The international journal of cardiovascular imaging
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Int J Cardiovasc Imaging · Feb 2018
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyQuantitative coronary plaque analysis predicts high-risk plaque morphology on coronary computed tomography angiography: results from the ROMICAT II trial.
Semi-automated software can provide quantitative assessment of atherosclerotic plaques on coronary CT angiography (CTA). The relationship between established qualitative high-risk plaque features and quantitative plaque measurements has not been studied. We analyzed the association between quantitative plaque measurements and qualitative high-risk plaque features on coronary CTA. ⋯ In quantitative analysis, segments with high-risk plaque had higher total plaque volume, low CT attenuation plaque volume, plaque burden and remodeling index. Quantitatively assessed low CT attenuation plaque volume (odds ratio 1.12 per 1 mm3, 95% CI 1.04-1.21), positive remodeling (odds ratio 1.25 per 0.1, 95% CI 1.10-1.41) and plaque burden (odds ratio 1.53 per 0.1, 95% CI 1.08-2.16) were associated with high-risk plaque. Quantitative coronary plaque characteristics (low CT attenuation plaque volume, positive remodeling and plaque burden) measured by semi-automated software correlated with qualitative assessment of high-risk plaque features.
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Int J Cardiovasc Imaging · Jan 2018
Correlation between right ventricular T1 mapping and right ventricular dysfunction in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Right ventricular (RV) fibrosis is increasingly recognized as the underlying pathological substrate in a variety of clinical conditions. We sought to employ cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) techniques of strain imaging and longitudinal relaxation time (T1) mapping to better examine the relationship between RV function and structure. Our aim was to initially evaluate the feasibility of these techniques to evaluate the right ventricle. ⋯ Post-contrast T1 mapping and CMR strain imaging are technically feasible and provide incremental information regarding global RV function and structure. The proportional relationship between RV function and post-contrast T1 values supports that myocardial fibrosis is a causative factor of RV dysfunction in NICM, irrespective of RV afterload. This same structural milieu also appears integral to the propensity for both positive and negative RV remodeling long-term, suggestive that this is also determined by the degree of underlying RV fibrosis.
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Int J Cardiovasc Imaging · Dec 2017
Comparative StudyComparison of systemic right ventricular function in transposition of the great arteries after atrial switch and congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries.
In patients with transposition of the great arteries corrected by interatrial baffle (TGA) and those with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) the right ventricle (RV) is subjected to systemic pressure and fails prematurely. Previous studies have demonstrated RV dysfunction may be more pronounced in patients with TGA. The present study sought to compare patients with TGA and ccTGA using three-dimensional (3D) techniques to comprehensively analyze the shape, volume, global and regional function in the systemic RV. ⋯ Basilar RV function was poorer in the TGA patients when compared to ccTGA. The systemic RVs in both TGA and ccTGA are dilated, spherical, and poorly functioning. Compared to ccTGA, TGA RVs have reduced TAPSE and worse basilar hypokinesis.
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Int J Cardiovasc Imaging · Dec 2017
Comparative StudyClinical risk stratification of acute pulmonary embolism: comparing the usefulness of CTA obstruction score and pulmonary perfusion defect score with dual-energy CT.
To compare the ability of CT angiography (CTA) obstruction score and perfusion defect score on dual energy CT perfusion imaging (DEPI) for clinical risk stratification of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). 55 patients diagnosed as acute PE either by CTA or DEPI were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were grouped into high-, intermediate-, and low-risk groups in accordance to the renewed guidelines of 2014. Consistency between DEPI and CTA in diagnosis of PE were assessed. ⋯ However, CTA obstruction score could not distinguish the two groups (p = 0.149). DEPI had fine consistency with CTA to diagnose acute PE and offered additional information of physiologic changes. Comparing with CTA obstruction score, perfusion defect score could better correlate with right ventricular dysfunction, and could be a more promising biomarker for clinical risk stratification.
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Int J Cardiovasc Imaging · Nov 2017
Comparative StudyQuantification of left atrial volume and phasic function using cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging-comparison of biplane area-length method and Simpson's method.
Left atrial (LA) enlargement and dysfunction are markers of chronic diastolic dysfunction and an important predictor of adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes. Accordingly, accurate quantification of left atrial volume (LAV) and function is needed. In routine clinical cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging the biplane area-length method (Bi-ALM) is frequently applied due to time-saving image acquisition and analysis. ⋯ Simpson's method; ICC LAEFTotal: 0.84 vs. 0.96; ICC LAEFPassive: 0.74 vs. 0.92; ICC LAEFBooster: 0.86 vs. 0.89). The Bi-ALM is based on geometric assumptions that do not reflect the complex individual LA geometry. The assessment of transversal slices covering the left atrium with Simpson's method is feasible and might be more suitable for an accurate quantification of LA volume and phasic function.