scholarly journals Fetal Echocardiography in Uncommon Prenatal Cardiac Anomalies: Right Atrium Diverticulum, Interventricular Septal Aneurysm, Left and Right Ventricle Diverticulum – Report from Referral Center for Fetal Cardiology in Poland

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-34
Author(s):  
Joanna Płużańska ◽  
Maria Respondek-Liberska

Abstract The prenatal detection of congenital anomalies of heart walls is very rare. We present a unique series of 8 cases with prenatal echocardiographic monitoring, treatment and postnatal follow-up, providing new insight into this “mysterious” heart problem

Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Hayase ◽  
Yonatan Faiwiszewski ◽  
Stephen Vampola ◽  
Aron Bender ◽  
Gordon Ho ◽  
...  

Introduction: Recent work has shown that rotor characteristics can distinguish sustained versus non-sustained ventricular fibrillation (VF). However, the significance of functional VF substrates on patient outcomes is not studied. Methods: In 26 consecutive patients presenting for ventricular arrhythmia ablation procedures, 64-electrode basket catheters were inserted into both the left and right ventricles and VF was induced and defibrillated at 11±3 seconds. Computational phase analysis was performed and each VF cycle was characterized as rotor, focal, or disorganized activation. Follow-up data were analyzed for arrhythmia recurrence and compared to rotor stability. Forward stepwise regression analysis incorporating age, history of CHF, history of a-fib, history of prior MI, number of VTs induced, and presence of post-procedure inducible VT was performed to determine the strongest predictor of procedural outcome. Results: Of 26 patients, 19 had sustained VF, and 16 underwent attempted ablation (7 VT, 9 PVC). Optimization of the Youden index for the ROC analysis regarding rotor stability and procedural outcome demonstrated that maximum rotor stability of > 14.5 rotations (corresponding to total rotor prevalence of 71%) provided optimal sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 87% for arrhythmia recurrence. Among these, greater rotor stability was significantly associated with ventricular arrhythmia recurrence (86% versus 11%, p = 0.01) (Table 1), and was the strongest predictor of outcomes. Recurrence was independent of presenting arrhythmia. Conclusions: Functional VF/VT metrics were the strongest predictor of ventricular arrhythmia outcomes compared to traditional predictors in this series of patients. This suggests that functional substrate characteristics may provide added insight into recurrence mechanisms. Whether they may identify a target for future interventions requires further study.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Stronati ◽  
F Guerra ◽  
L Zuliani ◽  
L Manfredi ◽  
A Ferrarini ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a progressive autoimmune disease which has been proven to affect the heart. While it is widely known that the disease can cause pulmonary artery hypertension and therefore secondary right heart impairment, new studies have detected a subclinical heart involvement of both the left and right ventricles. The similar changes in myocardial deformation of both chambers assessed by speckle tracking imaging are consistent with the definition of SSc-related cardiomyopathy as a standalone entity with peculiar characteristics. Purpose The aim of the present study is to describe the progression of myocardial deformation as assessed through speckle tracking in patients with SSc and no pulmonary hypertension. Methods Prospective, longitudinal study on 48 patients affected by SSc. Patients with a history of heart failure, known structural heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and pulmonary hypertension were excluded. For every patient, standard echocardiographical and speckle-tracking derived variables for the systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) were acquired at baseline and after 15±6 months. Results While common parameters of systolic function (Simpons's left ventricular ejection fraction, right ventricular fractional area change, TAPSE, tricuspidal S') did not change during follow-up, mean global longitudinal strain (GLS) significantly worsened for both left (from −19.1%±4.2% to −17.2%±5.0%) and right ventricle (from −17.9%±5.2% to −15.9%±4.8%) over 15 months. The increased impairment seen in SSc patients was homogeneous across endocardial layers (LV: from −21.8%±4.8% to −18.8%±5.2%; RV: from −20.6%±4.5% to −19.4%±4.9%), midventricular layers (LV: from −19.2%±4.5% to −17.7%±4.9%; RV: from −17.7%±4.7% to −16.7%±4.6%) and epicardial layers (LV: from −16.3%±4.7% to −16.0%±4.3%; RV: from −15.4%±5.0% to −14.6%±4.1%), as well as across myocardial segments (Figure 1). No difference in progression rate was seen between the diffuse and limited version of SSc, nor between different serotypes. Figure 1 Conclusions While traditional echocardiographical parameters are useless in order to follow the natural history of SSc-related cardiomyopathy during its early stages, GLS impairment progresses during a 15-month follow-up and involves similarly both the left and right ventricle. Whether, how, and how much the altered myocardial deformation contributes to the incidence of pulmonary arterial hypertension in these patients is still to be assessed. Acknowledgement/Funding Marche Polytechnic University


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Castellanos Alcalde ◽  
N Garcia Ibarrondo ◽  
G Ramirez-Escudero ◽  
R Candina Urizar ◽  
A Lanbarri Izaguirre ◽  
...  

Abstract Interatrial communication is the most common congenital defect found in adulthood, being the most common ostium secundum variety (70-80%). Superior and inferior sinus venosus defects are less usual, found in the 5-10% of cases of interatrial communication and frequently associated with anomalous pulmonary venous return (APVR). These defects are located near the junction of the superior (5%) or inferior (<1%) vena cava with the right atrium, which makes them difficult to diagnose by transthoracic ecocardiography (TTE). Case description: A 44-year-old man who is being followed up in our electrophysiology consulting with suspicion of ARVC (suggestive CMR with no gene found) after an episode of ventricular tachycardia (VT) 11 years ago. Asymptomatic since then under treatment with atenolol, except for an episode of chest pain that required a coronary computed tomography which described an image compatible with a patent foramen ovale and normal coronary arteries. During the follow-up a cardio magnetic resonance (CMR) is performed which showed a severely dilated right ventricle with diskinetic areas, no volume changes since last CMR (5 years ago) and preserved ejection fraction. A small interatrial communication located infero-posteriorly in the septum drawed our attention. Estimated QP/QS was 1.4. After this finding, we reviewed the CT made 4 years ago, where a flow from the left atrium to the right atrium could be seen. We decided to ask for both a transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). TTE showed normal left ventricle, a dilated right ventricle with preserved function, no valvulopathies and normal pulmonary pressure. Shunt test with agitated saline was slightly positive after Valsalva maneuver, and QP/QS was again 1.4. TTE showed a small interatrial communication measuring 1.9x0.8cm, next to inferior vena cava`s drainage. Since right ventricle dilation could be due both to the atrial septal defect (ASD) and to the dysplasia, the case was discussed in the heart team, and as the defect was small, QP/QS was 1.4 and pulmonary pressure was normal we adopted a conservative approach. Inferior sinus venosus defects are one of the least common atrial septal defects. They are located in the atrial septum immediately above the orifice of the inferior vena cava and are often associated with partial anomalous connection of the right pulmonary veins. This location makes it difficult to see by means of a common TTE or TEE, and usually as in our case multimodal approach can be very helpful. Usually patients with this kind of atrial septal defect (ASD), signs of significant shunt (right ventricular volume overload, QP/QS≥1.5) and systolic PA pressure less than 50% of systemic pressure (with pulmonary vascular resistance less than one third of the systemic vascular resistance) are suggested for surgery. In this case the possibility of two pathologies overlapping makes it challenging for diagnosis and treatment. Abstract P718 Figure. Multimodal imaging for diagnosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1098.1-1099
Author(s):  
D. Benfaremo ◽  
G. Stronati ◽  
L. Manfredi ◽  
L. Zuliani ◽  
A. Ferrarini ◽  
...  

Background:Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a progressive autoimmune disease affecting the skin as well as internal organs, including the heart. A few studies have identified a subclinical heart involvement in patients with no pulmonary hypertension. Changes in myocardial deformation are consistent with the idea of SSc-related cardiomyopathy as a primary condition affecting the heart globally through microvascular dysfunction and subsequent myocardial fibrosis.Objectives:The aim of the present study is to describe the progression of myocardial deformation in patients with SSc and no overt cardiac disease.Methods:Prospective longitudinal study enrolling consecutive SSc patients referred to the Clinica Medica, University Hospital ‘Ospedali Riuniti’, Ancona, Italy, from February 2016 to December 2018. All patients fulfilled the 2013 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SSc. Patients with structural heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation or pulmonary hypertension were excluded. Disease subset, antibodies pattern, cardiovascular risk factors and involvement of other organ systems were recorded for each patient. An echocardiographic exam was performed for all patients at baseline and during their follow-up evaluation. Standard and speckle-tracking derived variables for the systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) were acquired. Speckle tracking analysis software (EchoPAC 13.0; GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, USA) was used to assess the GLS of the left and right ventricle, excluding the ventricular septum from right ventricular GLS calculations.Results:Seventy-two patients (68 females, age 56.6±15.4 years) were enrolled. Common echocardiographic parameters of left and right systolic function were within normal range at baseline and did not change during follow-up. Mean GLS, however, worsened for both left (from -19.8±3.5% to -18.7±3.5%, p=.034) and right ventricle (from -20.9±6.1% to -18.7±5.4%, p=.013) during a median follow-up of 20 months (1st-3rd quartile 12-24 months). The increased impairment registered in SSc patients was homogenous across endocardial layers (LV from -22.5±-3.9 to -21.4±3.9, p=.041; RV from -24.2±6.2 to -20.6±5.9, p=.001), mesocardial layers (LV -19.7±3.6 to -18.7±3.5, p=.043; RV from -21.3±5.9 to -18.8±5.7, p=.012) and epicardial layers (LV from -17.1±3.0 to -16.4±3.1, p=.112, RV -18.8±6.3 to -16.0±8.4, p=.035), as well as myocardial segments. No difference in progression rate was observed stratifying patients according to disease subset or other clinical parameters.Conclusion:GLS impairment progressed over a 20-month follow-up period in a cohort of SSc patients without clinically overt cardiac involvement. Further studies are needed to assess the significance of subclinical heart involvement and its progression in patients with SSc.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 2646
Author(s):  
Saeid Abbasian

The following study is the first Swedish study on Halal tourism in Sweden. The purpose of this exploratory research is to get insight into the perception of Halal tourism in Sweden among representatives of tourism stakeholders. The overall methodology approach in this research is qualitative, consisting of 25 qualitative questionnaires, 21 short letters, four follow-up interviews, and a web observation, and content analysis was employed. The results indicate that there is a low knowledge of Halal tourism in Sweden including Swedish tourism industry. The concept is very challenging, and profits are low. It might result in problem scenarios such as detrimental effects on non-Halal tourism, cultural difficulties and increased risk of xenophobia, anti-Islamism, and tension in the society. There is low interest for Sweden among Muslim tourists as the interest and priority for Halal tourism is rather low from Swedish tourism industry. Despite Halal tourism’s importance internationally, these representatives are rather cautious and doubtful about promotion of Sweden towards this niche. Still, a majority seems to be positive to a lighter version of Muslim-friendly tourism with secular/moderate Muslims as a target group.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara L Weidmayer ◽  
Hakan Demirci

Abstract Background The natural course of a vortex vein varix, though not well understood, has been known to remain stable. However, here we report a novel case of a vortex vein varix that resolved after an extended period of monitoring. Case presentation An asymptomatic 96-year-old Caucasian man was found to have a vortex vein varix. At his previous examination 13 months prior, his fundus was normal. At 13 months of observation, his vortex vein varix become clinically undetectable. Further follow-up confirmed continued absence of the varix. Conclusion This case demonstrates the development then clinical resolution of a vortex vein varix with no clear identifiable factors for its evolution. This case is novel and offers new insight into the natural history of some vortex vein varices, implicating venous congestion as an instigator and venous collateralization as its alleviator, suggesting that vortex vein varices are likely more common than previously reported since some may be temporary and under-identified.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 4982
Author(s):  
Anahita Davoodi ◽  
Peter Johansson ◽  
Myriam Aries

Validation of the EBD-SIM (evidence-based design-simulation) framework, a conceptual framework developed to integrate the use of lighting simulation in the EBD process, suggested that EBD’s post-occupancy evaluation (POE) should be conducted more frequently. A follow-up field study was designed for subjective–objective results implementation in the EBD process using lighting simulation tools. In this real-time case study, the visual comfort of the occupants was evaluated. The visual comfort analysis data were collected via simulations and questionnaires for subjective visual comfort perceptions. The follow-up study, conducted in June, confirmed the results of the original study, conducted in October, but additionally found correlations with annual performance metrics. This study shows that, at least for the variables related to daylight, a POE needs to be conducted at different times of the year to obtain a more comprehensive insight into the users’ perception of the lit environment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Akhunova ◽  
R Khayrullin ◽  
N Stekolshchikova ◽  
M Samigullin ◽  
V Padiryakov

Abstract A 68-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with complaints of pain in the lumbar spine. He had L5 disc herniation, Spinal stenosis of the L5 root canal - S1 on the right in the past medical history. Percutaneous vertebroplasty at the level of L3 and Th8 vertebral bodies was performed six months ago due to painful vertebral hemangioma. The man is suffering from arterial hypertension, receives antihypertensive therapy. During routine transthoracic echocardiography, a hyperechoic structure with a size of 9.5 x 0.9 cm was found in the right atrium and right ventricle. Chest computed tomography with contrast enhancement revealed signs of bone cement in the right atrium and right ventricle, in the right upper lobe artery, in the branches of the upper lobe artery, in the paravertebral venous plexuses. Considering the duration of the disease, the stable condition, the absence of clinical manifestations and disorders of intracardiac hemodynamics, it was decided to refrain from surgical treatment. Antiplatelet therapy and dynamic observation were recommended. Conclusion Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a modern minimally invasive surgical procedure for the treatment of degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine. However, the cement can penetrate into the paravertebral veins and migrate to the right chambers of the heart and the pulmonary artery. This clinical case demonstrates asymptomatic cement embolism of the right chambers of the heart and pulmonary artery after percutaneous vertebroplasty, detected incidentally during routine echocardiography. Abstract P686 Figure.


2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 807-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinaga Nageswar Rao ◽  
Deepak Gowda G ◽  
Rajan Anand ◽  
Neelam B. Desai

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document