Objective. 1. To evaluate the diagnostic value of the echocardiographic parameter of Color Doppler Horizontal Splay width (CDHSW) in assessment the of mitral regurgitation (MR) severity.
2. To determine the cut-off values of CDHSW for the diagnosis of severe MR.
Material and methods. A prospective data collection of 81 patients with presence of CDHS on echocardiography was carried out. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed in all of them to clarify the etiology and severity of MR, and in addition, 33 (40%) patients underwent phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging.
Results. After multiparametric examination severe MR was found in 32 (39%) patients, moderate MR in 47 (58%) and mild MR in 2 (3%). Regurgitation jet was eccentric in 79 (98%) patients, and sharply eccentric in 58 (71%) of them. The values of CDHSW (measured in 4-chamber, 2-chamber view, and mean CDHSW values) were significantly higher in the group of severe MR in comparison with the group of moderate MR.  A statistically significant strong correlation was revealed between the CDHSW (measured in the 4- and 2-chamber view, and  mean CDHSW values) with the values of MR volume, regurgitant fraction, size of effective regurgitant orifice, and a moderate correlation with the values of  vena contracta width, left ventricle end-diastolic velocity  and left atrium volume. ROC analysis showed the highest diagnostic value (AUC 0,93 ± 0,5, p < 0,001) of mean CDHSW in diagnosis of  severe MR   in comparison with CDHSW. Optimal cutoff value for mean CDHSW for severe MR  diagnosis was >30 mm with a sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 71%.
Conclusions. 1. CDHSW is an echocardiographic parameter that provides additional opportunities in the diagnosis of  latent moderate and severe eccentric MR.
2. It is reasonable to use mean values for the increase of diagnostic sensitivity of CDHSW.
3. The mean value of CDHSW >30 mm is highly suggestive to severe MR. 

This article is dedicated to the assessment of left ventricular (LV) myocardial work indicators using the method of constructing pressure-strain loops, a new tool in echocardiography that can take into account the influence of cardiac afterload on LV contractility. The algorithm of actions for estimating myocardial work, possible difficulties and features of calculating its main indicators are described in detail, the limitations and disadvantages of the method are discussed. The normal ranges of LV myocardial work indicators are given in the article, and it presents their typical changes and the advantages of using in various diseases and pathological conditions of the heart.

Aim: to measure the echogenicity of atherosclerotic plaques (AP) of carotid arteries to assess the dynamics of atherosclerosis and risk of cardiovascular outcomes (CVO) in patients with different CVD risk.

Materials and methods. The study included 223 patients: 80 patients (47 males) with moderate CVD risk (mean age: 53 years, range: 39-66) (Group 1) and 143 patients (123 males) with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and high CVD risk (mean age: 57, range: 32-83) years (Group 2). All patients were examined at the Chazov National Medical Research Center of Cardiology. Patients underwent a standard clinical examination, biochemical blood test with lipid profile determination, and ultrasound duplex scanning. Patients with ACS were re-examined after 1-1.5 years and patients with moderate CVD risk were re-examined after 1 and 7 years.

Results. We analyzed 181 APs in Group 1 and 378 APs in Group 2. Analysis of gray-scale median (GSM) at the first and second visit showed a significant increase in GSM in both groups: from 67.02 [54.13; 82.85] to 73.5 [59.5; 88.7] (p<0.0001) in Group 1, and from 49.3 [39.73;63.64] to 50.7 [40.04;66.54] (p<0.05) in Group 2. An increase in GSM was observed in 79% of patients in Group 1, in 53% of patients in Group 2. Unfavorable CVO (CVO+) developed after 7 years in 7 (8.8%) patients in Group 1, and after 1 year in 23 (23%) patients in Group 2. In Group 1, an increase in GSM was observed only in patients with favorable prognosis (CVO-): from 67.7[52.13; 79.0] to 77.5[64.12; 91.0] (n=148 AP, p<0.05), in patients with CVO+, GSM increased non-significantly from 60.1[53.5; 66.5] to 66.5[55.0; 71.6] (n=18 AP, p=NS). In Group 2, a significant increase in GSM was observed in patients with CVO-: from 48.7[39.0; 63.4] to 51.3[40.0; 67.4] (n=141 AP, p<0.01), in patients with CVO+, GSM decreased from 51.6[42.9; 72.5] to 50.2[40.4; 65.0] (n=43 AP, p=NS). In Group 2, GSM significantly increased by 2.75 (6.05%) from the initial value (p<0.05) in patients with CVO-, while patients with CVO+ showed a significant decrease in the average GSM of AP by 3.33 (7.8%) (p<0.05). Using ROC analysis, a Δ% GSM value of 6.96% was found (area under the curve 0.628 ± 0.0465 [95% CI 0.556 - 0.696], p = 0.0058). According to Cox regression analysis, the risk of CVO increased by 2.16 times with a decrease in GSM AP in the carotid arteries over time by ≥ 6.96% (НR=2.16; 95% CI=1.331 – 3.507); p=0.009.

Conclusion. The ultrasound method of measuring the echogenicity of an atherosclerotic plaque of the carotid artery using GSM parameter can be effective for assessing the dynamics of atherosclerosis and prognosis of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with high and moderate CVD risk

These guidelines may have been translated, from the originals published by ISUOG, by recognized experts in the field and have been independently verified by reviewers with a relevant first language. Although all reasonable endeavors have been made to ensure that no fundamental meaning has been changed the process of translation may naturally result in small variations in words or terminology and so ISUOG makes no claim that translated guidelines can be considered to be an exact copy of the original and accepts no liability for the consequence of any variations. The guidelines are only officially approved by the ISUOG in their English published form.

A goal of the review was to search and describe all currently known prenatal ultrasound markers of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The review is instantiated by multiple ultrasound images of own clinical cases. Taking into account the authors wide experience, it is possible to use all of presented ultrasound signs as predictors (markers) of an adverse pregnancy outcome in the early stages. From our point of view, it is reasonable to divide the markers into two groups, “primary markers” and “dynamic markers”. In the case of “Primary markers” revealing on initial ultrasound, it is reasonable to perform control ultrasound in 7–10 days to confirm the viable pregnancy or missed miscarriage.  The “Dynamic markers” can be used on control ultrasound, and some of them may be used in shorter dynamic period when there is a need to predict the outcome earlier than 7-10 days. Generally, the review describes 22 early pregnancy ultrasound markers of adverse pregnancy outcome. These are imaging features of the gestational sac, yolk sac, embryo size, embryo heartbeat, and amnion. Early pregnancy ultrasound is not mandatory, but in a real-case scenario, almost all women undergoes ultrasound on early stage of pregnancy in objective or subjective causes. Therefore, in the first days of pregnancy, women should receive a highly professional diagnostic by a physician, able to assess the risks and prognosis of pregnancy outcome. The authors of the review particularly notes that the assessment of ultrasound markers of adverse pregnancy outcomes must be carried out with the strictest adherence to the medical ethics, deontology, and medical privacy.

Purpose: to evaluate the dynamics of ultrasound parameter of structural changes of endometrium in B-mode before and after therapy in reproductive age women with chronic endometritis.

Material and methods. A retrospective cohort study of 158 reproductive age patients (34.5 ± 6.5 years) with a established diagnosis of chronic endometritis was carried out. Ultrasound was performed twice prior and after comprehensive etiotropic therapy in the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle with measurements of uterus volume, endometrium thickness and volume, with calculation of endometrial/uterine volume percentage ratio. Echogenicity and structure, including the presence of polyps, liquid in the uterine cavity, gas in   the endometrial layer or on midline, the line of endometrial layers closure and the contour of endometrial midline were assessed.

Results. There was no complete regress of any of pathological signs after treatment, but the frequency of most of them decreased significantly (p < 0.05). At the same time, there was no significant changes in such signs as heterogeneous structure and increased echogenicity of the endometrium (p > 0.05). In addition, a statistically significant decrease of endometrium thickness and volume, as well as endometrial/uterine volume ratio was obtained with a constant uterus volume (p < 0.05).

Conclusion. The dynamic decrease in the frequency of revealing of the ultrasound signs in chronic endometritis on the background of comprehensive etiotropic therapy allows to assess a positive therapeutic benefits.