Incidence and predictors of stroke and silent cerebral embolism following very high-power short-duration atrial fibrillation ablation.

Aims: Cerebral thrombo-embolism is a dreaded complication of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation; its surrogate, silent cerebral embolism (SCE) can be detected by diffusion-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging (bMRI). Initial investigations have raised a concern that very high-power, short-duration (vHPSD; 90 W/4 s) temperature-controlled PVI with the QDOT Micro catheter may be associated with a higher incidence of SCE compared with low-power long-duration ablation. We aimed to assess the incidence of procedural complications of vHPSD PVI with an emphasis on cerebral safety.

Feasibility and image quality of bright-blood and black-blood phase-sensitive inversion recovery (BOOST) sequence in clinical practice using for left atrial visualization in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: Visualizing left atrial anatomy including the pulmonary veins (PVs) is important for planning the procedure of pulmonary vein isolation with ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The aims of our study are to investigate the feasibility of the 3D whole-heart bright-blood and black-blood phase-sensitive (BOOST) inversion recovery sequence in patients with AF scheduled for ablation or electro-cardioversion, and to analyze the correlation between image quality and heart rate and rhythm of patients.

Methods: BOOST was performed for assessing PVs both with T2 preparation pre-pulse (T2prep) and magnetization transfer preparation (MTC) in 45 patients with paroxysmal or permanent AF scheduled for ablation or electro-cardioversion.

Use of a new non-contrast-enhanced BOOST cardiac MR sequence before electrical cardioversion or ablation of atrial fibrillation-a pilot study.

Introduction: Left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus is the most common source of embolization in atrial fibrillation (AF). Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the gold standard method for LAA thrombus exclusion. Our pilot study aimed to compare the efficacy of a new non-contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) sequence (BOOST) with TEE for the detection of LAA thrombus and to evaluate the usefulness of BOOST images for planning radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) compared with left atrial (LA) contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT).

[Diagnostic performance of non-contrast magnetic resonance angiography in patients with lower extremity arterial disease].

Hungary. Knowing the consequences of burnout syndrome, it is important to prevent and recognize symptoms as early as possible.

Predictors and neurological consequences of periprocedural cerebrovascular events following transcatheter aortic valve implantation with self-expanding valves.

Aims: To evaluate the patient- and procedure-related predictors of transcatheter aortic-valve implantation (TAVI)-associated ischemic brain lesions and to assess the effect of silent cerebral ischemic lesions (SCIL) on neurocognitive function.

Methods And Results: We investigated 113 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within a week following TAVI. To assess periprocedural cerebral ischemic lesions, diffusion-weighted MRI was utilized.

Subclinical leaflet thrombosis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation is associated with silent brain injury on brain magnetic resonance imaging.

Aims: Whether hypoattenuated leaflet thickening (HALT) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) carries a risk of subclinical brain injury (SBI) is unknown. We investigated whether HALT is associated with SBI detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and whether post-TAVI SBI impacts the patients' cognition and outcome.

Methods And Results: We prospectively enrolled 153 patients (age: 78.

Association between coronary plaque volume and myocardial ischemia detected by dynamic perfusion CT imaging.

Introduction: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between quantitative plaque metrics derived from coronary CT angiography (CTA) and segmental myocardial ischemia using dynamic perfusion CT (DPCT).

Methods: In a prospective single-center study, patients with > 30% stenosis on rest CTA underwent regadenoson stress DPCT. 480 myocardium segments of 30 patients were analyzed.

Minimally invasive apical cannulation and cannula design for short-term mechanical circulatory support devices.

Background: Refractory cardiogenic shock is still a major clinical challenge with high mortality rates, although several devices can be used to conquer this event. These devices have different advantages and disadvantages originating from their insertion or cannulation method, therefore many complications can occur during their use. The aim of our study was to develop and create prototypes of a novel minimal invasively insertable, transapical cannula for surgical ventricular assist devices, which uniquely incorporates the inflow and outflow routes for the blood of the patient in itself, therefore it enables the use for only one cannula for patients in cardiogenic shock.

Quiescent-Interval Single-Shot Magnetic Resonance Angiography May Outperform Carbon-Dioxide Digital Subtraction Angiography in Chronic Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Nephroprotective imaging in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is often crucial. We compared the diagnostic performance of non-contrast Quiescent-interval single-shot magnetic resonance angiography (QISS MRA) and carbon-dioxide digital subtraction angiography (CO2 DSA) in chronic lower extremity PAD patients. A 19-segment lower extremity arterial model was used to assess the degree of stenosis (none, <50%, 50−70%, >70%) and the image quality (5-point Likert scale: 1-non-diagnostic, 5-excellent image quality).

Microstructural alterations measured by diffusion tensor imaging following transcatheter aortic valve replacement and their association with cerebral ischemic injury and cognitive function - a prospective study.

Purpose: We assessed diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metric changes of the corpus callosum and cingulum correlated to postprocedural ischemic lesion load (ILL) and cognitive performance in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods: TAVR subjects had DTI post-TAVR (≤ 8 days) and at 6 months (78 participants, males 56%, age 78.8 years ± 6.

Heart Rate-Dependent Degree of Motion Artifacts in Coronary CT Angiography Acquired by a Novel Purpose-Built Cardiac CT Scanner.

Although reaching target heart rate (HR) before coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is still of importance, adequate HR control remains a challenge for many patients. Purpose-built cardiac scanners may provide optimal image quality at higher HRs by further improving temporal resolution. We aimed to compare the amount of motion artifacts on CCTA acquired using a dedicated cardiac CT (DCCT) compared to a conventional multidetector CT (MDCT) scanner.

Potential clinical relevance of cardiac magnetic resonance to diagnose cardiac light chain amyloidosis.

Background: While patients with cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis are easily diagnosed with bone scintigraphy, the detection of cardiac light chain (AL) amyloidosis is challenging. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) analyses play an essential role in the differential diagnosis of cardiomyopathies; however, limited data are available from cardiac AL-Amyloidosis. Hence, the purpose of the present study was to analyze the potential role of CMR in the detection of cardiac AL-amyloidosis.

Is cardiac involvement prevalent in highly trained athletes after SARS-CoV-2 infection? A cardiac magnetic resonance study using sex-matched and age-matched controls.

Objectives: To investigate the cardiovascular consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection in highly trained, otherwise healthy athletes using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and to compare our results with sex-matched and age-matched athletes and less active controls.

Methods: SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed by PCR on swab tests or serum immunoglobulin G antibody tests prior to a comprehensive CMR examination. The CMR protocol contained sequences to assess structural, functional and tissue-specific data.

Model-based adaptive filter for a dedicated cardiovascular CT scanner: Assessment of image noise, sharpness and quality.

Background: Filtered back projection (FBP) and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) are ubiquitously applied in the reconstruction of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) datasets. However, currently no data is available on the impact of a model-based adaptive filter (MBAF2), recently developed for a dedicated cardiac scanner.

Purpose: Our aim was to determine the effect of MBAF2 on subjective and objective image quality parameters of coronary arteries on CCTA.

Blood-filled cyst of the tricuspid valve: Multiple cardiac disorders, one surgical case.

Background: Intracardiac blood cysts are an exceedingly rare occurrence in adulthood. Detailed imaging modalities aid in the diagnosis of such incidental lesions and procedure planning.

Methods: We report the case of a 51-year-old male accusing dyspnea on exertion as a sole symptom which led to the discovery of multiple cardiac anomalies, namely, severe aortic valve insufficiency on a bicuspid aortic valve, ascending aortic aneurysm, a cystic mass on the tricuspid valve, patent foramen ovale, and an occluded right coronary artery.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Preparation for the Tokyo Olympics: A Comprehensive Performance Assessment of Top Swimmers.

Background: The Olympic preparation of athletes has been highly influenced by COVID and post-COVID syndrome. As the complex screening of athletes is essential for safe and successful sports, we aimed to repeat the 2019-year sports cardiology screening of the Olympic Swim Team before the Olympics and to compare the results of COVID and non-COVID athletes.

Methods: Patient history, electrocardiogram, laboratory tests, body composition analysis, echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) were performed.

Human Cadaveric Artificial Lung Tumor-Mimic Training Model.

An important phase in surgical training is gaining experience in real human anatomical situations. When a cadaver is available it may complement the various artificial practice models. However, it is often necessary to supplement the characteristics of the cadavers with a simulation of a tumor.

Partitioning the Right Ventricle Into 15 Segments and Decomposing Its Motion Using 3D Echocardiography-Based Models: The Updated ReVISION Method.

Three main mechanisms contribute to global right ventricular (RV) function: longitudinal shortening, radial displacement of the RV free wall (bellows effect), and anteroposterior shortening (as a consequence of left ventricular contraction). Since the importance of these mechanisms may vary in different cardiac conditions, a technology being able to assess their relative influence on the global RV pump function could help to clarify the pathophysiology and the mechanical adaptation of the chamber. Previously, we have introduced our 3D echocardiography (3DE)-based solution-the Right VentrIcular Separate wall motIon quantificatiON (ReVISION) method-for the quantification of the relative contribution of the three aforementioned mechanisms to global RV ejection fraction (EF).

Changes in strain parameters at different deterioration levels of left ventricular function: A cardiac magnetic resonance feature-tracking study of patients with left ventricular noncompaction.

Background: There is a lack of cardiac MRI information on left ventricular (LV) strain and rotational parameters of left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) patients with reduced ejection fraction (EF). Thus, we sought to use feature tracking (FT) to describe these changes at different levels of EF deterioration.

Methods: We included 31 adult LVNC patients with reduced LV EF (Group B, EF < 50%) without any comorbidities or concomitant cardiac diseases, 31 age- and sex-matched LVNC patients with good EF (Group A, EF > 50%) and 31 healthy controls.

Prognostic significance of cardiac magnetic resonance-based markers in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The prognosis of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) varies greatly. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the gold standard method for assessing left ventricular (LV) mass and volumes. Myocardial fibrosis can be noninvasively detected using CMR.

Fully automatic segmentation of right and left ventricle on short-axis cardiac MRI images.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is a widely used non-invasive imaging modality for evaluating cardiovascular diseases. CMR is the gold standard method for left and right ventricular functional assessment due to its ability to characterize myocardial structure and function and low intra- and inter-observer variability. However the post-processing segmentation during the functional evaluation is time-consuming and challenging.

Quantification of hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: clinical relevance of hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening volume.

Aims: Our aim was to establish an objective, quantitative methodology for volumetric hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening (HALT) diagnosis and evaluate its clinical significance.

Methods And Results: We prospectively enrolled 144 patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) between 2011 and 2016. At inclusion, cardiac computed tomography angiography (CTA), transthoracic echocardiography, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed.

Early cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in troponin-positive acute chest pain and non-obstructed coronary arteries.

Objective: We assessed the diagnostic and prognostic implications of early cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), CMR-based deformation imaging and conventional risk factors in patients with troponin-positive acute chest pain and non-obstructed coronary arteries.

Methods: In total, 255 patients presenting between 2009 and 2019 with troponin-positive acute chest pain and non-obstructed coronary arteries who underwent CMR in ≤7 days were followed for a clinical endpoint of all-cause mortality. Cine movies, T2-weighted and late gadolinium-enhanced images were evaluated to establish a diagnosis of the underlying heart disease.

How are ECG parameters related to cardiac magnetic resonance images? Electrocardiographic predictors of left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Structural myocardial changes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are associated with different abnormalities on electrocardiographs (ECGs). The diagnostic value of the ECG voltage criteria used to screen for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) may depend on the presence and degree of myocardial fibrosis. Fibrosis can cause other changes in ECG parameters, such as pathological Q waves, fragmented QRS (fQRS), or repolarization abnormalities.

Left ventricular and atrial strain imaging with cardiac computed tomography: Validation against echocardiography.

Background: Data on left ventricular (LV) deformation imaging using CT angiography (CTA) are scarce and the feasibility of atrial deformation analysis by CT has not been addressed. We aimed to compare 2D echocardiographic and CT derived LV and left atrial (LA) global longitudinal strain (GLS) obtained by using a novel feature tracking algorithm in patients following transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Methods: Twenty-eight patients were included who underwent retrospectively-gated 256-slice CTA and speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) on the same day.