The international journal of cardiovascular imaging
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Int J Cardiovasc Imaging · Oct 2007
Comparative StudyMultislice computed tomography coronary angiography in patients admitted with a suspected acute coronary syndrome.
The aim of this prospective clinical study was to assess the accuracy and clinical relevance of multislice computed tomography coronary angiography (MSCTCA) in patients presenting with acute chest pain. ⋯ In a prospective study of unselected patients presenting with acute chest pain, the diagnostic accuracy of 16-slice CT coronary angiography was moderate and less than reported from studies in elective patients. The clinical relevance of this technology to screen patients with acute chest pain is limited.
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Int J Cardiovasc Imaging · Jun 2007
Case ReportsAcute concomitant pulmonary artery and aortic dissection with rupture.
Pulmonary artery (PA) dissection is uncommon and may lead to rupture and sudden death if encountered. A 63-year-old man presented to our emergency room with episodic left chest pain radiating to the back followed by shortness of breath. ⋯ Concomitant PA and aortic dissection with rupture is extremely rare with the pathogenesis remaining investigated. MDCT proves to be a powerful tool in its diagnosis for a timely surgical repair if the patient could survive to have the operation.
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Int J Cardiovasc Imaging · Apr 2007
Controlled Clinical TrialImpact of intracardiac echocardiography on radiation exposure during adult congenital heart disease catheter-based interventions.
Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is a widespread approach in many cardiovascular procedures in which it has the potential to reduce the fluoroscopy time and patients radiation exposure. We sought to assess the patient radiation exposure during transcatheter closure of interatrial communications with and without ICE-guidance. ⋯ The radiation exposure during ICE-guided transcatheter closure of interatrial communications in this group of patients was quite lower than that reported in literature for such procedures and compared favourably with radiation exposure of patients in whom the intervention was performed without ICE guidance.
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Int J Cardiovasc Imaging · Apr 2007
Plasma natriuretic peptide levels reflect changes in heart failure symptoms, left ventricular size and function after surgical mitral valve repair.
N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has diagnostic and prognostic value in patients with heart failure. The present prospective study was designed to assess whether changes in NT-proBNP levels after surgical mitral valve repair reflect changes in heart failure symptoms and changes in left atrial size, left ventricular size and left ventricular function. ⋯ Changes in NT-proBNP after surgical mitral valve repair reflect changes in heart failure symptoms and changes in left atrial and ventricular dimensions and function.