- 0.07 mm (3.5%) and 0.38 +/- 0.36 mm2 (5.1%) after stenting. Increasing balloon sizes induced increased vessel stretch, which was followed by increased elastic recoil in the angioplasty group in contrast to the stenting group. Short, noncalcified and eccentric lesions tend to be associated with increased recoil after balloon angioplasty. Overdilation or underdilation in one of the procedures, changes in postprocedural vasomotion or postprocedural thrombus formation was not responsible for this outcome. After 6 months mean minimal lumen diameter was 2.39 +/- 0.58 mm, suggesting a mean hyperplasia of 0.59 +/- 0.51 mm. Twelve patients (20%) had a follow-up diameter that was equal to or less than the mean postangioplasty result and eight patients (14%) had a diameter stenosis of > 50%. CONCLUSIONS: The implantation of a Palmaz-Schatz stent almost completely eliminates the decrease in vessel dimensions caused by elastic recoil and therefore diminishes the impact of hyperplasia and reduces the rate of restenosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Endoventricular patch plasty improves results of LV aneurysmectomy.

From May 1985 to December 1991 52 patients were operated upon for postischemic left ventricular aneurysm (LV-A). Between May 1985 and July 1989 25 patients (group I) with a mean age of 59 (46-72) years underwent conventional aneurysmectomy with direct closure of the left ventricle (LV) and a mean of 1.9 (0-3) additional bypass grafts (54% triple-vessel disease). The hospital mortality was 8% (2/25) and the late mortality during a median follow-up time of 34 months was 28% (7/25) with a 4-year survival of 66%. Improvement in the quality of life (NYHA from 2.6 to 2.1, P = 0.078) and global left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) (from 35 to 38%) proved to be unsatisfactory in conjunction with the high late mortality rate. Between August 1989 and December 1991 a prospective series of 27 consecutive patients (group II) with a mean age of 61 (45-71) years underwent endoventricular patch plasty guided by two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) before and after surgery. The patch size and position were calculated preoperatively by measuring the distances from the mitral annulus to the infarct area which were reproduced during surgery with a simple ruler. A mean of 2.1 (0-4) bypass grafts were added with 62% of the patients having triple-vessel disease and 19% left main stenosis (P = 0.05, group I versus II). All patients have survived to date. One patient had to be excluded, giving a median follow-up time of 14 months for 26 patients. At the 6 months' control, the mean NYHA class was improved from 2.7 to 1.6, (P = 0.0001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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PubMed1993

Subacute thrombotic complications after intracoronary implantation of Palmaz-Schatz stents.

Despite excellent results as a bail-out procedure for the management of abrupt closure after balloon angioplasty and the potential beneficial effects on restenosis after angioplasty, intracoronary stenting is limited, especially by subacute stent thrombosis. In 100 consecutive patients with intracoronary implantation of 118 Palmaz-Schatz stents, 10 patients (10%) developed subacute stent thrombosis during their hospital course 3 to 9 days after implantation. Therapy included intravenous thrombolysis, mechanical recanalization by balloon angioplasty, and emergency bypass surgery. Although successful recanalization was maintained in eight of nine nonsurgically treated patients within 2 hours after the onset of symptoms, seven patients developed myocardial infarction, with two patients having Q wave myocardial infarction and five patients having non-Q wave myocardial infarction. By univariate analysis, several variables could be identified as risk factors for the development of subacute stent thrombosis: bail-out implantations (odds ratio: 6.42; 95% confidence interval: 1.53 to 26.38; p = 0.007), unstable angina (12.32; 1.50 to 101.37; p = 0.006), long (5.44; 1.31 to 22.65; p = 0.015) and complex (type C) lesions (8.17; 1.93 to 34.50; p = 0.002) with large plaque areas (9.85; 1.96 to 44.51; p = 0.002), symptomatic postangioplasty dissections (4.36; 1.10 to 16.90; p = 0.029), incomplete wrapping of the dissection after stenting (6.50; 1.10 to 42.30; p = 0.039), and vessel irregularities distal to the stented segment (21.70; 4.12 to 113.18; p < 0.001). These variables, except the variable large plaque area, were confirmed as independent predictors of subacute stent thrombosis by a stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Magnetic resonance tomography of chronic aortic dissection].

17 patients with chronic aortic dissection were examined by MRI. In 12 patients, comparison between gradient echo sequences and SE sequences was possible. Gradient echo sequences, unlike SE sequences, permitted evaluation of flow in the true and false lumen, reliable differentiation between thrombus and flowing blood and clear delineation of the intimal flap. An additional comparison between transoesophageal ultrasound and MRT in 15 patients showed significant advantages in favour of MRI. In three patients MRI was able to detect more proximal origins of the dissection. Moreover, MRI allowed evaluation of the major aortic branches and their relation to the dissection; this was not possible with ultrasound. MRI plays an important role in the follow-up of chronic aortic dissections.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[MR tomographic functional analysis of the left ventricle].

The following contribution presents a continuous MRT analysis of the contraction and relaxation processes of healthy left ventricles giving reference values for contraction and relaxation velocities. For the total ventricle we have Vsyst. r. total = 342 +/- 47% LVEDV/sec and Vdiast. r. total = 303 +/- 59% LVEDV/sec. In relation to the end-diastolic (tomographic) volume (EDSV) significantly greater changes in volume per unit of time were measured apically compared to basal (systolic: 411 +/- 89% EDSV/sec apical vs 261 +/- 35% EDSV/sec basal; diastolic: 810 +/- 145% EDSV/sec apical vs 245 +/- 70% EDSV/sec basal). Occurrence of the end-systolic minimal volumes of apical tomographic layers was delayed against the total ventricle by 22.4 +/- 7.9% t syst. Within the ventricle there was systolically a redistribution of the proportions of volume from apical to basal.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Diagnosis of heart tumours by transoesophageal echocardiography: a multicentre study in 154 patients. European Cooperative Study Group.

In a retrospective multicentre study, the diagnostic potential of transoesophageal 2D-echocardiography (TEE) as compared to precordial 2D-echocardiography (TTE) was determined in 154 patients with primary or secondary tumours of the heart. Additionally, the value of standard diagnostic parameters, such as symptoms, X-ray of the chest and electrocardiogram were evaluated. In 84 patients (24 male, 60 female; age 20-85, mean 56.6 years) intracardial tumours were present, and 70 patients (37 male, 33 female; age 18-79, mean 44.3 years) presented with peri- or paracardial tumours. The main symptoms of patients with intracardial tumours were dyspnoea (60.7%), vena cava syndrome (22.2%) and chest pain (20.2%). Embolization was found in 11.9%. Left or right atrial enlargement was observed on chest X-ray in 23 patients, and echocardiographic abnormalities in 17 cases. The patients with peri- or paracardial tumours presented with dyspnoea in 51.4% of cases, loss in body weight in 20.0% and with vena cava syndrome and chest pain in 17.1%. The chest X-ray was abnormal in 56 patients. Unspecific ST segment changes in the electrocardiogram were observed in five, and arrhythmias in seven cases. Diagnosis of atrial myxomas was achieved by TTE in 95.2%, by TEE in 100%, by angiography in 78.4%, by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance tomography (NMR) in 70%. Identification of the attachment point was made by angiography in 8.1%, by TTE in 64.5% and by TEE in 95.2%. In 22 patients with intracardial tumours (myxomas excepted) diagnosis was achieved by TTE in 90.9%, by TEE in 100%, by CT or NMR in 88.9% and by angiography in 50%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Imaging in the catheterization laboratory.

Recent work confirms that visual assessment of the effect of widely employed coronary interventions is highly inaccurate. Rapid and reliable on-line angiographic quantitation is a useful advance, but problems in the application of the technique are encountered in a substantial number of cases. New algorithms have been devised to provide a comprehensive assessment of the geometry and likely functional significance of lesions as well as an objective evaluation of lesion morphology, and recent work has provided the framework for the quantitation of diffuse disease. Studies with intravascular ultrasound confirm the inadequate sensitivity of angiography in demonstrating mild to moderate atheromatous disease in the presence of vascular remodelling. The complex wall and lumen changes after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty have been extensively studied; features often inadequately identified by angiography--including mural calcification and dissection--appear to affect short- and long-term outcome. The precise clinical utility of intravascular ultrasound is a critically important question that is being addressed by a number of multicenter studies. Current evidence suggests it will become part of a more comprehensive system of coronary assessment, both as the imaging modality of choice in selected indications (such as cardiac allograft arteriopathy) and as an important adjunct to angiography in certain coronary interventions.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

PubMed1993

Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography to diagnose ventricular septal rupture: importance of right heart infarction.

BACKGROUND: Rapid and accurate diagnosis of ventricular septal rupture (VSR) remains difficult, and the monitoring of hemodynamic deterioration is a prerequisite for the institution of adequate therapy. The timing of surgical repair is a matter of controversy. METHODS: Transthoracic, transesophageal, color Doppler, and contrast echocardiography were evaluated in 17 patients with VSR in whom the diagnosis was confirmed by catheterization, surgery, or necropsy. RESULTS: Routine transthoracic echocardiography visualized VSR in four out of 17 patients and, with additional views, in 12 out of 17 patients. Color Doppler echocardiography identified the rupture in 15 out of 16, and contrast echocardiography in 11 out of 11 patients. VSR was identified using transesophageal echocardiography in six out of nine patients, and using color Doppler and contrast echocardiography in all patients. Eight out of 10 patients who developed right heart myocardial infarction (RMI) died, whereas all patients without RMI survived (P = 0.0070). Similarly, eight out of 10 patients with shock died, whereas all patients without survived (P = 0.0070). Shock occurred more often in patients with RMI (eight out of 10) than in patients without (two out of six). All patients with both RMI and shock died, whereas those without both conditions survived (P = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: Modern echocardiography is the method of choice in the diagnosis of VSR. Right ventricular function should be evaluated in patients with VSR because patients with RMI are at high risk of hemodynamic deterioration, with poor outcome. RMI, visible as abnormal wall motion, was identified better with transesophageal than with transthoracic echocardiography.

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PubMed1993

Coronary artery remodeling in atherosclerotic disease: an intravascular ultrasonic study in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Pathologic studies have revealed that coronary arteries undergo compensatory enlargement in the presence of atherosclerosis. METHODS: In order to assess coronary artery remodeling in vivo, we used intravascular ultrasound to examine 46 patients (36 men and 10 women; aged 58.2 +/- 6.8 years) with non-calcified plaques. The vessel, lumen, and plaque areas of the atherosclerotic and of normal proximal and distal segments were determined. RESULTS: A total of 92 atherosclerotic segments were analyzed. The degree of stenosis ranged from 9.2 to 92.8% (mean 34.1 +/- 16.9%) and the plaque area from 2 to 19.6 mm2 (mean 6.3 +/- 3.6 mm2). The vessel area of the atherosclerotic segment (mean 20.4 +/- 7.3 mm2) was larger than that of the proximal segment (mean 18.7 +/- 7.3 mm2, P = 0.018). The vessel area increased in proportion to plaque area. This relationship can be described using the equation y = 23.5(1-e-0.35x). The difference between the vessel area in the atherosclerotic segment and that in the proximal normal segment correlated with the percentage of stenosis (r = 0.53, P < 0.005) until the degree of stenosis exceeded 45%. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that coronary artery remodeling, previously observed in pathologic studies, can be evaluated using intravascular ultrasound in vivo. As a result of the compensatory enlargement of the vessel, coronary angiography cannot be used to detect or exclude the early signs of coronary atherosclerosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

High frequency rotational ablation: an alternative in treating coronary artery stenoses and occlusions.

OBJECTIVE: To prove the safety and effectiveness of high frequency rotational ablation of coronary artery stenoses and occlusion in humans. SUBJECTS: 106 patients with symptoms (91 men, 15 women) who had 67 significant stenoses, mainly types B and C, and 46-chronic occlusions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean change in diameter stenosis after rotational angioplasty alone and in combination with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty immediately after treatment and 24 hours and six months later; restenosis rates at six months; complication of treatment. RESULTS: Rotational ablation could not be used in five stenoses and 16 chronic occlusions because of inability to reach or cross the lesion with the Rotablator guide wire. In four cases rotational ablation failed. Initial angiographic and clinical success by rotational ablation was achieved in 40 of the 67 stenoses (60%) and in 18 of the 46 chronic occlusions (39%). Additional balloon angioplasty was performed in 45 patients, increasing the success rates to 79% and 54%, respectively. In the 62 stenoses treated by rotational ablation the angiographic diameter stenoses were reduced from 76% (SD 14%) to 32% (14%) after Rotablator treatment alone and from 75% (11%) to 33% (17%) with additional balloon angioplasty. In the 30 chronic occlusions treated by rotational ablation the angiographic diameter stenoses were reduced to 38% (18%). At six months angiographic restenosis was evident in nine of the 25 (36%) stenoses treated with rotational ablation alone, in seven of the 22 (32%) stenoses treated with rotational and balloon angioplasty, and in 14 of the 24 (58%) chronic occlusions. There were no procedural deaths and two patients (2%) underwent emergency coronary artery bypass grafting. Although no transmural infarction occurred, there were five (6%) non-Q wave infarctions (two embolic side branch occlusions, two subacute occlusions, and one acute occlusion). Clinically insignificant slight increases in creatine kinase activity were seen in five patients (6%). Severe coronary artery spasm unresponsive to medical treatment was provoked in seven cases (8%). CONCLUSIONS: High frequency rotational ablation is a safe and effective method for treating type B and C coronary artery lesions with results comparable to percutaneous transluminal coronary balloon angioplasty. The combined use of rotational ablation and balloon angioplasty is feasible and is necessary in about half of all procedures, in most cases because the lumen created by the biggest burr is too small.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Effect of medical and surgical therapy on aortic dissection evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography. Implications for prognosis and therapy. The European Cooperative Study Group on Echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Aortic dissection still has a poor prognosis despite progress in therapy. Therefore, this prospective follow-up study was designed to determine whether the degree of communication between true and false lumen in relation to the type of dissection, analyzed by transesophageal echocardiography, influences the risk after initiation of medical or surgical therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: In eight centers, 168 patients (124 men and 44 women) of age range of 23-84 years with proven aortic dissection were examined by transesophageal echocardiography in the acute phase, after start of medical and/or surgical therapy, and during follow-up (0-65 months; mean, 10 months). Analyses were performed prospectively according to a detailed study protocol. Patients were subdivided by transesophageal echocardiography according to a modified DeBakey classification. Type I aortic dissection was found in 35%, type II aortic dissection in 17%, and type III aortic dissection in 48%. Preoperative mortality was 3%, 7%, and 2%, and survival rates were 52%, 69%, and 70%, respectively. Type III aortic dissection could be subdivided into those with communication and antegrade dissection (ca) (50%), with communication and retrograde dissection limited to the descending aorta (cr desc) (10%), with dissection extended to the aortic arch and ascending aorta (cr asc) (27%), and with noncommunicating (nc) aortic dissection (13%). An open false lumen with no thrombus formation was present in types I, II, III ca and III cr asc aortic dissection in 17%, 21%, 39%, and 27% respectively, although it was most pronounced in types III nc and III cr desc (75% and 78%). During follow-up in patients who survived, thrombus was demonstrated in the false lumen in 80% of type I aortic dissection and 81% of types III ca and III cr asc. Open false lumen was seen in type II aortic dissection in 18%. Spontaneous healing was found in 4% with type II and 4% with type III aortic dissection (mainly in patients with type III nc aortic dissection). Patients with fluid extravasation, pleural effusion, pericardial tamponade, and periaortic effusion as well as mediastinal hematoma had a mortality of 52%. Reoperations were necessary in 12-29%, with the highest rate in patients with type III ca aortic dissection. Survival for patients with types III nc and III cr desc aortic dissection was higher than those with types I, II, III ca, and III cr asc. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative mortality appears to be reduced by transesophageal echocardiography, allowing rapid initiation of treatment. Intraoperative and postoperative mortality in aortic dissection remains high. Risk factors are fluid extravasation and an open false lumen with high communication. Thrombus formation in the false lumen can be regarded as a good prognostic sign. Surgery appears to be only a first step in the treatment of aortic dissection. Second surgery or closure of entry sites based on intraoperative echocardiography may be considered to induce thrombus formation and reduce aortic wall stress.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Diastolic flow analysis of the left ventricle after myocardial infarct].

The diastolic function of the left ventricle was investigated in 12 normal young volunteers, 10 older volunteers, 10 patients without evidence of coronary artery disease, 26 patients with inferior wall and 19 patients with anterior wall infarction at eight locations of the total circumference of the left ventricle using pulsed wave Doppler. The ratio of early diastolic inflow (Vmax E) to the maximal velocity of atrial contraction (Vmax A) was determined. Furthermore, the delay between the end of electrical diastole until the end of the A-wave of the pulsed Doppler was measured. The results were compared with a clinically used marker of myocardial ischemia, treadmill exercise testing. The E/A ratio was 2.03 +/- 0.51 in normal volunteers, 1.16 +/- 0.41 in older volunteers, 1.41 +/- 0.59 in patients without evidence for coronary artery disease, 1.28 +/- 1.13 in patients with inferior and 1.08 +/- 0.41 in patients with anterior wall infarction (p = 0.020 ANOVA). The diastolic delay at the apex was 47.3 +/- 8.9 ms in normal volunteers, 78.3 +/- 8.3 ms in older volunteers, 79.1 +/- 13.7 ms in patients without coronary artery disease, 109.1 +/- 12 ms in patients with inferior and 169.5 +/- 18.8 ms in patients with anterior wall infarction (p = 0.000 ANOVA). There was a correlation between the latter parameter of delay and the amount of pathological wall segments at wall motion analysis (r = 0.61, p = 0.007). In two patients with anterior myocardial infarction (11%) with significant diastolic delay intraventricular thrombi developed consecutively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Percutaneous ultrasonic angioplasty: initial results of an in-vitro study on normal and atherosclerotic human vessel segments.

The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a new ultrasound catheter system in vitro before employing it in humans. Ultrasound energy was applied to 141 normal and atherosclerotic human vessel segments, obtained at autopsy. Macroscopical and histological examination of the treated vessel segments revealed that ultrasound energy is atraumatic to the normal vessel wall. In atherosclerotic vessel segments, there was macroscopically significant reduction in the size of plaques. In 7/10 completely occluded femoral arterial segments, recanalization could be achieved. The resulting lumen approximated the diameter of the wire probe. Therefore, ultrasound energy is an appealing form of energy for recanalization of completely obstructed atherosclerotic vessels and for disintegration of atherosclerotic plaques. Clinically, ultrasonic angioplasty may become an adjunctive modality to balloon angioplasty.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

PubMed1993

[Multi-plane transesophageal echocardiography--the next step to 3 dimensional imaging of the heart].

The multiplane transesophageal echocardiography (MTEE) is a new method making the precise imaging of the heart and great vessels possible. That technique allows to obtain the images of cardiovascular structures in two perpendicular investigation planes ("biplane" operation): transverse (examination angle is equal to 90 degrees--in relation to long axis of esophagus) and longitudinal = sagittal (examination angle is equal to 0 degree--in relation to long axis of esophagus) and, as well, in all medial planes enclosed from 0 degree to 90 degrees examination angle. During the investigation planes were being rotated mechanically or manually by rotation wheel. Passing from one plane to another is fluent, due to that the heart and main vessels can be observed continuously. Sector angle variability is 180 degrees (from minus 90 degrees to plus 90 degrees). The investigation planes from 0 degrees to plus 90 degrees from so called "normal" visualization field, and planes from 90 degrees to 0 degree make a "mirror" reflection of the "normal" field (mirror field). In our investigations the Vingmed-Sonotron echocardiograph connected with 5 MHz annular phased--array transducer, placed at the end of flexible endoscope was used. The multiplanar transducers have a full Doppler option (pulsed and continuous waves) with the possibility of colour flow imaging. The initial experience with the new method is presented in this report. The MTEE enables precise assessment of atrial septal defects. The multiplane imaging allows complete evaluation of heart muscle thickness and left ventricular contractility. This technique gives a better visualization of coronary artery. MTEE permits for planimetric assessment of aortic valve.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Revascularization measures after acute myocardial infarct].

Thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction reduces mortality significantly. This acute effect seems to be counterbalanced by the increased mortality during follow-up whether or not the patient has been treated with thrombolytic therapy. Thrombolysis seems to be a first step in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. Revascularization procedures are able to improve patient prognosis. Long-term follow-up demonstrated this fact whether or not PTCA was performed in the acute setting or on an elective basis. The 6-year survival was 80%. This survival rate was higher for patients who underwent PTCA than for those who were not undergoing PTCA and those who had no reperfusion of the coronary artery. The best prognosis was found for patients with coronary bypass surgery, indicating that revascularization should be the aim of treatment. The 6-year survival rate was found to be 92% and is thus in the range of patients with coronary artery disease. Acute infarct PTCA is limited to patients with cardiogenic shock and is particularly useful for patients with occlusion of the main stem of the left coronary artery. Acute infarct PTCA is also recommended in patients with contraindications for thrombolytic therapy, when interventions can be performed rapidly, when a large infarct size is present and infarct time is less than 4 hours. Whether or not RESCUE-PTCA should be recommended is under investigation. Patients with an open coronary artery have a better prognosis than patients with occluded coronary arteries, but during the acute stage, spontaneous recanalization is present in many patients. The RESCUE study will address this question. Elective PTCA is recommended as well as coronary bypass surgery, when successful reperfusion is achieved and one-or two-vessel disease is present or there is a two- or three-vessel disease or main stem involvement, respectively. In patients with coronary lesions less than 70% conservative treatment is useful. The guidelines of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association are strongly recommended.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

PubMed1993

Role of transesophageal echocardiography in dissection of the aorta and evaluation of degenerative aortic disease.

The combination of different ultrasound techniques such as transthoracic, suprasternal, subcostal, and TEE has a high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of aortic dissection. Limitations of this combined ultrasound technique are related to the visualization of the ascending part of the aortic arch, which, because of the interposition of the trachea, cannot be visualized completely. The beginning or end of a dissection in this part of the aorta may be misinterpreted. However, false-negative results are rare. False-positive results due to artifacts resulting from reverberations in an ectatic ascending aorta must be taken into account. The most important diagnostic goals in acute or chronic aortic dissection are (1) confirmation of the diagnosis by visualization of the intimal membrane; (2) the differentiation of true and false lumen, depending on visualization of spontaneous echocardiographic contrast, thrombus formation, slow or reduced reversed flow, systolic diameter reduction, and signs of entry jet into the false lumen; (3) detection of intimal tear, demonstrating communication by 2-D or color Doppler echocardiography; (4) determination of the extent of dissection with classification according to DeBakey types I, II, and III, or Stanford types A and B, with differentiation between communicating or noncommunicating dissection and antegrade or retrograde dissection limited to the descending aorta or expanding into the ascending aorta; (5) detection of wall motion abnormalities as a sign of preexisting coronary artery disease or myocardial ischemia due to ostium occlusion by an intimal flap, coronary artery rupture, or collapse of the true lumen during diastole; (6) detection and grading of aortic insufficiency; (7) detection of side branch involvement by suprasternal, subcostal, and abdominal sonography (which will provide information about the choice of the site for cannulation or catheterization of the femoral artery); and (8) detection of pericardial or pleural effusion and mediastinal hematoma as signs of an emergency situation (i.e., suspending rupture). Based on ultrasound diagnostic information, operation can be performed in all acute situations in patients with type A dissection without further investigation. The ability to act decisively in this setting is particularly important in patients with signs suggesting a dire prognosis (i.e., pericardial or pleural effusion or mediastinal hematoma). For follow-up studies, the combination of echocardiography with MR tomography is recommended. With TEE, entry tears can be detected with a higher sensitivity than with MR tomography. This capability may be important for the patient's prognosis. MR tomography, on the other hand, has a better spatial resolution showing the entire aorta, particularly the ascending aortic arch.

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