Background: Left atrial (LA) volume and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) represent powerful outcome predictors in patients with heart failure (HF). Aim: To assess the comparative prognostic role of LA volume (indexed to body surface area, LAVi), left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) and BNP levels on long-term outcome in patients with symptomatic but stable chronic HF. Methods: We studied consecutively 46 patients with symptomatic stable

A 53-year-old woman with rheumatic heart disease (having had a Bjork-Shiley 29 mitral prosthesis and a Braille 31 tricuspid bioprosthesis implanted in 1980 and 1995, respectively), in permanent atrial fibrillation, was electively admitted to our department for redo cardiac surgery. Ten weeks previously she was diagnosed with severe tricuspid stenosis (bioprosthesis degeneration), in New York Heart Association functional class III heart failure and

Objective of the Study: to evaluate the relation between global myocardial index (GMI) and the pattern of left ventricular (LV) volume curves variation, using automatic border detection (ABD), and their role in assessing LV asynchrony. Methods: We studied 52 patients (mean age = 55 ± 17 years) with dilated cardiomyopathy. QRS duration (QRSd) and GMI were measured. Currently accepted TDI and M-mode parameters were used to indicate LV dyssynchrony.

Background: The ellipse formula often underestimates left atrial (LA) dilation. Complete echocardiographic analysis of LA shape in relation to electrical remodeling has not been performed. Aim of the Study: To analyze the relation between LA shape/surface and vulnerability to atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: We studied 112 patients aged 43 ± 16 years, and referred for electrophysiological study. LA surface (LAS) was measured at end-systole (maximal).

Abstract Aims: The European Association of Echocardiography (EAE) launched its Accreditation scheme in echocardiography in December 2003. Currently there are accreditations in Adult Transthoracic Echocardiography and Transesophageal Echocardiography and an Accreditation in Echocardiography for Congenital Disease will be launched in December 2006. Methods and results: Over the past 3 years 350 applicants have undertaken the written exams and 157 applicants