Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) following intravenous immunoglobulin infusion in a rituximab immunosuppressed patient with long-shedding SARS-CoV-2.

Background: Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a rare life-threatening complication of blood product transfusion. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)-related TRALI is scarcely reported.

Case Presentation: A 63-year-old male patient suffering from multiple sclerosis treated with half-yearly rituximab infusions, was hospitalized due to dry cough, daily fever and shivering for seven days despite antibiotic therapy.

Radiomics for the detection of diffusely impaired myocardial perfusion: A proof-of-concept study using 13N-ammonia positron emission tomography.

Aim: The current proof-of-concept study investigates the value of radiomic features from normal 13N-ammonia positron emission tomography (PET) myocardial retention images to identify patients with reduced global myocardial flow reserve (MFR).

Methods: Data from 100 patients with normal retention 13N-ammonia PET scans were divided into two groups, according to global MFR (i.e.

Scar imaging in the dyssynchronous left ventricle: Accuracy of myocardial metabolism by positron emission tomography and function by echocardiographic strain.

Purpose: Response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is reduced in patients with high left ventricular (LV) scar burden, in particular when scar is located in the LV lateral wall or septum. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) can identity scar, but is not feasible in all patients. This study investigates if myocardial metabolism by F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and contractile function by echocardiographic strain are alternatives to LGE-CMR.

Can nuclear imaging accurately detect scar in ischemic cardiac resynchronization therapy candidates?

Background: Accurate scar assessment is crucial in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) candidates, since its presence is a negative predictor for CRT response. Therefore, we assessed the performance of different PET parameters to detect scar in CRT candidates.

Methods: Twenty-nine CRT candidates underwent 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG)-PET/computed tomography (CT), resting 13N-NH3-PET/CT and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) prior to CRT implantation.

Left ventricular regional glucose metabolism in combination with septal scar extent identifies CRT responders.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is effective in selective heart failure (HF) patients, but non-response rate remains high. Positron emission tomography (PET) may provide a better insight into the pathophysiology of left ventricular (LV) remodeling; however, its role for evaluating and selecting patients for CRT remains uncertain.

Purpose: We investigated if regional LV glucose metabolism in combination with myocardial scar could predict response to CRT.

Prognostic value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in patients with biopsy-proven systemic sarcoidosis.

Objectives: As prognosis in sarcoidosis is determined by cardiac involvement, the objective was to study the added value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in risk stratification.

Methods: In 114 patients (48 ± 12 years/52% male) with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis, we studied the value of clinical and CMR-derived parameters to predict future events, using sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, aborted cardiac death, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement with appropriate shocks, hospitalization for heart failure, and death as composite endpoint. Median follow-up after CMR was 3.

Low septal to lateral wall F-FDG ratio is highly associated with mechanical dyssynchrony in non-ischemic CRT candidates.

Background: In order to better understand the concept of mechanical dyssynchrony, a promising hallmark of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) response, we investigated its effect on regional myocardial metabolism and myocardial blood flow (MBF) in non-ischemic CRT candidates.

Results: Thirty consecutive non-ischemic CRT eligible patients underwent static F-FDG and resting dynamic N-NH PET/CT. F-FDG uptake and MBF for septal and lateral wall were analysed and septal-to-lateral wall ratios (SLR) were calculated.

Natural evolution of cardiac sarcoidosis in an asymptomatic patient: a case report.

Background: Sarcoidosis is a multi-organ granulomatous disease of unknown aetiology. Adverse outcome related with cardiac involvement, makes early diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis crucial.

Case Summary: In a 55-year-old man presenting with recurrent pulmonary infections, computed tomography (CT) showed several enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes and no lung pathology.

Regional myocardial work by cardiac magnetic resonance and non-invasive left ventricular pressure: a feasibility study in left bundle branch block.

Aims: Regional myocardial work may be assessed by pressure-strain analysis using a non-invasive estimate of left ventricular pressure (LVP). Strain by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is not always accessible due to poor image quality. This study investigated the estimation of regional myocardial work from strain by feature tracking (FT) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and non-invasive LVP.

Impact of left bundle branch block on myocardial perfusion and metabolism: A positron emission tomography study.

Background: Better understanding of pathophysiological changes, induced by left bundle branch block (LBBB), may improve patient selection for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Therefore, we assessed the effect of LBBB on regional glucose metabolism, N-NH-derived absolute and semiquantitative myocardial blood flow (MBF), and their relation in non-ischemic CRT candidates.

Methods: Twenty-five consecutive non-ischemic patients with LBBB underwent F-FDG and resting dynamic N-NH PET/CT prior to CRT implantation.

Non-invasive myocardial performance mapping using 3D echocardiographic stress-strain loops.

Regional contribution to left ventricular (LV) ejection is of much clinical importance but its assessment is notably challenging. While deformation imaging is often used, this does not take into account loading conditions. Recently, a method for intraventricular pressure estimation was proposed, thus allowing for loading conditions to be taken into account in a non-invasive way.

Left Ventricular Remodeling Results in Homogenization of Myocardial Work Distribution.

Background: The interaction between regional left ventricular (LV) myocardial work and metabolism in remodeled hearts has not yet been well established. Our aim was to investigate the effect of inhomogeneous LV work distribution on regional metabolism and remodeling in our animal model with reversible dyssynchrony due to pacing.

Methods: In 12 sheep, 8 weeks of right atrial and right ventricular free wall (DDD) pacing lead to LV dilatation, a thinned septum, and thickened lateral wall.

Papillary muscles contribute significantly more to left ventricular work in dilated hearts.

Aims: Left ventricular (LV) dilatation results in increased sphericity and affects position and orientation of papillary muscles (PMs), which may influence their performed work. The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of PM to LV function and its changes with dilatation.

Methods And Results: Fifteen sheep were investigated.