Abstract Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) is an increasing challenge in cardiology, marked by impairments in systolic and/or diastolic function. HFpEF patients often present with exercise intolerance, yet diagnosis is complicated by overlapping comorbidities, such as obesity and hypertension. Left ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) enables the detection of subtle systolic dysfunction, with studies indicating a stronger correlation between GLS and exercise capacity than ejection fraction (EF). In exercise echocardiography, GLS displays a characteristic bimodal pattern due to […]

Abstract Background: Cardiovascular involvement in COVID-19 has been extensively studied. Echocardiography is an important technique in identifying cardiac involvement, serving as an excellent tool for prognostic variables. Objectives: Analyze the prognostic impact of speckle tracking in analyzing the left ventricle in patients with COVID-19 admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU underwent an echocardiographic examination within the first 48 hours of hospitalization and were divided into two groups according to hospital outcome […]

Climate change directly and indirectly affects human health. The increasing incidence and intensity of extreme weather events are directly associated with adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular events, as well as increased demand and expenditure on health systems globally. Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and people with pre-existing cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, face increased risks due to temperature variations and poor air quality. Moreover, high temperatures also limit outdoor exercise, with potential long-term detrimental effects on cardiovascular health. In a […]

Introduction Pericardial effusion and mediastinal bleeding are common complications in the postoperative period following cardiac surgery. These conditions typically present within the first few days after the procedure and necessitate additional surgical intervention in a minority of cases. This report describes an atypical presentation of pericardial hematoma, which manifested as severe chest pain on the 23rd postoperative day and rapidly progressed to hemodynamic instability. Echocardiography was instrumental in both diagnosing and managing the case, ultimately contributing to a favorable outcome. […]

Abstract Background: Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is a malformation of the heart and/or great vessels and is the third leading cause of neonatal death. It can be detected in utero by Morphological Ultrasound/Morphology Scan (MUS) and confirmed by Fetal Echocardiography (FE). Objective: This study aims to determine whether heart disease identified by MUS in pregnant women at a maternal referral center in a southern Brazilian city is confirmed by FE. Methods: This observational, descriptive, and retrospective study was conducted from […]

Introduction Social media has decisively transformed the way we disseminate medical information and knowledge, launching new digital tools to boost scientific debate and help redesign healthcare education. Globally, X, formerly Twitter, stands out in the medical field as a more scientific platform, with great interaction between peers, helping doctors and other healthcare professionals from all continents connect to discuss publications, debate scientific evidence, and share clinical experiences. X is also highly important as a channel for the dissemination of scientific […]

Limitations The article offers an intriguing perspective, but further scientific validation is needed for broader acceptance in clinical practice. The connection between art and medical imaging is fascinating, yet requires more exploration to establish its practical relevance and impact on patient outcomes. […]

Introduction Unicuspid aortic valve (UAV) is an uncommon congenital pathology, first described by Edwards in 1958. It is a rare malformation (especially when compared to other aortic valve anomalies), with an estimated incidence of 0.02% of adults undergoing echocardiography and approximately 4% to 5% of patients undergoing surgery for aortic stenosis. Echocardiography is the first-choice method for diagnosis and definition of hemodynamic repercussions. In this study, we report the case of a patient with symptomatic aortic stenosis and describe her […]

Abstract Background: Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the traditional parameter for assessing cardiac function, but it has limitations in the early detection of dysfunction. Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) and myocardial work (MW) are promising alternatives, the latter being less influenced by load conditions. The calculation of MW depends on valvular event times (VET), obtained by methods that may generate divergent results. Objectives: To compare the impact of different methods of VET measurement – visual analysis (VA), tissue Doppler imaging […]

Abstract Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated condition, often associated with poor clinical outcomes, particularly in elderly and high-risk surgical patients. As the prevalence of TR continues to rise and traditional surgical methods face limitations, percutaneous techniques have emerged as promising alternatives. This article reviews the latest advancements in the percutaneous treatment of TR, highlighting new etiological and quantitative classifications, in addition to exploring the indications and outcomes of key techniques, including percutaneous edge-to-edge repair and transcatheter […]