Development and evolution of nuclear cardiology and cardiac PET in Canada.

Gated radionuclide angiography and myocardial perfusion imaging were developed in the United States and Europe in the 1970's and soon adopted in Canadian centers. Much of the early development of nuclear cardiology in Canada was in Toronto, Ontario and was quickly followed by new programs across the country. Clinical research in Canada contributed to the further development of nuclear cardiology and cardiac PET.

Outcomes of Pregnancy in Women With Bioprosthetic Heart Valves With or Without Valve Dysfunction.

Background: Although pregnancy outcomes in women with normally functioning bioprosthetic valves (BPVs) are often good, structural valve dysfunction (SVD) may adversely affect pregnancy outcomes, but this has not been studied.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine outcomes in pregnant women with BPVs and the association with SVD.

Methods: Pregnancy outcomes in women with BPVs were prospectively collected.

Tricuspid Intervention Following Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease.

Background: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is common among adults with corrected tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) or pulmonary stenosis (PS) referred for pulmonary valve replacement (PVR). Yet, combined valve surgery remains controversial.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the impact of concomitant tricuspid valve intervention (TVI) on post-operative TR, length of hospital stay, and on a composite endpoint consisting of 7 early adverse events (death, reintervention, cardiac electronic device implantation, infection, thromboembolic event, hemodialysis, and readmission).

Stress Echocardiographic Evaluation for D-Transposition of the Great Arteries after Atrial Redirection: Unmasking Early Signs of Myocardial Dysfunction and Baffle Stenosis.

Background: The authors used semisupine cycle ergometry stress echocardiography to assess cardiac function and unmask baffle stenosis in patients with d-transposition of the great arteries after atrial redirection surgery.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of semisupine cycle ergometry stress echocardiography performed in 53 patients (64% male; mean age, 24.0 years; 90% Mustard procedure) and 56 healthy control subjects.

Sequential Right and Left Ventricular Assessment in Posttetralogy of Fallot Patients with Significant Pulmonary Regurgitation.

Background: The natural history of right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) size and function among adults with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair and hemodynamically significant pulmonary regurgitation (PR) is not known. The main aim of this study was to determine changes in RV and LV size and function over time in an adult population with TOF repair and hemodynamically significant pulmonary regurgitation.

Methods: Forty patients with repaired TOF and hemodynamically significant PR were included.

Assessing the need for nuclear cardiology and other advanced cardiac imaging modalities in the developing world.

Background: In 2005, 80% of cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths occurred in low- to middle-income countries (i.e., developing nations).