Authors’ Reply
We thank Drs. Claridge and Greaves for their interest in our work. They properly state that acquisition of images of good quality is a challenge in obese patients, particularly during…
The Use of Transthoracic Echocardiography and Adherence to Appropriate Use Criteria at a Regional Hospital
Background The sharp increase in health care costs over the past decade has prompted health care providers to reevaluate how diagnostic imaging is utilized. In response to the need for…
Is Peak Treadmill Exercise Echocardiography Feasible in Patients with Poor Acoustic Windows?
We read with interest Peteiro et al. ‘s finding that peak treadmill exercise echocardiography is superior to peak supine bicycle exercise echocardiography and post–treadmill exercise echocardiography for the detection of inducible…
Variations in Common Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness during the Cardiac Cycle: Implications for Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
Background Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), a measure of atherosclerosis, varies between peak systole and end-diastole. This difference might affect cardiovascular risk assessment. Methods IMT measurements of the right…
Transesophageal Echocardiography and Cardioversion Trends in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A 10-Year Survey
Background Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has long been used to assess for left atrial thrombus (LAT) in patients undergoing direct-current cardioversion (DCC) for atrial fibrillation or flutter. However, little is known…
Early Detection of Regional Functional Abnormalities in Asymptomatic ARVD/C Gene Carriers
Background The overt stage of arrhythmogenic right ventricular (RV) dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) is preceded by a concealed stage with minor or no signs of disease. However, sudden death may occur in…
Effects of Frame Rate on Three-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking–Based Measurements of Myocardial Deformation
Background Myocardial strain is useful in the evaluation of left ventricular function using high–frame rate two-dimensional (2D) speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). Three-dimensional (3D) STE allows 3D measurement of myocardial deformation, which…
Exercise with a Twist: Left Ventricular Twist and Recoil in Healthy Young and Middle-Aged Men, and Middle-Aged Endurance-Trained Men
Background The contribution of left ventricular (LV) twist and recoil in augmenting stroke volume during exercise is poorly understood, and few data are available describing the impact of endurance exercise…
Recording Mitral Annular Motion: A Discovery Made While Investigating the Poor Specificity of the Mitral Valve Diastolic (E to F) Slope
When doing research many unexpected important discoveries are made while pursuing a totally different goal. Recording mitral annular motion with M-mode echocardiography is one such discovery. When I saw my…
Mitral Annular Plane Systolic Excursion as a Surrogate for Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
Background Assessing left ventricular function is a common indication for echocardiography. It generally requires expert echocardiographer estimation and is somewhat subjective and prone to reader discordance. Mitral annular plane systolic…
