Dianne Zwicke

Role of Two-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography Strain in the Assessment of Right Ventricular Systolic Function and Comparison with Conventional Parameters

&NA; Despite the already well‐known role the right side of the heart plays in many diseases, right ventricular (RV) function has only recently been carefully considered. Echocardiography is the first‐line diagnostic technique for the assessment of the right ventricle and right atrium, whereas cardiac magnetic resonance is considered the gold standard but is limited by cost and availability. According to the current guidelines, systolic RV function should be assessed by several conventional measurements, but the efficacy of these parameters as diagnostic and prognostic tools has been questioned by many authors. The development in recent years of myocardial deformation imaging techniques and their application to the right heart chambers has allowed deeper evaluation of the importance of RV function in the pathophysiology of a large number of cardiovascular conditions, but the real value of this new tool has not been completely clarified. The aim of this review is to provide a wide and careful analysis of findings available in the literature about the assessment of RV systolic function by strain measurements, comparing them with conventional parameters and evaluating their role in several clinical settings. HighlightsRV function echocardiographic assessment plays a key role in many clinical settings.Normal parameters for evaluation are quite accurate for assessment of RV function.RV 2D strain seems to provide more information for the assessment of RV function.RV 2D strain is limited by several issues that should be kept in mind.Three‐dimensional RVEF and strain are promising tools for the assessment of RV dysfunction.

Treatment of a Nonhealing Saphenous Vein Harvest Graft with Treprostinil Sodium

Impaired healing of saphenous vein harvest sites is a serious but under-recognized complication of coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, particularly in the presence of peripheral arterial disease. We report the use of a continuous subcutaneous infusion of treprostinil sodium, an analog of prostacyclin, to treat a limb-threatening, nonhealing saphenous vein harvest incision site after myocardial revascularization.