MRI-derived cardiac washout is slowed in the left ventricle and associated with left ventricular non-compaction in young patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke.

To elucidate underlying disease mechanisms, we compared transition of gadolinium-based contrast agent bolus in cardiac chambers in magnetic resonance imaging between young patents with cryptogenic ischemic stroke and stroke-free controls. We included 30 patients aged 18-50 years with cryptogenic ischemic stroke from the prospective Searching for Explanations for Cryptogenic Stroke in the Young: Revealing the Etiology, Triggers and Outcome (NCT01934725) study and 30 age- and gender-matched stroke-free controls. Dynamic contrast-enhanced T1-weighted first-pass perfusion images were acquired at 1.

Novel findings of an old algorithm: PVC response "Atrial Pace'' initiates atrial arrhythmias in Abbott ICD and CRT-D devices.

Background: Many algorithms have been developed to ensure the safety and accuracy of cardiac implantable electric devices (CIED). A specific algorithm designed to prevent pacemaker induced tachycardia (PMT) after a premature ventricular complex (PVC response) is available in all Abbott (former St. Jude Medical) CIED.

Orientation of the Atrial Septum to the Inferior Vena Cava May Contribute to the Persistent Patency of the Foramen Ovale.

Purpose: There is growing evidence that paradoxical embolism through patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a cause for cryptogenic stroke. However, it is still unclear why the foramen ovale fails to close after birth. We studied whether the 3D relations between the atrial septum (AS) and the inferior vena cava (IVC) are associated with PFO.

Revisiting left atrial volumetry by magnetic resonance imaging: the role of atrial shape and 3D angle between left ventricular and left atrial axis.

Background: Accurate measurement of left atrial (LA) volumes is needed in cardiac diagnostics and the follow up of heart and valvular diseases. Geometrical assumptions with 2D methods for LA volume estimation contribute to volume misestimation. In this study, we test agreement of 3D and 2D methods of LA volume detection and explore contribution of 3D LA axis orientation and LA shape in introducing error in 2D methods by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging.

Right atrium and cryptogenic ischaemic stroke in the young: a case-control study.

Background: Recent studies suggest left atrial (LA) dysfunction in cryptogenic stroke. We studied the dynamics of right atrium (RA) and right atrial appendage (RAA) in young adults with cryptogenic stroke. We hypothesised that bi-atrial dysfunction and blood stagnation might contribute to thrombosis formation in patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO), as deep venous thrombosis is detected only in the minority of patients.

Hydroxychloroquine reduces interleukin-6 levels after myocardial infarction: The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled OXI pilot trial.

Objectives: To determine the anti-inflammatory effect and safety of hydroxychloroquine after acute myocardial infarction.

Method: In this multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled OXI trial, 125 myocardial infarction patients were randomized at a median of 43 h after hospitalization to receive hydroxychloroquine 300 mg (n = 64) or placebo (n = 61) once daily for 6 months and, followed for an average of 32 months. Laboratory values were measured at baseline, 1, 6, and 12 months.

Evidence of subtle left ventricular systolic dysfunction in cryptogenic stroke in the young.

Introduction: Ischemic stroke in young patients often remains cryptogenic, that is, no underlying reason can be found. Some of these strokes may originate in the heart. Left ventricular (LV) dynamic volumetry and strain analysis are relatively new and promising methods for evaluating LV function.

Left ventricular non-compaction as a potential source for cryptogenic ischemic stroke in the young: A case-control study.

Background: Up to 50% of ischemic strokes in the young after thorough diagnostic work-up remain cryptogenic or associated with low-risk sources of cardioembolism such as patent foramen ovale (PFO). We studied with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, whether left ventricular (LV) non-compaction-a possible source for embolic stroke due to sluggish blood flow in deep intertrabecular recesses-is associated with cryptogenic strokes in the young.

Methods: Searching for Explanations for Cryptogenic Stroke in the Young: Revealing the Etiology, Triggers, and Outcome (SECRETO; NCT01934725) is an international prospective multicenter case-control study of young adults (aged 18-49 years) presenting with an imaging-positive first-ever ischemic stroke of undetermined etiology.

Diastolic function in young patients with cryptogenic stroke: A case-control pilot study.

Background: Ischaemic stroke in young individuals often remains cryptogenic. In this pilot study, we investigated, whether advanced echocardiography methods could find differences in the diastolic function between young cryptogenic stroke patients and stroke-free controls.

Methods: We recruited 30 cryptogenic ischaemic stroke patients aged 18-49 and 30 age- and sex-matched stroke-free controls among participants of the Searching for Explanations for Cryptogenic Stroke in the Young: Revealing the Etiology, Triggers, and Outcome (SECRETO) study (NCT01934725).

Validation of 3D echocardiographic volume detection of left atrium by human cadaveric casts.

Background: Left atrial volume is a prognostic factor in cardiac pathologies. We aimed to validate left atrial volume detection with 3D and 2D echocardiography (3DE and 2DE) by human cadaveric casts. 3DE facilitates measurement of atrial volume without geometrical assumptions or dependence on imaging angle in contrast to 2DE methods.

The Accuracy of Left Ventricular and Left Atrial Volumetry Using 64-Slice Computed Tomography: In Vitro Validation Study With Human Cardiac Cadaveric Casts.

Objective: We aimed to validate the accuracy of imaging of left atrial and ventricular volumes using cardiac cadaveric silicone casts.

Methods: Left atrial (n = 14) and ventricular (n = 15) casts were imaged using 64-slice computed tomography (CT). Water displacement (WD) of cardiac casts was used as the gold standard for volume measurements.

High-resolution signal-averaged analysis of atrial electromagnetic characteristics in patients with paroxysmal lone atrial fibrillation.

Background: Abnormalities in the electromagnetic signal of the atria during sinus rhythm could serve as markers of triggering foci or substrate for atrial fibrillation (AF). We examined atrial electrophysiologic properties noninvasively by using magnetocardiographic mapping (MCG) in patients with paroxysmal lone AF to find whether any difference exists between those who have frequent triggers of AF and who don't.

Methods: MCG was recorded over anterior chest during sinus rhythm in 80 patients with paroxysmal lone AF (44 +/- 12 years, 61 males) and 80 matched controls.