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Variability of native T1 values: implication for defining regional myocardial changes using MRI
AbstractThe aim of the present study was to establish T1 variation (T1v) thresholds for duplicated measurements of regional T1 values in left ventricle (LV) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Eighteen healthy volunteers were recruited to undergo two consecutive cardiac MRI scans using modified Look-Locker Inversion recovery (MOLLI) with two spatial resolutions on different days to repeat T1 measurements on LV. The absolute differences (d) and standard deviations (SDs) of regional T1 values were acquired with the two scans and two readers. T1v threshold (mean difference  + 2SD), intra-class correlation co...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 1, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Quantification of coronary atherosclerotic burden with coronary computed tomography angiography: adapted Leaman score in Croatian patients
AbstractThe aim of the study was to quantify the total coronary atherosclerotic burden in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) defined by coronary computed tomography adapted Leaman score (CT-LeSc) and to estimate its cut-off level for high coronary atherosclerotic burden. We enrolled 434 consecutive patients referred to coronary computed tomography angiography, of which 261 patients fulfilled the study inclusion criteria. Demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as CAD risk factors were obtained. CAD pre-test probabilities were estimated by the Diamond-Forrester model and Morise score. The corona...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 1, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Prognostic value of revascularising viable myocardium in elderly patients with stable coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction: a PET/CT study
AbstractSparse information is available on the role of cardiac viability imaging in elderly patients. We aimed at evaluating the prognostic value of FDG-PET/CT in elderly patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (rLVEF) before revascularisation. Elderly patients (>  65 years old, mean 74 ± 7 years old) with CAD and rLVEF were followed after cardiac FDG-PET/CT and stratified according to presence/absence of viable myocardium and subsequent revascularisation. Fatal events of any cause as well as hospitalisations related to acute...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 1, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Quantification of aortic stiffness in stroke patients using 4D flow MRI in comparison with transesophageal echocardiography
AbstractTo quantify stiffness of the descending aorta (DAo) in stroke patients using 4D flow MRI and compare results with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). 48 acute stroke patients undergoing 4D flow MRI and TEE were included. Intima-media-thickness (IMT) was measured in the DAo and the aorta was scrutinized for atherosclerotic plaques using TEE. Stiffness of the DAo was determined by (a) 4D flow MRI at 3  T by calculating pulse wave velocity (PWV) and by (b) TEE calculating arterial strain, stiffness index, and distensibility coefficient. Mean IMT was 1.43 ± 1.75. 7 (14.6%) subjects had no ...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 1, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Investigation of elastic features of aorta and color M-mode flow propagation velocity (APV) of descending aorta in the patients with ischemic and non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy
AbstractAortic flow propagation velocity (APV) is a novel echocardiographic parameter used in coronary artery disease. It has also been used for the evaluation of aortic stiffness. In the present study, APV was measured in patients with ischemic and non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and was compared with the parameters of aortic stiffness such as aortic distensibility (AD) and aortic strain (AS). A total of 140 patients who had undergone coronary angiographic imaging were included in the study. Out of these patients, 44 had ischemic DCM, 46 had non-ischemic DCM, and 50 had normal coronary angiography (control group...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 1, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

A New modified anthropometric haller index obtained without radiological exposure
AbstractTo validate a new modified method for measuring the anthropometric Haller index (HI), obtained without radiological exposure. This new method was based on the use of a rigid ruler and of a 2.5  MHz ultrasound transducer for the assessment of latero-lateral and antero-posterior chest diameters, respectively. We enrolled 100 consecutive patients (mean age 67.9 ± 14.5 years, 55% males), who underwent a two-plane CXR, for any clinical indication, over a four-month period. In all patien ts, the same radiologist calculated the conventional radiological HI (mean value 1.93 ±&th...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 1, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Differences between first-generation and second-generation drug-eluting stent regarding in-stent neoatherosclerosis characteristics: an optical coherence tomography analysis
AbstractWe compared first-generation and second-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) with respect to neoatherosclerosis using optical coherence tomography or optical frequency domain imaging. In-stent restenoses in 102 first-generation and 114 second-generation DES were retrospectively assessed. Neoatherosclerosis, which was defined as the presence of lipid-laden neointima or calcification inside a stent, was observed in 33 (27.2%) and 31 (32.4%) lesions in the first-generation and second-generation DES respectively. In the first-generation DES group, the lipid length was significantly longer (5.5  ± 3....
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 1, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Association with right atrial strain with right atrial pressure: an invasive validation study
AbstractEchocardiographic assessment of right atrial pressure (RAP) from inferior vena cava (RAPIVC) dimension may underestimate catheter-derived (RAPC). As right atrial (RA) deformation, measured by speckle tracking, is preload-dependent, we hypothesized that RA strain may improve estimation of RAPC. Right atrial strain components [RA reservoir function ( ƐR), peak RA contraction (ƐCT) and RA conduit function (ƐCD)] were measured in 125 of 175 patients who had echocardiography and invasive measures of RAP (median difference 1 day). To determine whether RA strain measures differentiated patients with correct vs inc...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 1, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

One-year optical coherence tomography findings in patients with late and very-late stent thrombosis treated with intravascular imaging guided percutaneous coronary intervention
The objective is to describe the 1-year optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings of patients suffering from late/very-late ST treated with intravascular imaging guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). All consecutive patients with late/very-late ST undergoing intravascular imaging guided PCI were screened to undergo coronary angiography and OCT examination at 1  year. Patients were classified according to the observation of stent malapposition as most contributing cause of the ST. Thirty-four patients were included. Stent malapposition was observed in 17 (50%) and the remaining 17 cases were classified as:...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 1, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Erupted coronary atheroma: insights from multi-modality imaging
AbstractA 58-year-old gentleman with prolonged chest pain and 20-min ST-segment elevation in inferior lead on Holter monitoring was hospitalized. Multi-slice computed tomography identified severe stenosis with low density area and positive remodeling. Despite the suggestive features of vulnerable lesion, intravascular ultrasound and near-infrared spectroscopy imaging identified ruptured plaque without any lipidic material which were contrary to findings from multi-slice computed tomography. Lipidic materials may travel into coronary circulation following its spontaneous rupture, resulting in zero lipid core burden index. M...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 1, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Correction to: Left atrial myocardial dysfunction after chronic abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids: a speckle tracking echocardiography analysis
In the original publication of the article, the seventh author name “Giampaolo Tocci” has been misspelt. The correct name is given in this. (Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging)
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - October 1, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Reproducibility of global left atrial strain and strain rate between novice and expert using multi-vendor analysis software
AbstractLeft atrial (LA) strain is an emerging technique with potential applications including arrhythmia prediction in atrial fibrillation and early identification of atrial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate reproducibility of LA strain and strain rate (SR) using multi-vendor analysis software between novice and expert. For LA strain to be a reliable tool, the technique must be reproducible by observers with variable experience. Use of multi-vendor analysis software allows serial strain assessment when echocardiographic images are acquired using different vendors. Fifty subjects underwent 2D-Speckle track...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - September 18, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

A phantom based evaluation of vessel lumen area quantification for coronary CT angiography
AbstractCoronary computed tomography (CT) angiography is a noninvasive method for visualizing coronary artery disease. However, coronary CT angiography is limited in assessment of stenosis severity by the partial volume effect and calcification. Therefore, an accurate method for assessment of stenosis severity is needed. A 10  cm diameter cylindrical Lucite phantom with holes in the range of 0.4–4.5 mm diameter was fitted in a chest phantom. The holes were filled with an iodine solution of 8 mg/mL. To simulate coronary artery disease, different levels of stenosis were created by inserting Lucite rods i...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - September 8, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

A  bilharzial pulmonary artery aneurysm with a large calcified mural thrombus
AbstractAlthough very rarely encountered nowadays, bilharziasis should still be considered as one of the main causes of pulmonary artery aneurysms (PAA) and core-pulmonale in endemic areas. The ideal treatment of PAA remains uncertain because there is no clear consensus about the best therapeutic approach, due to limited experience because of the rarity of the disease. Still the management of pulmonary artery thrombus is only through proper anticoagulation and follow-up with a very limited role for surgery. (Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging)
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - September 7, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular function: current clinical practice
AbstractEchocardiographic evaluation of right ventricular (RV) function is a challenge due to the complex anatomy of the RV. Several transthoracic echocardiographic methods have been suggested for the quantification of RV function. However, many of the parameters are time consuming and need dedicated hardware and software. We suspected that the majority of the established markers are not used on a wide basis. In a multinational online survey, we evaluated the use of current clinical standards for the quantification of RV function in clinical practice. Through the network of an Ultrasound Online Teaching Platform, echocardi...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - September 6, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Abnormal aortic stiffness in patients with bicuspid aortic valve: phenotypic variation determined by magnetic resonance imaging
AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess aortic stiffness in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), and to determine if differences exist among the BAV phenotypes. Stiffness was measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV) determined using velocity-encoded magnetic resonance imaging (VENC-MRI). VENC-MRI was performed in 100 BAV patients and 45 normal controls. PWV was determined between the mid ascending and mid descending aorta. The BAV phenotypes were characterized using steady-state free precession (SSFP) images acquired across the face of the aortic valve, and classified as follows: right-left cusp (R-L) fusion, right ...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - September 5, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

CMR quantitation of change in mitral regurgitation following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): impact on left ventricular reverse remodeling and outcome
AbstractCurrent echocardiographic data reporting the impact of concomitant mitral regurgitation (MR) on outcome in patients who undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are conflicting. Using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, this study aimed to assess the impact of MR severity on cardiac reverse remodeling and patient outcome. 85 patients undergoing TAVR with CMR pre- and 6  m post-TAVR were evaluated. The CMR protocol included cines for left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volumes, flow assessment, and myocardial scar assessment by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Patients were dichotom...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - September 4, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Right ventricular longitudinal strain predicts acute kidney injury and short-term prognosis in patients with right ventricular myocardial infarction
This study aimed to assess whether RV longitudinal strain predicts AKI and short-term prognosis in patients with RV infarction. Prospective cohort of patients with RV infarction. RV function was evaluated with global and free wall right ventricular longitudinal strain (GRVLS and FWRVLS), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and tricuspid S ′ wave. The primary endpoint was AKI defined as an increase ≥ 50% in serum creatinine and/or a decrease ≥ 25% in glomerular filtration rate during follow-up at 7 days. The secondary endpoint was death from any cause at 30 days. We ...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - September 4, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Treatment of left accessory cardiac pathway conduction disorders using radiofrequency catheter ablation under the guidance of the Ensite NavX 3D mapping system: a retrospective study
AbstractTo investigate the effectiveness and safety of using the Ensite NavX three-dimensional (3D) mapping system during Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of left accessory pathway (AP) disorders. A total of 227 patients having their left AP treated by RFCA, were classified into study group (n  = 112) and the control group (n = 115). X-ray irradiation time and exposure doses during the course of the operations were recorded. Time taken to place the mapping catheter along with total duration of operations and procedural complications were compared. The X-ray irradiation time and ex posure ...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - September 3, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Advanced imaging in pulmonary hypertension: emerging techniques and applications
AbstractPulmonary hypertension (PH) is a pathophysiological disorder defined by an increase in pulmonary arterial pressure which can occur in multiple clinical conditions. Irrespective of etiology, PH entails a negative impact on exercise capacity and quality of life, and is associated with high mortality particularly in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Noninvasive imaging techniques play an important role in suggesting the presence of PH, providing noninvasive pulmonary pressure measurements, classifying the group of PH, identifying a possibly underlying disease, providing prognostic information and assessing response to ...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 30, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

A serial 3- and 9-year optical coherence tomography assessment of vascular healing response to sirolimus- and paclitaxel-eluting stents
AbstractEarly-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) have been demonstrated to delay vascular healing. Limited optical coherence tomography (OCT) data on the very long-term neointimal response after DES implantation are available. The aim of this study was a serial OCT assessment of neointimal thickness, stent strut coverage, malapposition, and protrusion as markers of neointimal response at 3 and 9  years after implantation of sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) and paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES). In this single-centre, longitudinal study consecutive patients undergoing elective PCI with SES or PES were included. OCT analy...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 30, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Association of serum uric acid levels with SYNTAX score II and long term mortality in the patients with stable angina pectoris who undergo percutaneous coronary interventions due to multivessel and/or unprotected left main disease
AbstractSerum uric acid (SUA) level was shown in various studies to be related to the presence of coronary artery disease and subsequent cardiovascular events. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association of SUA with SYNTAX score II (SSII) and the long-term prognosis of patients with stable angina pectoris who underwent percutaneous revascularization due to multivessel disease (MVD) and/or unprotected left main disease (UPLMD). Two-hundred and ninety patients with MVD and/or UPLMD who were treated consecutively with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included in the present study. The study popul...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 24, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Prognostic importance of mechanical dyssynchrony in predicting heart failure development after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
AbstractThe aim of this study is to assess the prognostic value of mechanical dyssynchrony defined as the standard deviation of the time to peak longitudinal strain (SD T2P LS) in predicting the development of heart failure (HF) after an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Three hundred and seventy-three patients were admitted with STEMI and treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Left ventricular (LV) mechanical dyssynchrony was examined through speckle tracking echocardiography and defined as SD T2P LS. The association with the outcome of HF hospitalization was assessed using Cox proporti...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 24, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

The comparison of short-term prognostic value of T1 mapping with feature tracking by cardiovascular magnetic resonance in patients with severe dilated cardiomyopathy
AbstractTo evaluate and compare the prognostic value of T1 mapping with feature tracking cardiovascular magnetic resonance (FT-CMR) imaging in patients with severe dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) during short-term follow-up. A total of 46 patients with severe DCM (LVEF    0.05). In the multivariate analyses, ECV was the sole independent predictor of cardiovascular events (HR, 1.48; 95% CI 1.13–1.94; P = 0.005). The area under the curve of the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic in leave-one-out cross-validation (all>  0.70) further confirmed the predictive significance ...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 21, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Computationally simulated fractional flow reserve from coronary computed tomography angiography based on fractional myocardial mass
This study aimed at establishing a simple and efficient algorithm for computing simulated FFR (S-FFR). A total of 107 patients who underwent CCTA and invasive FFR measurements were enrolled in the study. S-FFR was calculated using 145 evaluable coronary arteries with off-the-shelf softwares. FFR  ≤ 0.80 was a reference threshold for diagnostic performance of diameter stenosis (DS) ≥ 50%, DS ≥ 70%, or S-FFR ≤ 0.80. FFR ≤ 0.80 was identified in 78 vessels (54%). In per-vessel analysis, S-FFR showed good correlation (r = 0.83) a...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 20, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Assessment of global and regional strain left ventricular in patients with preserved ejection fraction after Fontan operation using a tissue tracking technique
AbstractTo evaluate the use of the tissue tracking (TT) technique to measure myocardial strain left ventricular in post-Fontan children with preserved ejection fraction (pEF). Nineteen (male/female, 10/9) patients with univentricular hearts after completion of the Fontan circulation (post-Fontan group) and 19 age- and gender-matched healthy children (control group) were retrospectively enrolled. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging was conducted on a 1.5-T MRI scanner. Global and regional strains of the left ventricle in post-Fontan patients (EF  >  55%) and controls were obtained using CMR-TT s...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 18, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Left atrial mechanics in children: insights from new applications of strain imaging
AbstractOur principal aim was to describe functional changes in dilated left atrium (LA) of children by using new applications of LA strain. We studied 66 patients (age range 0.2 –22 years) consisting of 33 with LA enlargement. We utilized speckle-tracking imaging for assessment LA longitudinal strain (S) and longitudinal displacement (D). S–D loops were generated by plotting S and D data along Y and X axes, respectively. We also measured noninvasive LA stiffness index,$$=\frac{{E/e^{\prime}}}{{LA~peak~strain}}~$$ (%−1). Peak S in controls was 51.16  ± 19.45% versus 23.16 ...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 16, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Right ventricular septomarginal trabeculation hypertrophy is associated with disease severity in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
AbstractTo characterize the morphological change in the right ventricle (RV) of patients with pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) and further explore the correlation between septomarginal trabeculation (SMT) and right ventricular (RV) function, myocardial fibrosis, and exercise capacity in patients with PAH. Sixty untreated PAH patients were prospectively included from May 2016 to April 2017. All patients underwent comprehensive clinical evaluation and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). The area and diameter of the basal segment of SMT, and the mass of SMT were measured on cine SSFP images. Relationship between parameters o...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 14, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Computed tomography showing formation of caseous calcification of the mitral annulus over time
AbstractCaseous calcification of the mitral annulus (CCMA) is a rare variant of mitral annulus calcification. Herein, we present computed tomographic images of formation of CCMA over time. (Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging)
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 14, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

The association of right ventricular dysfunction with in-hospital and 1-year outcomes in anterior myocardial infarction
In this study, we evaluated the prognostic effect of RV dysfunction on in-hospital and long-term outcomes in patients with first anterior STEMI. A total of 350 patients without known coronary artery disease with first anterior STEMI and treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention were prospectively enrolled in this study. In-hospital and long-term outcomes were compared between two groups of with or without RV dysfunction. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in the RV dysfunction group (26.7% vs. 1.6%, P
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 14, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Basal leaflet thickening and color paucity in the echocardiographic evaluation of subclinical leaflet thrombosis after transcatheter aortic valve replacement
(Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging)
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 14, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Initial application of three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography to detect subclinical left ventricular dysfunction and stratify cardiomyopathy associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in children
AbstractThree-dimensional (3D) speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) is a new imaging modality used for quantitative analysis of left ventricular (LV) function. The aim of this study is to assess the value of 3D STE in early detection of subclinical myocardial involvement in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Fifty-six children with DMD (mean age, 8.8  ± 1.9 years) and 31 age-matched control subjects were studied. Patients were subdivided into two groups by age: ≤ 8 or>  8 years. Standard echocardiography examinations were performed to measure LV size and e...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 13, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Association with right atrial strain with right atrial pressure: an invasive validation study
AbstractEchocardiographic assessment of right atrial pressure (RAP) from inferior vena cava (RAPIVC) dimension may underestimate catheter-derived (RAPC). As right atrial (RA) deformation, measured by speckle tracking, is preload-dependent, we hypothesized that RA strain may improve estimation of RAPC. Right atrial strain components [RA reservoir function ( ƐR), peak RA contraction (ƐCT) and RA conduit function (ƐCD)] were measured in 125 of 175 patients who had echocardiography and invasive measures of RAP (median difference 1 day). To determine whether RA strain measures differentiated patients with correct vs inc...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 9, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Presence of aortic root vortex formation after TAVI with CENTERA confirmed using 4D-flow magnetic resonance imaging
(Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging)
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 9, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Risk of cardiac tachyarrhythmia in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot: a multicenter cardiac MRI based study
AbstractCardiac tachyarrhythmias are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). We evaluated risk factors for sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) and atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATA) in these patients. Patients (n  = 319) who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging at two tertiary centers between 2007 and 2016 were assessed. Potential risk markers, based on history, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography, were analyzed for prediction of the prim ary endpoint of VT, and the secondary endpoint ...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 9, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Radiation exposure and coronary artery calcium scans in the society for heart attack prevention and eradication cohort
In this study, we report the radiation exposure of CAC scoring from the Society for Heart Attack Prevention and Eradication (SHAPE) early detection program cohort sites, which spanned multiple centers using 64-MDCT (multi-detector computed tomography) sc anners. We reviewed radiation exposure in milliSieverts (mSv) for 82,214 participants from the SHAPE early detection program cohort who underwent CAC scoring. This occurred over a 2.5-year period (2012–2014) divided among 33 sites in 7 countries with four different types 64-MDCT scanners. The effe ctive radiation dose was reported as mSv. Mean radiation dosing amongs...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 6, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Intra-thoracic adiposity is associated with impaired contractile function in patients with coronary artery disease: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging study
AbstractThe influence of visceral adiposity on left ventricular remodeling following coronary artery disease (CAD)-related events has not been examined to date. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) we explored intra-thoracic fat volume (ITFV) and strain-based markers of adverse remodeling in patients with CAD. Forty-seven patients with known CAD (25 with prior MI, 22 without prior MI) were studied. ITFV was quantified using previously validated imaging techniques. Myocardial strain was derived from cine MRI using a validated 3D feature-tracking (FT) software. Segmental LGE quantification was performed and was used to inc...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 4, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Reference values of left atrial size and function according to age: should we redefine the normal upper limits?
AbstractDifferent cut-offs have been proposed for left atrial (LA) size. Furthermore, conflicting results have been reported about the influence of age on LA size and data on the impact of age on LA myocardial function are scanty. The aim of this study was to derive references values for LA size and function in healthy subjects and to evaluate the impact of age. We conducted a systematic literature search of MEDLINE database. We included only studies evaluating healthy subjects, with age ranged between 18 and 80  years. Parameters were compared among four age groups,  45–60,>  60 years. Thr...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 3, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Geometrical and functional cardiac changes after cardiac surgery: a phisiopatological explanation based on speckle tracking
AbstractCardiac surgery induces geometrical and functional changes, which are not clearly explained. Objective: to investigate the physiopathology of the heart after cardiac surgery using advanced techniques of echocardiography. Thirty patients undergoing cardiac surgery had echocardiographic study prior and after surgery. Left and right ventricular (RV) longitudinal displacement and strain were studied with speckle-tracking. Using longitudinal displacement, we defined a static longitudinal reference-point (sLRP) to which the other segments moved during systole. Transversal displacement and global function were determined ...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - August 2, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

15-O-water myocardial flow reserve PET and CT angiography by full hybrid PET/CT as a potential alternative to invasive angiography
AbstractCombined myocardial flow reserve (MFR) by PET and CT coronary angiography (CTA) is a promising tool for assessment of coronary artery disease. Prior analyses of MFR/CTA has been performed as side-by-side interpretation, not as volume rendered, full hybrid analysis, withfused MFR/CTA. We aimed to: (i) establish a method for full hybrid analysis of MFR/CTA, (ii) validate the inter- and intra-observer reproducibility of MFR values, and (iii) determine the diagnostic value of side-by-side versus full hybrid MFR/CTA with 15-O-water PET. Forty-four outpatients scheduled for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) were enroll...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - July 31, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

The value of speckle-tracking echocardiography in identifying right heart dysfunction in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
AbstractRight ventricular (RV) function is a significantly important factor in the determination of the prognosis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients. Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) is an angle-independent new technique for quantifying myocardial deformation that is capable of providing data on multiple parameters including longitudinal and transverse information of the myocardium. In the present study, we aimed to study the advantages of STE-derived parameters in identifying RV dysfunction in CTEPH patients. Sixty CTEPH patients (mean age: 55  years ± 13 yea...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - July 30, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Diagnostic performance of machine-learning-based computed fractional flow reserve (FFR) derived from coronary computed tomography angiography for the assessment of myocardial ischemia verified by invasive FFR
AbstractTo explore the diagnostic performance of a machine-learning-based (ML-based) computed fractional flow reserve (cFFR) derived from coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in identifying ischemia-causing lesions verified by invasive FFR in catheter coronary angiography (ICA). We retrospectively studied 117 intermediate coronary artery lesions [40 –80% diameter stenosis (DS)] from 105 patients (mean age 62 years, 32 female) who had undergone invasive FFR. CCTA images were used to compute cFFR values on the workstation. DS and the myocardium jeopardy index (MJI) of coronary stenosis were also assessed wit...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - July 30, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Long term evaluation of electromechanical delay in patients with atrial septal defect after transcatheter closure
AbstractSome studies have been showed that electromechanical delay, which may pose an increased tendency to atrial fibrillation, may prolong in patients with various clinical conditions. In addition, the electromechanical delay in patients with secundum type atrial septal defect (ASD) compared to healthy people have been reported previously. Therefore, in the present study, we prospectively evaluated the mid-term and long-term effects of the transcatheter closure of secundum type ASD on the lateral atrial conduction time (PA), septal PA, tricuspid PA, left and right intra-atrial electromechanical delay (ILeft-EMD and IRigh...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - July 30, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Peak left atrial strain as a single measure for the non-invasive assessment of left ventricular filling pressures
AbstractEchocardiographic assessment of left ventricular (LV) filling pressures is performed using a multi-parametric algorithm. Left atrial (LA) strain was recently found to accurately classify the degree of diastolic dysfunction. We hypothesized that LA strain could be used as a stand-alone marker and sought to identify and test a cutoff, which would accurately detect elevated LV pressures. We studied 76 patients with a spectrum of LV function who underwent same-day echocardiogram and invasive left-heart catheterization. Speckle tracking was used to measure peak LA strain. The protocol involved a retrospective derivation...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - July 30, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

CMR-derived extracellular volume fraction (ECV) in asymptomatic heart transplant recipients: correlations with clinical features and myocardial edema
AbstractMyocardial interstitial expansion seems to be fundamental to the process of adverse left ventricular remodeling. Recent evidence has shown that the extracellular volume fraction (ECV) derived from cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can be used as a noninvasive method to quantify myocardial interstitial volume in a range of heart diseases. Our aim was to determine whether ECV is increased in asymptomatic orthotopic heart transplant (HTx) patients and its associations with clinical features and T2 values, the elevation of which usually suggests myocardial edema. A group of asymptomatic cardiac transplant recipie...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - July 28, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Coronary artery anomalies on preoperative cardiac CT in children with tetralogy of Fallot or Fallot type of double outlet right ventricle: comparison with surgical findings
This study was conducted to evaluate incidence and diagnostic accuracy of preoperative cardiac CT for identifying detailed coronary artery anatomy in these patients. Coronary artery anatomy on preoperative cardiac CT exams in 318 children with tetralogy of Fallot or Fallot type of double outlet right ventricle were reviewed and compared with surgical findings. Incidences of total and surgically critical coronary artery anomalies, concordance rate between cardiac CT and surgical findings, and diagnostic accuracy of cardiac CT were assessed. In addition, the types of surgical modifications for surgically critical coronary ar...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - July 26, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Correction to: Imaging the myocardial ischemic cascade
In the original publication of the article, the seventh author name “Matthias Gutberlet” has been misspelt (Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging)
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - July 24, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Value of low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography on defining true severe low gradient aortic stenosis in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction
AbstractLow-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is a valuable tool to distinguish true-severe (TS) from pseudo-severe (PS) low gradient aortic valve stenosis (LGAS) in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). However, only scanty studies reported the clinical utility of DSE in differentiating TS-LGAS patients with preserved LVEF. We investigated the clinical utility of DSE in LGAS patients with preserved LVEF and the echocardiographic determinants suggestive of TS-LGAS. 130 consecutive LGAS patients [indexed aortic valve area (AVA)  ≤ 0.6cm2/m2 and mean trans-aortic pressu...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - July 23, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

Coronary sinus flow is reduced in methamphetamine abusers: a transthoracic echocardiographic study
AbstractTo compare the coronary sinus flow among healthy participants, methamphetamine abusers without chest pain and those with chest pain. One hundred and eight methamphetamine abusers: 53 ones without chest pain, 55 ones with chest pain, free of ascertained coronary artery disease, were enrolled in this study. A control group of 50 age-matched male healthy participants was studied for comparison. Standard 2D, flow and tissue Doppler echo with measurements of cardiac morphologic and functional indicators, coronary sinus flow, and inferior vena cava (IVC) ultrasound with measurements of the IVC dimensions and their collap...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - July 21, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research

The effect of heart rate on coronary plaque measurements in 320-row coronary CT angiography
AbstractRepeatability of quantitative assessment of atherosclerotic plaques is important for the accurate detection of high-risk plaques in coronary CT angiography (CTA). We assessed the effect of heart rate (HR) on plaque CT number using a coronary artery model and a cardiac phantom capable of simulating cardiac motion. The coronary artery model with luminal stenosis on a cardiac phantom was imaged with a simulated HR of 0, 50, 60, and 70 beats per minute using a 320-row CT scanner. We reconstructed CT images for cardiac diastolic phases (for 75% R –R interval) using filtered back projection (FBP), hybrid iterative ...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - July 20, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research