Determinants of Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Degeneration.

Objectives: The aim of the present long-term study was to assess the incidence and mode of valve hemodynamic deterioration (VHD) of bioprosthetic aortic valves, as well as associated factors.

Background: Modern definitions of bioprosthetic valve deterioration recommend the use of echocardiography for the assessment of transprosthetic gradients and valvular regurgitation.

Methods: A total of 466 consecutive patients (mean age 73.

Diameter of the Pulmonary Artery in Relation to the Ascending Aorta: Association with Cardiovascular Outcome.

Purpose To investigate whether the pulmonary artery (PA)-to-ascending aorta (Ao) ratio is associated with outcome in unselected patients referred for cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Materials and Methods This study prospectively enrolled 650 consecutive patients (47.2% women; mean age, 56.

T1 Mapping by CMR Imaging: From Histological Validation to Clinical Implication.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the diagnostic and prognostic impact of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) T1 mapping and validate it against left ventricular biopsies.

Background: Extracellular volume (ECV) expansion is a key feature of heart failure. CMR T1 mapping has been developed as a noninvasive technique to estimate ECV; however, the diagnostic and prognostic impacts of this technique have not been well established.