Association of left ventricular diastolic function with coronary artery calcium score: A Project Baseline Health Study.

Background: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) are strong predictors of cardiovascular events and share common risk factors. However, their independent association remains unclear.

Methods: In the Project Baseline Health Study (PBHS), 2082 participants underwent cardiac-gated, non-contrast chest computed tomography (CT) and echocardiography.

Comparison of left ventricular manual versus automated derived longitudinal strain: implications for clinical practice and research.

Systolic global longitudinal strain (GLS) is emerging as a useful metric of ventricular function in heart failure and usually assessed using post-processing software. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether longitudinal strain (LS) derived using manual-tracings of ventricular lengths (manual-LS) can be reliable and time efficient when compared to LS obtained by post-processing software (software-LS). Apical 4-chamber view images were retrospectively examined in 50 healthy controls, 100 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and 100 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

The aortopathy of bicuspid aortic valve disease has distinctive patterns and usually involves the transverse aortic arch.

Objectives: Bicuspid aortic valves are associated with a poorly characterized connective tissue disorder that predisposes to aortic catastrophes. Because no criterion exists dictating the appropriate extent of aortic resection in aneurysmal disease of the bicuspid aortic valve, we studied the patterns of aortic dilation in this population.

Methods: Sixty-four patients with bicuspid aortic valves who underwent computed tomographic or magnetic resonance angiography and echocardiography were retrospectively identified between January 2002 and March 2006.