Full text echocardiography articles in Portuguese from the Sociedade de Cardiologia do Estado de Sao Paulo Web site.
The Altavista translation service unfortunately, does not translate the articles completely.
by CARLOS EDUARDO T.O. LIMA
Abstract
There is a wide spectrum of aortic diseases, ranging from dissecting and non-dissecting aneurysms, atherosclerotic disease, such as plaques, intra-aortic debris, and ulcers to congenital lesions as Valsalva’s sinus aneurysm. Before echocardiography, these lesions were evaluated by invasive means, as catheterization and contrast angiography and by highly expensive noninvasive diagnostic modalities as computerized tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance. Echocardiography, specially transesophageal, has emerged as a highly sensitive, noninvasive, nonexpensive, bedside modality to evaluate these patients. Congenital Valsalva’s sinus aneurysms have the potential for rupture and can create a dramatic clinical picture. The incidence of acute aortic dissection is over than 2,000 cases per year in the United States, and when it envolves the ascending aorta, represents a true medical-surgical emergency. Transesophageal echocardiography, unlike transthoracic, has the unique ability to investigate the extent of the thoracic aorta from the gastroesophageal junction into the aortic root. Like transthoracic echo it has the capability to evaluate the four cardiac chambers, great vessels and cardiac valves. As such, it cannot only diagnose aortic dissection but further classify its extent, identify entrance points, and identify virtually any and all complications of the dissection. The limitations of transesophageal echocardiography are the inability to evaluate the aorta bellow the diaphragm and in certain circumstances the aortic arch. It must be kept in mind that operator expertise is of great importance. In many institutions, the accuracy of transesophageal echo is sufficient to send the patient to surgery without other studies. In summary, echocardiography, specially transesophageal, can be a valuable tool for evaluating patients with known or suspected aortic disease.
(Rev Soc Cardiol Estado de São Paulo 1997;5)
by TAMARA CORTEZ MARTINS
Abstract
Doppler-echocardiography is the most important non-invasive method in the diagnosis of congenital heart defects. In this paper we reviewed the main echocardiographic findings of the most frequently found cyanotic congenital heart defects. Among them are described the complete transposition of great arteries, double outlet of the right ventricle, tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia with intact septum, tricuspid atresia and total anomalous pulmonary venous connection.
(Rev Soc Cardiol Estado de São Paulo 1997;5)
by JOSÉ L. ANDRADE, RICARDO L. FERREIRA, KITTY G. NOBRE
Abstract
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by a myocardial hypertrophy with main envolvement of the left ventricle. It has two different presentations:concentric or affecting a specific myocardial segment. Doppler-echocardiography has been considered the best non invasive technique in diagnosing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It allows a clear identification of the myocardial hypertrophy, the anterior systolic motion of the mitral valve, the subaortic systolic gradient as well as the mitral regurgitation.
(Rev Soc Cardiol Estado de São Paulo 1997;5)
by JORGE EDUARDO ASSEF, RODRIGO BELLIO DE MATTOS BARRETTO, SIMONE NASCIMENTO DOS SANTOS DE MATTOS BARRETTO
Abstract
Doppler-echocardiography has changed the diagnosis and the approach of patients with left sided heart valve disease. This issue shows the most recent technics used in these afeccions characterization in the echocardiographic laboratories. The authors present the evolution of echocardiographic technics since the initial M-mode echocardiography, until the advent of the transesophageal echocardiography, passing through Doppler and color flow mapping methodology.
(Rev Soc Cardiol Estado de São Paulo 1997;5)
by LILIAN M. LOPES, MARCO ANTONIO B. LOPES, SEIZO MYIADAHIRA, MARCELO ZUGAIB
Abstract
From 1987 to 1997, we evaluated 3,320 fetuses aged from 12 to 42 weeks, using transabdominal probe (3,185 cases) and transvaginal probe (135 cases). The most common indication for transabdominal echocardiography was maternal diabetes (20.7%), arrhythmias (12.7%), family history of congenital heart disease (10.1%), polimalformation (10.1%) and abnormal findings by obstetric ultrasound (5.2%). Increased nucal translucence was present em 5% of referral for transvaginal echocardiography and 5 cases of congenital heart disease were observed. In 600 fetuses studied by transabdominal probe we confirmed abnormalities (18.8%): Group I, functional or structural abnormalities (327) and Group II, arrhythmias (273). The findings in Group I were: congenital heart disease (200), functional abnormalities (41), normal variations (78) and intracardiac tumor (8). The findings in Group II were premature atrial contractions (160), supraventricular tachycardia (42) and complete heart block (32). Invasive procedure was performed in one fetus with critical aortic stenosis (balloon dilatation), in 17 fetus of tachyarrhythmia (digoxin administration by cordocenteses) and in 3 fetus with heart block (isoproterenol administration by cordocenteses). Decisions on obstetric management of the pregnancy may be influenced, because fetal echocardiography allows the prenatal distinction of simple and complex structural abnormalities of the heart. Counseling was offered to all patients.
(Rev Soc Cardiol Estado de São Paulo 1997;5)
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