Value of stent boost imaging in decision making after coronary stenting
Conclusion: This study has confirmed the utility of stent boost for the optimization of PCI in daily practice. Stent Boost is a simple and costless technique that provides an accurate assessment of a deployed stent without extending the procedure time and without more risk. It appears to be useful for the immediate evaluation of stent expansion and optimization of PCI by additional post-dilatation, when appropriate. Future studies are needed to determine whether Stent Boost data will correlate with adverse long-term clinical outcomes in patients undergoing PCI. (Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging)
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 17, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Editor ’s choice to the October 2023 issue
(Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging)
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 17, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

The association between higher cardiac troponin levels and the development of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in septic patients with diabetes mellitus
This study was designed to retrospectively analyze the relationship between the levels of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and the development of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in septic patients with diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, the predictive value of cTnT and cTnI in the LVDD  development in those patients was investigated. The clinical information of 159 septic patients with diabetes mellitus treated in the intensive care unit of Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University from June 2016 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were separated into LVD...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 16, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Left ventricular myocardial work for the prediction of postoperative outcomes in patients with bicuspid aortic stenosis
AbstractChronic elevation of left ventricular (LV) afterload contributes to adverse LV remodeling and myocardial impairment in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Incorporating LV afterload into global longitudinal strain (GLS) analysis, myocardial work facilitates early detection of LV dysfunction. The present study was to evaluate myocardial work in BAV patients with severe AS undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and to evaluate its prognostic impact on early postoperative outcomes. Between January 2021 and March 2022, BAV patients with severe AS scheduled for SAVR were i...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 13, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Abbreviated cardiac magnetic resonance imaging versus echocardiography for interval assessment of systolic function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: patient satisfaction, clinical utility, and image quality
ConclusionThe aCMR protocol resulted in improved clinical relevance and quality scores relative to echo, without significant detriment to patient satisfaction or exam duration. (Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging)
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 13, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Three-dimensional echocardiography for the evaluation of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients: relation to symptoms and exercise capacity
AbstractPatients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may exhibit impaired functional capacity, associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Systolic function is one of the determinants of functional capacity. Early identification of systolic disfunction may identify patients at risk for adverse outcomes. Myocardial deformation parameters, derived from three-dimensional (3D) speckle-tracking echocardiography (3DSTE) are useful tools to assess left ventricular systolic function, and are often abnormal before a decline in ejection fraction is seen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between myocardial de...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 11, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Clinical and genetic predictors of cardiac dysfunction assessed by echocardiography in patients with hereditary hemochromatosis
ConclusionWe found the traditional risk factors of male sex, and history of myocardial infarction or heart failure, were associated with a reduced LVEF, irrespective of the underlyingHFE genetic mutation. Patients with a C282Y/H63D genetic mutation had a higher frequency of myocardial infarction, yet this mutation was associated with reduced odds of diastolic dysfunction compared to other genetic mutations in patients with a normal LVEF. (Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging)
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 11, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Echocardiographic mechanical dyssynchrony predicts long-term mortality in patients with cardiac resynchronisation therapy
This study investigated the impact of MD (apical rocking [AR] and septal flash [SF]) on long-term survival in CRT recipients. HFrEF patients (n = 425; mean age 63.0 ± 10.6 years, 72.3% male, 60.7% non-ischaemic aetiology) with a guideline-derived indication for CRT underwent device implantation. MD markers were determined at baseline and after a mean follow-up of 11.5 ± 8.0 months; long-term survival was also determined. AR and/or SF were present in 307 (72.2%) participants at baseline. During post-CRT follow-up, AR and/or SF disappeared in 256 (83.4%) patients. Overall mean survival was 95.9 ± 52.9 mont...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 11, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Evaluation of the image quality and validity of handheld echocardiography for stroke volume and left ventricular ejection fraction quantification: a method comparison study
AbstractBedside quantification of stroke volume (SV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is valuable in hemodynamically compromised patients. Miniaturized handheld ultrasound (HAND) devices are now available for clinical use. However, the performance level of HAND devices for quantified cardiac assessment is yet unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the validity of HAND measurements with standard echocardiography (SE) and three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE). Thirty-six patients were scanned with HAND, SE and 3DE. LVEF and SV quantification was done with automated software for the HAND, SE and 3DE dat...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 10, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Myocardial fibrosis associates with lupus anticoagulant in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
AbstractSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that carries increased risk of cardiovascular disease; however, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and degree of myocardial fibrosis in SLE patients and associated disease characteristics.  Forty-nine SLE patients (89% female, mean age 52 ± 13 years, median disease duration 19 (11–25) years) and 79 sex-and age-matched healthy controls were included. CMR with T1 mapping was performed on SLE patients and healthy controls. Fifty-one SLE patients received gadolinium contr...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 9, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Calcium score of the entire thoracic aorta is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients referred to chest computed tomography
ConclusionsSevere TAC ( ≥ 440) was found to be an independent predictor of ACM. Thus, we suggest that documenting and quantifying TAC should be routinely incorporated into standard chest CT reports. (Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging)
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 9, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Association of LDL-C level with neoatherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability in patients with late restenosis: an optical coherence tomography study
In conclusion, a high LDL-C level is an independent predictor of NA incidence and plaque vulnerability in patients with late ISR. (Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging)
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 7, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Physical exercise and cardiovascular response: design and implementation of a pediatric CMR cohort study
AbstractTo examine feasibility and reproducibility and to evaluate the cardiovascular response to an isometric handgrip exercise in low-risk pediatric population using Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance measurements. In a subgroup of 207 children with a mean age of 16  years participating in a population-based prospective cohort study, children performed an isometric handgrip exercise. During rest and exercise, continuous heart rate and blood pressure were measured. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) measurements included left ventricular mass, aortic diste nsibility and pulse wave velocity at rest and left ventricula...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 6, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Hemodynamic implications of mitral annular calcification in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation for severe aortic stenosis
ConclusionIn patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI, MAC severity was associated with greater increases in post-procedural mTMG whereas MVA or SVi remained unchanged. MAC severity should be considered for potential subsequent MV interventions if TAVI does not improve symptoms. (Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging)
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 6, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Evaluation of the thickness of coronary calcium by 60-MHz intravascular ultrasound: head-to-head comparison with optical frequency domain imaging
This study aimed to reveal whether recent IVUS can visualize the region behind thin coronary calcium sheets. Using 534 cross-sectional optical frequency domain images (OFDI), including severe calcified coronary lesions, calcium sheet thickness was measured by every 1 °. Accordingly, the visibility of the vessel border behind the coronary calcium sheet was evaluated using 60-MHz IVUS images, which were longitudinally linked with OFDI ones. After carefully coordinating with the axial position, the association between the IVUS-derived permeability of the coronary calcium sheet and calcium thickness was evaluated. The maximum...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - September 30, 2023 Category: Radiology Source Type: research