Ao contrário dos indicadores estáticos, como a pressão venosa central e a pressão de oclusão da artéria pulmonar, a variação da pressão de pulso arterial tem se mostrado um indicador hemodinâmico preciso para a determinação da responsividade à administração de fluido. Objetivo: Este estudo objetivou mensurar a variação da pressão de pulso em cadelas mecanicamente ventiladas submetidas a expansão volêmica durante procedimento cirúrgico eletivo (ovário-salpingo-histerectomia) e determinar a relação deste indicador com os dados hemodinâmicos obtidos por meio do exame ecodopplercardiográfico transesofágico. Material e método: Quinze cadelas foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em dois grupos: sem pressão positiva ao final da expiração (GI - ZEEP, n = 7) e com pressão positiva ao final da expiração de 5cmH2O (GII - PEEP, n = 8). As avaliações hemodinâmicas incluindo freqüência cardíaca (FC), pressão arterial média invasiva (PaM), variação da pressão de pulso (VPP), pressão venosa central (PVC), volume sistólico (VE), índice cardíaco (IC), velocidade do fluxo aórtico (VFA) e gradiente de pressão do fluxo aórtico (Grad); análise de gases sangüíneos e parâmetros do sistema respiratório incluindo freqüência respiratória (FR) e pressão de pico inspiratória (PIP), foram mensuradas antes da aplicação da PEEP em cadelas do GII (M0); imediatamente antes (M1) e cinco minutos após (M2) a expansão volêmica com 10ml/Kg de solução de Ringer Lactato. Os grupos e tempos foram comparados por meio da análise de variância (ANOVA) seguida do teste de Tukey, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: A utilização da PEEP ocasionou um significante aumento dos seguintes parâmetros: VPP (M0 - 9.5 ± 2.92 vs M1 - 12.1 ± 2.19, P < 0.05); PVC ( 4.9 ± 2.47 vs 6.5 ± 2.73, P < 0.05); PIP (9.9 ± 1.36 vs 13.0 ± 2.2, P < 0.05) e PaO2 (336.5 ± 64.04 vs 373.6 ± 97.82, P < 0.05). Os animais do GI apresentaram um significante aumento dos seguintes parâmetros depois da expansão volêmica: VE (25.4 ± 3.92 vs 19.1 ± 3.22, P < 0.05), IC (3.8 ± 0.99 vs 2.4 ± 0.47, P < 0.05), VFA (93.8 ± 17.60 vs 74.5 ± 14.66, P < 0.05) e Grad (3.6 ± 1.30 vs 2.3 ± 0.92, P < 0.05). Alterações significativas também foram observadas nos seguintes parâmetros do GII depois da expansão volêmica: PaM (108.6 ± 20.6 vs 96.9 ± 19.97, P < 0.05), VPP (5.2 ± 1.8 vs 12.1 ± 2.19, P < 0.05), VE (26.6 ± 8.18 vs 20 ± 5.15, P < 0.05), IC (3.6 ± 0.90 vs 2.4 ± 0.56, P < 0.05), VFA (97.6 ± 25.49 vs 83.6 ± 24.12, P < 0.05) e Grad (4.0 ± 2.01 vs 3.0 ± 1.64, P < 0.05). Quando comparado M1 do GI e do GII, diferença significativa foi observada com a VPP (7.1 ± 1.64 vs 12.1 ± 2.19, P < 0.05). A FR foi maior no GII quando comparada ao GI (FR GII M1 e GII M2 - 16.9 ± 1.36 vs GI M1 - 14.9 ± 1.35 e GI M2 - 15.3 ± 1.5, P < 0.05). PIP foi também maior no GII quando comparada ao GI (GII M1 - 13.0 ± 2.20 vs GI M1 - 7.3 ± 2.21; GII M2 - 13.4 ± 2.50 vs GI M2 - 7.7 ± 2.14, P < 0.05). Conclusão: Este estudo mostrou que a variação da pressão de pulso é um índice adequado para avaliar o estado hemodinâmico durante a instituição de PEEP, sendo a avaliação ecodopplercardiográfica transesofágica uma excelente técnica de monitoração do estado hemodinâmico nos pacientes submetidos a procedimento cirúrgico. / Contrary to static parameters such as central venous pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, pulse pressure variation has proven itself as an accurate hemodynamic tool for the determination of fluid responsiveness. Objective: To measure pulse pressure variation in mechanically-ventilated bitches submitted to volume load during elective surgery (ovariohysterectomy) and to determine its relationship with hemodynamic parameters obtained with transesophageal Doppler echocardiography. Material and Methods: Fifteen bitches were randomly distributed between two groups: with zero end-expiratory pressure (GI - ZEEP, n=7) and with positive end-expiratory pressure of 5cmH2O (GII - PEEP, n=8). Hemodynamic evaluations including heart rate (HR), invasive mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse pressure variation (PPV), central venous pressure (CVP), stroke volume (SV), cardiac index (CI), aortic blood flow velocity and aortic flow pressure gradient; blood-gas analysis and ventilatory parameters including respiratory rate (RR) and peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), were measured before employment of PEEP in bitches from GII (M0); immediately before (M1) and five minutes after (M2) volume expansion using 10ml/Kg lacted Ringers solution. Statistical analysis was based on ANOVA for repeated measures followed by Turkeys t-test with significance level of 0.05. Results: The use of PEEP induced a significant increase in the following parameters: PPV (M0 - 9.5 ± 2.92 vs M1 - 12.1 ± 2.19, P < 0.05); CVP ( 4.9 ± 2.47 vs 6.5 ± 2.73, P < 0.05); PIP (9.9 ± 1.36 vs 13.0 ± 2.2, P < 0.05) and PaO2 (336.5 ± 64.04 vs 373.6 ± 97.82, P < 0.05). Animals in GI presented a significant increase in the following parameters after fluid load: SV (25.4 ± 3.92 vs 19.1 ± 3.22, P < 0.05), CI (3.8 ± 0.99 vs 2.4 ± 0.47, P < 0.05), aortic blood flow velocity (93.8 ± 17.60 vs 74.5 ± 14.66, P < 0.05) and aortic flow pressure gradient (3.6 ± 1.30 vs 2.3 ± 0.92, P < 0.05). Statistical significance of the following parameters were observed in GII after fluid load: MAP (108.6 ± 20.6 vs 96.9 ± 19.97, P < 0.05), PPV (5.2 ± 1.8 vs 12.1 ± 2.19, P < 0.05), SV (26.6 ± 8.18 vs 20 ± 5.15, P < 0.05), CI (3.6 ± 0.90 vs 2.4 ± 0.56, P < 0.05), aortic blood flow velocity (97.6 ± 25.49 vs 83.6 ± 24.12, P < 0.05) and aortic flow pressure gradient (4.0 ± 2.01 vs 3.0 ± 1.64, P < 0.05). When comparing M1 of GI and GII, a statistical significant difference was observed with PPV (7.1 ± 1.64 vs 12.1 ± 2.19, P < 0.05). Respiratory rate was greater in GII than in GI (RR GII M1 and GII M2 - 16.9 ± 1.36 vs GI M1 - 14.9 ± 1.35 and GI M2 - 15.3 ± 1.5, P < 0.05). Peak inspiratory pressure was also greater in GII than in GI (GII M1 - 13.0 ± 2.20 vs GI M1 - 7.3 ± 2.21; GII M2 - 13.4 ± 2.50 vs GI M2 - 7.7 ± 2.14, P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the pulse pressure variation is an adequate indicator to evaluate the hemodynamic status during PEEP application, being the transesophageal Doppler echocardiography evaluation a great tool in monitoring the hemodynamic status in patients undergoing surgery.

L’analyse de la fonction systolique en échocardiographie représente un challenge majeur depuis une vingtaine d’années dans le but d’améliorer la détection et la quantification des anomalies de la contraction myocardique. L’analyse des déformations myocardiques consiste à étudier le pourcentage d’étirement ou de raccourcissement myocardiques au cours du cycle cardiaque. Après le grand pas en avant dans ce domaine, consécutif à l’avènement du Doppler tissulaire il y a un quinzaine d’années, ces 4 dernières années ont vu naître une nouvelle technique d’analyse bidimensionnelle des déformations, porteuse de grands espoirs car s’affranchissant de la limitation liée à l’angle d’incidence Doppler et basée sur le suivi des marqueurs acoustiques de la paroi myocardique : le « speckle tracking echocardiography » ou « 2D strain ». Cette thèse rapporte tout d’abord une série de travaux orientés sur la validation de ce nouvel outil. Nous avons ensuite appliqué expérimentalement cette technique pour évaluer sa capacité à détecter l’ischémie myocardique lors d’un examen de stress sous dobutamine en comparaison à l’analyse de perfusion myocardique en échographie de contraste. Enfin, nous exposons plusieurs expériences cliniques qui témoignent de quelques applications potentielles de cette technique dans la prise en charge des patients porteurs de cardiopathies diverses : myocardiopathie hypertrophique, fibrillation auriculaire paroxystique et recherche de viabilité sous faibles doses de dobutamine chez les patients porteurs d’une cardiopathie ischémique. / For 20 years, analysis of systolic myocardial function by echocardiography is a major challenge to improve the detection and the quantification of myocardial contractility abnormalities. The principle of myocardial deformation analysis consists in evaluating the percentage of myocardial thickening or shortening during the cardiac cycle. After a big step forward with the advent of tissue Doppler imaging for 15 years, the 4 last years have seen the apparition of a new technique of bidimensional analysis, without angle dependency, based on the tracking of the acoustic markers of the myocardial wall, and called « speckle tracking echocardiography » or « 2D strain ». This thesis reports serial studies oriented on the validation of this new tool and on the experimental application of this technique in the detection of myocardial ischemia during pharmacological dobutamine stress echocardiography, in comparison with myocardial perfusion analysis by contrast echocardiography. Finally, we report some clinical experiences using the speckle tracking echocardiography which attest of some clinical potential applications of this technique in the management of the patients with different cardiomyopathies: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, lone paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and analysis of myocardial regional deformation during low doses dobutamine infusion to investigate viability in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Les animaux de compagnie présentent un intérêt majeur dans les études cardiovasculaires soit comme modèles expérimentales soit comme modèles spontanées. De plus, le développement de méthodes d'exploration non invasives en médecine vétérinaire est devenu une nécessité à cause de régulations strictes concernant le bien être de l'animal. Un facteur limitant demeure l'exactitude et la fiabilité (répétabilité/reproductibilité) des techniques d'exploration pour leur utilisation répétitive chez des animaux vigiles. La mesure de la pression artérielle systémique (PA) non invasive et l'échocardiographie conventionnelle et avancée ont gagné de la place dans le domaine de recherche ; cependant, il n'existe pas de recommandations spécifiques sur la validation métrologique de méthodes quantitatives utilisées en recherche clinique ou fondamentale en médecine vétérinaire. Le présent travail a premièrement focalisé sur la validation métrologique de la mesure de la PA chez le chien et le chat en étudiant la répétabilité et la reproductibilité de la méthode Doppler (chez les deux espèces) et de la méthode oscillométrique (chez le chien) et en déterminant l'influence du niveau d'expérience de l'opérateur sur la variabilité intra- et inter-jour et le pourcentage de mesures réussies. Puis l'effet de la position de l'animal et du nombre de mesures répétées sur de variables sélectionnées d'échocardiographie bidimensionnelle (2D) et temps-mouvement (TM) a été évalué. De plus, la méthode de l'aire de la surface de l'isovélocité proximale (PISA) pour la quantification de la régurgitation mitrale (RM) ainsi que le strain (St) et strain rate (SR) dérivé du Doppler tissulaire ont été validé chez le chien par le calcul de la répétabilité et la reproductibilité des techniques. Dans un deuxième temps les techniques précédemment validées ont été appliquées chez des chiens sains, des chiens souffrant de maladie valvulaire mitrale dégénérative (MVD) spontanée et dans un modèle expérimental de myopathie centronucléaire (CNM) chez des Labradors retrievers. Toutes les études ont été réalisées à l'Unité de Cardiologie d'Alfort, à l'Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort. Pour les mesures de la PA, toutes les deux études ont montré que l'entrainement est important, notamment pour la mesure de la pression diastolique avec le Doppler, tandis que la répétabilité et reproductibilité sont bonnes pour un opérateur expérimenté. Concernant l'échocardiographie 2D et TM, la technique peut être réalisée chez des chiens couchés ou debout avec une répétabilité/reproductibilité similaire. La fraction régurgitée évaluée par la méthode PISA est une variable répétable et reproductible pour l'évaluation de la RM chez le chien souffrant de MVD. De façon similaire le St et SR peuvent être mesurés de manière fiable chez le chien vigile et leur utilisation combinée avec d'autres paramètres échocardiographiques offre une nouvelle approche à l'étude de la fonction systolique dans cette espèce et peut complémenter l'échocardiographie conventionnelle pour la mesure de la performance myocardique. L'intérêt de ces méthodes validées a été illustré dans des études avec des chiens souffrant de MVD de gravité variable et une différence significative des paramètres étudiés (PA et fraction régurgitée) a été retrouvée dépendant du stade de la maladie. Enfin dans le modèle de CNM, des altérations sous-cliniques ont été détectées et considérées comme significatives étant donnée les faible coefficients de variation de techniques utilisées. En conclusion, le présent travail a évalué la répétabilité et la reproductibilité de quelques techniques d'exploration cardiovasculaires et a démontré l'importance de la validation en les appliquant dans des circonstances cliniques. Cependant ces résultats ne sont valables que dans les conditions spécifiques utilisées dans ces études. / Small animais present a major interest in cardiovascular studies either as experimental or as spontaneous models. Additionally, the development of non-invasive exploration methods in veterinary medicine has been impeding since regulations applying to animais are getting stricter and animal welfare has been the subject of many debates recently. A limitation factor regarding noninvasive cardiovascular exploration by different methods remains the accuracy, and reliability of the different techniques, that is to say, if the methods are repeatable and reproducible, and able to be used in repeated manner in awake animais. Although non-invasive arterial blood pressure (ABP) measurement and conventional, as weil as, advanced echocardiographic techniques have gained place in the domain of veterinary research, there are no specifie guidelines on how to metrologically validate a quantitative imaging technique in veterinary medicine for use in clinical or fundamental research. The present work focused firstly on metrological validation of non-invasive ABP measurement in dogs and cats by assessment of repeatability and reproducibility of Doppler ultrasonography (DU, in both dogs and cats) and high definition oscillometry (in dogs) and by determination of the influence of the observer's level of experience on within-day and between-day variability and the percentage of successful measurements. Then, the effect of animal position and number of repeated measurements on selected 2-dimensional (20) and M-mode echocardiographic variables in heal~hy dogs was evaluated. Moreover, the proximal isoveJocity surface area (PISA) method for quantification of mitral regurgitation (MR) and the tissue Doppler-derived strain (St) and strain rate (SR) technique in the dog were validated by calculation of repeatability and reproducibility. In a second step, the previously validated techniques were applied to healthy dogs, dogs suffering from spontaneous mitral valve disease (MVD) and to an experimental model of centronudear myopathy (CNM) in labrador retrievers. A total of 7 studies were realized. Ali studies were conducted at the Cardiology Unit of Alfort, in the National Veterinary School of Alfort. For ABP measurements, bath studies showed that training is important especially for evaluation of diastolic ABP with DU, whereas repeatability and reproducibility are good for sufficiently experienced observers. Regarding transthoracic 20 and M-mode echocardiography, itcan be performed on dogs in both standing position and lateral recumbency, and the repeatability of measurements is similar. Regurgitant fraction assessed by the PISA method is a repeatable and reproducible variable for the non-invasive evaluation of MR in awake dogs with MVD. This Doppler index is reliable, and its assessment can therefore be recommended for use, in combination with evaluation of other Doppler echocardiographic variables, in longitudinal studies of mitral valve disease in dogs. SimilarJy, myocardial St and SR can be measured non-invasively and in real time from regional myocardial velocities by TOI with good repeatability and reproducibility in the awake dog. The combined use of. St and SR indices with other tissue Doppler parameter's offers a new ultrasound approach to the systolic function in this species and may complement conventional echocardiographic measure of myocardial performance. The interest of those validation methods was firstly iIIustrated in studies involving dogs suffering from MVD of differing severity, where a relevant difference of the evaluated parameters (ABP and regurgitant fraction) was found depending on the stage of the disease.

L'objectif général de notre travail de thèse a été d'évaluer le rapport bénéfice/risque cardiovasculaire de l'exercice immergé. L'exercice immergé est contraignant pour le système cardiovasculaire. Il est potentiellement responsable d'une majoration de la perméabilité et/ou du gradient de pression de la barrière alvéolo-capillaire. Cet effet passe par le biais d'un accroissement des charges cardiaque et respiratoire, une sécrétion de peptides natriurétiques et une hémodilution. L'exposition au froid, la consommation d'anti-inflammatoires non stéroïdiens et la réalisation d'un exercice de forte intensité majorent le risque de survenue d'un oedème pulmonaire d'immersion. L'exercice immergé a également des effets bénéfiques. La pratique d'un sport aquatique aurait le même effet anti-hypertenseur que les activités réalisées en ambiance sèche. Par ailleurs, des différences de sollicitation endothéliale pourraient exister, en fonction des modalités d'exercice ou de la position du sujet. L'exercice immergé pourrait être plus efficace sur la perte de poids et le contrôle des facteurs de risque cardiovasculaires métaboliques, par le biais des sécrétions endocrines qu'il induit. Enfin, le réchauffement cutané associé à l'immersion dans une eau thermiquement neutre semble cardio-protecteur. / The aim of our PhD was to hold up the knowledge about risks and benefits of immersed exercise.Immersed exercise is a stress for cardiovascular system. It may result in an increase in permeability and/or pressure gradient, at the level of alveolar-capillary membrane. These effects result from an increase in cardiac and respiratory load, a natriuretic peptide secretion, and hemodilution. Exposure to cold, non-steroïdal anti-inflammatory drugs, and high intensity exercise increase the risk of a pulmonary oedema of immersion occurrence. Immersed exercise also have beneficial effects. Our observatsion suggest that immersed exercise have the hypotensive effects as ambient air exercise. Differences in endothelial stimulation may exist, depending on exercise modalities. Immersed exercise may even be more efficient on weight loss and cardiovascular risk factors control than ambient air exercise, through alterations in endocrine secretions. At the end, the global warming of the skin related to immersion in thermoneutral water appears to be cardio-protective.

INTRODUÇÃO: A doença de Chagas tem uma alta prevalência no Brasil e América Latina. Dentre as miocardiopatias (MCP), é a que evolui com pior prognóstico. A identificação precoce de disfunção sistólica de uma MCP é fundamental para o início do tratamento, assim como sua definição etiológica, sendo o ecocardiograma um dos métodos diagnósticos mais importantes na prática clínica. No entanto, mesmo que a análise da função sistólica global do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) demonstre fração de ejeção preservada, é possível já estar ocorrendo alguma anormalidade contrátil, não detectada pelos exames de rotina. A nova ferramenta ecocardiográfica denominada speckle tracking permite a análise de múltiplos parâmetros que compõem a dinâmica de contração do VE (deslocamento, velocidade de deslocamento, strain, strain rate, rotação e torção), caracterizando de forma integral a função sistólica. Trata-se de um método sensível com potencial para se detectar lesão miocárdica incipiente e auxiliar na definição etiológica de uma MCP dilatada. Um estudo detalhado da mecânica de contração do VE em doença de Chagas, ao longo de toda sua evolução, nunca foi realizado antes. OBJETIVO: Comparar os múltiplos parâmetros obtidos por speckle tracking da dinâmica de contração do VE com controles, desde a forma indeterminada da doença de Chagas até as fases mais avançadas da disfunção sistólica. MÉTODO: No período de janeiro de 2010 a agosto de 2013 estudamos pacientes chagásicos divididos em 04 grupos: Ch1A, forma indeterminada; Ch1B, fração de ejeção normal (FE >= 0,55), mas com alteração no eletrocardiograma; Ch2, MCP chagásica com disfunção sistólica discreta a moderada (FEVE 0,55- 0,30) e Ch3, MCP com disfunção importante (FEVE < 0,30). Indivíduos normais e pacientes com MCP de outras etiologias também foram estudados para compor o grupo controle, sendo pareados pela FEVE. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos ao ecocardiograma convencional com aquisição de imagens para speckle tracking. As imagens foram avaliadas para determinação de parâmetros da dinâmica ventricular por observador experiente usando software específico. RESULTADOS: Um total de 131 pacientes foram incluídos, 47 (36%) deles alocados em grupos de chagásicos. Dezesseis indivíduos chagásicos eram homens (34%). A média de idade variou de 54 a 56 anos para os grupos chagásicos e 37 a 50 anos para os controles. A exequibilidade global para análise por técnica de speckle tracking foi de 97%. Foi encontrada diferença significativa na análise de velocidade longitudinal global com menores valores no grupo Ch1A em relação aos controles normais, C1 (Ch1A, 3,33 ± 0,44 cm/s vs C1, 4,44 ± 0,78 cm/s; p < 0,001). Foram observadas reduções de todos os parâmetros da mecânica de contração do VE em paralelo ao comprometimento sistólico, tanto para as análises globais, quanto para segmento-a-segmento, em pacientes chagásicos e com MCP de outras etiologias. Foi observado um aumento paradoxal do deslocamento longitudinal global no grupo com disfunção sistólica importante (Ch3, 6,48 ± 1,57 mm vs C3, 4,63 ± 1,60 mm; p = 0,01). Essa tendência foi acompanhada pelas observações de maiores valores de deslocamento radial global apical (Ch3, 2,49 ± 0,83 mm vs C3, 1,54 ± 1,18 mm; p = 0,04). Na análise segmentar, foram evidenciados piores valores de deslocamento radial, strain e strain rate radiais em segmentos classicamente acometidos pela doença de Chagas (paredes inferior e inferolateral) e paradoxal aumento de valores destes parâmetros em outros segmentos, como nas paredes septal e anterior. CONCLUSÃO: A técnica de ecocardiografia com speckle tracking demonstrou redução dos parâmetros da dinâmica ventricular de pacientes chagásicos e não chagásicos em paralelo com a redução da fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo. Em comparação com pacientes com MCP não chagásica, os pacientes com doença de Chagas apresentaram redução de deslocamento longitudinal e radial, strain e strain rate radiais em segmentos das paredes inferior e inferolateral com aumento paradoxal de outros (septal e anterior), caracterizando uma dinâmica de contração vicariante peculiar a esta MCP. Por fim, pacientes chagásicos na forma indeterminada apresentaram menor velocidade de contração longitudinal em comparação aos controles normais, o que pode ser indício de uma lesão miocárdica incipiente / INTRODUCTION: Chagas disease has a high prevalence in Brazil and Latin America. Among the cardiomyopathies (CMP), it evolves with the worst prognosis. Early identification of a CMP systolic impairment is critical to treatment initiation as well as its etiologic definition, and echocardiogram is one of the most important diagnostic methods in clinical practice. However, even if global analysis of left ventricle (LV) systolic function discloses a preserved ejection fraction, an ongoing contractile abnormality is already possible, not detected by routine tests. A new echocardiographic tool called speckle tracking allows an analysis of multiple parameters that comprise LV contraction dynamics (displacement, displacement velocity, strain and strain rate, rotation and twist), fully characterizing LV systolic function. It is a sensitive method with the potential to detect incipient myocardial injury and help to define the etiology of a dilated CMP. A detailed study of LV contraction mechanics in Chagas disease, throughout its evolution, has never been done before. OBJECTIVE: To compare multiple parameters of LV dynamics contraction obtained by speckle tracking with controls, since the indeterminate form of Chagas disease until later stages of systolic dysfunction. METHODS: From January 2010 to August 2013, we studied patients with Chagas disease divided into 04 groups: Ch1A, indeterminate form; Ch1B, normal ejection fraction (EF >= 0.55), but with electrocardiogram abnormalities; Ch2, chagasic CMP with mild to moderate systolic dysfunction (LVEF 0.55-0.30) and Ch3, CMP with severe dysfunction (LVEF < 0.30). Normal individuals and patients with other etiologies of CMP were also studied to compose the control group, and were matched by LVEF. All patients underwent echocardiography with conventional imaging added with speckle tracking imaging acquisition. Images were assessed to determine the parameters of dynamic ventricular by an experienced observer using specific software. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients were included, 47 (36 %) of them allocated in groups of Chagas disease. Sixteen chagasic individuals were men (34 %). The mean age ranged from 54 to 56 years for chagasic groups and 37 to 50 years for controls. The overall feasibility for analysis by speckle tracking technique was 97%. Significant difference was found in the analysis of global longitudinal velocity with lower values in group Ch1A compared with normal controls, C1 (Ch1A, 3.33 ± 0.44 cm/s vs C1, 4.44 ± 0.78 cm/s; p < 0.001). We observed a reduction of all parameters of LV contraction mechanics parallel to systolic impairment, both for global as for segment-to-segment analyses, in chagasic patients and in CMP with other etiologies. We also observed a paradoxical increase in global longitudinal displacement in the group with severe systolic dysfunction (Ch3, 6.48 ± 1.57 mm vs C3, 4.63 ± 1.60 mm; p = 0.01). This trend was followed by observations of higher values of apical global radial displacement (Ch3, 2.49 ± 0.83 mm vs C3, 1.54 ± 1.18 mm; p = 0.04). In segmental analysis, we observed worse values of radial displacement as well as radial strain and strain rate in segments classically affected by Chagas disease (inferior and inferolateral walls) and paradoxical increase of values of these parameters in other segments, such as in septal and anterior wall. CONCLUSION: The technique of echocardiography with speckle tracking disclosed a decrease in ventricular chagasic and non-chagasic dynamic parameters in parallel with the reduction in the ejection fraction of the left ventricle. Compared with patients with non-chagasic CMP, patients with Chagas disease had reduced longitudinal and radial displacement, radial strain and strain rate of segments into inferior and inferolateral walls with paradoxical increase in others (septal and anterior), comprising a dynamic vicarious contraction peculiar to this CMP. Finally, chagasic patients in the indeterminate form had a lower longitudinal velocity compared with normal controls, which may indicate an incipient myocardial injury

Introdução: O Doppler tecidual (DT) surgiu como uma técnica ecocardiográfica para registro das velocidades do miocárdio e evoluiu para a determinação da deformação miocárdica regional com medida do strain rate (SR) e strain longitudinal e radial unidimensionais. Nosso objetivo foi determinar padrões de normalidade em neonatos e analisar seqüencialmente esses índices em períodos de alta e baixa resistência vascular pulmonar. Casuística e Método: Selecionaram-se 55 crianças com idade média de 20,14 ± 14,0 horas, constituindo o Grupo I (G I). Um segundo exame foi realizado em 30 crianças que retornaram após 31,9 ± 2,9 dias de vida, constituindo o Grupo II (G II). As velocidades do DT pulsado foram obtidas em cortes transversais (R) e longitudinais (L) do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) em posições apical 4 e 2 câmaras e no VD (paredes livre e inferior). Foram medidas velocidades sistólicas (onda Sm), diastólica inicial (Em), diastólica final (Am) de pico e a relação Em/Am. Pelo menos três ciclos cardíacos consecutivos com taxa de quadros/s superior a 300 foram digitalmente obtidos nos cortes mencionados e analisados posteriormente utilizando programa específico para medida das curvas de SR/strain e seus componentes sistólico, diastólico inicial e final. Resultados: As velocidades demonstraram gradiente bem definido com redução progressiva na direção base-ápice do coração. As velocidades do VD foram superiores às do VE quando comparadas com as medidas nas paredes septal (S), anterior (A) e lateral (L). No GI verificamos diferença significativa entre as medidas do SR/strain sistólicos do segmento basal da parede S em relação à apical (-1,90 ± 0,61, - 25,90 ± 4,90 vs -1,66 ± 0,25, - 24,23 ± 3,08), p=0,04 e p=0,02 e do segmento médio em relação ao apical (p=0,01 e 0,02). A avaliação regional do VD demonstrou strain sistólico maior no segmento médio em relação ao basal (-33,20 ± 6,34 vs -28,38 ± 4,90, p=0,00) e em relação ao segmento apical (-33,20 ± 6,34 vs -31,95 ± 5,06, p=0,021). Os valores absolutos de SR/strain e todos os seus componentes foram maiores na direção R quando comparados com a L (SR sistólico 2,99 ± 0,78 s-1 vs (-)1,90 ± 0,60 s-1 strain sistólico 49,72% ± 12,86% vs (-) 25,86% ± 4,83 p=0,00). Quando comparamos os GI e GII verificamos redução do strain sistólico do VE na direção R e L nas paredes S, L e A em todos os segmentos. O SR sistólico reduziu apenas na porção basal da parede L (-1,91 ± 0,46 s-1 vs - 1,71 ± 0,33 s-1, p=0,02). O VD apresentou no GII aumento significativo do strain sistólico e diastólico inicial em todos os segmentos e paredes. O SR sistólico também apresentou aumento dos valores nos segmentos basal e médio de sua parede livre e na parede inferior. A correlação entre a onda Sm e SR/strain sistólicos não foi significativa. Conclusão: Os índices regionais de deformação miocárdica constituem técnica clínica reproduzível em neonatos e podem monitorar alterações seqüenciais fisiológicas da circulação neonatal precoce e tardia. São mais robustos que as velocidades na quantificação da função regional. / Background: Color Doppler myocardial imaging (CDMI) has emerged as an echocardiographic technique for determining myocardial velocities and has been further developed to allow the determination of one-dimension regional longitudinal and radial strain rate (SR)and strain. Our goal was to determine normal values in neonates and sequentially analyse these indices in periods of high and low pulmonary vascular resistance. Study population and methods: Fifty-five term newborns with mean age of 20.14 ± 14.0 hours were selected to be part of Group I (GI). A second echo study was performed on 30 children that had returned with 31.9 ± 2.9 days after birth, being Group II (GII). Pulsed wave Doppler tissue velocities (PWDTV) were obtained in short axis (R) and longitudinal (L) axis of the left ventricle (LV) in apical 4 and 2 chamber view and in 4 and 2 chamber of the right ventricle (RV), including RV free lateral and inferior walls. Peak systolic (Sm), peak early diastolic (Em) and peak late diastolic (Am) motion velocities and Em/Am ratio were measured. At least three consecutive cardiac cycles with frame rate more than 300 fps were stored in digital format from the mentioned views for offline analysis by using dedicated software for measuring peak systolic and peak early and late diastolic SR/strain. Results: PWTDV have shown a well-defined gradient with progressive peak reduction from base to apex. RV velocities were higher than those of the LV whem compared to septal (S), anterior (A) and lateral (L) walls. In GI there was a significant difference between systolic SR/strain measurement of basal S segment in relation to apical (-1.90 ± 0.61, -25.90 ± 4.90 vs -1.66 ± 0.25, - 24.23 ± 3.08), p=0.04 e p=0.02 and from the mid in relation to the apical segment (p=0.01 e 0.02). Regional RV longitudinal function showed that systolic strain recorded from the mid segment was significantly higher than that recorded from the basal segment (-33.20 ± 6.34 vs -28.38 ± 4.90, p=0.00) and that from the apical segment (-33.20 ± 6.34 vs ?31.95 ± 5.06, p=0.021). The absolute and all components of SR/strain were significantly higher in R direction when compared to the L ones (systolic SR 2.99 ± 0.78 s-1 vs (-)1.90 ± 0.60 s-1 systolic strain 49.72% ± 12.86% vs (-)25.86% ± 4.83 p=0.00). When comparing data from GI and GII, we noticed reduction of LV systolic strain in the second group for both R and L, in all segments of S, L and A walls. Systolic SR showed reduction of the values in GII only in the basal segment of the L wall (-1.91 ± 0.46 s-1 vs ?1.71 ± 0.33s-1, p=0.02). Regional RV function showed systolic and early diastolic strain significantly higher in all segments of wall in GII. Systolic SR also showed higher values in the basal and mid segments of RV free lateral and inferior wall in GII when comparing to GI. The correlation between peak systolic velocity Sm and peak systolic SR/strain was not significant. Conclusion: Regional myocardial deformation indices are reproducible clinical techniques in neonates and can monitor physiological sequential circulatory changes of the early and late neonatal period. They are more robust than velocities in the quantification of the regional myocardial function.

A condição de hipertensão pulmonar é definida como a presença de pressão arterial pulmonar média acima de 25 mmHg em repouso. Esta é a resultante hemodinâmica de vários processos nosológicos que acometem a circulação nos pulmões, notadamente os pequenos vasos pré e intraacinares. A microcirculação pulmonar pode se alterar na presença de enfermidades cardíacas, pulmonares, tromboembólicas, infecto-parasitárias e do tecido conectivo, entre outras. Na ausência dessas condições, o diagnóstico de hipertensão arterial pulmonar idiopática se impõe. Com respeito especificamente à doença cardíaca levando a alterações vasculares pulmonares, temos as situações que acarretam aumento de fluxo sangüíneo pulmonar (cardiopatias congênitas que cursam com defeitos de septação das câmaras ou dos grandes vasos) ou dificuldade de drenagem venosa (disfunção sistólica ou diastólica do ventrículo esquerdo, valvopatia mitral e doenças do átrio esquerdo ou veias pulmonares). As alterações vasculares pulmonares que ocorrem nessas circunstâncias podem dificultar ou impedir o reparo cirúrgico de um defeito congênito de septação cardíaca, ou o encaminhamento de pacientes com doença miocárdica para o transplante. Por essas razões, a avaliação de pacientes com defeitos septais cardíacos ou miocardiopatia deve ser criteriosa. Na maioria das vezes a avaliação não invasiva é suficiente para o planejamento terapêutico. Entretanto, em pacientes com cardiopatia congênita e suspeita clínica de hipertensão pulmonar, assim como naqueles portadores de miocardiopatia candidatos ao transplante, a medida direta da resistência vascular pulmonar, através de procedimento invasivo, se faz necessária. Nas últimas décadas, tem havido interesse progressivo de se ampliar a indicação da avaliação não invasiva, omitindo-se a invasiva, sobretudo com o uso de parâmetros avaliados pela ecocardiografia com Doppler e pela ressonância magnética. O uso dessas medidas, na prática clínica, ainda é restrito, mas tende a ampliar-se. O presente estudo foi idealizado no sentido de se verificar, em portadores de defeitos septais cardíacos ou de miocardiopatia na faixa etária pediátrica, se dados ecocardiográficos poderiam ser preditivos de determinadas condições hemodinâmicas, a ponto de isentar certos pacientes da avaliação invasiva pré-operatória. Esta verificação foi feita nos dois grupos de indivíduos (cardiopatias congênitas ou miocardiopatia), com o exame ecocardiográfico realizado simultaneamente ao cateterismo cardíaco. Foram estudados 30 pacientes com defeitos septais cardíacos (idade entre 0,41 a 58,2 anos) e 23 pacientes com miocardiopatia candidatos a transplante (idade entre 0,40 a 15 anos). Para avaliação comparativa entre o ecocardiograma e o cateterismo foram utilizadas várias medidas. Do ponto de vista ecocardiográfico procurou-se analisar variáveis derivadas do fluxo pulmonar ao Doppler: tempo de aceleração (TAc), tempo de ejeção (TEj), período pré-ejetivo (PPE), integral velocidade-tempo do fluxo sistólico da via de saída do ventrículo direito (VTIVSVD) e índices envolvendo essas variáveis). Além disso, avaliou-se a integral velocidade-tempo do componente sistólico e diastólico da veia pulmonar superior direita (VTIVP) e a razão entre o fluxo pulmonar e o sistêmico (Qp/Qs). Do ponto de vista do cateterismo foram obtidas medidas de pressões, razão entre fluxos pulmonar e sistêmico (Qp/Qs) e razão entre a resistência vascular pulmonar e sistêmica (RVP/RVS). No grupo de indivíduos com cardiopatias congênitas, fundamentalmente foram observadas associações: entre a razão PPE/TEj e a pressão arterial pulmonar diastólica, assim como o índice RVP/RVS; entre a razão PPE/VTIVSVD e RVP/RVS; entre as razões Qp/Qs pelos dois métodos; entre a variável VTIVSVD e a razão das resistências; entre a variável VTIVP e a razão das resistências. No grupo de indivíduos com miocardiopatia foram observadas associações: entre a razão PPE/VTIVSVD e a pressão arterial pulmonar sistólica; entre a razão PPE/TEj e a pressão arterial pulmonar diastólica; entre a variável TAc e a pressão arterial pulmonar média e razão das resistências. Apesar de ter sido possível o desenvolvimento de modelos preditivos para dados hemodinâmicos a partir destas variáveis ecocardiográficas, a dispersão dos valores foi considerável, não permitindo recomendar a adoção dos modelos para a predição pontual na prática clínica. No entanto, os dados mostraram ser possível, a partir da avaliação não invasiva, estimar, com especificidade adequada, valores de Qp/Qs, ao cateterismo, acima de 3,0. Isto foi possível a partir, de valores de Qp/Qs igual ou superiores a 2,89 no exame ecocardiográfico. Alem disso, as variáveis VTIVSVD (igual ou superior a 22 cm) e VTIVP (igual ou superior a 20 cm), para o grupo de pacientes com cardiopatia congênita, mostraram-se capazes de predizer a ocorrência de RVP/RVS 0,1 (cateterismo), com especificidade superior a 0,80. No grupo dos pacientes com miocardiopatia, a variável TAc (igual ou superior a 95 ms) mostrou-se capaz de predizer a ocorrência de RVP/RVS 0,1 (cateterismo) com especificidade também acima de 0,80. Assim sendo, nesses pacientes, o ecocardiograma pôde ser útil na identificação de um subgrupo de indivíduos em situação mais favorável com respeito à hemodinâmica pulmonar, para os quais o cateterismo cardíaco poderia ser considerado desnecessário. Futuros estudos serão importantes para se avaliar os resultados tardios (notadamente pós-operatório) nos pacientes avaliados de forma não invasiva, reforçando, a adequação desse tipo de avaliação. / Pulmonary hypertension is defined as a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of > 25 mmHg registered at rest, during cardiac catheterization. A number of conditions have been demonstrated to cause pulmonary hypertension, including congenital (septal defects) and acquired heart diseases, chronic lung disease, connective-tissue disease, thromboembolic disorders, schistosomosiasis, HIV infection, use of anorexigens, etc. In the absence of all these conditions, a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension is established. In the specific setting of the cardiac disorders, either increased pulmonary blood flow (congenital cardiac septal defects) or altered pulmonary venous drainage ( left ventricular systolic or diastolic dysfunction, mitral valve disease, abnormalities of the left atrium) can cause pulmonary vascular abnormalities leading to pulmonary hypertension. Moderate to severe pulmonary vascular abnormalities lead to increased risk of postoperative complications and/or poor long-term outcomes in patients with septal defects undergoing surgical repair or those with cardiomyopathy undergoing heart transplantation. Thus, for these patients, preoperative measurement of pulmonary vascular resistance by cardiac catheterization is mandatory. In general, those with a pulmonary vascular resistance index of > 6 Wood units·m2 (pulmonary to systemic vascular resistance ratio of > 0,3) are not assigned to operation. In the last decades, there has been growing interest on the development of noninvasive methods/parameters that could allow for decision about the therapeutic strategies without cardiac catheterization. In this way, several parameters derived from Doppler-echocardiographic analysis or magnetic resonance has been used to predict hemodynamic data. In the present study, we used echocardiographic parameters to determine which patients with congenital cardiac septal defects or cardiomyopathy could theoretically be assigned to surgical treatments without catheterization. In order to correlate echocardiographic information with data derived from cardiac catheterization, both procedures were carried out simultaneously. Catheterization was performed as part of the routine evaluation, not specifically for research purposes. Thirty consecutive patients with congenital septal defects (aged 0,41 to 58,2 years) and 23 consecutive patients with cardiomyopathy (aged 0,40 to 15 years) were enrolled Doppler-echocardiographic evaluation consisted of flow analysis at the right and left ventricular outflow tract and pulmonary vein. The following parameters were recorded: right ventricular ejection time (RVET), acceleration time (AcT); right ventricular pre-ejection period (RVPEP); velocity time integral of the right ventricular systolic flow (VTIRVOT); velocity time integral of pulmonary venous flow (VTIPV); indexes involving these variables (AcT/RVET, RVPEP/RVET, RVPEP/VTIRVOT); pulmonary to systemic blood flow ratio (Qp/Qs). The parameters derived from cardiac catheterization included pulmonary and systemic pressures, blood flow and vascular resistance. Blood flow and vascular resistance were expressed as ratios Qp/Qs and PVR/SVR, respectively pulmonary to systemic blood flow and vascular resistance ratios). In patients with congenital septal defects, a Qp/Qs of 2,89 by Doppler-echocardiographic analysis was predictive of Qp/Qs > 3,0 by cardiac catheterization, with specificity > 0.78. For values of 4.0 (echocardiography), the specificity was > 0.91. A VTIRVOT of 22 cm or VTIPV 20 cm could predict PVR/SVR ratios 0.1 with specificity > 0.81. For values of 27 cm and 24 cm respectively, the specificity was > 0.93. In patients with cardiomyopathy, a AcT of 95 msec was predictive of PVR/SVR 0.1 with specificity > 0.85. Doppler-echocardiographic parameters could not predict absolute values of hemodynamic variables with acceptable accuracy. Based on these results we conclude that Doppler-echocardiographic analysis can be used to identify patients with low levels of pulmonary vascular resistance (those with septal defects or cardiomyopathy) and increased pulmonary blood flow (septal defects).These patients could be safely assigned surgical treatments with no need for invasive evaluation. In view of the relatively low levels of sensitivity that we observed (< 0.65), some patients with favourable pulmonary hemodynamics would still be assigned to catheterization in case of adoption of the cut-off levels used in the study. Prediction of absolute values of hemodynamic parameters was not considered sufficiently accurate for decision making. Further studies are obviously necessary to evaluate long-term outcomes in patients treated on the basis of noninvasive evaluation only.

INTRODUÇÃO: A hipercolesterolemia provoca alterações inflamatórias no sistema cardiovascular, induzindo disfunção endotelial e mudanças estruturais na microcirculação, com alterações significativas da homeostase vascular, processo este reversível com o tratamento hipolipemiante. Clinicamente, tais fenômenos podem ser demonstrados pela avaliação da reserva de fluxo coronário e da reatividade vascular periférica. A ecocardiografia de perfusão miocárdica em tempo real (EPMTR) possui características que a tornam ideal para a avaliação da microcirculação coronária, como a utilização de contrastes intravasculares, além de ótimas resoluções temporal e espacial. MÉTODOS: 16 pacientes com hipercolesterolemia e sem lesões coronárias obstrutivas (grupo HF) e 10 indivíduos saudáveis, sem doença arterial coronária obstrutiva estabelecida (grupo controle) foram avaliados por EPMTR e por ultrassonografia da artéria braquial em dois momentos: pré-tratamento com atorvastatina no grupo HF (período livre de medicação >6 semanas) e 12 semanas após o primeiro exame. A análise do fluxo miocárdico foi realizada nos 17 segmentos do ventrículo esquerdo obtendo-se índices de volume de sangue relativo no miocárdio (AN), da velocidade do fluxo () e do fluxo miocárdico absoluto (ANx) na condição de repouso e durante a vasodilatação com adenosina. A reserva de fluxo foi definida como a razão entre o fluxo durante vasodilatação e o fluxo do repouso. Para estudo da reatividade vascular periférica, todos os indivíduos foram submetidos à ultrassonografia da artéria braquial, com avaliação dos diâmetros da artéria braquial antes e depois de um período de isquemia de 5 minutos. RESULTADOS: Os dois grupos foram comparáveis quanto à idade, sexo, peso, superfície corpórea, índice de massa corpórea, índice de massa do VE, frequência cardíaca e pressões arteriais sistólica e diastólica, tanto no repouso quanto durante a infusão de adenosina. Os valores evolutivos de LDL-C (mg.dL-1) nos dois momentos foram 106±36 e 107±35; p=NS para o grupo controle vs 278±48 e 172±71; p<0,001 para o grupo HF. Na avaliação inicial, a dilatação braquial estava reduzida nos pacientes do grupo HF 0,08±0,04 vs 0,15±0,02; p<0,001 relativamente ao grupo controle, com aumento do diâmetro arterial basal (mm): 3,42±0,63 vs 3,07±0,53; p<0,001. O grupo HF, quando comparado ao grupo controle na avaliação inicial, apresentava valores mais altos de AN: (dB) 0,56±0,08 vs 0,49±0,05; p=0,02, de (s-1) 0,56±0,14 vs 0,45±0,04; p=0,02 e ANx: (dB.dB-1 s-1) 0,28±0,06 vs 0,20±0,02; p<0,001, maiores valores de AN: durante infusão de adenosina 0,64±0,08 vs 0,57±0,06; p=0,001 e menores reservas de : 2,59±0,61 vs 3,25±0,45; p=0,001 e de ANx: 2,78±0,71 vs 3,43±0,66; p=0,03. Após o uso de atorvastatina, as alterações foram revertidas, tanto na circulação periférica quanto na coronária. CONCLUSÕES: A EPMTR monstrou que em indivíduos com hipercolesterolemia e sem doença coronária obstrutiva existe aumento do fluxo microvascular em repouso e redução da reserva de fluxo miocárdico. Após o tratamento com atorvastatina houve normalização do fluxo em repouso. Adicionalmente, alterações similares ocorreram na circulação periférica dos indivíduos hipercolesterolêmicos, revertidas por utilização da atorvastatina. / BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemia induces inflammatory changes on the cardiovascular system, causing endothelial dysfunction and structural alterations of microcirculation, with substantial imbalance of vascular homeostasis. Reduction of blood cholesterol levels can stop these processes. These circulation alterations can be demonstrated by coronary flow reserve and peripheral vascular reactivity evaluation. Real time myocardial perfusion echocardiography (EPMTR) is an excellent method to demonstrate coronary microcirculation alterations, as ultrasound contrast agent has rheological properties close to red cells. Additionally, EPMTR has optimal spatial and temporal resolutions. METHODS: 16 patients with hypercholesterolemia (group-HF) without overt obstructive coronary disease and 10 healthy volunteers (group-C) were evaluated by EPMTR and vascular ultrasound in 2 moments: before atorvastatin treatment (group-HF, >6 weeks free of statin) and 12 weeks after beginning medication (group-HF), or 12 weeks after the first evaluation (group-C). For myocardial blood flow evaluation, the left ventricle was divided into 17 segments, and indexes of myocardial blood volume (AN), blood flow velocity (), and myocardial blood flow (ANx) were obtained for each myocardial segment at rest condition and after adenosine infusion. Myocardial flow reserve was calculated as the hyperemic to rest values of AN, e ANx. Peripheral vascular reactivity was evaluated by vascular ultrasound. Measures of braquial artery diameter were obtained before and after 5 minutes of arterial flow occlusion. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable for age, sex, body weight, body surface area, body mass index, left ventricular mass index, heart rate, and systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure. These variables were also comparable, under basal or adenosine stress conditions. LDL-C values (mg.dL-1) in different moments (intra-group) were 106±36 and 107±35; p=NS for group-C vs 278±48 and 172±71; p<0,001 for group-HF. Group-HF as compared to group-C had higher initial resting values of AN (dB): 0,56±0,08 vs 0,49±0,05; p=0,02, (s-1): 0,56±0,14 vs 0,45±0,04; p=0,02, and ANx (dBdB-1s-1): 0,28±0,06 vs 0,20±0,02; p<0,001, and higher hyperemic value of AN 0,64±0,08 vs 0,57±0,06; p=0,04, and lesser reserves of 2,59±0,61 vs 3,25±0,45; p=0,01 and of ANx: 2,78±0,71 vs 3,43±0,66; p=0,03. After atorvastatin treatment no difference was observed at rest, hyperemic and reserve values of AN, and ANx between the groups. CONCLUSION: In patients with hypercholesterolemia and without coronary obstruction, there was augmented myocardial blood flow and reduced coronary flow reserve at rest, compared to healthy volunteers. After atorvastatin treatment at rest myocardial blood flow was normalized in those patients. Additionally, similar alterations in peripheral circulation could be demonstrated in hypercholesterolemia, and were reverted with atorvastatin.

L'échocardiographie est la modalité d'imagerie la plus utilisée pour évaluer la morphologie et la fonction cardiaque. Il s'agit d'un outil non invasif pour le diagnostic et l'évaluation des maladies cardiaques et il permet en outre de surveiller la réponse au traitement. Cependant, la quantification des événements cardiaques rapides demeure un défi avec la cadence d’imagerie actuellement réalisable, en particulier dans des applications telles que l'échocardiographie d'effort. De plus, cette limitation devient plus prononcée en imagerie 3D conventionnelle focalisée en raison du temps nécessaire pour insonifier et acquérir un volume complet. Le fait que l’on puisse actuellement atteindre au mieux ~20 volumes par seconde est l'une des raisons qui limitent son utilisation courante dans la pratique clinique. Des améliorations dans ce domaine permettraient d'exploiter l'important potentiel de l'imagerie 3D pour la quantification complète de la déformation cardiaque.Dans ce contexte, l'objectif de cette thèse était de développer des méthodes à haute cadence d'images et de tester leur performance dans des conditions réalistes visant la prise de décision pour une transition vers la pratique clinique. Pour atteindre cet objectif, des expériences in vitro et in vivo ont été menées en utilisant l'imagerie 2D et 3D. Notre première contribution a été une comparaison 2D entre deux modalités à haute cadence d'images en termes de qualité d'image et de performance d'estimation de mouvement. Motivés par nos résultats 2D mais surtout par le défi d'implémenter le MLT dans la pratique, nous avons étendu cette approche en 3D. Nous avons étudié la faisabilité de la MLT 3D dans des conditions statiques et dynamiques. Enfin, comme l’évaluation de nouvelles approches dans des conditions physiologiques de flux complexes constitue un pas en avant vers la transition clinique, notre troisième contribution a consisté à valider des modalités 2D et 3D à haut cadence d'images sur un fantôme du vortex / Echocardiography is the most widely used imaging modality for assessing cardiac morphology and function. It does provide a non-invasive tool in diagnosis and assessment of heart diseases and it allows, in addition, monitoring the response to the treatment. However, quantifying fast cardiac events remains a challenge when using the current achievable frame rate, especially in applications such as stress-echocardiography. Moreover, this limitation becomes more pronounced in 3D conventional focused imaging due to the time needed to insonify and acquire a full volume. The fact that only ~20 volumes per second can currently be achieved is one of the reasons restricting its common usage in clinical practice. Improvements in this field would allow exploiting the important potential of 3D imaging in providing a full quantification of cardiac deformation.In this context, the aim of this thesis was to develop high frame rate methods and to test their performance in realistic conditions aiming decision making towards clinical translation. To achieve this objective, both in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted using 2D and 3D imaging. Our first contribution was a 2D comparison between two high frame rate modalities in terms of image quality and motion estimation performance. Motivated by our 2D results but especially by the challenge of implementing MLT in practice, we extended this approach to 3D. We studied the feasibility of 3D MLT in both static and dynamic conditions. Finally, as testing novel approaches in physiological complex flows conditions is a step forward towards clinical translation, our third contribution was to validate 2D and 3D high frame rate modalities on a ring vortex phantom

No description available.