Assessment of diastolic dysfunction: comparison of different cardiovascular magnetic resonance techniques.

Aims: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is still a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, and accurate non-invasive diagnosis of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (DD) remains difficult. The current study aimed at identifying the most informative cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters for the assessment of LVDD.

Methods And Results: We prospectively included 50 patients and classified them into three groups: with DD (DD+, n = 15), without (DD-, n = 26), and uncertain (DD±, n = 9).

Quantification in cardiovascular magnetic resonance: agreement of software from three different vendors on assessment of left ventricular function, 2D flow and parametric mapping.

Background: Quantitative results of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) image analysis influence clinical decision making. Image analysis is performed based on dedicated software. The manufacturers provide different analysis tools whose algorithms are often unknown.

Effects of heart valve prostheses on phase contrast flow measurements in Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance - a phantom study.

Background: Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance is often used to evaluate patients after heart valve replacement. This study systematically analyses the influence of heart valve prostheses on phase contrast measurements in a phantom trial.

Methods: Two biological and one mechanical aortic valve prostheses were integrated in a flow phantom.

Cardiac Involvement in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 2 Patients With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Detection by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.

Background: Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is a genetic disorder characterized by skeletal muscle symptoms, metabolic changes, and cardiac involvement. Histopathologic alterations of the skeletal muscle include fibrosis and fatty infiltration. The aim of this study was to investigate whether subclinical cardiac involvement in DM2 is already detectable in preserved left ventricular function by cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

Current T₁ and T₂ mapping techniques applied with simple thresholds cannot discriminate acute from chronic myocadial infarction on an individual patient basis: a pilot study.

Background: Studying T1- and T2-mapping for discrimination of acute from chronic myocardial infarction (AMI, CMI).

Methods: Eight patients with AMI underwent CMR at 3 T acutely and after >3 months. Imaging techniques included: T2-weighted imaging, late enhancement (LGE), T2-mapping, native and post-contrast T1-mapping.

Prospective, randomized comparison of gadopentetate and gadobutrol to assess chronic myocardial infarction applying cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

Background: We hypothesized that the contrast medium gadobutrol is not inferior compared to Gd-DTPA in identifying and quantifying ischemic late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), even by using a lower dose.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 30 patients with chronic myocardial infarction as visualized by LGE during clinical routine scan at 1.5 T with 0.

Impact of surgical correction of pectus excavatum on cardiac function: insights on the right ventricle. A cardiovascular magnetic resonance study†.

Objectives: Pectus excavatum (PE) is often regarded as a cosmetic disease, while its effect on cardiac function is under debate. Data regarding cardiac function before and after surgical correction of PE are limited. We aimed to assess the impact of surgical correction of PE on cardiac function by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR).

Real-time phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging for assessment of haemodynamics: from phantom to patients.

Objectives: Assessment of haemodynamics is crucial in many cardiac diseases. Phase contrast MRI (PC-MRI) can accurately access it. Arrhythmia is a major limitation in conventional segmented PC-MRI (SEG).

A multicenter cardiovascular MR network for tele-training and beyond: setup and initial experiences.

Purpose: Training in cardiovascular MR (CMR) is an important topic in times of growing acceptance of the method for accurate diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease. However, off-site training is becoming less acceptable with increasing cost and time pressures. We introduce a novel CMR network, capable of providing, remotely, part of CMR training and continuous expert support.

Fatty acid binding protein 4 predicts left ventricular mass and longitudinal function in overweight and obese women.

Objective: To explore whether increased adipocyte-derived serum fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) predisposes to cardiac remodelling and left ventricular dysfunction in human obesity.

Design: Cross-sectional investigation.

Setting: Academic clinical research centre.

Moderate dietary weight loss reduces myocardial steatosis in obese and overweight women.

Background: Excessive myocardial triglyceride (MTG) content in obesity and type 2 diabetes is associated with impaired cardiac function. Previous studies suggest that MTG could be mobilized through lifestyle interventions. We assessed influences of moderate dietary weight loss in non diabetic obese and overweight women on MTG content and cardiac function.

Left ventricular mass and function with reduced-fat or reduced-carbohydrate hypocaloric diets in overweight and obese subjects.

In animals, carbohydrate and fat composition during dietary interventions influenced cardiac metabolism, structure, and function. Because reduced-carbohydrate and reduced-fat hypocaloric diets are commonly used in the treatment of obesity, we investigated whether these interventions differentially affect left ventricular mass, cardiac function, and blood pressure. We randomized 170 overweight and obese subjects (body mass index, 32.

Myocardial steatosis, cardiac remodelling and fitness in insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant obese women.

Background: Obesity predisposes to heart failure and premature cardiovascular death, particularly in sedentary women. In animal models and in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus, impaired cardiac function is associated with myocardial triglyceride (MTG) accumulation. Lipotoxic injury from altered myocardial metabolism may be causative.