Cardiac Computed Tomography for Cardioembolic Stroke Evaluation in a Patient With a Mechanical Aortic Valve.

We present a case of cardioembolic stroke in a patient with a history of mechanical aortic valve who was compliant with anticoagulation medication. Cardiac computed tomography was used as an alternative, noninvasive means of evaluation for the cardioembolic source of stroke and identified subvalvular mobile pannus of the mechanical aortic valve.

A Modified Classification Scheme for Chagas Cardiomyopathy Incorporating Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

The public health concerns from Chagas disease warrant improved cardiovascular imaging efforts, and in this report, we review a military service member presenting with electrocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) findings that recognized a Chagas dilated cardiomyopathy. We present an updated Chagas staging classification incorporating CMR to increase diagnosing cardiomyopathies.

Contemporary cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT) training: Serial surveys of the international CCT community by the Fellow and Resident Leaders of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) Committee (FiRST) and SCCT Future Leaders Program (FLP).

Background: As cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT) practice evolves, the demand for specialists continues to increase. However, CCT training remains variable globally with limited contemporaneous data to understand this heterogeneity. We sought to understand the role of CCT globally and the training available to underpin its use.

Prevalence of comorbidities and symptoms stratified by severity of illness amongst adult patients with COVID-19: a systematic review.

Introduction: We performed a systematic review of comorbidities and symptoms of adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to evaluate comorbidities, symptoms, and severity.

Material And Methods: We searched databases and extracted comorbidities and symptoms from the included studies. We stratified the similar signs and symptoms in groups and on the basis of severity and compared them with stratified analysis.

Focus on POCUS: Carcinoid Heart Disease Found with Point-of-Care Ultrasound during Basic Physical Exam.

• Use of POCUS aided in early identification of carcinoid heart disease. • POCUS may increase the diagnostic accuracy of the cardiac examination. • High-risk cardiac pathology can be visualized at earlier stages when POCUS is used.

The Role of Coronary Artery Calcium Testing for Value-Based Clinical Trials in Primary Prevention.

Purpose Of Review: Review the role of coronary artery calcium (CAC) testing in designing future clinical trials in primary prevention.

Recent Findings: While there are numerous new agents that have been found to lower cardiovascular event rates in clinical trials, these studies have required a large sample size, in part due to low event rates as well as improved baseline treatments. More precise risk assessment could allow for better identification of individuals who stand to derive the most benefit from various therapies.

Role of Cardiac CT in Pre-Procedure Planning for Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate cardiac computed tomography (CCT) findings and their clinical impact among patients being considered for transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR).

Background: CCT is used to evaluate whether patients are candidates for TMVR, but limited data exist on the yield of such tests.

Methods: Patients referred for pre-procedural CCT for TMVR planning in the context of failing mitral bioprosthetic valves, annuloplasty rings, and severe native valve disease with annular calcification were included in this study.

Adoption of coronary artery disease - Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS™) and observed impact on medical therapy and systolic blood pressure control.

Background: CAD-RADS was developed to standardize communication of per-patient maximal stenosis on coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and provide treatment recommendations and may impact primary prevention care and resource utilization. The authors sought to evaluate CAD-RADS adoption on preventive medical therapy and risk factor control amongst a mixed provider population.

Methods: Statins, aspirin (ASA), systolic blood pressure and, when available, lipid panel changes were abstracted for 1796 total patients undergoing CCTA in the 12 months before (non-standard reporting, NSR, cohort) and after adoption of the CAD-RADS reporting template.

The global social media response to the 14th annual Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography scientific sessions.

The 2019 Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) was perhaps the most impactful meeting in recent memory for the field of cardiovascular CT. Beyond just being the highest attended ASM meeting in the society's history, the virtual impact of the meeting extended farther than ever before due to coordinated social media coverage and participation. As a result, the ASM reinforced the fact that the educational paradigm and audience of scientific meetings has changed.

Adoption of the Coronary Artery Disease-reporting and Data System: Reduced Downstream Testing and Cardiology Referral Rates in Patients with Non-obstructive Coronary Artery Disease.

Introduction The coronary artery disease-reporting and data system (CAD-RADS) was developed to standardize communication of per-patient maximal stenosis and provide treatment recommendations that may affect downstream testing. Methods Downstream testing, cardiology referral, and cost were abstracted for 1,796 consecutive patients undergoing coronary CT angiography (CCTA) before and after the adoption of the CAD-RADS reporting template at a single-center closed referral hospital system. Cost analysis was based on direct invasive and non-invasive testing utilizing the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) final rule for 2018.

Lingual liability: macroglossia and dyspnoea as the harbinger of systemic AL (light-chain) cardiac amyloidosis.

A 58-year-old man presented with a chief complaint of tongue indentations and discomfort. Otolaryngology treated him for oral thrush with counselling to avoid tongue biting. In addition, the patient reported dyspnoea described as a decrease in tolerance of his physical activities.

Myocardial Assessment with Cardiac CT: Ischemic Heart Disease and Beyond.

Purpose Of Review: The aim of this review is to highlight recent advancements, current trends, and the expanding role for cardiac CT (CCT) in the evaluation of ischemic heart disease, nonischemic cardiomyopathies, and some specific congenital myocardial disease states.

Recent Findings: CCT is a highly versatile imaging modality for the assessment of numerous cardiovascular disease states. Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is now a well-established first-line imaging modality for the exclusion of significant coronary artery disease (CAD); however, CCTA has modest positive predictive value and specificity for diagnosing obstructive CAD in addition to limited capability to evaluate myocardial tissue characteristics.

Treatment in a preventive cardiology clinic utilizing advanced practice providers effectively closes atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk-management gaps among a primary-prevention population compared with a propensity-matched primary-care cohort: A team-based care model and its impact on lipid and blood pressure management.

Background: Advanced practice providers (APPs) can fill care gaps created by physician shortages and improve adherence/compliance with preventive ASCVD interventions.

Hypothesis: APPs utilizing guideline-based algorithms will more frequently escalate ASCVD risk factor therapies.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data on 595 patients enrolled in a preventive cardiology clinic (PCC) utilizing APPs compared with a propensity-matched cohort (PMC) of 595 patients enrolled in primary-care clinics alone.

Safe and rapid disposition of low-to-intermediate risk patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain: a 1-year high-volume single-center experience.

Background: Coronary CT angiography (CTA) is a powerful tool for the evaluation of chest pain in the emergency department (ED). Some debate persists regarding its cost-effectiveness in a low-to-intermediate risk population.

Objective: This study sought to evaluate the safety and cost-effectiveness of coronary CTA for low-to-intermediate risk patients presenting to the ED with chest pain in a closed-loop referral system.

Eating seeds from the 'be still' tree, yet having lucky nut poisoning: a case of acute yellow oleander poisoning.

A 25-year-old woman was evaluated and treated for ingestion of Thevetia peruviana seeds and flower petals-a natural digoxin cross reacting cardinolide-with intent to cause self-harm. The following case report provides the clinical presentation, treatment and management of acute yellow oleander poisoning.

Transcatheter closure of secundum-type atrial septal defect after failed surgical intervention.

Introduction: Atrial septal defect (ASD) closure is routinely performed using transcatheter closure under echocardiographic guidance.

Case Description: A 24-year-old male was evaluated for a newly detected heart murmur. This was the first time a murmur or any other cardiac abnormalities were detected.