Multimodality Imaging in Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis.

This case highlights the use of multimodality imaging in the diagnosis and management of chronic constrictive pericarditis (CP) in a 37-year-old male with a history of T-wave inversions on electrocardiogram (ECG). The patient underwent adenosine stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) due to suspicion of coronary artery disease (CAD). CMR revealed findings suggestive of chronic CP, including pericardial thickening and septal shudder, with computed tomography (CT) confirming the presence of pericardial calcification.

Guideline adherence in the use of coronary angiography in patients presenting at the emergency department without myocardial infarction - Results from the German ENLIGHT-KHK project.

Background: For patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), direct coronary angiography (CA) is recommended, while for non-AMI patients, the diagnostic work-up depends on clinical criteria. This analysis provides initial prospective German data for the degree of guideline-adherence (GL) in the use of CA on non-AMI patients presenting at the emergency department (ED) with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) according to the 2015 ESC-ACS-GL. Furthermore the implications of the application of the 2020 ESC-ACS-GL recommendations were evaluated.

Cardiac arrest related lung edema: examining the role of downtimes in transpulmonary thermodilution analysis.

Pulmonary edema and its association with low flow times has been observed in postcardiac arrest patients. However, diagnosis of distinct types of lung pathology is difficult.The aim of this study was to investigate pulmonary edema by transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), and the correlation to downtimes.

Deep learning-based scan range optimization can reduce radiation exposure in coronary CT angiography.

Objectives: Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is essential in diagnosing coronary heart disease. However, a disadvantage is the associated radiation exposure to the patient which depends in part on the scan range. This study aimed to develop a deep neural network to optimize the delimitation of scan ranges in CT localizers to reduce the radiation dose.

Factors influencing adherence to clinical practice guidelines in patients with suspected chronic coronary syndrome: a qualitative interview study in the ambulatory care sector in Germany.

Background: Chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) is a potentially progressive clinical presentation of coronary artery disease (CAD). Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are available for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Embedded in the "ENLIGHT-KHK" healthcare project, a qualitative study was conducted to identify factors that influence guideline adherence from the perspective of general practitioners (GPs) and cardiologists (CA) in the ambulatory care sector in Germany.

Evaluation of the guideline-adherence of coronary angiography in patients with suspected chronic coronary syndrome - Results from the German prospective multicentre ENLIGHT-KHK project.

Background: With 900'000 coronary angiographies (CA) per year, Germany has the highest annual per capita volume in Europe. Until now there are no prospective clinical data on the degree of guideline-adherence in the use of CA in patients with suspected chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) in Germany.

Methods: Between January 2019 and August 2021, 458 patients with suspected CCS were recruited in nine German centres.

Health economic consequences of optimal vs. observed guideline adherence of coronary angiography in patients with suspected obstructive stable coronary artery in Germany: a microsimulation model.

Aims: While the number of patients with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) is similar across European countries, Germany has the highest per capita volume of coronary angiographies (CA). This study evaluated the health economic consequences of guideline-non-adherent use of CA in patients with SCAD.

Methods And Results: As part of the ENLIGHT-KHK trial, a prospective observational study, this microsimulation model compared the number of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and the costs of real-world use of CA with those of (assumed) complete guideline-adherent use (according to the German National Disease Management Guideline 2019).

Safety of transesophageal echocardiography during transcatheter edge-to-edge tricuspid valve repair: A single-center experience.

Objectives: We aimed to determine transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) related complications during Transcatheter edge-to-edge tricuspid valve repair (TTVR).

Background: Transesophageal echocardiography is essential to guide structural heart disease (SHD) interventions. TTVR has become an evolving procedure for high-risk patients not suitable for surgery.

A deep neural network using audio files for detection of aortic stenosis.

Background: Although aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease in the western world, many affected patients remain undiagnosed. Auscultation is a readily available screening tool for AS. However, it requires a high level of professional expertise.

Radiographic assessment of lung edema (RALE) score is associated with clinical outcomes in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock and refractory cardiac arrest after percutaneous implantation of extracorporeal life support.

VA-ECMO is a promising therapeutic option in refractory cardiogenic shock (RCS) and refractory cardiac arrest (RCA). However, increase in left ventricular afterload enhances further reduction of LV contractility and pulmonary edema. The aim of this study was to evaluate pulmonary edema based on the RALE score and the prognostic value of the score on ECLS weaning and mortality.

Cost-Minimization Analysis for Cardiac Revascularization in 12 Health Care Systems Based on the EuroCMR/SPINS Registries.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the costs of a noninvasive cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-guided strategy versus 2 invasive strategies with and without fractional flow reserve (FFR).

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major contributor to the public health burden. Stress perfusion CMR has excellent accuracy to detect CAD.

A spear to the heart-the accidental discovery of a giant cement embolism in the right heart: a case report.

Background: The incidence of recognized cardiopulmonary cement embolism in the context of percutaneous vertebroplasty varies between 0% and 23%. In most cases, only small fragments embolize in the pulmonary arteries or the right heart cavities. The latter can cause potential harm by right ventricular perforation.

Myocardial mechanics in dilated cardiomyopathy: prognostic value of left ventricular torsion and strain.

Background: Data on the prognostic value of left ventricular (LV) morphological and functional parameters including LV rotation in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) are currently scarce. In this study, we assessed the prognostic value of global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global radial strain (GRS) and LV torsion using CMR feature tracking (FT).

Methods: CMR was performed in 350 DCM patients and 70 healthy subjects across 5 different European CMR Centers.

Recovery From Eccentric Squat Exercise in Resistance-Trained Young and Master Athletes With Similar Maximum Strength: Combining Cold Water Immersion and Compression.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether recovery from eccentric squat exercise varies depending on age and to assess whether the use of a mixed-method recovery (MMR) consisting of cold water immersion and compression tights benefits recovery. Sixteen healthy and resistance-trained young (age, 22.1±2.

Association of QRS-T angle and Late Gadolinium Enhancement in patients with a Clinical Suspicion of Myocarditis.

To investigate the association of a wide QRS-T angle on the surface ECG and late gadolinium enhancement on contrast-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic (CMR) imaging in patients with clinically suspected myocarditis. Diagnosis and risk stratification in patients with suspected myocarditis is particularly challenging due to a great spectrum of clinical presentations. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) visualizes myocardial necrosis and fibrosis in patients with biopsy-proven myocarditis.

QRS-T angle in patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy - A comparison with Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

We sought to investigate the possible association of a wide QRS-T angle on the surface EKG and myocardial fibrosis on contrast-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic (CMR) imaging in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Risk stratification in HCM patients is challenging. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) visualizes myocardial fibrosis with unique spatial resolution and is a strong and independent prognosticator in these patients.

QRS-T-angle in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) - a Comparison with Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

: The QRS-T angle from the surface EKG is a promising prognostic marker in patients with coronary artery disease. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) offers high resolution imaging of myocardial damage. We investigated the association of the QRS-T angle and the extent of myocardial damage as assessed by LGE in patients with acute ST-segment myocardial infarction (STEMI) : 169 patients with STEMI obtained a standardized digital 12-lead EKG on admission for the calculation of the QRS-T angle and underwent CMR imaging for analysis of infarct size by LGE within the first week.

A systematic report on non-coronary cardiac CTA in 1097 patients from the German cardiac CT registry.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate contemporary indications, safety and diagnostic impact of cardiac CTA in patients undergoing cardiac CTA examinations for non-coronary clinical indications.

Method: We analyzed 1097 consecutive patients from the German Cardiac CT Registry who underwent cardiac CTA between 2009 and 2014 due to clinically indicated non-coronary reasons using 64-slice or newer CT systems in twelve tertiary German heart centers in order to evaluate the impact of clinical indications on procedure-associated parameters. All participating centers electronically submitted patient and examination data including detailed indications, clinical symptoms, procedural parameters, complications and diagnostic results in a predefined template.

The role of diabetes in cardiomyopathies of different etiologies-Characteristics and 1-year follow-up results of the EVITA-HF registry.

Background: Type 2 diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, e.g. coronary artery disease (CAD).

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in patients with suspected stable coronary artery disease (CAD): diagnostic impact and clinical consequences in the German Cardiac CT Registry depending on stress test results.

To evaluate diagnostic impact of clinical use of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in patients with suspected stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and its consequences in daily practice for patient management, depending on stress test results in daily practice. Between 2009 and 2014 of a total population of 1352 patients of the German Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT) Registry who had previously undergone stress tests, CCTA visualizations were carried out on the coronary arteries with suspected stable CAD. Patients were divided into three groups according to stress test results: Group 1 with inconclusive (n = 178, 13.