True Diameter of Vessels
We read with great interest the study by Kutty et al ., who reported normal values for superior and inferior vena cava dimensions, systemic venous filling fractions, inferior vena cava “collapsibility…
Quantification of Error in the Calculation of ZScores in Neonates
We agree with the conclusions in the article by den Dekker et al . regarding the caution with which Z scores should be interpreted, particularly in neonates. It is well established…
Authors’ Reply
We thank the correspondents for their insightful letter highlighting the theoretical disadvantages of (1) image acquisition of the inferior vena cava (IVC) in its long axis and (2) normalization of…
Advanced Cardiac Amyloidosis Associated with Normal Interventricular Septal Thickness: An Uncommon Presentation of Infiltrative Cardiomyopathy
Background Increased interventricular septal (IVS) thickness on echocardiography is a diagnostic criterion for cardiac amyloidosis and classically precedes decrement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The investigators describe patients with…
Preliminary Observations of Prognostic Value of Left Atrial Functional Reserve during Dobutamine Infusion in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Background The importance of left atrial (LA) functional reserve in patients with depressed left ventricular function remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that…
Right Ventricular Mechanics in Adults after Surgical Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot: Insights from Three-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography
Background The clinical relevance of evaluating right ventricular (RV) myocardial deformation in congenital heart disease is increasingly recognized. The aim of this study was to explore, using three-dimensional (3D) speckle-tracking…
Relationship between Echocardiographic and Magnetic Resonance Derived Measures of Right Ventricular Size and Function in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension
Background Transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) imaging is the mainstay of clinical practice for evaluating right ventricular (RV) size and function, but its accuracy in patients with pulmonary hypertension has not been…
Incremental Value of the En Face View of the Tricuspid Valve by Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Echocardiography for Accurate Identification of Tricuspid Valve Leaflets
Background In this study, advanced postprocessing of three-dimensional echocardiographic (3DE) data sets was used to identify tricuspid valve (TV) leaflets in two-dimensional echocardiographic (2DE) views, and the feasibility of the…
Elastic Properties of the Descending Aorta in Patients with a Bicuspid or Tricuspid Aortic Valve and Aortic Valvular Disease
Background The aim of this study was to explore possible differences in aortic strain, distensibility, and stiffness in the descending thoracic aorta between patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAVs) and…
Right Ventricular Mechanics Using a Novel Comprehensive Three-View Echocardiographic Strain Analysis in a Normal Population
Background Although quantitative right ventricular (RV) strain analysis may be useful in congenital and acquired heart disease populations with RV failure, a comprehensive, standardized approach is lacking. An 18-segment RV…
