Publications by authors named "C Rickers"

Article Synopsis
  • Current methods to predict sudden cardiac death (SCD) in children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are insufficient, although late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in CMR imaging has shown a link to SCD in adults.
  • This study aimed to assess the significance of LGE in HCM patients under 21 years, utilizing data from various international centers between 2015 and 2022.
  • Results indicated that 32.9% of the 700 patients had LGE, and those with LGE were more likely to experience SCD or related events, emphasizing the potential role of LGE in clinical assessments for younger patients with HCM.
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Background: Adults with congenital heart defects (ACHD) globally constitute a notably medically underserved patient population. Despite therapeutic advancements, these individuals often confront substantial physical and psychosocial residua or sequelae, requiring specialized, integrative cardiological care throughout their lifespan. Heart failure (HF) is a critical challenge in this population, markedly impacting morbidity and mortality.

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Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) shows promise for converting wet biomass waste into biofuel, but the resulting high-strength process water (PW) requires treatment. This study explored enhancing energy recovery by anaerobic digestion using semi-batch reactors. Co-digesting manure with HTL-PW from wheat straw-manure co-HTL yielded methane (43-49% of the chemical oxygen demand, COD) at concentrations up to 17.

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Cardiac MRI is a crucial tool for assessing congenital heart disease (CHD). However, its application remains challenging in young children when performed at 3T. The aim of this retrospective single center study was to compare a non-contrast free-breathing 2D CINE T1-weighted TFE-sequence with compressed sensing (FB 2D CINE CS T1-TFE) with 3D imaging for diagnostic accuracy of CHD, image quality, and vessel diameter measurements in sedated young children.

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Purpose: For aortic coarctation in adults endovascular repair is the treatment of choice with an acceptable safety profile. Aortic isthmus atresia is a related condition with a complete occlusion of the aorta not allowing catheterization across the isthmus. This technical note describes a recanalization of an aortic isthmus atresia using radiofrequency with an "electrified wire technique.

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