Background The appropriateness use criteria (AUC) for the performance of transthoracic echocardiography were recently revised. The aims of this study were to evaluate the 2011 AUC for echocardiography for their…
Experience matters in medicine. In the current era of lengthy training programs and sub-subspecialization, this statement is hard to dispute. The concept that experience matters is not limited to medicine,…
Background Despite several efforts using two-dimensional echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance in the diagnosis of left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC), there are no universally accepted diagnostic criteria. The aim of this…
Background Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) cardiomyopathy is variably defined by numerous trabeculations, deep intertrabecular recesses, and noncompacted-to-compacted (NC/C) ratio >2. Limited studies exist on the reproducibility of diagnosing LVNC. Methods…
Background Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an alternative to conventional surgery in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), but data regarding mitral regurgitation (MR) characteristics and changes after…
Background The impact of mitral valve surgery on left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) dimensions is unclear. Real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography permits excellent visualization of the LVOT and might improve standard…
Background It has been suggested that myocardial systolic impairment may not be accurately detected by the evaluation of endocardial excursion alone. The aim of this study was to test the…
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an autosomal dominant disease with both variable penetrance and a wide spectrum of phenotypic expression. Although there are several established risk factors for sudden cardiac death…
Background Two-dimensional (2D) and Doppler-derived echocardiographic data on normal CarboMedics (CM) mechanical mitral valve prosthesis function have been reported but are limited. Methods Comprehensive retrospective 2D and Doppler echocardiographic assessment…
Background Although exercise echocardiography may assess left ventricular (LV) function and LV outflow tract (LVOT) gradients during exercise in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), its value for predicting outcomes has…
