Takuya Inoue1, Makoto Suzuki2, Atsushi Namiki3, Hironori Hirai2, Kaoru Sugi2. 1. Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Toho University Ohashi Medical Center, 2-17-6 Ohashi, Meguro, Tokyo, 153-8515, Japan. tinoue@oha.toho-u.ac.jp. 2. Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Toho University Ohashi Medical Center, 2-17-6 Ohashi, Meguro, Tokyo, 153-8515, Japan. 3. Center for Clinical Training and Education, Toho University, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To clarify the relationships between spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) detected by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and coagulopathy, ultrasonographic findings that may correlate to biochemical coagulation markers were examined. METHODS: TEE was performed on 49 consecutive patients (mean age 64 ± 14 years; 28 men, 21 women). Blood samples were taken at the same time as TEE was carried out. Aortic SEC (Ao-SEC) and left atrial SEC (LA-SEC) were classified into three grades: absent, mild and marked. Levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF), thrombin antithrombin III complex (TAT), prothrombin fragments 1+2 (F1+2) and fibrinopeptide A (FPA) were measured. RESULTS: Mean plasma vWF levels by Ao-SEC grade were 144 ± 39% for absent, 177 ± 55% for mild and 210 ± 73% for marked, with significantly higher levels in the Ao-SEC marked group than in the Ao-SEC absent group (P < 0.05). Mean plasma vWF levels by LA-SEC were 185 ± 73% for absent, 180 ± 49% for mild and 201 ± 62% for marked, with no significant differences apparent between groups. Moreover, no relationships were identified between Ao-SEC grade and plasma levels of coagulation indicators TAT, F1+2 and FPA. CONCLUSION: Plasma vWF levels correlated to grade of aortic SEC. Characteristics of the coagulation system differ between Ao-SEC and LA-SEC. Ao-SEC offers a clinical indicator of platelet thrombus formation.
PURPOSE: To clarify the relationships between spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) detected by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and coagulopathy, ultrasonographic findings that may correlate to biochemical coagulation markers were examined. METHODS: TEE was performed on 49 consecutive patients (mean age 64 ± 14 years; 28 men, 21 women). Blood samples were taken at the same time as TEE was carried out. Aortic SEC (Ao-SEC) and left atrial SEC (LA-SEC) were classified into three grades: absent, mild and marked. Levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF), thrombin antithrombin III complex (TAT), prothrombin fragments 1+2 (F1+2) and fibrinopeptide A (FPA) were measured. RESULTS: Mean plasma vWF levels by Ao-SEC grade were 144 ± 39% for absent, 177 ± 55% for mild and 210 ± 73% for marked, with significantly higher levels in the Ao-SEC marked group than in the Ao-SEC absent group (P < 0.05). Mean plasma vWF levels by LA-SEC were 185 ± 73% for absent, 180 ± 49% for mild and 201 ± 62% for marked, with no significant differences apparent between groups. Moreover, no relationships were identified between Ao-SEC grade and plasma levels of coagulation indicators TAT, F1+2 and FPA. CONCLUSION: Plasma vWF levels correlated to grade of aortic SEC. Characteristics of the coagulation system differ between Ao-SEC and LA-SEC. Ao-SEC offers a clinical indicator of platelet thrombus formation.
Entities:
Keywords:
aorta; spontaneous echo contrast; transesophageal echocardiography; von Willebrand factor
Authors: Marco Matucci Cerinic; G Valentini; G G Sorano; S D'Angelo; G Cuomo; L Fenu; S Generini; S Cinotti; M Morfini; A Pignone; S Guiducci; A Del Rosso; R Kalfin; D Das; F Marongiu Journal: Semin Arthritis Rheum Date: 2003-04 Impact factor: 5.532