Wenqian Wu, Lili Jiang, Xin Zhang, Lin He, He Li, Lingyun Fang, Mingxing Xie
{"title":"Cardiac Fresh Thrombus Following Cardiac Surgery: A Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiographic Diagnosis","authors":"Wenqian Wu, Lili Jiang, Xin Zhang, Lin He, He Li, Lingyun Fang, Mingxing Xie","doi":"10.1111/echo.70138","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/echo.70138","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A 59-year-old male who underwent the Bentall procedure developed a newly identified echogenic mass in the right heart, detected via intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Thrombectomy under TEE guidance successfully removed the thrombus, and the patient recovered well. TEE was crucial for the real-time detection and management of this rare complication.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50558,"journal":{"name":"Echocardiography-A Journal of Cardiovascular Ultrasound and Allied Techniques","volume":"42 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143826663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Routine Echocardiographic Assessments of Single Ventricle Patients Should Include Atrial Strain","authors":"Alan P. Wang, Pei-Ni Jone","doi":"10.1111/echo.70160","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/echo.70160","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50558,"journal":{"name":"Echocardiography-A Journal of Cardiovascular Ultrasound and Allied Techniques","volume":"42 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143826662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Neda Toofaninnejad, Ali Hosseinsabet, Sahar Asl Fallah, Flora Fallah
{"title":"Pseudoaneurysms of the Ascending Aorta Following Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, Presenting as Stroke","authors":"Neda Toofaninnejad, Ali Hosseinsabet, Sahar Asl Fallah, Flora Fallah","doi":"10.1111/echo.70155","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/echo.70155","url":null,"abstract":"<p>TEE simultaneous orthogonal long axis and short axis views and MDCT of ascending aorta sagittal view demonstrate two complicated pseudoaneurysm (*) in anterior wall of ascending aorta and intramural hematoma (open arrow) extending proximally to aortic root and a large thrombus (solid arrow) protruding into the lumen of ascending aorta\u0000\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure></p>","PeriodicalId":50558,"journal":{"name":"Echocardiography-A Journal of Cardiovascular Ultrasound and Allied Techniques","volume":"42 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143826661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comprehensive Quantification of Fetal Cardiac Function in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Using Advanced Fetal HQ Imaging Techniques","authors":"Jing Wang, Yan Liu, Wujuan Cai, Hong Jiang","doi":"10.1111/echo.70156","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/echo.70156","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a transient metabolic disorder associated with hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction. Although GDM typically resolves after delivery, it can have long-term effects on both maternal and fetal health, including potential cardiovascular complications for the offspring. This study aims to evaluate the impact of maternal hyperglycemia on fetal cardiac function using advanced fetal HQ (fetal heart quantification) imaging technology.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A prospective study was conducted from July 2019 to November 2024, involving 303 pregnant women in their second and third trimesters, including 105 with GDM (well-controlled) and 198 healthy controls. Fetal cardiac function was assessed using fetal HQ imaging, a two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography technique. Measurements of global longitudinal strain (GLS), fractional area change (FAC), and fractional shortening (FS) were obtained for both the left (LV) and right (RV) ventricles. Correlations between maternal metabolic factors (BMI, HbA1c, triglycerides) and fetal cardiac parameters were also evaluated. Intra- and inter-rater reliability were assessed for all measurements.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The GDM group exhibited significantly lower LV GLS compared to the control group (−21.5 ± 5.5% vs. −24.5 ± 4.9%, <i>p</i> = 0.000), indicating impaired myocardial deformation. No significant differences were found in RV GLS, FAC, or ejection fraction (EF). Significant differences in 24-segment FS values were observed in both the LV and RV, with the GDM group showing lower FS values across most segments, suggesting subclinical myocardial dysfunction. Reliability analysis demonstrated high intra- and inter-rater consistency for fetal cardiac measurements, with LV GLS showing excellent intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.912) and strong inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.725). HbA1c and triglycerides were negatively correlated with LV FAC, indicating that maternal metabolic factors may affect fetal left ventricular function.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study demonstrates that GDM is associated with impaired fetal left ventricular function, particularly in myocardial deformation, as measured by LV GLS and FS. Maternal metabolic factors, including HbA1c and triglycerides, are linked to these alterations. Fetal HQ imaging is a reliable method for assessing fetal cardiac function and provides valuable insights into the cardiovascular effects of maternal hyperglycemia on the fetus.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </di","PeriodicalId":50558,"journal":{"name":"Echocardiography-A Journal of Cardiovascular Ultrasound and Allied Techniques","volume":"42 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143818533","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nicole Ivy Chan, John J. Atherton, Liza Thomas, Gillian Whalley, Peter Stewart, Michael Mallouhi, William Vollbon, Sandhir B. Prasad
{"title":"Sex Differences in Diastolic Function Following Myocardial Infarction on Doppler Echocardiography","authors":"Nicole Ivy Chan, John J. Atherton, Liza Thomas, Gillian Whalley, Peter Stewart, Michael Mallouhi, William Vollbon, Sandhir B. Prasad","doi":"10.1111/echo.70164","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/echo.70164","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Whilst females have relatively greater preservation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) following myocardial infarction (MI), they have higher rates of heart failure, presumably due to diastolic dysfunction (DD). This study sought to assess sex differences in LV diastolic function on Doppler echocardiography following MI.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Data on 2505 consecutive patients with a first-ever MI (defined using the Universal Definition of MI) between 2013 and 2020 were included. Echocardiography was performed within 24 h of admission. Significant DD was defined as grade 2 + 3 DD according to current ASE/EACVI guidelines. Diastolic function score (DFS) was calculated by summing the number of abnormal parameters out of the four key diastolic parameters (e′ velocity, E/e′ ratio, left atrial volume index [LAVI], and tricuspid regurgitation velocity [TRV]).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Compared to males, females were older, had greater co-morbidity, less 3-vessel disease, higher LVEF (55.0 + 9.8% vs. 52.7 ± 9.8%, <i>p</i> < 0.001), and a greater proportion with LVEF > 50% (74.4% vs. 66.2%, <i>p</i> < 0.001). On group comparisons between sexes, LAVI, e′ velocity, E/e′ ratio, significant DD, and DFS showed greater abnormalities in females. In multivariable models incorporating clinical, angiographic and echocardiographic data to determine independent predictors of diastolic parameters, female sex was independently associated with abnormal LAVI (OR 1.40, <i>p</i> = 0.017), E/e′ ratio (OR 2.86, <i>p</i> < 0.001), TRV (OR 1.88, <i>p</i> = 0.004), significant DD (OR 2.12, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and DFS (OR 2.59, <i>p</i> < 0.001).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Female sex is a strong independent predictor of DD on Doppler echocardiography in patients with a first-ever MI. This may explain the higher incidence of heart failure despite relatively preserved LVEF in females following MI.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50558,"journal":{"name":"Echocardiography-A Journal of Cardiovascular Ultrasound and Allied Techniques","volume":"42 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/echo.70164","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143818532","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tommaso Recchioni, Alexandra Mihai, Giovanna Manzi, Carmine Dario Vizza
{"title":"TAPSE/sPAP and Inferior Vena Cava as a Risk Stratification Model in PAH: When the Pipe and Pump Are Not Enough","authors":"Tommaso Recchioni, Alexandra Mihai, Giovanna Manzi, Carmine Dario Vizza","doi":"10.1111/echo.70162","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/echo.70162","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50558,"journal":{"name":"Echocardiography-A Journal of Cardiovascular Ultrasound and Allied Techniques","volume":"42 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143801427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"What Is the Optimal Measurement Method for CT-Derived Fractional Flow Reserve?","authors":"Nobuo Tomizawa","doi":"10.1111/echo.70161","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/echo.70161","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50558,"journal":{"name":"Echocardiography-A Journal of Cardiovascular Ultrasound and Allied Techniques","volume":"42 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143801426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Katy K. Tsai, Andrew Y. Chang, Christiane M. Abouzeid, Mandar A. Aras, Qizhi Fang, Dwight Bibby, Leila Haghighat, Joan F. Hilton, Adil I. Daud, Nelson B. Schiller
{"title":"Longitudinal Evaluation of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Fatigue Syndrome by Rest, Stress, and Speckle-Tracking Strain Echocardiography","authors":"Katy K. Tsai, Andrew Y. Chang, Christiane M. Abouzeid, Mandar A. Aras, Qizhi Fang, Dwight Bibby, Leila Haghighat, Joan F. Hilton, Adil I. Daud, Nelson B. Schiller","doi":"10.1111/echo.70158","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/echo.70158","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) anti-tumor therapy is commonly associated with reports of significant fatigue. Whether ICI-induced fatigue is linked to subclinical cardiac toxicity is not well understood.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We performed a prospective observational study to monitor cardiac function following initiation of ICI in cancer patients. Rest and staged exercise stress transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE) were captured at baseline, 3 and 6 months after ICI initiation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Thirteen patients completed baseline testing, of whom 10 completed 3 month testing and 8 completed 6 month testing. Patients had elevated fatigue as per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) criteria and FACIT-Fatigue subscale scores (47.5 [42.5–52] vs. 47 [38–48], <i>p</i> = 0.001). Among resting echocardiographic parameters, left ventricular (LV) outflow tract velocity time integral (VTI) was reduced at 6 months (22.6 cm [21.2–24.5] vs. 19.8 cm [17.2–21.2], <i>p</i> = 0.001), albeit still within normal range. Measures of biventricular size and systolic function, along with LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and LA global strain, were not significantly changed. Among exercise parameters, peak heart rate was reduced at 6 months (143.4 bpm [128.5–153.5] vs. 123.5 [110.2–130.8], <i>p</i> = 0.048); of those who completed 6 month testing, two (29%) were unable to achieve the previous peak stage of exercise.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In patients starting ICI, statistically-significant reductions in cardiac systolic function (LVOT VTI) and peak HR were observed, with nearly one-third unable to achieve peak exercise at 6 months. This finding, combined with reported fatigue and lack of changes to biventricular systolic functional measures, suggests induced functional cardiac limitations are due to deconditioning, rather than cardiotoxicity.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50558,"journal":{"name":"Echocardiography-A Journal of Cardiovascular Ultrasound and Allied Techniques","volume":"42 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143801425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jun Li, Mingliang Dong, Zhenyun Sun, Qiao Li, Shouxiang Ni
{"title":"Tricuspid Regurgitation: Knowledge of Tricuspid Valve Morphology, Etiology of Regurgitation, and Grading of Regurgitation Severity","authors":"Jun Li, Mingliang Dong, Zhenyun Sun, Qiao Li, Shouxiang Ni","doi":"10.1111/echo.70147","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/echo.70147","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>With the aging of the population, the number of patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is increasing. Severe TR is associated with global morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular events. In recent years, the rapid development of transcatheter interventions for tricuspid valve disease has made TR a current research hotspot. More preoperative information about the patient's tricuspid valve anatomy, the etiology leading to TR, and the severity of TR will aid in intraoperative maneuvers and postoperative prognosis assessments.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50558,"journal":{"name":"Echocardiography-A Journal of Cardiovascular Ultrasound and Allied Techniques","volume":"42 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143801311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christina Karamarkou, Mehran Babady, Charalampia Maltsinioti, Oliver Bruder
{"title":"Update on Imaging in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy","authors":"Christina Karamarkou, Mehran Babady, Charalampia Maltsinioti, Oliver Bruder","doi":"10.1111/echo.70146","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/echo.70146","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic cardiac disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This review highlights the essential role of multimodal imaging—transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and cardiac computed tomography (CCT)—in the diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of HCM. TTE remains the first-line tool, while advanced techniques like CMR and CCT offer enhanced accuracy in tissue characterization, fibrosis detection, and procedural planning. By integrating these imaging modalities, clinicians can adopt a precision medicine approach, enabling tailored treatment strategies that address individual patient needs. This comprehensive use of imaging not only enhances clinical decision-making but also holds the potential to improve long-term outcomes for patients with HCM.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50558,"journal":{"name":"Echocardiography-A Journal of Cardiovascular Ultrasound and Allied Techniques","volume":"42 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143801846","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}