Assessment of material identification and quantification in the presence of metals using spectral photon counting CT.

Spectral Photon Counting Computed Tomography (SPCCT), a ground-breaking development in CT technology, has immense potential to address the persistent problem of metal artefacts in CT images. This study aims to evaluate the potential of Mars photon-counting CT technology in reducing metal artefacts. It focuses on identifying and quantifying clinically significant materials in the presence of metal objects.

Multiscale structure and function of the aortic valve apparatus.

Whereas studying the aortic valve in isolation has facilitated the development of life-saving procedures and technologies, the dynamic interplay of the aortic valve and its surrounding structures is vital to preserving their function across the wide range of conditions encountered in an active lifestyle. Our view is that these structures should be viewed as an integrated functional unit, here referred to as the aortic valve apparatus (AVA). The coupling of the aortic valve and root, left ventricular outflow tract, and blood circulation is crucial for AVA's functions: unidirectional flow out of the left ventricle, coronary perfusion, reservoir function, and support of left ventricular function.

Asymmetry of flow in aortic root and its application in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

The aortic root (AR) performs sophisticated functions regulating the blood dynamics during the cardiac cycle. Such complex function depends on the nature of flow in the AR. Here, we investigate the potential of new quantitative parameters of flow asymmetry that could have clinical implications.

QTc prolongation during levofloxacin and triazole combination chemoprophylaxis: Prevalence and predisposing risk factors in a cohort of hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients.

Background: QTc interval prolongation has been reported when combining fluoroquinolones and triazoles for chemoprophylaxis in cancer patients. Herein, we aimed to identify the prevalence and contributing factors to QTc prolongation in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients who received these agents during the neutropenic phase.

Methods: This is a retrospective medical chart review conducted at a university hospital in Lebanon from 2017 to 2020.

The Use of Maximum Entropy to Enhance Wave Intensity Analysis: An Application to Coronary Arteries in Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy.

Wave intensity analysis is useful for analyzing coronary hemodynamics. Much of its clinical application involves the identification of waves indicated by peaks in the wave intensity and relating their presence or absence to different cardiovascular events. However, the analysis of wave intensity peaks can be problematic because of the associated noise in the measurements.

A New Technique for Shaping the Aortic Sinuses and Conserving Dynamism in the Remodeling Operation.

Background: Preserving dynamism and recreating the sinuses in the Dacron graft are thought to be important for optimizing results of aortic valve-conserving operations.

Methods: We describe a novel technique that preserves dynamism and recreates the sinotubular junction. In addition, it tailors 3 sinuses of defined longitudinal and transverse curvatures in a straight Dacron tube during the operation.