Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports RSS feedThis is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Contemporary Issues in Quantitative Myocardial Perfusion CMR Imaging
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review highlights the development and application of quantitative myocardial perfusion by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and discusses recent innovations in this area.Recent FindingsFirst pass, contrast-enhanced CMR can accurately quantify myocardial perfusion in order to diagnose obstructive coronary artery disease and microvascular dysfunction. Quantitative analysis conveys additional prognostic information beyond other CMR findings. New, fully automated techniques may aid standardization of methods across centers.SummaryCMR quantitative perfusion has robust performance for the diagnosis o...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - February 14, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Advances in PET Imaging of Sarcoidosis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this paper is to provide an updated review of recent advances in protocols for positron emission tomography (PET) or PET/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging in patients with sarcoidosis.Recent FindingsThere has been more research focused on developing newer and improved PET imaging modalities to diagnose and follow-up cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F- FDG)-PET are widely used to diagnose CS, with or without concurrent rest nuclear myocardial perfusion study. There have been various patient preparation strategies for FDG PET/CT in CS. Interpretation crite...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - February 14, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Advances in Real-Time MRI –Guided Electrophysiology
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTheoretical benefits of real-time MRI guidance over conventional electrophysiology include contemporaneous 3D substrate assessment and accurate intra-procedural guidance and evaluation of ablation lesions. We review the unique challenges inherent to MRI-guided electrophysiology and how to translate the potential benefits in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.Recent FindingsOver the last 5  years, there has been substantial progress, initially in animal models and more recently in clinical studies, to establish methods and develop workflows within the MR environment that resemble those of convent...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - February 12, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Radionuclide Imaging in Chagas Cardiomyopathy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo review the contributions of radionuclide imaging to understanding the manifestations and pathophysiology of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC).Recent FindingsExperimental studies using high-resolution SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) show that myocardial perfusion derangement that corresponds to dysfunctional, viable myocardium is closely linked to inflammation and precedes LV regional systolic dysfunction. Clinical studies show that microvascular ischemia is strictly related to the areas of cardiac sympathetic denervation, assessed by123I-MIBG imaging, which correlates with severe vent...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - February 12, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Machine Learning in the Evaluation of Myocardial Ischemia Through Nuclear Cardiology
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo summarize the advances achieved in the detection and characterization of myocardial ischemia and prediction of related outcomes through machine learning (ML)-based artificial intelligence (AI) workflows in both single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET).Recent FindingsIn the field of cardiology, the implementation of ML algorithms has recently gravitated around image processing for characterization, diagnostic, and prognostic purposes. Nuclear cardiology represents a particular niche for AI as it deals with complex images of semi-quantitative and qu...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - February 9, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Myocardial Perfusion Imaging for the Evaluation of Ischemic Heart Disease in Women
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewTo review the value of myocardial blood flow and coronary flow reserve (CFR) measurements, as assessed by positron emission tomography (PET), in women with suspected ischemic heart disease.Recent FindingsCFR is a noninvasive measure of coronary vasomotor function that integrates the hemodynamic effects of epicardial coronary stenosis, diffuse atherosclerosis, and microvascular dysfunction on myocardial tissue perfusion and has emerged as an imaging marker of cardiovascular risk, independently of the degree of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).SummaryNormal coronary arteries or nonobstru...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - January 25, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Microvascular Dysfunction in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the presence of vessel abnormalities with microvascular dysfunction is a well-known feature. The aim of this review is to present the evidences that support this notion and to describe the physiopathologic and clinical consequences of microvascular dysfunction.Recent FindingsAfter having demonstrated the presence and significance of microvascular dysfunction in HCM, the myocardial blood flow (MBF) measurement by positron emission tomography (PET) is ready to develop into a clinical tool for disease evaluation, in particular for patient prognostication. Alternat...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - January 16, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Stress Protocol and Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Accuracy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo evaluate the most recent evolutions in the field of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) nuclear cardiac imaging (NCI), particularly regarding the influence of stress protocol specifics on test accuracy.Recent FindingsThe substantial improvement in both software and hardware SPECT settings may allow a drastic redefinition of the acquisition parameters, with a radical reduction of scanning time. Moreover, recent evidence has identified novel (contra)-indications to the different cardiac stressors, defining the categories of patients in which a specific stressor is most appropriate.S...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - January 16, 2019 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Correction to: Coronary CTA for Surveillance of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy
The articleCoronary CTA for Surveillance of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy, written by Nishant R. Shah, Ron Blankstein, Todd Villines, Hafiz Imran, Alan R. Morrison and Michael K. Cheezum, was originally published electronically on the publisher ’s internet portal. (Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports)
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - November 8, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

IVUS- Versus OCT-Guided Coronary Stent Implantation: a Comparison of Intravascular Imaging for Stent Optimization
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIntravascular imaging provides improved diagnostic accuracy and optimization of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) compared with angiography alone. We review the latest literature on the predominant intravascular imaging modalities, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and optical coherence tomography (OCT).Recent FindingsA number of recently published clinical studies evaluating OCT and IVUS use have demonstrated improved procedural and clinical outcomes over angiography. Recent literature also reports on novel potential applications of these technologies.SummaryIntravascular imaging is an impo...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - October 31, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Diastolic Assessment: Application of the New ASE Guidelines
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to summarize the new guidelines from the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) for the diagnosis and grading of diastolic dysfunction (DD), with commentary on the rationale behind the use of the recommended individual parameters.Recent FindingsPrevious guidelines for assessment of diastolic function have been criticized for being too complex with modest diagnostic performance and inter-observer variability.SummaryThe new ASE/EACVI diastology guidelines aim to simplify the diagnosis and gradation of DD ...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - October 31, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Stress Echocardiography: the Role in Assessing Valvular Heart Diseases
AbstractPurpose of ReviewStress echocardiography (SE) has clinical utility beyond its conventional use for the evaluation of myocardial ischemia. More specifically, SE has been shown to have significant clinical value in patients with valvular heart disease (VHD), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and congenital heart disease (CHD). Echocardiography laboratories providing services to such patient should be familiar with the principals of SE beyond coronary artery disease to ensure its optimum application and performance.Recent FindingsThe increased demand for SE standardization specifically in patients with VHD instigated...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - October 23, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Diagnosis of Cardiac Amyloidosis: Clinical and Echocardiographic Features
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review is geared to address the various forms of amyloidosis which have cardiac involvement and discuss the echocardiographic findings that may be present in patients with cardiac amyloidosis.Recent FindingsThe use of echocardiography has revolutionized the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis. The diagnosis is often first suspected due to characteristic echocardiographic findings. Although no single finding is pathognomonic, there are a constellation of features that point to the diagnosis including increased left and right ventricular wall thickness, thickened cardiac valves and atrial walls, an...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - October 23, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Intravascular Imaging for Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe sought to summarize the current evidence on use of intravascular imaging (with intravascular ultrasound [IVUS] or optical coherence tomography [OCT]) in chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Recent FindingsUtilization of intravascular imaging in CTO PCI is increasing over time, both to facilitate CTO crossing and for optimization of the final result. OCT is used less often than IVUS due to its lower depth of penetration and need for contrast injection.SummaryIntravascular imaging has multiple uses in CTO PCI: (a) it can facilitate CTO crossing by resolving proxim...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - October 17, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Utility of Cardiac Computed Tomography in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe number of left ventricular assist device implants has increased significantly in the last decade. Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) optimization, trouble-shooting complications, and surgical planning require a multi-modality imaging approach. Echocardiography remains the imaging modality of choice, particularly for physiological evaluation but accurate anatomical evaluation of the entirety of the LVAD is often challenging if not impossible. Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) offers additional information that is valuable in taking care of these complex patients. The purpose of this review is...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - October 5, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research