Hirohide Matsuo

Three-dimensional echocardiograms and two-dimensional echocardiographic images at desired planes by a computerized system

Abstract We applied our newly developed computerized image processing system for three-dimensional (3-D) echocardiographic display with binocular parallax shift and for constructing two-dimensional (2-D) echocardiographic images in desired planes from sequential recordings of 2-D echocardiograms recorded with antero-posterior emission of ultrasound beams. This system mainly consisted of a flying spot scanner, a minicomputer and a display cathode ray tube. This study was done in a healthy subject and a case with atrial septal defect. In the stereogram of the healthy subject the left ventricle, atrium and the aorta were visualized in depth with a stereoviewer. In the stereogram of atrial septal defect, the defect and the remaining atrial septum were clearly observed also in depth. We could accomplish the reconstruction of 2-D echocardiograms of these materials in desired planes. The frontal plane 2-D echocardiograms provided useful data.

Noninvasive preoperative diagnosis of cor triatriatum with ultrasonocardiotomogram and conventional echocardiogram

Abstract 1. 1. A preoperative diagnosis of cor triatriatum was studied with ultrasound techniques. 2. 2. The echo from an anomalous septum was found in the left atrial area in a conventional echocardiogram and in two-dimensional ultrasonocardiotomograms. 3. 3. The present data seemed to shed light in establishing a preoperative diagnosis as well as a differential diagnosis of cor triatriatum from mitral stenosis. 4. 4. Intra-atrial echoes which must be differentiated from the echoes of an anomalous septum in cor triatriatum were also discussed.

Analysis of a cardiac cycle of the left side of the heart in cases of left ventricular overloading or damage with the ultrasonic Doppler method.

Abstract The time of occurrence of rapid movements of the heart valves was detected with the ultrasonic Doppler method in cases of hypertension with or without myocardial involvements, congestive heart failure resulting from these conditions, and aortic regugitation, and then changes in each phase in a cardiac cycle under these conditions were studied. 1. 1. The duration of electromechanical latent time is not affected in hypertension without electrocardiographic signs of myocardial involvement, but is slightly prolonged in cases of hypertensive heart disease. Changes are more marked in the isometric contraction time than in the electromechanical latent time. The tension period is generally prolonged. The isometric relaxation time is markedly prolonged in hypertension, especially in cases of left ventricular hypertrophy and strain pattern. This prolongation is manifested prior to the changes on the ST-T segment. 2. 2. Changes in myocardial conditions secondary to the changes in hemodynamic conditions are possibly more responsible for the above-mentioned changes in the time phase than changes in hemodynamic condition, e.g., high arterial pressure, as primary changes. 3. 3. Similar findings are obtained also in cases of arteriosclerotic heart disease. 4. 4. Congestive heart failure causes remodifying of changes in the above-mentioned periods. The electromechanical latent time is prolonged, and the prolongations of isometric contraction time and of tension period are further deteriorated. The prolongation of isometric relaxation time shows a tendency to return to a normal range. When congestive heart failure subsides, the above-remodified changes immediately return to the previous pattern. 5. 5. In aortic regurgitation the isometric contraction time and the tension period are shortened, the isometric relaxation time being little affected. It is assumed that the response of the myocardium to a diastolic overloading, e.g., aortic regurgitation, is different from the response to a systolic overloading, e.g., hypertension.

Non-Invasive Visualization and Estimation of Severity of Aortic Regurgitation by Multigated Pulsed Doppler Technique

Pulsed Doppler flowmetry has proved to be very sensitive and specific in the diagnosis of intracardiac regurgitation. However, conventional pulsed Doppler flowmeters are to some extent limited in the evaluation of regurgitant flow. In order to accurately and extensively examine regurgitant flow, it would be necessary to locate a sampling site where blood flow is being measured, on a two-dimensional cardiac image. Furthermore, it would be very benefitial to measure intracardiac flow simultaneously at multiple sites along the Doppler beam. For these reasons, we have newly developed a computer-based multigated pulsed Doppler flowmeter combined with an electronic beam sector scanning echocardiograph.

Relation of Aortic Blood Flow to Cardiac Performance: Principle of a Noninvasive Method of Measuring Max (dP/dt)

Several attempts have been made to correlate the blood flow in the ascending aorta and the left ventricular contractility. Benett et al. (1974) measured the velocity of blood in the ascending aorta using a catheter-tip velocity probe in patients with ischemic heart disease. They reported that the maximum values of the velocity and the acceleration of blood could be correlated with the ejection fraction of the left ventricle, and their maximum values declined according to the severity of the disease. Sabbah et al. (1986) obtained similar results using a continuous-wave Doppler velocity meter.

The effect of beta-adrenergic blockade in dilated cardiomyopathy--a questionnaire study in Japan.

SummaryThe effect of beta-blockade in dilated cardiomyopathy was studied by a questionnaire survey. Thirty-three cases were monitored in whom metoprolol (22 patients, 35.9 ± 20.4 mg, mean ± SD), propranolol (four patients, 26.3 ± 7.5 mg), or other beta-blockers (seven patients) were administered. Four patients died, but no direct relationship was found between administration of beta-blocker and death. The NYHA functional class improved significantly. The mean heart rate decreased from 96/min to 77/min (P < 0.01). The mean cardiothoracic ratio decreased from 55.6% to 52.1% (P < 0.01). The mean ejection fraction of the left ventricle measured by echocardiogram increased from 30.4% to 36.9% (P < 0.01). Exercise tolerance in the treadmill test improved significantly. There was no change in blood pressure, nor were there arrhythmias seen on Holter electrocardiograms. In two patients, congestive heart failure deteriorated after administration of beta-blockers. It is concluded that beta-adrenergic blockade has a beneficial effect in most of the patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.