Automatic left ventricular volume measurements on contrast-enhanced ultrafast cine magnetic resonance imaging.

To assess the accuracy of automatic extraction of the left ventricular inner contour on contrast-enhanced ultrafast cine magnetic resonance (MR) images, we compared the values obtained by this method with those obtained using intravenous digital subtraction left ventriculography. High-quality single breath-hold contrast-enhanced ultrafast cine MR images were obtained in all cardiac phases on horizontal and vertical long axis sections of the left ventricle. For ultrafast cine MR imaging, a phase-rewind gradient-echo (rewind-SMASH) sequence was used.

[Thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormone in patients with chronic heart failure--relationship between primary hypothyroidism with iodine organification defect and chronic heart failure].

Serum concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured in 127 patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) (left ventricular ejection fraction; 40% < or = and NYHA; III-IV), and 1,079 patients without CHF (non-CHF) (left ventricular ejection fraction; 40% < or = and NYHA; I-II). Serum-T3, T4 and free-T4 were significantly decreased in patients with CHF. The prevalence of slight increase of serum TSH (5 < or = TSH < 15 microU/ml) were 20.

[Assessment of myocardial perfusion and cardiac sympathetic nerve dysfunction in patients with sick sinus syndrome--evaluation of coronary hemodynamics and 201TlCl/123I-MIBG myocardial SPECT].

To clarify the coronary hemodynamics, myocardial perfusion and cardiac sympathetic nerve function in patients with sick sinus syndrome (SSS), we performed left coronary digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in 41 patients, exercise 201TlCl-myocardial scintigraphy (planar and SPECT) in 69 patients, and 201TlCl/123I-MIBG myocardial dual SPECT in 13 patients without significant organic coronary stenosis. Coronary artery spasm was documented on coronary angiography in 25/43 (58%) patients with SSS by ergonovine provocation test. Compared with normals, patients with SSS demonstrated prolongation of left coronary circulation time (CCT) on own heart beats and right atrial pacing.

Determination of cardiac ejection fraction and left ventricular volume: contrast-enhanced ultrafast cine MR imaging vs IV digital subtraction ventriculography.

Objective: To assess the accuracy of contrast-enhanced, single breath-hold cine MR imaging in the calculation of left ventricular volume and ejection fraction, we compared values obtained by using this method with those obtained by using IV digital subtraction angiography (IV-DSA).

Subjects And Methods: All patients (n = 28) had conventional cine and contrast-enhanced ultrafast cine MR imaging. For ultrafast cine MR imaging, a phase-rewind gradient-echo (rewind-SMASH) sequence was used: TR, 8 msec (standard excitation and acquisition block of 6 msec with phase rewind pulse of 2 msec); TE, 3.

[Left ventricular hemodynamics in patients with sick sinus syndrome: analysis by 99mTc-RBC cardiac pool scintigraphy with forward and backward multiple gated method (FBMG)].

The left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions in 31 patients with sick sinus syndrome (types I and II) were analyzed using LV time activity curves obtained by a 99mTc-RBC cardiac pool scintigraphy-forward and backward multiple gated study (FBMG) and compared with those in controls. On A-V sequential pacing (rate, 70 bpm; A-V delay, 150 msec), LV-peak ejection rate (PER) and peak filling rate (PFR) were significantly decreased compared to those in normal controls. As pacing rate was increased, PFR decreased significantly in patients in whom PER was decreased.

[Assessment of coronary hemodynamics and myocardial perfusion in patients with syndrome X by digital subtraction angiography and 201Tl-myocardial scintigraphy].

To evaluate coronary hemodynamics and myocardial perfusion, left coronary digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy were performed in patients with syndrome X. The coronary circulation time (CCT) was significantly prolonged after the injection of isosorbide dinitrate and contrast medium i.c.

[Evaluation of coronary hemodynamics and exercise 201Tl-myocardial scintigraphy in patients with vasospastic angina].

To clarify the coronary hemodynamics and myocardial perfusion in patients with vasospastic angina, we performed exercise-201Tl-myocardial scintigraphy (planar and SPECT) in 72 patients and left coronary digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in 37 patients without significant organic coronary artery stenosis. Coronary artery spasm was documented by coronary angiography in all patients. Fifty-four patients (75%) developed exercise-induced 201Tl-myocardial perfusion defect on SPECT.