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Pitfalls
and how to avoid them
I.M. Coman
MD, PhD, FESC
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WHO : all of us
WHEN : - Learning curve !
- “Don’t hurry ! “
WHICH conditions :
Poor windows
Complex diseases/procedures
Arrhythmias
Extreme ages ( children , old pts.)
Pitfalls victims ?
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WHY :
I. Technical errors
II. Choice of irrelevant parameters
III. Errors in interpreting results
EAE recommendations for training, competence, and quality improvement.
European Journal of Echocardiography (2009) 10, 893–905
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A. Poor imaging
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How to avoid
• Change frequency !
• Use harmonics !
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How to avoid
• Use respiratory cycle
variations /apnea !
• Change patient’s
position !
• Change window !
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B. Inadequate imaging ( 2D )
A. Bad transducer
position
B. Wrong M-mode cut
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How to avoid
Go to the spine ! ( “il appice di Pordenone “)
Short axis before M mode measurements !
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Best Doppler signal ..
..NOT necessarily from the ideal 2D imaging point
Inadequate imaging ( Doppler )
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The clearest signal ..
…could be not the good one..
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PW : mitral inflow
1. Bad sample volume position- valve/annulus artifacts
- maximal velocity underevaluated ( modified E/A )
2. Too large sample volume-wide velocity spectrum
3. Gain excess
- may alter time and velocity measurements
4. Inadequate filters
- wall / valve artifacts
- falsely “reduced” durations
Inadequate imaging ( Doppler )
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5. Inadequate Doppler beam direction
- maximal velocity underevaluated
6. Sweep
- greater error probability ( duration/ PHT )
7. Number of cardiac cycles measured- > errors : pts in atrial fibrillation
Inadequate imaging ( Doppler )
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8. Not using provocative maneuvers
- Valsalva
- respiratory
- contrast
9. Ignoring audio signal
10. Lack of recording measurements
Inadequate imaging ( Doppler )
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-- transmitral gradient to evaluate severity of mitral stenosis in
Lutembacher syndrome
-- LV/Ao gradient in aortic stenosis with low LV EF
-- color ( semi quantitative ) assessment of AR in acute AR
The chosen parameter - correctly calculated – does not really
express , in that context , the severity of the condition
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No endd. aortic turbulence ..
…but diastolic mitral regurge and brisk aortic PHT
low LV EF
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In spite of correctly applying the technique ,
there are major ( nonavoidable ) disturbing factors
PAP calculation using Ao/PA gradient of a PDA
( wrong angle , false > PAP )
Qp/Qs assessment of shunting if significant L/R regurge
Using PAT formula for PAP assessment in very severe PHT
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Presiune
medie
cateterism
TAP
(met.A)
Gradient
diastolic
max AP/VD
( met B.)
40-45 mm(n:6)
- 3,6 mm
(- 14 , + 8)-12,3 mm(-21 -8 )
45-50 mm(n:10)
-4,7 mm( -16, +3)
-11,9 mm( -22 , -3 )
>50 mm(n:6 )
- 9,9 mm
( -21, - 5)-16,4 mm
(-29 ,-8)
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III. Errors in interpreting results
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1. Incorrect recognition of
structures / waves / flows
- Chiari network
- protodiastolic gradients HCM
- RA turbulence
- paraseptal LA/RA flows versus shunting
2. Ignoring normal values range
Don’t be ashamed to look in a manual !
3. Not using correction for:
- BMI
- cardiac frequency
- position : - Coanda effect
- tricuspid PHT :180-190/220
Misunderstanding results
ASIA and Chiari network
( no clots ! )
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Protodiastolic gradients
Er, Ar in outflow tract
LV-RA shunting ( not tricuspid regurgitation )
L and R paraseptal flows –no shunting
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European Society of Cardiology copyright -All right reserved Ignoring normal values range
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Coanda ef.: color underestimation of regurge Mitral PHT formula used for tricusp area !
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4. Ignoring the haemodynamic context :
Associated Lesions :
- transmitral gradient in associated regurge
- gradient in multiple stenosis ( initial velocity high ! : extended Bernoulli )
LV dysfunction :
- different significance of EF in severe mitral regurge
- E/A pseudonormalisation
Intracavitary / arterial pressures
- HT : increased color area of mitral regurge
- PHT : no turbulent PDA flow
Misunderstanding results
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5. Recent therapeutic procedures
- Diuretics
- SR post electric conversion : absent or < “a”
- stenting
6. Ignoring general biological context
Age Fetal Echo - physiologic shunting
- E/A < 1
Elder pts : impaired relaxation
Athletic heart
Hyperkinetic Syndrome - Pregnancy
- Anemia
- Hyperthyroidia
Misunderstanding results
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Left main stent
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CONCLUSIONS
TO AVOID PITFALLS we need :
• Good theoretical knowledge of US physics
• Solid practical training
• Clinical integration of data
• Patience