Accuracy of cardiac magnetic resonance generated 3D models of the aortic annulus compared to cardiovascular computed tomography generated 3D models.

To evaluate the accuracy of 3D models of the aortic-root generated from non-contrast cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Data were retrospectively collected from 30 consecutive patients who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement and had available records of both intra-operative assessment and pre-surgery annulus assessment by cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT) and CMR. The 3D models were independently segmented, modelled and printed by two blinded "manufacturers".

Acute Occlusion of the Distal Internal Carotid Artery : Single Center Experience in 46 Consecutive Cases, review of the literature and proposal of a classification.

Purpose: The acute distal intracranial occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is a very complex heterogeneous pathology, characterized by various patterns. Aim of this work is to identify the different types and propose a classification.

Methods: Among the patients admitted for stroke in the anterior circulation from august 2014 to October 2017, 46 (25%) presented with intracranial distal carotid artery occlusion.

3D printing of the aortic annulus based on cardiovascular computed tomography: Preliminary experience in pre-procedural planning for aortic valve sizing.

Background: to determine reliability and reproducibility of measurements of aortic annulus in 3D models printed from cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT) images.

Methods: Retrospective study on the records of 20 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) with pre-surgery annulus assessment by CCT and intra-operative sizing by Hegar dilators (IOS). 3D models were fabricated by fused deposition modelling of thermoplastic polyurethane filaments.

Plan optimization for mediastinal radiotherapy: Estimation of coronary arteries motion with ECG-gated cardiac imaging and creation of compensatory expansion margins.

Background And Purpose: Inadvertent heart and coronary arteries (CA) irradiation may increase the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients receiving thoracic irradiation. To date, the entity of cardiac-related CA displacement and the possible margins to be used for planning organs at risk volume (PRV) have been poorly described. Aim of this study was to quantify CA displacement and to estimate PRV through the use of ECG-gated computed tomography (CT) scans.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance as a reliable alternative to cardiovascular computed tomography and transesophageal echocardiography for aortic annulus valve sizing.

To assess the accuracy and reproducibly of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in the measurement of the aortic annulus and in process of valve sizing as compared to intra-operative sizing, cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Retrospective study on 42 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement from September 2010 to September 2015, with available records of pre surgery annulus assessment by CMR, CCT and TEE and of peri-operative assessment. In CCT and CMR, the annular plane was considered a virtual ring formed by the lowest hinge points of the valvular attachments to the aorta.

Aortic CT angiography dose reduction: investigation of optimal noise index and iterative algorithm strength in combination with low kV.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to optimize an aorta angiographic CT protocol, by investigating the best combination of tube current modulation, iterative algorithm strength and kV reduction.

Materials And Methods: Anthropomorphic phantoms of three sizes were imaged by CT with different values of noise index, of iterative algorithm ASIR percentages and kV in the range 80-120. Quantitative noise and contrast noise ratios were evaluated at different phantom locations.

High prevalence at computed coronary tomography of non-calcified plaques in asymptomatic HIV patients treated with HAART: a meta-analysis.

Introduction: Asymptomatic patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are at increased risk of vascular disease. Whether asymptomatic HIV patients have increased prevalence or structural differences in coronary artery plaques is not clear.

Methods: Pubmed, Cochrane and Google Scholar were searched for articles evaluating asymptomatic HIV patients evaluated with coronary computed tomography.

Roles of clinical criteria, computed tomography scan, and adrenal vein sampling in differential diagnosis of primary aldosteronism subtypes.

Context: In patients with primary aldosteronism (PA), it is fundamental to distinguish between subtypes that benefit from different therapies. Computed tomography (CT) scans lack sensitivity and specificity and must be followed by adrenal venous sampling (AVS). Because AVS is not widely available, a list of clinical criteria that indicate the presence of an aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) has been suggested.