Assessment of global and regional left ventricular function using 64-slice multislice computed tomography and 2D echocardiography: a comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance.

Objectives: To compare the assessment of global and regional left ventricular (LV) function using 64-slice multislice computed tomography (MSCT), 2D echocardiography (2DE) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).

Methods: Thirty-two consecutive patients (mean age, 56.5+/-9.

Effect of local anesthesia and intravenous sedation on pain perception and vasovagal reactions during femoral arterial sheath removal after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: There is no consensus with respect to the use of analgesia during femoral arterial sheath removal after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We performed a randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of intravenous sedation and local anesthesia during femoral sheath removal after PCI on patient comfort and the incidence of vasovagal reactions.

Methods: All patients undergoing PCI whose femoral sheaths were to be removed with assisted manual compression were eligible.

Vessel density ratio: A novel approach to identify "culprit" coronary lesion by spiral computed tomography.

Background And Objective: We hypothesized that a "culprit" lesion in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) should have low overall vessel lumen and plaque density on multidetector computed tomography-assisted coronary angiography (MDCTA) because of lower calcification and the presence of occlusive thrombus. However, thrombi and calcification both can themselves blur the demarcation between vessel wall and lumen. If we calculated a "vessel density ratio" (VDR) obtained by measuring the mean density of contrast-enhancement within a region of interest (ROI), which includes the vessel wall, lumen, plaque, and thrombus, and comparing that with the aortic root mean density acting as a reference point, this ratio may be more convenient, standardized, and reproducible to test the feasibility of VDR in identifying "culprit" lesions in ACS.

Accuracy of 64-row multidetector computed tomography in detecting coronary artery disease in 134 symptomatic patients: influence of calcification.

Background: The new 64-row multidetector computed tomography (CT)-assisted angiography can now detect coronary artery disease with shorter breath-hold time and at faster heart rates for symptomatic patients. We aim to determine if the 64-row scanner can also overcome limitations due to mild to moderate calcification.

Methods: Scheduled for conventional coronary angiography, 134 symptomatic patients underwent multidetector CT-assisted angiography within 3 months.