Geometric comparison of the mitral and tricuspid valve annulus:Insights from three dimensional transesophageal echocardiography

AIM To apply real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography(RT3D TEE) for quantitative and qualitative assessment of the mitral valve annulus(MVA) and tricuspid valve annulus(TVA) in the same patient.METHODS Our retrospective cohort study examined the MVA and TVA in 49 patients by RT3 D TEE. MVA and TVA shape were examined by TEE. The MVA and TVA volume data set images were acquired in the mid esophageal 4-chamber view. The MVA and TVA were acquired separately, with optimization of each for the highest frame rate and image quality. The 3D shape of the annuli was reconstructed using the Philips~? Q lab, MVQ ver. 6.0 MVA model software. The end-systolic frame was used. The parameters measured and compared were annular area, circumference, high-low distances(height), anterolateralposterolateral(ALPM), and anteroposterior(AP) axes. RESULTS A total of 49 patients(mean age 61 ± 14 years, 45% males) were studied. The ALPM and the AP axes of the MVA and TVA are not significantly different. The ALPM axis of the MVA was 37.9 ± 6.4 mm and 38.0 ± 5.6 mm for the TVA(P = 0.70). The AP axis of the MVA was 34.8 ± 5.7 mm and 34.9 ± 6.2 mm for the TVA(P = 0.90). The MVA and the TVA had similar circumference and area. The circumference of the MVA was 127.9 ± 16.8 mm and 125.92 ± 16.12 mm for the TVA(P = 0.23). The area of the MVA was 1103.7 ± 307.8 mm^2 and 1131.7 ± 302.0 mm^2 for the TVA(P = 0.41). The MVA and TVA are similar oval structures, but with significantly different heights. The ALPM/AP ratio for the MVA was 1.08 ± 0.33 and 1.09 ± 0.28 for the TVA(P < 0.001). The height for the MVA and TVA was 9.23 ± 2.11 mm and 4.37 ± 1.48 mm, respectively(P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION RT3 D TEE plays an unprecedented role in the management of valvular heart disease. The specific and exclusive shape of the MVA and TVA was revealed in our study of patients studied. Moreover, the intricate codependence of the MVA and the TVA depends on their distinctive shapes. This realization seen from our study will allow us to better understand the role valvular disease plays in disease states such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and pulmonary hypertension.

Prognosis evaluation of BNP combined with Ee＇ in patients with sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction

Background Sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction is a common complication and the main cause of mor- tality in patients with sepsis. At present, there is still lack of specific early diagnosis index of the disease. Our study was aimed to investigate the diagnosis and prognosis evaluation value of b-type natriuretic peptide （BNP） combined with the ratio of early diastolic transmitral inflow velocity （E） to early diastolic mitral annulus velocity （e＇） （Ee＇） in sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction, so as to apply them as early warning indicators of the disease. Methods Sixty-six cases of patients with sepsis were selected and divided into disorder group （myocardial dys- function, n=28） and normal group （normal myocardial function, n=38）. Ee＇ of patients at the same time of LVEF detection, plasma BNP levels and APACHE ]l score and the 28 d survival rate of the two groups were also deter- mined and compared. The correlations of between plasma BNP levels and Ee＇ in sepsis patients with myocardial dysfunction with LVEF, APACHE l] score and 28 d survival rate were analyzed, and the value of them in combi- nation for predicting the 28 d survival rate was analyzed. Results Compared with the normal group, Plasma BNP levels, Ee＇ and APACHE 1] scores in the disorder group were increased （P 〈 0.05）. The 28 d survival rate of the patients in the disorder group was lower than that in the normal group （42.68% vs. 73.68%; P 〈 0.05）. Com- pared with the survival patients in the disorder group, plasma BNP levels, Ee＇ and APACHE I[ scores of the dead patients in disorder group were higher, while LVEF in the dead patient in disorder group was lower （P 〈 0.05）. Spearman unconditional correlation analysis and Logistic multiple regression analysis model results showed that plasma BNP levels and Ee＇ in sepsis patients with myocardial dysfunction were correlated with LVEF, 28d sur- vival rate and APACHE lI score. ROC curve analysis showed that values of plasma BNP levels and Ee＇ in sepsis patients with myocardial dysfunction were better in predicting the 28 d survival rate, while their combination was the best. Conclusions Plasma BNP levels and Ee＇ in sepsis patients with myocardial dysfunction are correlated with the severity and prognosis, therefore, provide reference indexes for the assessment of severity and prognosis of patients with sepsis and myocardial dysfunction.