Journal of cardiovascular computed tomography
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J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr · Nov 2015
Comparative StudyUtility of hand-held devices in diagnosis and triage of cardiovascular emergencies. Observations during implementation of a PACS-based system in an acute aortic syndrome (AAS) network.
Prompt diagnosis and early referral to specialized centers is critical for patients presenting with cardiovascular emergencies, including acute aortic syndromes (AAS). Prior data has suggested that mobile access to imaging studies with hand-held devices can accelerate diagnosis and management. ⋯ This study demonstrates that hand-held devices can be a potential useful tool to assist in diagnosis and triage of patients presenting with cardiovascular emergencies. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of screen size and resolution.
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J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr · Sep 2015
Case ReportsCircumferential type A aortic dissection with intimal intussusception.
A 62-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with sudden chest pain. CT examination showed the presence of an intimal flap in the aortic root and in the descending aorta, with no intimal flap in the ascending aorta and curvilinear filling defects in the aortic arch, and extension into the left subclavian artery. ⋯ During the operation, the intimal tear was found to be circumferential with intussusception of the intimal layer. The patient died at surgery.
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J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr · Jul 2015
Multicenter Studyβ-Blocker premedication does not increase the frequency of allergic reactions from coronary CT angiography: Results from the Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Consortium.
β-Blockers are often used for heart rate control during coronary CT angiography (CTA). Increased frequency and severity of allergic reactions to radiocontrast media (RCM) have been reported with concomitant use of β-blockers. ⋯ β-Blocker pretreatment had no effect on the frequency or severity of allergic reaction in patients undergoing coronary CTA, even in patients with a past history of allergy to RCM.
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J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr · Jul 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyImage quality and radiation dose of a prospectively electrocardiography-triggered high-pitch data acquisition strategy for coronary CT angiography: The multicenter, randomized PROTECTION IV study.
Concerns have been raised about radiation dose of coronary CT angiography. Although high-pitch acquisition technique yields high potential for radiation dose savings, it is more vulnerable to artifacts, which impair diagnostic image quality. ⋯ In patients with a low and stable heart rate diagnostic image quality can be maintained with a high-pitch helical scan first strategy while 58% of radiation dose can be saved.
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J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr · Mar 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyEsmolol is noninferior to metoprolol in achieving a target heart rate of 65 beats/min in patients referred to coronary CT angiography: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
Coronary CT angiography (CTA) is an established tool to rule out coronary artery disease. Performance of coronary CTA is highly dependent on patients' heart rates (HRs). Despite widespread use of β-blockers for coronary CTA, few studies have compared various agents used to achieve adequate HR control. ⋯ Intravenous esmolol with a stepwise bolus administration protocol is at least as efficacious as the standard of care intravenous metoprolol for HR control in patients who undergo coronary CTA.