Battling this pandemic has opened our eyes to a new reality. One great source of pride is the fierce collaboration between healthcare providers of all specialties. Together we really are changing the world.
CASE is changing, too. We have almost doubled the number of reports in each issue. CASE was a simple idea to educate by sharing experiences. It was not so long ago that we thought imaging for transcatheter aortic valve replacement was the greatest thing. Routine 3D image guidance (which still is amazing) and intracardiac echo (ICE) during percutaneous intervention soon followed. Next is lung ultrasound, point of care ultrasound (POCUS), and artificial intelligence.
We are excited and proud to welcome our veterinarian Editor Rebecca L. Stepien DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology), who has been handling case reports from our veterinary colleagues. We hope to have many new experiences to share in this ever-growing case report journal.
In this issue of CASE, we have two case reports where ICE guided intervention. Three-dimensional (3D) image guidance has spread from the mitral to the tricuspid valve. Expanded views provide new clues for finding brachiocephalic stenosis. An astute young sonographer identifies a double aortic arch with bilateral coarctation associated with heterotaxy-asplenia syndrome (keep an eye on Chandler Dixon RDCS, RCS, RVT and his team at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, California). Also included is an awesome 3D animation. We have a retroaortic innominate vein in a hypoplastic left heart from John Martinez MD, in collaboration with the divisions of cardiology, congenital and cardiothoracic heart surgery, and pediatrics at the University Hospital in San Antonio Texas. In our new reality, Dr. Stepien will feature a case of anomalous left atrial drainage of both vena cavae in an adult French bulldog! I can't help but wonder how they got her to hold still while they figured this out!
Diana Ross, our beloved rose of soul once sang “ain't no mountain high enough.” Certainly, we have risen to the challenge. Thank you and stay safe.