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Normal Databases for the Relative Quantification of Myocardial Perfusion
Abstract Purpose of Review Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with SPECT is performed clinically worldwide to detect and monitor coronary artery disease (CAD). MPI allows an objective quantification of myocardial perfusion at stress and rest. This established technique relies on normal databases to compare patient scans against reference normal limits. In this review, we aim to introduce the process of MPI quantification with normal databases and describe the associated perfusion quantitative measures that are used. ...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - June 29, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

The Role of Imaging in Aortic Valve Disease
Abstract Purpose of Review Aortic valve disease is the most common form of heart valve disease in developed countries. Imaging remains central to the diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with both aortic stenosis and regurgitation and has traditionally been performed with echocardiography. Indeed, echocardiography remains the cornerstone of aortic valve imaging as it is cheap, widely available and provides critical information concerning valve hemodynamics and ventricular function. Recen...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - June 6, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Training in Cardiac CT: a Continuously Evolving Modality
Abstract Purpose of Review Over the past decade, the field of cardiac computed tomography (CCT) has experienced rapid evolution from an obscure curiosity to a powerful prognostic imaging modality for the evaluation of cardiovascular disease in a wide variety of clinical settings. Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, respectively, remains the cornerstone of CCT imaging. ...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - May 11, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Update on Computed Tomography Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
Abstract Purpose of Review Computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography is a well-validated non-invasive technique for accurate and expedient diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, a limitation of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is its limited capability to identify physiologically significant stenoses, which may eventuate the need for further functional testing. Stress CT myocardial perfusion imaging (CT-MPI) is an emerging technique that has the ability to identify flow-limiting stenoses. ...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - May 4, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

The Role of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Pulmonary Hypertension
Abstract Purpose of Review During recent years, cardiovascular magnetic imaging has emerged as the gold standard for evaluating functional and hemodynamic impairment of the RV. Recent Findings In patients with pulmonary hypertension where right ventricular function dominates outcome and long-term prognosis, CMR is proving to be a particularly useful tool. It not only allows for evaluating the complex geometry of the RV but also vascular abnormalities, tissue characterization...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - April 27, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Nuclear Imaging for Assessment of Myocardial Perfusion, Metabolism, and Innervation in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Abstract Purpose of Review Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common genetic disease of the heart, is characterized by diverse cardiac phenotypic expression, presentation, clinical course, response to therapy, and outcomes. Disease causing mutations, genetic modifiers, and environmental factors are responsible for the diversity of morphological and clinical manifestations of this disease. Recent Findings Over the last four decades, cardiac nuclear imaging has made crucial...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - April 24, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Update on Intracoronary Optical Coherence Tomography: a Review of Current Concepts
Abstract Purpose of review The advent of intracoronary optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been a significant leap forward in the ability to visualize coronary structures with unprecedented resolution. However, the clinical application of this imaging modality has lagged behind rapid technological advances. One of the main reasons for the lack of wider clinical uptake has been the paucity of appropriately designed prospective randomized studies to demonstrate the impact of OCT on outcome measures after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). ...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - April 17, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Planning with Cardiac CT: Protocols and Practical Tips
Abstract The advent of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has provided a feasible treatment option for high surgical risk patients with severe aortic stenosis and increasingly is also being implemented in intermediate- and low-risk patients. As such, pre-procedure planning with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is now widespread and represents an integral component in the success of this treatment with contributions to transcatheter valve selection, sizing and identification of adverse annular root features. This review provides insight into the CT protocols utilised to acquire meaning...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - March 28, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

The Role of Cardiac CT in the Evaluation of Endocarditis
Abstract Endocarditis is an increasingly common yet complex disorder characterized by multiorgan system involvement, significant morbidity, and even mortality. In recent years, cardiac computed tomography (CT) has emerged as a leading imaging modality in the assessment of this disease. With ever more rapid and low-dose acquisitions, modern cardiac CT allows for confident diagnosis despite often protean and insidious clinical manifestations. At the same time, CT accurately depicts the many cardiac manifestations and complications of endocarditis while providing a comprehensive roadmap for preprocedural p...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - March 21, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Intravascular NIRF Molecular Imaging Approaches in Coronary Artery Disease
Abstract Progression of vulnerable coronary atherosclerotic plaques underlies most episodes of acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. Recent advances in biological/molecular imaging technology are now enabling the accurate identification of high-risk plaques and coronary stents in living subjects. Due to their smaller caliber and susceptibility to cardiorespiratory motion, noninvasive molecular imaging of human coronary arteries remains challenging. Therefore, intravascular high-resolution molecular imaging approaches appear necessary to resolve molecular features of human coronary arteri...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - March 7, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Low Radiation Dose Calcium Scoring: Evidence and Techniques
Abstract Coronary computed tomography (CT) allows for the acquisition of thin slices of the heart and coronary arteries, which can be used to detect and quantify coronary artery calcium (CAC), a marker of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Despite the proven clinical value in cardiac risk prognostication, there remain concerns regarding radiation exposure from CAC CT scans. There have been several recent technical advancements that allow for significant radiation dose reduction in CAC scoring. This paper reviews the clinical utility and recent literature in low radiation dose CAC scoring. (Source: ...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - March 2, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Coronary Artery Calcium Analysis and Reporting on Noncontrast Chest CT Scans: a Paradigm Shift in Prevention
Abstract The quantification of coronary artery calcium (CAC) on gated noncontrast cardiac CT, as a screening test for subclinical coronary artery disease, has been consistently proven to be superior to risk factors and biomarkers for the prediction of long-term cardiovascular risk. Coronary artery calcium is also readily evaluable in every noncontrast (nongated) chest CT scan, yet there are no recommendations for reporting CAC in scans done for noncardiac indications. Lung CT scanning has been approved for lung cancer screening, and almost all the candidates are intermediate to high risk for coronary ar...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - February 19, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Erratum to: Nuclear Cardiology in the Management of Patients with Heart Failure
(Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports)
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - February 18, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography: a Clinical Perspective
Abstract Cardiac positron emission tomography is a powerful, quantitative, non-invasive imaging modality, which adds valuable diagnostic and prognostic information to the clinical work-up. Myocardial perfusion and viability imaging are, as a result of continuously growing evidence, established clinical indications that may be cost-effective, due to the high diagnostic accuracy of cardiac positron emission tomography, despite high single-test costs. In the field of inflammation imaging, new indications are entering the clinical arena, which may contribute to a better diagnosis and overall patient care, a...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - February 6, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Cardiac CT Scanner Technology: What Is New and What Is Next?
This article provides an overview of technologies available on state-of-the-art CT systems and the clinical needs they seek to address. (Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports)
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - February 3, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research