Inferring right-heart pressures with echocardiography using tricuspid regurgitation
Measuring the velocity of the tricuspid regurgitation jet can help you estimate the systolic pressure in the right ventricle. How do you get a reliable measurement in patients with atrial fibrillation? In this video, Cristiana Monteiro—a cardiac physiologist from the University of Oxford—provides answers and explains the underlying physics of this right-heart pressure measurement.
31st Jan 2022 • 6m read
Imaging the tricuspid valve in echocardiography
The tricuspid valve is made up of three non-identical leaflets: the anterior, the septal, and the posterior one. Their sizes and positions differ between individuals, which makes identifying them on ultrasound images tricky. In this video, Cristiana Monteiro—a cardiac physiologist from the University of Oxford—explains the anatomy behind septal defects and how to diagnose them using ultrasound.
31st Jan 2022 • 3m read
How to detect PFOs and ASDs with the help of echocardiography
The interatrial septum can contain defects, like a patent foramen ovale or primum or secundum atrial septal defects. How do you distinguish between an ultrasound artifact and a real defect? What is the role of Doppler ultrasound in diagnosing septal defects? Can the appearance of the right heart provide any clues? In this video, Cristiana Monteiro—a cardiac physiologist from the University of Oxford—explains the anatomy behind septal defects and how to diagnose them using ultrasound.
31st Jan 2022 • 4m read
Recognizing poor right ventricular systolic function in echocardiography
Right ventricular failure is caused by left ventricular failure, heart attack, or hereditary right heart diseases. What are the echocardiography signs of systolic dysfunction in the right ventricle? How is the tricuspid anulus supposed to move in a healthy heart? What about the free wall of the right ventricle? In this video, Cristiana Monteiro—a cardiac physiologist from the University of Oxford—shares her expert approach to right heart echo.
31st Jan 2022 • 4m read
Measuring the right ventricle with echocardiography
Measuring the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) with echocardiography is a great way to recognize dilation of the right ventricle. Which views should you use for measurement? Which dimensions should you measure? How can you recognize right ventricular hypertrophy? In this video, Cristiana Monteiro – a cardiac physiologist from the University of Oxford – shares her expert approach to right-heart echo.
31st Jan 2022 • 3m read
Making sense of common Holter ECG findings
There are some findings on a Holter monitor recording you expect, for example atrial fibrillation or premature ventricular complexes (PVCs). How do you report on it in clear and precise language? Our expert highlights common findings and reviews terms you should use to describe them.
31st Jan 2022 • 4m read
Reviewing the ECG of the Holter monitor
The patient comes back with a completed Holter monitor recording. How do you get started reviewing hours of ECG records? To what extent can you trust the analyzer software? Our expert explains the cornerstones of Holter interpretation, including finding the baseline ECG rhythm, looking for pauses, brady- and tachycardias, and reviewing fragments associated with symptomatic episodes.
31st Jan 2022 • 5m read
Choosing between ECG monitoring devices—Holter or no Holter? That is the question!
Would an event recorder, a smartwatch, or even an implantable device be a better fit for your patient?
31st Jan 2022 • 4m read
Echocardiography pearl: using strain imaging in cardiac oncology
You can apply strain imaging echocardiography to assess if your cancer patient is suffering from cardiotoxicity induced by chemotherapeutic agents. If the global longitudinal strain (GLS) values increase above a certain level, it’s high time you let the oncologist in charge know.
10th Jan 2022 • 2m read
Analyzing ventricular dysfunction with the help of strain imaging echocardiography
How do you recognize myocardial infarction or heart valve disease using strain imaging echocardiography? You have to take a good look at the strain graph and the bull’s-eye plot. There’s even a way to assess hypertrophy of the left ventricle with this ultrasound modality.
10th Jan 2022 • 3m read