Cerebrovascular Autoregulation in Preterm Infants Using Heart Rate or Blood Pressure: A Pilot Study.

Background: Cerebrovascular autoregulation (CAR) is often impaired in preterm infants but requires invasive mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) measurements for continuous assessment. We aimed to assess whether using heart rate (HR) results in different CAR assessment compared with using MABP.

Methods: We compared CAR (moving window correlation-coefficient with cerebral oxygenation saturation (rSO)), and percentage of time with impaired CAR (%timeCARi) calculated by either HR (TOHRx, tissue oxygenation heart rate reactivity index) or MABP (COx, cerebral oximetry index) during the first 72 h after birth, and its association with short-term cerebral injury.

Assessment of hepatic artery anatomy in pediatric liver transplant recipients: MR angiography versus CT angiography.

During LT screening, children undergo CTA to determine hepatic artery anatomy. However, CTA imparts radiation, unlike MRA. The aim was to compare MRA to CTA in assessing hepatic artery anatomy in pediatric LT recipients.

Antenatal Magnesium Sulfate and Preeclampsia Differentially Affect Neonatal Cerebral Oxygenation.

Introduction: Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is frequently administered for maternal and fetal neuroprotection in preeclampsia (PE) and imminent preterm birth, respectively.

Objective: To assess whether MgSO4 affects neonatal cerebral oxygenation, blood flow, and cerebral autoregulation (CAR) during the first postnatal days independently from PE.

Methods: 148 neonates <32 weeks gestational age were included.

Routine Postoperative Antithrombotic Therapy in Pediatric Liver Transplantation: Impact on Bleeding and Thrombotic Complications.

Background:  Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) and portal vein thrombosis (PVT) are serious causes of morbidity and mortality after pediatric liver transplantation. To reduce thrombotic complications, routine antithrombotic therapy consisting of 1 week heparin followed by 3 months acetylsalicylic acid, was implemented in our pediatric liver transplant program in 2003. This study aimed to evaluate incidences of bleeding and thrombotic complications since the implementation of routine antithrombotic therapy and to identify risk factors for these complications.

Quantitative image analysis for the detection of motion artefacts in coronary artery computed tomography.

Multi detector-row CT (MDCT), the current preferred method for coronary artery disease assessment, is still affected by motion artefacts. To rule out motion artefacts, qualitative image analysis is usually performed. Our study aimed to develop a quantitative image analysis for motion artefacts detection as an added value to the qualitative analysis.

Accuracy of noninvasive coronary stenosis quantification of different commercially available dedicated software packages.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the noninvasive quantification of coronary artery stenosis using cardiac software packages and vessel phantoms with known stenosis severity.

Materials And Methods: Four different sizes of vessel phantoms were filled with contrast agent and scanned on a 64-slice multidetector computed tomography. Diameter and area stenosis were evaluated by 2 observers blinded from the true measures using 5 different software packages.

The role of coronary artery calcification score in clinical practice.

Background: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) measured by electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) has been well studied in the prediction of coronary artery disease (CAD). We sought to evaluate the impact of the CAC score in the diagnostic process immediately after its introduction in a large tertiary referral centre.

Methods: 598 patients with no history of CAD who underwent EBCT for evaluation of CAD were retrospectively included into the study.

Computed tomographic angiography or conventional coronary angiography in therapeutic decision-making.

Aims: To evaluate non-invasive angiography using dual-source computed tomography (CT) for the determination of the most appropriate therapeutic strategy in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods And Results: CT angiography (Dual Source CT, Somatom Definition, Siemens Medical Systems, Forchheim, Germany) was performed in 60 consecutive patients [51 men, median age 64 (57-70) years] scheduled for elective coronary angiography. Both techniques were used to evaluate the presence of CAD, significant stenosis, and the need for revascularization therapy.

Non-invasive cardiac assessment in high risk patients (The GROUND study): rationale, objectives and design of a multi-center randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common disease associated with a considerably increased risk of future cardiovascular events and most of these patients will die from coronary artery disease (CAD). Screening for silent CAD has become an option with recent non-invasive developments in CT (computed tomography)-angiography and MR (magnetic resonance) stress testing. Screening in combination with more aggressive treatment may improve prognosis.

Measurement of coronary calcium scores by electron beam computed tomography or exercise testing as initial diagnostic tool in low-risk patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

We determined the efficiency of a screening protocol based on coronary calcium scores (CCS) compared with exercise testing in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), a normal ECG and troponin levels. Three-hundred-and-four patients were enrolled in a screening protocol including CCS by electron beam computed tomography (Agatston score), and exercise testing. Decision-making was based on CCS.

Measurement of coronary calcium scores or exercise testing as initial screening tool in asymptomatic subjects with ST-T changes on the resting ECG: an evaluation study.

Background: Asymptomatic subjects at intermediate coronary risk may need diagnostic testing for risk stratification. Both measurement of coronary calcium scores and exercise testing are well established tests for this purpose. However, it is not clear which test should be preferred as initial diagnostic test.

A comparison of echocardiographic and electron beam computed tomographic assessment of aortic valve area in patients with valvular aortic stenosis.

The purpose of this study was to compare electron beam computed tomography (EBT) with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in determining aortic valve area (AVA). Thirty patients (9 females, 21 males) underwent a contrast-enhanced EBT scan (e-Speed, GE, San Francisco, CA, USA) and TTE within 17 +/- 12 days. In end-inspiratory breath hold, a prospectively ecg-triggered scan was acquired with a beam speed of 50-100 ms, a collimation of 2 x 1.