scholarly journals The application experience of focused ultrasound heart examination in patients with COVID-19 in Prone-position

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 13-21
Author(s):  
N. I. Belavina ◽  
R. T. Iskhakov ◽  
I. V. Barkova ◽  
E. S. Ilina ◽  
I. A. Kesareva ◽  
...  

Aim of the study. To study the experience of using focused transthoracic echocardiography in patients with COVID-19 in prone position (fEchoPr) in intensive care units (ICU).Materials and methods. The retrospective observational study included 53 patients (period from 15 April to 31 December 2020). Inclusion criteria: confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, availability of fEchoPr data, outcome certainty (discharge/death). We analyzed electronic medical records. The fEchoPr was performed in patients in the prone position with a bolster under the left side of the chest and left arm raised (‘swimmer’s position’). We assessed the systolic function of the right ventricle (RV) (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)), RV size, RV/LV ratio, systolic function of the left ventricle (LV) (left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral. (LVOT VTI)), and pulmonary hypertension (PH) (tricuspid regurgitation peak gradient (PGTR). Depending on the results, the patients were divided into 2 groups: informative (+fEchoPr) and non-informative (–fEchoPr) examinations.Results. There was no statistically significant difference in the groups (+fEcho n = 35 vs –fEcho n = 18) by age (65.6 ± 15.3 vs 60.2 ± 15.8, p > 0.05), by gender (male: 23 (65.7%) vs 14 (77.8%), p > 0.05), by body mass index (31.3 ± 5.3 kg/m 2 vs 29.5 ± 5.4 kg/m2 , p > 0.05), by mechanical ventilation support (24 (68.6%) vs 17 (94.4%), p = 0.074), by NEWS scale indicators (6.9 ± 3.7 vs 8.5 ± 3.5 points), by mortality (82.8% vs 94.4%, p > 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a moderate inverse relationship between being on mechanical ventilation and the informative value of the study (Spearman's r = −0.30 at p = 0.033). In the +fEchoPr group, the correct measurement of TAPSE and RV/LV was carried out in 100%: a decrease in RV systolic function was recorded in 5 patients (14%), expansion of the RV in 13 patients (37%). Signs of PH were detected in 11 patients (31%), PGTR could not be measured in 10 patients (28%). LV systolic dysfunction was detected in 7 patients (20%). No pathology was detected in 16 patients (46%). One patient was diagnosed with infective endocarditis of native mitral valve, which was later confirmed by autopsy.Conclusion. In 66% of cases, fEchoPr examinations were informative, especially in terms of assessing the state of the right heart. fEchoPr examination is an affordable, valid and reproducible method to assess and monitor the state of the heart in ICU patients.

Author(s):  
Elif Tükenmez Tigen ◽  
Alper Kepez ◽  
Murat Sünbül ◽  
Beste Özben ◽  
Buket Ertürk Şengel ◽  
...  

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) systolic performance in patients with sepsis or septic shock and possible functional alteration on in-hospital mortality. Patients and Methods: Thirty-seven consecutive patients with the diagnosis of sepsis or septic shock were included in the study. All patients underwent comprehensive transthoracic echocardiographic examination. Data of patients discharged from the intensive care unit was compared with data of patients who died in the hospital. Results: Fifteen patients (40.5%) survived, while 22 patients were died in the hospital (59.5%). A significant difference was detected between survivor and non-survivor groups regarding before discharge or death level of inflammatory markers such as CRP (p=0.05) and procalcitonin (p=0.03) besides BNP (p=0.01) and SOFA (p=0.009) score. There were two patients (5.4%) with EF value less than %50 in the study population. Eight patients (21.6%) displayed hypokinesia on the apical segment, and four patients (10.8%) had TAPSE values below 17 mm. One patient (6.6%) in the survivor group, but seven patients (31.8%) in the non-survivor group had apical hypokinesia with a trend towards significance (p=0.068). One patient in the survivor group (6.6%) and three patients (13.6%) in the non-survivor group had RV systolic dysfunction (p: 0.51). Conclusion: We found a much lower rate of LV and RV systolic dysfunction in patients with sepsis or septic shock compared with previous studies. None of the myocardial dysfunction types was associated with in-hospital mortality. Apical hypokinesia was also more prevalent in non-survivors despite borderline significance.


Author(s):  
Meltem Çimen ◽  
Selin Eyüboğlu ◽  
Uğur Özdemir ◽  
Burhan Sami Kalın ◽  
Tuba Güney ◽  
...  

Introduction: The detection of cardiac systolic dysfunction is very important for well management of pulmonary critical care patients (PCCPs). However, there is a poor correlation between echocardiographic cardiac systolic function (CSF) parameters and it is not easy to obtain these parameters in PCCPs. Therefore, this cross-sectional observational study was planned for the detection of a more easily obtainable echocardiographic CSF parameter that is well correlated with other CSF parameters in PCCPs. Materials and Methods: Total 88 PCCPs were included. Demographic and clinical information and laboratory tests of all patients were recorded. The CSF parameters of the heart were obtained by transthoracic echocardiography with appropriate technique. LVOT-VTI (Left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral), CO (cardiac output), EPSS (e point septal separation), Left ventricular EF (ejection fraction) and TAPSE (Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion) as an indicator of CSF were tried to obtain from all pateints. We also calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of LVOT-VTI<20 parameter to diagnose heart failure. Results: The mean age of the patients was 73±12, 40% were female, 38% were intubated and 52% had COPD. LVOTVTI, EF, CO, EPSS parameters were obtained in 54(61%), 24(27%), 48(54%), 48(54%) patients, respectively. Decreased LVOT-VTI (<20 cm) was well correlated with decreased EF (<45%) (p=0.001, r=0.77), decreased CO (<5 L/dk) (p=0.03, r=0.64) and decreased TAPSE (<17 mm) (p=0.001, r=0.71). Also, there was good agreement between the EF and LVOTVTI measurements (Kappa:0.78, p:0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of LVOTVTI<20 for heart failure were 58, 78, 84, 49 repectively. Conclusion: LVOT-VTI is more easily obtainable and well correlated parameter which can be used as an indicator of CSF in PCCPs.


Author(s):  
Fabian Strodka ◽  
Jana Logoteta ◽  
Roman Schuwerk ◽  
Mona Salehi Ravesh ◽  
Dominik Daniel Gabbert ◽  
...  

AbstractVentricular dysfunction is a well-known complication in single ventricle patients in Fontan circulation. As studies exclusively examining patients with a single left ventricle (SLV) are sparse, we assessed left ventricular (LV) function in SLV patients by using 2D-cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) feature tracking (2D-CMR-FT) and 2D-speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). 54 SLV patients (11.4, 3.1–38.1 years) and 35 age-matched controls (12.3, 6.3–25.8 years) were included. LV global longitudinal, circumferential and radial strain (GLS, GCS, GRS) and strain rate (GLSR, GCSR, GRSR) were measured using 2D-CMR-FT. LV volumes, ejection fraction (LVEF) and mass were determined from short axis images. 2D-STE was applied in patients to measure peak systolic GLS and GLSR. In a subgroup analysis, we compared double inlet left ventricle (DILV) with tricuspid atresia (TA) patients. The population consisted of 19 DILV patients, 24 TA patients and 11 patients with diverse diagnoses. 52 patients were in NYHA class I and 2 patients were in class II. Most SLV patients had a normal systolic function but median LVEF in patients was lower compared to controls (55.6% vs. 61.2%, p = 0.0001). 2D-CMR-FT demonstrated reduced GLS, GCS and GCSR values in patients compared to controls. LVEF correlated with GS values in patients (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between GLS values from 2D-CMR-FT and 2D-STE in the patient group. LVEF, LV volumes, GS and GSR (from 2D-CMR-FT) were not significantly different between DILV and TA patients. Although most SLV patients had a preserved EF derived by CMR, our results suggest that, LV deformation and function may behave differently in SLV patients compared to healthy subjects.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Borrelli ◽  
P Sciarrone ◽  
F Gentile ◽  
N Ghionzoli ◽  
G Mirizzi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Central apneas (CA) and obstructive apneas (OA) are highly prevalent in heart failure (HF) both with reduced and preserved systolic function. However, a comprehensive evaluation of apnea prevalence across HF according to ejection fraction (i.e HF with patients with reduced, mid-range and preserved ejection fraction- HFrEf, HFmrEF and HFpEF, respectively) throughout the 24 hours has never been done before. Materials and methods 700 HF patients were prospectively enrolled and then divided according to left ventricular EF (408 HFrEF, 117 HFmrEF, 175 HFpEF). All patients underwent a thorough evaluation including: 2D echocardiography; 24-h Holter-ECG monitoring; cardiopulmonary exercise testing; neuro-hormonal assessment and 24-h cardiorespiratory monitoring. Results In the whole population, prevalence of normal breathing (NB), CA and OA at daytime was 40%, 51%, and 9%, respectively, while at nighttime 15%, 55%, and 30%, respectively. When stratified according to left ventricular EF, CA prevalence decreased from HFrEF to HFmrEF and HFpEF: (daytime CA: 57% vs. 43% vs. 42%, respectively, p=0.001; nighttime CA: 66% vs. 48% vs. 34%, respectively, p&lt;0.0001), while OA prevalence increased (daytime OA: 5% vs. 8% vs. 18%, respectively, p&lt;0.0001; nighttime OA: 20 vs. 29 vs. 53%, respectively, p&lt;0.0001). When assessing moderte-severe apneas, defined with an apnea/hypopnea index &gt;15 events/hour, prevalence of CA was again higher in HFrEF than HFmrEF and HFpEF both at daytime (daytime moderate-severe CA: 28% vs. 19% and 23%, respectively, p&lt;0.05) and at nighttime (nighttime moderate-severe CA: 50% vs. 39% and 28%, respectively, p&lt;0.05). Conversely, moderate-severe OA decreased from HFrEF to HFmrEF to HFpEF both at daytime (daytime moderate-severe OA: 1% vs. 3% and 8%, respectively, p&lt;0.05) and nighttime (noghttime moderate-severe OA: 10% vs. 11% and 30%, respectively, p&lt;0.05). Conclusions Daytime and nighttime apneas, both central and obstructive in nature, are highly prevalent in HF regardless of EF. Across the whole spectrum of HF, CA prevalence increases and OA decreases as left ventricular systolic dysfunction progresses, both during daytime and nighttime. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed MesbahTahaHassanin ◽  
Ahmad ShafieAmmar ◽  
Radwa M. Abdullah ◽  
Mohammad Hassan Khedr

Abstract Background Right ventricular apical pacing with the resultant left ventricular dyssynchrony often leads to depressed systolic function and heart failure. This study aimed at investigating the relation between various septal locations guided by ECG and fluoroscopy and the intermediate term functional capacity of the patients. Results Fifty patients who received a single lead pacemaker with assumed > 90% pacemaker dependency. Patients were randomized according to RV pacing site RV into group 1 “high septum” (n = 15), group 2 “mid septum” (n = 25), and group 3 “low septum” (n = 10) using QRS vector and duration as well as fluoroscopic parameters. Their clinical status was assessed 6 months after device implementation using 6-min walk test (6MWT). The study showed that paced QRS complex duration itself has no significant difference between the different septal pacing locations (P-value 0.675), although its combination with the paced QRS complex vector can signify the optimal pacing site and 6MWT showed a significant difference among the groups in favor of group 1; group 1 (413.3 ± 148.5), group 2 (359.8 ± 124.6), and group 3 (276.0 ± 98.5) P value 0.04. Conclusion There was a significant difference found between the three septal pacing sites concerning the patient functional capacity with superiority of high septal location. By contrast, different septal sites showed no significant difference of the paced QRS complex duration. To optimize the pacing site in the septum, assessment of the paced QRS vector in leads I and III is of a great benefit especially when combined with paced QRS complex duration assessment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. e238076
Author(s):  
Bryan O'Sullivan ◽  
Richard Tanner ◽  
Peter Kelly ◽  
Gerard Fahy

A 75-year-old was treated for prostate adenocarcinoma with brachytherapy in September 2018. A routine follow-up chest radiograph 3 months later revealed a metallic object of the same dimensions as a brachytherapy pellet located in the right ventricle. Further imaging showed the brachtherapy pellet was located in the anterobasal right ventricular endocardium close to the tricuspid valve. Frequent asymptomatic premature ventricular contractions were observed with likely origin from the left ventricular outflow tract, an area remote from the site of the pellet. The patient remains asymptomatic and subsequent imaging shows that the position of the pellet has not changed.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akshar Jaglan ◽  
Sarah Roemer ◽  
Ana C Perez Moreno ◽  
Bijoy K Khandheria

Introduction: Myocardial work is a novel parameter that can be used in a clinic setting to assess left ventricular (LV) pressures and deformation. This study sought to distinguish patterns of global myocardial work index in hypertensive vs. non-hypertensive patients. Methods: Fifty (25 male, mean age 60±14 years) hypertensive patients and 15 (7 male, mean age 38±12 years) control patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography at rest. Hypertensive patients were divided into stage 1 (26 patients) and stage 2 (24 patients) based on the 2017 American College of Cardiology guidelines. We excluded patients with suboptimal image quality for myocardial deformation analysis, reduced ejection fraction (EF), valvular heart disease, and arrhythmia. Global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE) were estimated from LV pressure strain loops utilizing proprietary software from speckle-tracking echocardiography. LV systolic and diastolic pressures were estimated using a noninvasive brachial artery cuff. Results: Global longitudinal strain (GLS) and EF were preserved between the two groups with no statistically significant difference whereas there was a statistically significant difference in the GWI (p<0.01), GCW (p=0.03), GWW (p<0.01), and GWE (p=0.03) (Figure and Table). Conclusions: Myocardial work gives us a closer look at the relationship between LV pressure and contractility in settings of increased load dependency whereas LVEF and GLS cannot. We show how myocardial work is an advanced assessment of LV systolic function in hypertensive patients.


Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Darlene K Racker

INTRODUCTION: The proximal AV bundle (PAVB) has been shown to be the only input to the AV node (AVN) in the canine heart in anatomoelectrical reports over the past 20 years. The anatomic studies utilized photographic correlations of epi- and endocardial aspects of whole hearts through blocking, and serial histologic parallel, perpendicular and transverse plane Goldner Trichrome stained sections of the flattened heart; Karnovsky’s fixative at pH 7.2 and sucrose buffer rinses; direct 3D and stereotaxic analysis. Electrical studies, under direct observation of in-vitro superfused hearts, delineated unique wire, catheter, and micropipet electrode potentials via high K, transections, Lucifer Yellow iontophoresis and photoablations during spontaneous and paced SA node rhythms and with simultaneous SA node, atrionodal bundles, PAVB, AVN and distal AV bundle recordings. HYPOTHESIS: The PAVB exists in the human heart. METHODS AND RESULTS: Explanted normal human hearts, deemed unsuitable for transplantation, processed as above with transverse sections, revealed that the AVN (Figs. A–C ) is joined by the PAVB at a 90-degree angle (Figs. B, C ). These “normal” hearts from older patients (57– 80 yr) had atrophic or absent atrial myocardium. In Figure C , most of the right medial atrial wall myocardium, but not the left atrium (LA), had been replaced by fat. CONCLUSIONS: PAVB is the only AVN input in the human heart. As in the canine heart, PAVB also runs away from the annulus and is apposed to LA. Knowledge of the PAVB should be helpful in decreasing morbidity associated with clinical procedures. Care must be taken in ablating the fast superior atrionodal bundle pathway input to the PAVB. Figures A and B are from the same 60 yr and C is from a 71 yr old heart. AVN (A) is apposed to the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOFT and dotted line) along with the PAVB ( B and C ). But as seen in C , PAVB assumes a position apposed to LA, And, as in the dog heart, thereafter (not shown here) PAVB is completely apposed to LA.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Kang ◽  
Xiao-Jing Chen ◽  
Qing Zhang ◽  
Xiao-Ling Sun ◽  
Yu-Chen Chen ◽  
...  

Backgrounds: Recent studies evidenced growth of the mitral leaflet (ML) in patients with functional mitral regurgitation (FMR), casting doubt on the traditional understanding of FMR. The aim of this study was to explore whether growth of ML occurs in patients with non-ischemic left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and to examine whether there was any relationship between the growth of ML and the development of FMR. Methods: Echocardiographic examination was performed in 3 groups of patients: patients with non-ischemic LV systolic dysfunction [LV ejection fraction (EF) <50%] and significant FMR (MR jet area ratio≥20%) (group1, n=40), patients with non-ischemic LV systolic dysfunction but no significant FMR (MR jet area ratio <20%) (group2, n=30), and normal subjects (group3, n=40). The lengths of the anterior (AML) and posterior (PML) mitral leaflets as well as the anterior-posterior mitral annular dimension (MAD) were measured to reflect the degree of ML growth and mitral annular dilation. The ratio of AML and PML to MAD (AML: MAD, PML: MAD) were calculated respectively to assess the adequacy of ML growth in the context of mitral annular dilation. Results: The AML, PML, and the MAD were all increased in patients with LV systolic dysfunction (group1 and group2) compared with normal subjects (group3). In patients with LV systolic dysfunction, both PML and MAD were further increased in group1 compared with group2. However, AML showed no significant difference between the 2 groups. As a result, PML:MAD showed no significant difference between group1 and group2, while AML:MAD was significantly decreased in group1 compared with group2 (Table 1). Conclusion: Mitral leaflet growth occurs in patients with non-ischemic LV systolic dysfunction. Insufficient growth of the anterior mitral leaflet relative to dilated mitral annulus is associated with the development of significant FMR.


Hypertension ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayed Tariq ◽  
James Anderson ◽  
Rohit Dhingra ◽  
Mikhail Torosoff

Background: Effects of anti-hypertensive medications on left ventricular dimensions and systolic function in patients with arterio-venous (AV) fistulas have not been well investigated. Material and Methods: Medical charts and echocardiograms of 346 patients with AV fistula were reviewed. Of 346, 149 patients had TTE prior to the AV fistula surgery, 197 had TTE after the AV fistula surgery, and 76 patients had TTE before and after the AV fistula surgery. Data on medication use was available in 314 patients. ANOVA, chi-square, and logistic regression tests were employed. Results: In patients scheduled for AV fistula placement, 20% (31/149) patients had systolic dysfunction and 15% (22/142) had increased LV end-diastolic dimensions (LVEDD). Moderate systolic LV dysfunction was observed in 6% (9/149) and additional 8% (12/149) had severe LV dysfunction. Increased LVEDD with some LV dysfunction was noted in 27% (38/142).Following the AV fistula placement, 18% (36/197) of patients had systolic dysfunction and 12% (22/187) had increased LV end-diastolic dimensions (LVEDD). Moderate or severe systolic LV dysfunction was observed in 6% (5/197). LV systolic dysfunction or dilatation was noted in 23% (43/187). Of 314 patients, 63% were on beta-blockers (BB), 25% were on ACE inhibitor or an ARB , 43% on calcium-channel blocker , and 15% on alpha-antagonist . BB, ACEi-ARB, or AA were not associated with increased LVEDD or systolic dysfunction before or after the AV fistula placement. Prior to AV fistula, CCB treatment was not related to LV dilatation (36% in each group, p=0.981) Post AV fistula, CCB treatment was associated with increased LV dimensions (71% vs. 46%, p=0.029) but not LV systolic dysfunction (49% in LV dysfunction vs. 38% in the rest, p=0.446) . This association persisted after adjustment for co-morbidities and demographic parameters. Conclusions: LV systolic dysfunction and/or dilatation are common in patients undergoing AV fistula surgery. Despite decreased use of Ca-channel blockers in patients with LV dysfunction prior to AV fistula, Ca-channel blockers are associated with increased LV dimensions post AV fistula, and probably should be avoided in this vulnerable patient population.


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