Novel approaches for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation: time for a guideline revision?

Atrial fibrillation is a major health problem in Western countries, and is associated with considerable morbidity and resource consumption. Safe and reliable surgical techniques for the termination of this arrhythmia have been developed since the time of the original Cox "maze I" procedure. Novel equipment based on radiofrequency and microwave technologies can be employed to create transmural atrial lesions, even in the context of minimally invasive surgery to the atrioventricular valves via right minithoracotomy.

Sub-acute intramural haematoma of the ascending aorta.

We report the case of an ascending aorta aneurysm with intramural haematoma (IMH) in a patient with severe hypotension without history of thoracic pain or hypertension. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) demonstrated the presence of subacute IMH and also revealed sacciform aneurysm of the aortic arch. The patient refused hospitalization and one week later he underwent emergency aortic replacement for dissection.

Dual energy CT (DECT) of the liver: conventional versus virtual unenhanced images.

Objective: To compare image quality and noise of conventional unenhanced (CU) and virtual unenhanced (VU) images in patients who underwent hepatic dual energy computed tomography (DECT) and to assess potential radiation dose reduction.

Materials And Methods: Forty consecutive patients were studied. Mean CU and VU image quality and noise were analyzed by two blinded radiologists using a five-point grade scale.

Anatomic variations of the hepatic arteries in 250 patients studied with 64-row CT angiography.

The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of different hepatic arterial variants identified on abdominal CT angiography (CTA) with a 64-row CT system and a high resolution protocol. A total of 250 consecutive abdominal CTAs performed on a 64-row CT system were evaluated. Two radiologists in consensus analyzed arterial phase images; the anatomical findings were grouped according to Michels' classification.

Dual-source CT in heart transplant recipients: quantification of global left ventricular function and mass.

Objective: To evaluate reliability of global left ventricular (LV) function and mass quantification in heart transplant recipients undergoing cardiac dual-source computed tomography examinations by means of manual contour tracing and using a region-growing-based semiautomatic segmentation analysis software tool.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-six consecutive heart transplant recipients undergoing cardiac dual-source computed tomography examinations with tube current modulation were included. Double-oblique short-axis 8-mm slice thickness multiphase image reconstructions were used for manual contouring and axial 0.

Morphological and functional evaluation of intrapericardial cyst as a cause of severe right heart failure: dual source computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

A case of an intrapericardial cyst causing heart failure due to right ventricular compression is presented. Characterization of the lesion and its repercussion on right ventricular function by means of state-of-the-art dual source computed tomography (DSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is shown. The diagnosis of intrapericardial cyst was confirmed after surgical excision and biopsy.

Dual-source CT for visualization of the coronary arteries in heart transplant patients with high heart rates.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of dual-source CT images of the coronary arteries in heart transplant recipients with high heart rates.

Subjects And Methods: Contrast-enhanced dual-source CT coronary angiography was performed on 23 heart transplant recipients (20 men, three women; mean age, 61.1 +/- 12.

Quantification of left ventricular function and mass in heart transplant recipients using dual-source CT and MRI: initial clinical experience.

The purpose of this study was to compare LV function and mass quantification derived from cardiac dual-source CT (DSCT) exams with those obtained by MRI in heart transplant recipients. Twelve heart transplant recipients who underwent cardiac DSCT and MRI examination were included. Double-oblique short-axis 8-mm slice thickness images were evaluated.

Dual-source CT coronary imaging in heart transplant recipients: image quality and optimal reconstruction interval.

The image quality and optimal reconstruction interval for coronary arteries in heart transplant recipients undergoing non-invasive dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) coronary angiography was evaluated. Twenty consecutive heart transplant recipients who underwent DSCT coronary angiography were included (19 male, one female; mean age 63.1 +/- 10.

Incidental dual source computed tomography imaging of ductal aortic coarctation, left subclavian artery stenosis and bicuspid aortic valve in a patient admitted for atypical chest pain.

A case of incidental ductal aortic coarctation with left subclavian artery stenosis at the origin, severely calcified and stenotic bicuspid aortic valve, and normal coronary arteries demonstrated by single breath hold dual source computed tomography angiography in a 46-year-old man admitted for acute chest pain is presented.