Evolution of right ventricular function post-acute ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Purpose: To characterize the evolution of right ventricular (RV) function post-myocardial infarction (MI), to describe the culprit vessel involved with RV injury and to assess the concordance between RV injury on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and RV infarct on electrocardiogram (EKG).

Materials And Methods: Thirty-one patients underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) examinations at three time frames post-ST elevation MI (STEMI).

Results: Of those with an initial normal scan, RV function did not significantly change over time (60.

Circulating concentrations of GLP-1 are associated with coronary atherosclerosis in humans.

Background: GLP-1 is an incretine hormone which gets secreted from intestinal L-cells in response to nutritional stimuli leading to pancreatic insulin secretion and suppression of glucagon release. GLP-1 further inhibits gastric motility and reduces appetite which in conjunction improves postprandial glucose metabolism. Additional vasoprotective effects have been described for GLP-1 in experimental models.

Magnetic resonance myocardial perfusion imaging at 3.0 Tesla for the identification of myocardial ischaemia: comparison with coronary catheter angiography and fractional flow reserve measurements.

Aims: To assess image quality and diagnostic performance of 3.0 Tesla (3T) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) myocardial perfusion imaging with a dual radiofrequency source to detect functional relevant coronary artery disease (CAD), using coronary angiography and invasive pressure-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) as reference standard.

Methods And Results: We included 116 patients with suspected or known CAD, who underwent 3T adenosine myocardial perfusion CMR (resolution 2.

Atherosclerotic plaque burden in cocaine users with acute chest pain: analysis by coronary computed tomography angiography.

Chest pain associated with cocaine use represents an increasing problem in the emergency department (ED). Cocaine use has been linked to the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We used coronary computed tomography angiography (cCTA) to evaluate the prevalence, severity and composition of atherosclerotic lesions in cocaine users.

Cost-effectiveness of paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty in patients with drug-eluting stent restenosis.

Background: The economic impact of drug-eluting stent (DES) in-stent restenosis (ISR) is substantial, highlighting the need for cost-effective treatment strategies.

Hypothesis: Compared to plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) or repeat DES implantation, drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty is a cost-effective therapy for DES-ISR.

Methods: A Markov state-transition model was used to compare DCB angioplasty with POBA and repeat DES implantation.

Increased pericardial adipose tissue is correlated with atrial fibrillation and left atrial dilatation.

Introduction: Pericardial adipose tissue (PAT), a visceral fat depot surrounding the heart, serves as an endocrine active organ and is associated with inflammation. There is growing evidence that atrial fibrillation (AF) is linked with inflammation, which in turn can be a promoter of left atrial remodeling. The aim of this study was to evaluate a potential correlation of PAT to AF and left atrial structural remodeling represented by LA size.

Cost-effectiveness of cardiovascular magnetic resonance and single-photon emission computed tomography for diagnosis of coronary artery disease in Germany.

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated a superior diagnostic accuracy of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) for the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to determine the comparative cost-effectiveness of CMR versus single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Methods: Based on Bayes' theorem, a mathematical model was developed to compare the cost-effectiveness and utility of CMR with SPECT in patients with suspected CAD.

Potential lifetime cost-effectiveness of catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation in patients with resistant hypertension.

Aims: Recent studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) for the treatment of resistant hypertension. We aimed to determine the cost-effectiveness of this approach separately for men and women of different ages.

Methods And Results: A Markov state-transition model accounting for costs, life-years, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness was developed to compare RDN with best medical therapy (BMT) in patients with resistant hypertension.

Lipoprotein (a) is independently correlated with coronary artery calcification.

Introduction: Lipoprotein a (Lp(a)) has been recognized as a risk factor for both coronary heart diseases and for cardiovascular events. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a well proven marker for coronary artery disease and risk factor for cardiovascular events. Still there are conflicting data regarding the relationship of Lp(a) and CAC.

Fully automated derivation of coronary artery calcium scores and cardiovascular risk assessment from contrast medium-enhanced coronary CT angiography studies.

Objectives: Performance evaluation of a fully automated system for calculating computed tomography (CT) coronary artery calcium scores from contrast medium-enhanced coronary CT angiography (cCTA) studies.

Methods: One hundred and twenty-seven patients (58 ± 11 years, 71 men) who had undergone cCTA as well as an unenhanced CT calcium scoring study where included. Calcium scores were computed from cCTA by an automated image processing algorithm and compared with calcium scores obtained by standard manual assessment of unenhanced CT calcium scoring studies.

CT evaluation of coronary artery stents with iterative image reconstruction: improvements in image quality and potential for radiation dose reduction.

Objectives: Comparison of coronary artery stent assessment with cardiac CT angiography (cCTA) using traditional filtered back projection (FBP) and sinogram affirmed iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE), in both full- and half-radiation dose image data.

Methods: Dual-source cCTA studies of 37 implanted stents were reconstructed at full- and half-radiation dose with FBP and SAFIRE. Half-dose data were based on projections from one DSCT detector.

Determination of pericardial adipose tissue increases the prognostic accuracy of coronary artery calcification for future cardiovascular events.

Objectives: Pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) is associated with coronary artery plaque accumulation and the incidence of coronary heart disease. We evaluated the possible incremental prognostic value of PAT for future cardiovascular events.

Methods: 145 patients (94 males, age 60 ± 10 years) with stable coronary artery disease underwent coronary artery calcification (CAC) scanning in a multislice CT scanner, and the volume of pericardial fat was measured.

Cost-effectiveness of paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty and paclitaxel-eluting stent implantation for treatment of coronary in-stent restenosis in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty for the treatment of coronary in-stent restenosis (ISR). The cost-effectiveness of this practice is unknown.

Methods: A Markov state-transition decision analytic model accounting for varying procedural efficacy rates, complication rates, and cost estimates was developed to compare DCB angioplasty with drug-eluting stent (DES) placement in patients with bare-metal stent (BMS)-ISR.

Cryoballoon in AF ablation: impact of PV ovality on AF recurrence.

Introduction: Complete occlusion of the pulmonary veins (PV) is crucial for successful PV isolation. While two different sizes of cryoballoons (23 and 28 mm) are available, complete occlusion is not always achieved in any given PV. We investigated the role of PV ostial anatomy during cryoballoon PV occlusion grading and atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence rate.

Aortic valve calcium score as a predictor for outcome after TAVI using the CoreValve revalving system.

Background: TAVI is a novel treatment option for patients at too high risk for surgery. Risk scores for surgical valve replacement failed to accurately predict outcomes after TAVI and alternative risk parameters are lacking so far.

Objective: We evaluated the CT-derived aortic valve calcification score as a predictor for outcome during and after TAVI.

Accuracy of 64-multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography in patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation prior to pulmonary vein isolation.

Aims: Aim of our study was to investigate the value of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for detecting significant stenoses of coronary arteries in patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) prior to pulmonary vein (PV) ablation (PVA).

Background: Many patients undergoing PVA for AF receive three-dimensional computed tomography or magnetic resonance tomography imaging for improving anatomical orientation.

Methods: One-hundred and eighty-one patients with AF refractory to antiarrhythmic treatment underwent ECG-gated 64-MDCT for identification of PV anatomy and simultaneous assessment of coronary vessels before PVA.

Direct costs and cost-effectiveness of dual-source computed tomography and invasive coronary angiography in patients with an intermediate pretest likelihood for coronary artery disease.

Aims: The study aims to determine the direct costs and comparative cost-effectiveness of latest-generation dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) and invasive coronary angiography for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients suspected of having this disease.

Methods: The study was based on a previously elaborated cohort with an intermediate pretest likelihood for CAD and on complementary clinical data. Cost calculations were based on a detailed analysis of direct costs, and generally accepted accounting principles were applied.

Visualization of anomalous origin and course of coronary arteries in 748 consecutive symptomatic patients by 64-slice computed tomography angiography.

Background: Coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) are currently undergoing profound changes in understanding potentially pathophysiological mechanisms of disease. Aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anomalous origin and course of coronary arteries in consecutive symptomatic patients, who underwent cardiac 64-slice multidetector-row computed tomography angiography (MDCTA).

Methods: Imaging datasets of 748 consecutive symptomatic patients referred for cardiac MDCTA were analyzed and CAAs of origin and further vessel course were grouped according to a recently suggested classification scheme by Angelini et al.

MMP-1 serum levels predict coronary atherosclerosis in humans.

Background: Myocardial infarction results as a consequence of atherosclerotic plaque rupture, with plaque stability largely depending on the lesion forming extracellular matrix components. Lipid enriched non-calcified lesions are considered more instable and rupture prone than calcified lesions. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are extracellular matrix degrading enzymes with plaque destabilisating characteristics which have been implicated in atherogenesis.

Chemerin is associated with markers of inflammation and components of the metabolic syndrome but does not predict coronary atherosclerosis.

Objectives: Chemerin is a recently discovered adipokine that regulates adipocyte differentiation and modulates chemotaxis and activation of dendritic cells and macrophages. Given the convergence of adipocyte and macrophage function, chemerin may provide an interesting link between obesity, inflammation and atherosclerosis in humans. We sought to examine the relationship of i) chemerin and markers of inflammation, ii) chemerin and components of the metabolic syndrome, and iii) chemerin and coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden and morphology.

Low adiponectin levels are an independent predictor of mixed and non-calcified coronary atherosclerotic plaques.

Background: Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of coronary artery disease (CAD). There is increasing recognition that lesion composition rather than size determines the acute complications of atherosclerotic disease. Low serum adiponectin levels were reported to be associated with coronary artery disease and future incidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Pericardial adipose tissue determined by dual source CT is a risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis.

Objectives: Pericardial fat as a visceral fat depot may be involved in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis. To gain evidence for that concept we sought to investigate the relation of pericardial fat volumes to risk factors, serum adiponectin levels, inflammatory biomarkers, and the quantity and morphology of coronary atherosclerosis.

Methods And Results: Using Dual source CT angiography pericardial fat volume and coronary atherosclerosis were assessed simultaneously.

Noninvasive coronary angiography using dual-source computed tomography in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: Despite constant improvements in scanner technology, reliable visualization of the coronary arteries with multislice spiral CT angiography (CTA) remains a major challenge in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study was to assess the image quality of coronary CT angiograms with coronary angiography, using a dual-source CT scanner (DSCT), comparing systolic and diastolic reconstruction techniques. Additionally, we sought to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of DSCT with coronary angiography as the standard of reference.