Diagnostic accuracy of cardiac computed tomographic angiography and transesophageal echocardiography in evaluation of patients with prosthetic paravalvular leakage.

Purpose: Computed Tomography (CT) scan has been well addressed to provide diagnostic information for patients with prosthetic heart valve (PHV) dysfunction. However, its role in the assessment of patients with prosthetic paravalvular leakage (PVL) has not been studied thoroughly. So, this study was conducted to assess the feasibility, reproducibility, and accuracy of CT for diagnosis of prosthetic PVL using surgical findings as the reference standard.

Impact of Cardiac Computed Tomographic Angiography on Diagnostic and Therapeutic Decisions in Patients with Suspected Prosthetic Heart Valve Dysfunction.

Introduction: Computed Tomography (CT) scan is a helpful tool to assess the coronary arteries and the great vessels. However, its routine use in the assessment of patients with suspected prosthetic valve dysfunction (PVD) has not been studied thoroughly.

Objective: To determine the impact of routine cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) on diagnostic and therapeutic decisions in patients with suspected PVD.

The degree of hair graying as an independent risk marker for coronary artery disease, a CT coronary angiography study.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Aging is an unavoidable coronary risk factor and is associated with dermatological signs that could be a marker for increased coronary risk. We tested the hypothesis that hair graying as a visible marker of aging is associated with risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) independent of chronological age.