Abstract Severe aortic stenosis is a progressive clinical entity that has historically developed alongside descriptions of pathological anatomy, cardiovascular semiology, heart surgery, and percutaneous cardiovascular interventions. Indication for valve replacement in patients with severe aortic stenosis is still based on symptom onset. With advances in surgical techniques, especially transcatheter implantation, the focus has shifted to identifying early markers of myocardial damage that may indicate irreversible myocardial injury. This review article seeks to provide a comprehensive analysis of methods for identifying […]

Abstract The left atrium (LA) has historically been considered a passive chamber that conducts blood flow between the pulmonary veins and the left ventricle (LV). Advances in cardiovascular physiology and imaging techniques have highlighted its active role in modulating cardiac output, ventricular diastolic function, and the stratification of various heart diseases. Assessment of the LA has evolved over the years into a multiparametric functional approach, consolidated as an essential component of modern echocardiography. The systematic incorporation of volumetric parameters, atrial […]

Abstract The echocardiographic estimation of left ventricular (LV) filling pressures is a cornerstone in the assessment of heart failure, particularly in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The 2016 American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of cardiovascular Imaging algorithm standardized this evaluation using key variables, but a substantial proportion of cases remained indeterminate in clinical practice. The recent update of the American guideline reorganized the approach into a hierarchical framework, incorporating age-related adjustments and formalizing the role of […]

Abstract Mitral valve leaflet hypoplasia is a rare congenital anomaly, traditionally described in childhood but increasingly recognized in adults, often as an incidental finding or during the evaluation of mitral regurgitation. Clinical presentation is heterogeneous and depends on leaflet anatomy, the subvalvular apparatus, and the severity of regurgitation. In this narrative literature review, including case reports, case series, and review articles from nationally and internationally recognized journals, epidemiological and clinical aspects are discussed, with particular emphasis on echocardiographic findings. Posterior […]

Abstract Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) remains one of the most frequent valvular diseases encountered in echocardiographic practice. Mild cases generally do not require further investigation or specific treatment. Moderate and severe valvular disease, however, require more detailed anatomical and etiological assessment to better understand the underlying pathophysiological mechanism. Two-dimensional echocardiographic analysis is the initial examination of choice and should be performed in a standardized manner, with individual identification of the leaflets using the main transthoracic echocardiographic windows. The description of complementary […]

Abstract Agitated saline contrast is a simple, safe, widely available echocardiography technique. It is particularly useful for evaluating right-to-left shunts and pulmonary vascular abnormalities in the pediatric population. This article presents a practical approach to using this technique in pediatric echocardiography. It reviews the underlying physiological principles, the technical aspects of preparation and image acquisition, and the main clinical applications.

Abstract All patients who are candidates for transcatheter closure of an ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) should undergo a detailed echocardiographic assessment using 2D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) prior to the procedure. It is essential for a comprehensive analysis of interatrial septal anatomy and for determining defect eligibility for the procedure. The type, number, size, location and morphology of the ASD, as well as the quality of the surrounding septal tissue and its relationship with adjacent cardiac structures, should be […]

Abstract Echocardiographic assessment of mitral regurgitation (MR) is multiparametric and often challenging. The artifact known as splay has been described as an additional tool for estimating the severity of regurgitation. The term refers to a side-lobe artifact that forms a horizontal arc on color Doppler imaging. This same phenomenon can also be observed in other valvular heart diseases, such as aortic regurgitation. In 2020, Wiener et al. reported that splay was present in 81% of cases of significant MR, reaching […]

Abstract Fundamento: Cardiac amyloidosis is a rare form of infiltrative cardiomyopathy characterized by the deposition of proteins in the myocardium, resulting in increased wall thickness, impaired ventricular function, and possible progression to heart failure. Diagnosis is challenging due to the low prevalence of the disease and the nonspecific nature of its clinical manifestations. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) to the analysis of medical tests emerges as a promising strategy for early detection, more accurate diagnosis, and timely initiation of […]

Abstract Echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function and left ventricular (LV) filling pressures is fundamental to the evaluation of dyspnea and the management of heart failure. However, conventional algorithms have limitations in several special clinical settings in which rhythm disturbances, valvular heart disease, pulmonary hypertension (PH), or structural cardiac abnormalities interfere with the interpretation of Doppler parameters. This article presents a practical approach to assessing diastolic function in conditions such as atrial fibrillation (AF), PH, mitral valve disease, mitral annular calcification, […]