Assessment of Left Ventricular Enlargement at Multidetector Computed Tomography.

Purpose: Because left ventricular (LV) enlargement (LVE) is indicative of an array of cardiac pathologies, including cardiomyopathic, ischemic, and valvular heart diseases, it is important to recognize it early in the course of these diseases. The recognition of LVE on nongated contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans should be facilitated by the availability of a dimensional index. To our knowledge, no CT index of LVE has been proposed.

Advances in MR imaging assessment of adults with congenital heart disease.

Many novel cardiac MR sequences can be used for assessment of adult patients with congenital heart disease. Although most of these techniques are still primarily used in the research arena, there are many potential applications in clinical practice. Advanced cardiac MR assessment of myocardial tissue characterization, flow hemodynamics, and myocardial strain are promising tools for diagnostic and prognostic assessment late after repair of congenital heart diseases.

The association of epicardial adipose tissue with coronary artery calcification among HIV-infected men.

Little data exist regarding the association of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and cardiovascular disease among HIV-infected persons. Among 213 HIV-infected men, there was a significant association between protease inhibitor use and increasing EAT volume. EAT was significantly associated with coronary artery calcium greater than 100.

Corneal abrasions in young infants.

Objectives: We sought to determine the prevalence of corneal abrasions and possible associations with fingernail length, demographic information, sleeping, and crying among young infants.

Methods: Parents of 1- to 12-week-old infants without symptoms who were presenting for well-child visits completed a brief questionnaire on age, gender, race, fingernail-trimming practices, and sleeping and crying in the preceding 24-hour period. Fingernail length was measured, and eyes were examined through staining with fluorescein and illumination/magnification with a Bluminator (Eidolon Optical, Natick, MA).