Objective To investigate the changing tendency of mitral valve coaptation area and coaptation index of moderate mitral regurgitation （MR） in a dog experiment，and provide evidence for predicting long-term surgical results. Methods Real-time three-dimensional transesophogeal echocardiography （RT-3D-TEE） images were obtained in 15 dogs via Philips IE33 echocardiography system，and animal experiment model was established. RT-3D-TEE images were taken by gradually narrowing the ascending aorta and increasing left ventricular pressure till moderate MR. Original data were analyzed using Philips Qlab 7.0 three-dimensional quantification software，and mitral valve coaptation area and coaptation index were calculated. Specimen coaptation index of the mitral leaflets was calculated after the animal experiment. Cutoff values of coaptation index and left ventricular pressure were calculated by receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve. Results There was statistical difference in coaptation area （198±50）mm2 vs. （123±36）mm2，P＜0.05） and coaptationindex （0.25±0.06 vs. 0.13±0.03，P＜0.05） between non-MR state and MR status of the 15 dogs. The area under the ROC curve of coaptation index and moderate MR was 0.879±0.019 with 95% CI 0.843 to 0.916，and the cutoff value was 0.213（P＜0.05）. The area under the ROC curve of left ventricular pressure and moderate MR was 0.882±0.021 swith 95% CI 0.840 to 0.923，and the cutoff value was 225 （P＜0.05）. There was no statistical difference between specimen mitral valve area and early-diastolic mitral leaflet area，specimen coaptation area and coaptation area，specimen coaptation index and coaptation index （P＞0.05）. Early-diastolic mitral leaflet area was significantly correlated with specimen mitral valve area （r=0.937，P＜0.05）. Coaptation area was significantly correlated with specimen coaptation area （r=0.917，P＜0.05）. Coaptation index was significantly correlated with specimen coaptation index （r=0.946，P＜0.05）. The correlation of coaptation index and specimen coaptation index was higher than those of coaptation area and specimen coaptation area，and earlydiastolic mitral leaflet area and specimen mitral valve area. Conclusions Both coaptation area and coaptation index significantly decrease in MR status. Coaptation index can more precisely reflect MR degree，and provide reference for prognosis of mitral valve repair. RT-3D TEE can accurately measure mitral valve coaptation area and coaptation index.
Objective To explore the effect of endovascular treatment guided by ultrasonography combined with portosystemic shunts on the patients with Budd-Chiari Syndrome （BCS）.Methods The clinical data of 136 patients with BCS treated by balloon angioplasty and stent implantation guided by Doppler ultrasonography in our hospital from January 1995 to January 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.After balloon angioplasty,53 patients were treated by inferior vena cava （IVC） stent implantation and 31 patients with hepatic venous occlusion underwent portosystemic shunts （PSSs） at one week after endovascular treatment.The long-and short-term effects after treatment were studied.Results After endovascular procedures,the IVC pressure of patients significantly decreased （P＜0.01）,while IVC diameter, flow velocity in the lesion,and right atrial pressure of patients showed significant increase（P＜0.01）.Slight heart dysfunction appeared in 13 cases of patients.After shunting,acute pancreatitis occurred in 3 cases, and 1 patient died of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage on the 10 d after PSSs.Doppler ultrasonography for IVC and shunt vessels showed：the swollen liver and spleen lessened on 3d after endovascular procedures.The swollen liver lessened 2-7cm （mean 5.5cm）,swollen spleen lessened 3-8cm （mean 5.8cm）, and the time of ascites disappearance was 3-60d （mean 14d）.All the patients were followed up for 1 month to 15 years with an average of 3 years.Restenosis of the distal part of stent was found in 1 patient in 2 years after operation, hepatic vein occlusion occurred in 1 case in 1 year after treatment,hepatocellular carcinoma occurred in 1 patient in 3 years after stent implantation,and 1 patient died of C type hepatitis after 1 year,and 5 out of 6 cases of patients with infertility had babies after 1 year.All patients had no stent migration or occlusion of shunts and the symptoms of portal hypertension were obviously relieved.Conclusions Endovascular treatment guided by Doppler ultrasonography is a convenient,safe,and effective method for BCS.Portosystemic shunts are commended to patients with hepatic venous occlusions.The above mentioned methods provide a feasible and effective means for IVC stenosis and short segment occlusion with hepatic vein occlusion of BCS.