One Last Summer Read: The August CASE

The latest issue of CASE is now available with intriguing reports, including “Multimodal Imaging and Management of Early Mitral Annuloplasty Ring Dehiscence with Pericardial Hematoma,” by Alanis-Naranjo et al. CASE Editor-in-Chief, Vincent Sorrell, MD, FASE, remarked, “This author provides readers this month with an inspiring multimodal image buffet that includes a 12 lead ECG, amazing chest X-ray, jaw-dropping cardiac CT images, rarely seen CMR findings, and breath-taking 2D and 3D TEE movies. In their young man admitted with progressive heart failure and cardiac murmur within 1 year after repair of severe MR from Barlow disease, these authors demonstrate their approach to diagnosis and subsequent management. Through their carefully obtained, high-quality multimodal image acquisition, they diagnosed mitral annular ring dehiscence complicated by a pericardial hematoma and treated with urgent surgical intervention. CASE readers will enjoy correlating the many various imaging modalities that were collected and serve to enhance your understanding of each imaging tool.”

This month’s issue of CASE also brings together a fascinating collection of cases highlighting the diverse and evolving role of echocardiography across the cardiovascular spectrum. Sami et al. explore transient, severe mitral regurgitation following rapid pacing during transcatheter aortic valve implantation, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing reversible dysfunction from structural valve injury. Ram et al. reveal an unexpected cause of acute prosthetic aortic regurgitation related to malposition of an LV vent, underscoring the critical role of intraoperative TEE. Burton et al. demonstrate how point-of-care TEE can guide management during a pregnant patient’s cardiac arrest, while Gomes et al. remind us to maintain a high index of suspicion for unusual presentations of infective endocarditis. Nafez Alhayek et al. highlight Libman-Sacks endocarditis in a pediatric patient without underlying autoimmune disease, and Scherier et al. showcase the value of 2D and 3D echocardiography in defining an unusual congenital heart defect in a neonate with trisomy 21. Finally, Zhang et al. explore the dynamic role of the ductus venosus in fetal circulation through a rare case of ductus venosus agenesis and high-output heart failure. Together, these cases demonstrate how echocardiography can uncover unexpected pathology, guide critical clinical decisions, and deepen our understanding of both acquired and congenital cardiovascular disease. The issue also features a thought-provoking Letter to the Editor from Curt DeGroff, MD, encouraging greater precision in our use of the terms “turbulent” and “laminar” in color-flow Doppler.

Readers can look forward to Dr. Sorrell’s editorial, “Tiny Hearts”.

Want to challenge your imaging and diagnosis skills? Visit the CASE Homepage to see the latest Unlock the CASE image quiz as well as a brand-new Sonographer Sound-Off.

Share your next great case with CASE! Whether you’re preparing your very first submission or adding to a long list of published reports, we are here to make it a great experience. Email us with questions or submit your report today!