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Artificial intelligence (AI) has been developed for echocardiography 1 – 3 , although it has not yet been tested with blinding and randomization. Here we designed a blinded, randomized non-inferiority clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05140642; no outside funding) of AI versus sonographer initial assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to evaluate the impact of AI in the interpretation workflow. The primary end point was the change in the LVEF between initial AI or sonographer assessment and final cardiologist assessment, evaluated by the proportion of studies with substantial change (more than 5% change). From 3,769 echocardiographic studies screened, 274 studies were excluded owing to poor image quality. The proportion of studies substantially changed was 16.8% in the AI group and 27.2% in the sonographer group (difference of −10.4%, 95% confidence interval: −13.2% to −7.7%, P  < 0.001 for non-inferiority, P  < 0.001 for superiority). The mean absolute difference between final cardiologist assessment and independent previous cardiologist assessment was 6.29% in the AI group and 7.23% in the sonographer group (difference of −0.96%, 95% confidence interval: −1.34% to −0.54%, P  < 0.001 for superiority). The AI-guided workflow saved time for both sonographers and cardiologists, and cardiologists were not able to distinguish between the initial assessments by AI versus the sonographer (blinding index of 0.088). For patients undergoing echocardiographic quantification of cardiac function, initial assessment of LVEF by AI was non-inferior to assessment by sonographers. The impact of artificial intelligence in cardiac function assessment is evaluated by a blinded, randomized non-inferiority trial of artificial intelligence versus sonographer initial assessment of the left ventricular ejection fraction.

Systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (SAM) occurs intraoperatively after mitral valve repair (MVRr) in up to 14% of cases and typically resolves in the operating room with conservative measures. Less commonly SAM may also occur in the early or late postoperative period. The clinical course and optimal management of such cases is poorly defined, but reoperation is common. We describe our experience using disopyramide to successfully treat postoperative SAM refractory to beta blockade. Seven patients were retrospectively identified with mitral valve prolapse who underwent MVRr from 2003 to 2015 and were found during follow-up to have severe SAM with a left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient not observed intraoperatively. All 7 patients were successfully managed medically. In 5 cases, SAM persisted even after maximization of beta blockade, and the addition of disopyramide led to significant improvement or resolution of SAM, the LVOT gradient, and mitral regurgitation. The postoperative LVOT gradient initially exceeded 30 mm Hg in 6 of 7 patients. In 2 patients, the LVOT gradient exceeded 100 mm Hg, and both were managed medically with disopyramide with complete resolution of SAM. In conclusion, SAM after MVRr typically follows a benign clinical course and can be managed medically in most cases. When an initial treatment strategy of beta blockade is insufficient, the addition of disopyramide can effectively alleviate and terminate this condition and should be considered before reoperation.

Abstract Background The echocardiographic determination of cardiac causes of stroke focuses on the presence of left ventricular thrombus, valvular vegetations, and patent foramen ovale. Transoesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is indicated when the transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is inconclusive or when there is clinical suspicion of cardiac causes that may have been missed by TTE. The presence of severe diastolic dysfunction on TTE in the absence of any other cardiac abnormality or cardiac history is not usually considered a clue to the cause of stroke. Case summary This is a case of a 52-year-old woman who presented with a stroke. Transthoracic echocardiogram was inconclusive for source of embolus. Transoesophageal echocardiogram revealed left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus and severely hypokinetic LAA, despite the patient being in normal sinus rhythm (NSR). Retrospective analysis of diastolic function on the prior TTE revealed severe restrictive diastolic dysfunction with evidence of elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. While technetium pyrophosphate scan was negative, magnetic resonance imaging was consistent with cardiac amyloid and further testing revealed multiple myeloma as the cause of the amyloid light chain amyloidosis. This case highlights the importance of scrutinizing diastolic function in patients with a source of embolus and careful assessment for LAA thrombus on TEE, despite NSR. Discussion We present a patient with stroke with inconclusive TTE findings and eventual diagnosis of restrictive cardiomyopathy secondary to cardiac amyloidosis from an undiagnosed multiple myeloma. Severe restrictive diastolic function on TTE may be a clue to the discovery of LAA thrombus on TEE.

A quarter of a century has passed since Brock's original report 1 of the condition characterized by asymmetric septal hypertrophy and a subaortic pressure gradient (muscular subaortic stenosis). 2 The pressure gradient may be affected by changes in myocardial contractility, systemic vascular resistance, and ventricular volume. 3 Propranolol has little effect on the pressure gradient at rest, but it may diminish the increment that occurs with exercise. 4 Verapamil has a greater effect than propranolol in reducing the gradient at rest, although substantial gradients (>50 mm Hg) have persisted even after high doses of intravenous verapamil, and in one patient the gradient markedly increased. . . .

A referral service for echocardiography was established in a district general hospital. One hundred and three patients were studied and the benefits to defined groups of referrals were evaluated. It is concluded that the introduction of echocardiography into this setting is of advantage to many patients with cardiac disease and should therefore be encouraged.