JACC. Cardiovascular imaging
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JACC Cardiovasc Imaging · Apr 2012
Clinical TrialPrevalence of nonstenosing, complicated atherosclerotic plaques in cryptogenic stroke.
Our goal was to assess the prevalence of complicated American Heart Association (AHA) lesion type VI plaques in the carotid arteries of patients with cryptogenic stroke. ⋯ This pilot study suggests that arterio-arterial embolism from complicated, nonstenosing carotid atherosclerotic plaques may play a role in a subgroup of patients previously diagnosed with cryptogenic stroke. To further evaluate the significance of AHA type VI plaques in cryptogenic stroke, future studies will have to analyze both clinical and imaging follow-up data, including event rates for secondary strokes.
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JACC Cardiovasc Imaging · Apr 2012
Review Meta AnalysisPrognostic value of late gadolinium enhancement in clinical outcomes for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the predictive value of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for future cardiovascular events and death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). ⋯ Late gadolinium enhancement by CMR has prognostic value in predicting adverse cardiovascular events among HCM patients. There are significant relationships between LGE and cardiovascular mortality, heart failure death, and all-cause mortality in HCM. Additionally, LGE and SCD/aborted SCD displayed a trend toward significance. The assessment of LGE by CMR has the potential to provide important information to improve risk stratification in HCM in clinical practice.
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JACC Cardiovasc Imaging · Apr 2012
Comparative StudyRV dysfunction in pulmonary hypertension is independently related to pulmonary artery stiffness.
This study investigated whether right ventricular (RV) adaptation to chronic pressure overload is associated with pulmonary artery (PA) stiffness beyond the degree of severity of pulmonary hypertension (PH). ⋯ PA stiffness is independently associated with the degree of RV dysfunction, dilation, and hypertrophy in PH. RV adaptation to chronic pressure overload is related not only to the levels of vascular resistance (steady afterload), but also to PA stiffness (pulsatile load).