Worldwide variation in cardiovascular magnetic resonance practice models.

Introduction: The use of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) for diagnosis and management of a broad range of cardiac and vascular conditions has quickly expanded worldwide. It is essential to understand how CMR is utilized in different regions around the world and the potential practice differences between high-volume and low-volume centers.

Methods: CMR practitioners and developers from around the world were electronically surveyed by the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) twice, requesting data from 2017.

Transverse and longitudinal right ventricular fractional parameters derived from four-chamber cine MRI are associated with right ventricular dysfunction etiology.

Studies of the usefulness of transverse right ventricular (RV) shortening are limited. We retrospectively analyzed the CMR images of 67 patients (age: 50.8 ± 19.

Antibacterial cotton fabrics based on hydrophilic amino-containing scaffolds.

A hydrophilic amino compound, 4,7,10-trioxatridecane-1,13-diamine, has been utilized in several chemical and biochemical studies. Among previous applications is its use as a flexible and economical spacer molecule to increase the length between two moieties of interest, one of which may be a solid-phase interface. In this study, we immobilized this molecule on cotton fabrics and showed that this modified surface (DA) exhibited significant antibacterial activities in both Gram-negative bacteria and a Gram-positive bacterium.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Very Late Intrapericardial Hematoma 8 Years after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

A 55-year-old man presented with dyspnea, edema, and appetite loss. He had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting 8 years previously. He had jugular venous distention and Kussmaul's sign.

Myocardial perfusion reserve quantified by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is associated with late gadolinium enhancement in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has demonstrated the capability of stratifying hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Stress perfusion test of CMR can quantify myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR), but its clinical role is not determined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between MPR and LGE in patients with HCM.

Ipragliflozin Reduces Epicardial Fat Accumulation in Non-Obese Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Visceral Obesity: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Epicardial fat (EF) was reported to be independently associated with cardiovascular disease regardless of obesity. We have previously reported that a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, luseogliflozin, reduces the EF volume (EFV) in parallel with the reduction of body weight in obese patients (BMI ≥25 kg/m) with type 2 diabetes. However, it is unknown whether SGLT2 inhibitors could reduce EFV in non-obese patients (BMI <25 kg/m) with type 2 diabetes.

Luseogliflozin reduces epicardial fat accumulation in patients with type 2 diabetes: a pilot study.

Background: Accumulation of epicardial fat (EF) is associated with increased cardio-metabolic risks and coronary events, independently of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, the reduction of EF volume (EFV) may be associated with reduced cardio-metabolic risks and future cardiovascular events. Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce body fat including visceral fat and cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Vessel Wall Inflammation of Takayasu Arteritis Detected by Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Association with Disease Distribution and Activity.

Aims: The assessment of the distribution and activity of vessel wall inflammation is clinically important in patients with Takayasu arteritis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful tool, but the clinical utility of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in Takayasu arteritis has yet to be determined. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the utility of LGE in assessing vessel wall inflammation and disease activity in Takayasu arteritis.

Clinical characteristics of definite or suspected isolated cardiac sarcoidosis: application of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and 18F-Fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computerized tomography.

Background: Isolated cardiac sarcoidosis (iCS) is difficult to diagnose in patients without histologic evidence of sarcoidosis. We aimed to clarify the clinical characteristics of iCS, including imaging features on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computerized tomography (FDG-PET/CT) scans. We also reviewed the therapeutic effect of corticosteroids and determined the long-term prognosis.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in a patient with amniotic fluid embolism associated with severe cardiopulmonary complications.

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare but devastating complication of pregnancy. Acute circulatory failure and obstetric disseminated intravascular coagulopathy are often associated with AFE and lead to poor prognosis of this syndrome. Although many reports of AFE and its cardiopulmonary complications exist, their etiology remains unknown.

Effects of intravenous atrial natriuretic peptide and nitroglycerin on coronary vasodilation and flow velocity determined using 3 T magnetic resonance imaging in patients with nonischemic heart failure.

Although atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is widely used in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), little is known about its effect on epicardial coronary arteries. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables precise measurement of coronary vasodilation and flow velocity. In this study, we examined the changes in epicardial coronary artery size and flow velocity in response to intravenous infusion of ANP or nitroglycerin (NTG) by using 3 T MRI in patients with CHF.

Bioluminescence and magnetic resonance imaging of macrophage homing to experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Macrophage infiltration is a prominent feature of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression. We used a combined imaging approach with bioluminescence (BLI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study macrophage homing and accumulation in experimental AAA disease. Murine AAAs were created via intra-aortic infusion of porcine pancreatic elastase.

Physical activity in older subjects is associated with increased coronary vasodilation: the ADVANCE study.

Objectives: We investigated the association between physical activity and coronary vasodilation to nitroglycerin (NTG) in the ADVANCE (Atherosclerotic Disease, Vascular Function, and Genetic Epidemiology) cohort of older healthy subjects.

Background: Physical activity may exert its beneficial effects by augmenting coronary responsiveness to nitric oxide. The relationship between physical activity and coronary vasodilatory response to NTG, an exogenous nitric oxide donor, has not been studied in a community-based population with typical activity levels.

Protein cage nanoparticles bearing the LyP-1 peptide for enhanced imaging of macrophage-rich vascular lesions.

Cage-like protein nanoparticles are promising platforms for cell- and tissue-specific targeted delivery of imaging and therapeutic agents. Here, we have successfully modified the 12 nm small heat shock protein from Methanococcus jannaschii (MjHsp) to detect atherosclerotic plaque lesions in a mouse model system. As macrophages are centrally involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis, targeted imaging of macrophages is valuable to assess the biologic status of the blood vessel wall.

FeCo/graphite nanocrystals for multi-modality imaging of experimental vascular inflammation.

Background: FeCo/graphitic-carbon nanocrystals (FeCo/GC) are biocompatible, high-relaxivity, multi-functional nanoparticles. Macrophages represent important cellular imaging targets for assessing vascular inflammation. We evaluated FeCo/GC for vascular macrophage uptake and imaging in vivo using fluorescence and MRI.

Right coronary wall CMR in the older asymptomatic advance cohort: positive remodeling and associations with type 2 diabetes and coronary calcium.

Background: Coronary wall cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is a promising noninvasive approach to assess subclinical atherosclerosis, but data are limited in subjects over 60 years old, who are at increased risk. The purpose of the study was to evaluate coronary wall CMR in an asymptomatic older cohort.

Results: Cross-sectional images of the proximal right coronary artery (RCA) were acquired using spiral black-blood coronary CMR (0.

Human ferritin cages for imaging vascular macrophages.

Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of death worldwide. Macrophages are key components of vascular inflammation, which contributes to the development and complications of atherosclerosis. Ferritin, an iron storage and transport protein, has been found to accumulate in macrophages in human atherosclerotic plaques.

In vivo bioluminescence imaging of inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression in vascular inflammation.

Purpose: Inflammation plays a critical role in atherosclerosis and is associated with upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). We studied bioluminescence imaging (BLI) to track iNOS gene expression in a murine model of vascular inflammation.

Procedures: Macrophage-rich vascular lesions were induced by carotid ligation plus high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetes in 18 iNOS-luc reporter mice.

Quantitative tissue characterization of infarct core and border zone in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy by magnetic resonance is associated with future cardiovascular events.

Objectives: This study evaluates how characterization of tissue heterogeneity of myocardial infarction by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is associated with cardiovascular events (CVE) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM).

Background: Prior studies demonstrated that the quantification of myocardial scar volume by CMR is superior to left ventricular end-diastolic volume, left ventricular end-systolic volume, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in predicting future CVE in ICM patients. Evaluation of infarct heterogeneity by measuring infarct core and border zones through CMR might have a higher association with CVE.

High-contrast in vivo visualization of microvessels using novel FeCo/GC magnetic nanocrystals.

FeCo-graphitic carbon shell nanocrystals are a novel MRI contrast agent with unprecedented high per-metal-atom-basis relaxivity (r(1) = 97 mM(-1) sec(-1), r(2) = 400 mM(-1) sec(-1)) and multifunctional capabilities. While the conventional gadolinium-based contrast-enhanced angiographic magnetic MRI has proven useful for diagnosis of vascular diseases, its short circulation time and relatively low sensitivity render high-resolution MRI of morphologically small vascular structures such as those involved in collateral, arteriogenic, and angiogenic vessel formation challenging. Here, by combining FeCo-graphitic carbon shell nanocrystals with high-resolution MRI technique, we demonstrate that such microvessels down to approximately 100 mum can be monitored in high contrast and noninvasively using a conventional 1.

Analysis of in situ and ex vivo vascular endothelial growth factor receptor expression during experimental aortic aneurysm progression.

Objective: Mural inflammation and neovascularization are characteristic pathological features of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) disease. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) expression may also mediate AAA growth and rupture. We examined VEGFR expression as a function of AAA disease progression in the Apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apo E(-/-)) murine AAA model.

Impaired coronary vasodilation by magnetic resonance angiography is associated with advanced coronary artery calcification.

Objectives: This study evaluated the hypothesis that impaired nitroglycerin (NTG)-induced coronary vasodilation is associated with advanced coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic older patients.

Background: Atherosclerosis is associated with both structural and functional abnormalities of the vessel wall. Noninvasive functional measures of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis may help characterize high-risk subjects and guide preventive therapy.

A human ferritin iron oxide nano-composite magnetic resonance contrast agent.

Macrophages play important roles in the immunological defense system, but at the same time they are involved in inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis. Therefore, imaging macrophages is critical to assessing the status of these diseases. Toward this goal, a recombinant human H chain ferritin (rHFn)-iron oxide nano composite has been investigated as an MRI contrast agent for labeling macrophages.

Magnetic resonance imaging of progressive cardiomyopathic changes in the db/db mouse.

The db/db mouse is a well-established model of diabetes. Previous reports have documented contractile dysfunction (i.e.

FeCo/graphitic-shell nanocrystals as advanced magnetic-resonance-imaging and near-infrared agents.

Nanocrystals with advanced magnetic or optical properties have been actively pursued for potential biological applications, including integrated imaging, diagnosis and therapy. Among various magnetic nanocrystals, FeCo has superior magnetic properties, but it has yet to be explored owing to the problems of easy oxidation and potential toxicity. Previously, FeCo nanocrystals with multilayered graphitic carbon, pyrolytic carbon or inert metals have been obtained, but not in the single-shelled, discrete, chemically functionalized and water-soluble forms desired for biological applications.