Patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and reduced ejection fraction (EF) should be promptly operated on. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) has been proposed as a subtle subclinical marker of left…
Objectives .– Planimetry measured by two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE, MVA2D) is the reference method for the evaluation of the severity of mitral stenosis (MS) but is significantly less reliable when…
Background .– There is currently uncertainty and debate regarding whether ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) is a secondary epiphenomenon resulting from LV dysfunction or confers an independent effect on exercise capacity…
Background .– Several studies suggest that BNP testing may help define the timing of aortic valve surgery in patients with aortic valve stenosis (AVS) prior onset of overt LV systolic…
Objectives .– Functional MR may occur in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) as elevated left atrial pressure disrupts normal functioning of the mitral valve apparatus. Whether functional MR…
Background.– Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) can detect left atrial thrombus (LA) and dense LA spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC) which have been associated with a higher risk of thromboembolism. Scarce data are…
Objectives.– The playpnea-orthodeoxy syndrome (POS) is described in literature and characterized by dyspnea, hypoxemia and desaturation in the upright position. It is caused by mechanical obstruction of the inferior vena…
Background .– 2D speckle imaging is a useful tool to evaluate right ventricular (RV) function at rest; however, the response of the RV to exercise has not been well established….
Background .– Previous care reports have suggested that dobutamine stress echocardiography may induce coronary artery spasm. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of coronary artery spasm…
Background .– The cardiac consequences of extensive athletic activity in men over the age of 50 years are unknown. Aims .– We intend to describe the remodelling that occur due…
