Chronic alcohol consumption may lead to progressive cardiac dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) on assessing left ventricular (LV) function in chronic alcoholics.We classified 92 male alcoholics into mild, moderate, and severe groups; 30 age-matched controls were also recruited. LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), LV end-systolic volume (LVESV), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV mass (LVM), LV mass index (LVMI), and systolic dyssynchrony index (SDI) were measured by 3DE and 2-dimensional echocardiography (2DE).Compared to the control group, LV volume and mass were higher in the moderate and severe alcoholic groups (P < 0.05). The severe alcoholic (symptomatic) group demonstrated decreased LVEF and increased SDI (detected by 3DE) (P < 0.05).Real-time 3DE can detect the increases of LV volumes and mass in asymptomatic alcoholics, and the changes of LVEF and systolic synchrony index in symptomatic alcoholics.

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A single ventricle (SV) heart defect is a rare complex congenital cardiac malformation. We followed up the four adult patients who had SV since birth without surgical intervention and they had a good prognosis.The common ultrasound characteristics of four long-term SV survivors were investigated by reviewing their medical records and the literature, and the current treatment methods for SV patients were also reviewed. In our opinion,such patients with balanced hemodynamic condition should be followed and treated conservatively. This report aims to improve the prognosis as well as quality of life of SV patients.

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