The international journal of cardiovascular imaging
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Int J Cardiovasc Imaging · May 2017
Comparative StudyA comprehensive analysis of cardiac valve plane displacement in healthy adults: age-stratified normal values by cardiac magnetic resonance.
Cardiac valve plane displacement (CVPD) reflects longitudinal LV function. The purpose of the present study was to determine regional heterogeneity of CVPD in healthy adults to provide normal values by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). We measured the anterior aortic plane systolic excursion (AAPSE); the anterior, anterolateral, inferolateral, inferior, and inferoseptal mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE); and the lateral tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). ⋯ Intermethod-comparison of CMR and M-Mode echocardiography showed good agreement between both measurements of CVPD. Age-stratified normal values of regional CVPD are provided. AAPSE revealed the most pronounced age-related decrease and provided favorable reproducibility compared to other regions of cardiac valve plane.
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Int J Cardiovasc Imaging · May 2017
Observational StudyPre-procedural renal resistive index accurately predicts contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients with preserved renal function submitted to coronary angiography.
The study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of ultrasonographic intra-renal blood flow parameters, together with the wide range of different risk factors, for the prediction of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) in patients with preserved renal function, referred for coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary interventions (CA/PCI). This prospective study covered 95 consecutive patients (69.5% men; median age 65 years) subject to elective or urgent CA/PCI. Data regarding 128 peri-procedural variables were collected. ⋯ Pre-procedural RRI > 0.69 had 78% sensitivity and 81% specificity in CI-AKI prediction. High pre-procedural RRI seems to be a useful novel risk factor for CI-AKI in patients with preserved renal function. Coronary, peripheral and renal vascular pathology contribute to the development of CI-AKI following CA/PCI.
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Int J Cardiovasc Imaging · Apr 2017
Comparative StudyDifferentiation of light-chain cardiac amyloidosis from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using myocardial mechanical parameters by velocity vector imaging echocardiography.
We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of layered velocity vector imaging (VVI)-derived left ventricular (LV) mechanical parameters in the differential diagnosis of primary light-chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL-CA) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We recruited 35 subjects with histologically-diagnosed AL-CA, 35 subjects with HCM, and 30 age-matched healthy controls. We used conventional echocardiography and electrocardiogram to evaluate general heart function and electrophysiology properties. ⋯ ROC analysis revealed that the sensitivity and specificity of basal ENDO LSsys for predicting AL-CA was 86 and 89%. Assessment of layered LSsys of LV walls and levels by VVI appeared to provide a more sensitive and specific diagnostic index for the differential diagnosis of AL-CA from HCM than conventional echocardiography. Future studies are warranted to evaluate its diagnostic efficacy for AL-CA diagnosis in the large population.
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Int J Cardiovasc Imaging · Mar 2017
A comparison study between 3D T2-weighted SPACE and conventional 2D T2-weighted turbo spin echo in assessment of carotid plaque.
The aim of this study was to compare 3D T2-weighted sampling perfection with application optimized contrast using different flip angle evolutions (T2w SPACE) with conventional 2D T2w turbo-spin echo (TSE) in plaque imaging of carotid artery. 45 patients underwent 3.0-T MRI for carotid arteries imaging. MR sequences included T2w SPACE, T2w TSE, Time of flight (TOF) and T1-weighted (T1w) TSE. The signal intensity of intra-plaque hemorrhage (IPH), lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), and loose matrix (LM) were measured and their contrast ratios (CRs) against adjacent muscle were calculated. ⋯ There was no significant difference of CR of the carotid plaques between T2w SPACE and T2w TSE (p = 0.455). Markedly significant differences of CRs were found between LM and LRNC (p < 0.001), and between LRNC and IPH (p < 0.001) on T2w SPACE and T2w TSE. T2w SPACE was comparable with conventional T2w TSE in characterization of carotid plaque.
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Int J Cardiovasc Imaging · Mar 2017
Right ventricular relative wall thickness as a predictor of outcomes and of right ventricular reverse remodeling for patients with pulmonary hypertension.
Mid-term right ventricular (RV) reverse remodeling after treatment in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with long-term outcome as well as baseline RV remodeling. However, baseline factors influencing mid-term RV reverse remodeling after treatment and its prognostic capability remain unclear. We studied 54 PH patients. ⋯ Patients with RV-RWT <0.21 and without mid-term RV reverse remodeling, on the other hand, had worse long-term outcomes than other sub-groups. In conclusions, RV-RWT could predict mid-term RV reverse remodeling after treatment in PH patients, and was associated with long-term outcomes. Our finding may have clinical implications for better management of PH patients.