http://repub.eur.nl/res/aut/11498/ List of Publications en http://repub.eur.nl/static-eur/img/logo.png http://repub.eur.nl http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/21051/ 2010-08-01T00:00:00Z Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is a standard and indispensable technique in clinical practice. The present recommendations represent an update and extension of the recommendations published in 2001 by the Working Group on Echocardiography of the European Society of Cardiology. New developments covered include technical advances such as 3D transoesophageal echo as well as developing applications such as transoesophageal echo in aortic valve repair and in valvular interventions, as well as a full section on perioperative TOE. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/28539/ 2010-05-01T00:00:00Z Mitral and tricuspid are increasingly prevalent. Doppler echocardiography not only detects the presence of regurgitation but also permits to understand mechanisms of regurgitation, quantification of its severity and repercussions. The present document aims to provide standards for the assessment of mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/28563/ 2010-04-01T00:00:00Z Valvular regurgitation represents an important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Echocardiography has become the primary non-invasive imaging method for the evaluation of valvular regurgitation. The echocardiographic assessment of valvular regurgitation should integrate quantification of the regurgitation, assessment of the valve anatomy, and function as well as the consequences of valvular disease on cardiac chambers. In clinical practice, the management of patients with valvular regurgitation thus largely integrates the results of echocardiography. It is crucial to provide standards that aim at establishing a baseline list of measurements to be performed when assessing regurgitation. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/27877/ 2010-02-01T00:00:00Z The disclosure forms of all the authors and reviewers are available on the ESC website www.escardio.org/guidelines. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/29784/ 2008-12-09T00:00:00Z http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/30044/ 2008-07-01T00:00:00Z Aims: To critically review the available transcatheter aortic valve implantation techniques and their results, as well as propose recommendations for their use and development. Methods and results: A committee of experts including European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery and European Society of Cardiology representatives met to reach a consensus based on the analysis of the available data obtained with transcatheter aortic valve implantation and their own experience. The evidence suggests that this technique is feasible and provides haemodynamic and clinical improvement for up to 2 years in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis at high risk or with contraindications for surgery. Questions remain mainly concerning safety and long-term durability, which have to be assessed. Surgeons and cardiologists working as a team should select candidates, perform the procedure, and assess the results. Today, the use of this technique should be restricted to high-risk patients or those with contraindications for surgery. However, this may be extended to lower risk patients if the initial promise holds to be true after careful evaluation. Conclusion: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a promising technique, which may offer an alternative to conventional surgery for high-risk patients with aortic stenosis. Today, careful evaluation is needed to avoid the risk of uncontrolled diffusion. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/29396/ 2008-06-01T00:00:00Z Aims: To critically review the available transcatheter aortic valve implantation techniques and their results, as well as propose recommendations for their use and development. Methods and results: A committee of experts including European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery and European Society of Cardiology representatives met to reach a consensus based on the analysis of the available data obtained with transcatheter aortic valve implantation and their own experience. The evidence suggests that this technique is feasible and provides haemodynamic and clinical improvement for up to 2 years in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis at high risk or with contraindications for surgery. Questions remain mainly concerning safety and long-term durability, which have to be assessed. Surgeons and cardiologists working as a team should select candidates, perform the procedure, and assess the results. Today, the use of this technique should be restricted to high-risk patients or those with contraindications for surgery. However, this may be extended to lower risk patients if the initial promise holds to be true after careful evaluation. Conclusion: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a promising technique, which may offer an alternative to conventional surgery for high-risk patients with aortic stenosis. Today, careful evaluation is needed to avoid the risk of uncontrolled diffusion. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/29314/ 2008-03-01T00:00:00Z Aims: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the relationship between the presence of left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony at baseline and acute vs. late improvement in mitral regurgitation (MR) after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Methods and results: Sixty eight patients consecutive (LV ejection fraction 23 ± 8%) with at least moderate MR (≥grade 2+) were included. Echocardiography was performed at baseline, 1 day after CRT initiation and at 6 months follow-up. Speckle tracking radial strain was used to assess LV dyssynchrony at baseline. The majority of patients improved in MR after CRT, with 43% improving immediately after CRT, and 20% improving late (after 6 months) after CRT. Early and late responders had similar extent of LV dyssynchrony (209 ± 115 ms vs. 190 ± 118 ms, P = NS); however, the site of latest activation in early responders was mostly inferior or posterior (adjacent to the posterior papillary muscle), whereas the lateral wall was the latest activated segment in late responders. Conclusion: Current data suggest that the presence of baseline LV dyssynchrony is related to improvement in MR after CRT. LV dyssynchrony involving the posterior papillary muscle may lead to an immediate reduction in MR, whereas LV dyssynchrony in the lateral wall resulted in late response to CRT. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/36157/ 2007-12-18T00:00:00Z http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/4076/ 1982-01-01T00:00:00Z We developed a computer program to analyze videodensity changes due to contrast appearance within a given operator-designated rectangle using two-dimensional echocardiograms previously recorded on videotape. Videodensity curves have been obtained from two-dimensional echocardiographic recordings in 14 patients after a total of 32 injections of 5% dextrose solution into the left ventricle during cardiac catheterization. The resulting videodensity vs time curves have some characteristics of indicator-dilution curves. The decay phase of these curves is largely mono-exponential. Potential clinical applications of this technique in measurement of ejection fraction, cardiac output and shunt quantification are discussed, as well as some potential limitations.