CardioServ has posted various blogs on the topics of Right Heart Quantification and RVSP, following ASE guidelines. If you missed them, you can find them here. One of the biggest factors in determining the RVSP via echo is evaluating and measuring the tricuspid regurgitant (TR) Doppler jet.
Us clinicians commonly ask the same popular question in our field, “What is the cut-off ranges for pulmonary hypertension?!” We want to help better understand the basics of determining the presence of pulmonary hypertension with echocardiography.
Last week we discussed the algorithm for determining the presence of diastolic function in patients with normal ejection fraction (EF). This week, we are going to discuss determining the presence of diastolic function in patients with depressed EF or pathologic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with preserved EF.
This week we are kicking off the diastolic function guideline series, hosted by our guest blog writer Michael Owen! But first, we need to cover the basics on ‘how-to‘ acquire the measurements needed to evaluate for diastolic function.
In Hepatic Veins 101, we discussed the structure, function and waveforms of the hepatic veins, in regards to the cardiac cycle. This blog will cover how the hepatic veins play a role with the right heart. We tend to forget about the importance and useful information the hepatic veins provide us. Lets review, how the hepatic veins play a role in:
Over that past two months, we have discussed various methods for evaluating the right heart. Guided from the updated ASE chamber quantification guidelines, we have been able to elaborate on quantifying methods for:
An 85 year old patient presents to the ER with worsening shortness of breath and a history of known pulmonary hypertension. Her chest x-ray reveals massive cardiomegaly. An echo is ordered to assess the status of her pulmonary hypertension. We will present this echo to illustrate the correct techniques when performing an echocardiogram with the indication of pulmonary hypertension. Learn about the LV Eccentricity index and the latest recommendations for calculating correct RA pressure through evaluation of the IVC.
Pulmonary embolism continues to cause at least 60,000 deaths per year in the United States according to CDC statistics. Ten percent of symptomatic pulmonary emboli are fatal within one hour of symptoms onset. However, diagnosis can often be difficult because the presenting signs and symptoms are nonspecific and often mimic other cardiac and pulmonary diseases. Interventional strategies to remove or dissolve thrombi continue to improve. With these improvements, our ability to understand and diagnose also needs to improve. Echocardiography can aid in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and provides important functional information about the right and left ventricle that cannot be ascertained from other tests.
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