ESC pre-test probability estimates for obstructive coronary artery disease: can they be used in Brazil?

Aims: Cardiovascular disease, primarily coronary artery disease (CAD), is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Accurate diagnosis of CAD often requires pre-test probability (PTP) estimation, traditionally performed using scoring systems like the Diamond-Forrester (DF) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) models. However, the applicability of such models in specific populations may vary.

Effect of strain KA500 supplementation on feed performance, feed efficiency, and digestion ability in feedlot buffaloes.

Live yeasts have favorable characteristics for use in animal feed, and may become a beneficial tool to improve digestive efficiency in buffaloes (). The productive performance, feed efficiency, and digestion ability of buffaloes fed diets supplemented with yeast ( strain KA500) were evaluated. Eighteen male Murrah buffaloes, with initial weight 250 ± 31 kg (mean ± standard deviation), and aged approximately 12 months, were randomly assigned to one of two treatments.

Clinical Impact of Assessment of Myocardial Flow Reserve in Identifying the Cause of Chest Discomfort.

Background: Gamma cameras with cadmium-zinc telluride (CZT) detectors allowed the quantification of myocardial flow reserve (MBF), which can increase the accuracy of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) to detect the cause of chest discomfort.

Objective: To assess the clinical impact of MBF to detect the cause of chest discomfort.

Methods: 171 patients with chest discomfort who underwent coronary angiography or coronary CT angiography also underwent MPS and MBF in a time interval of <30 days.

The additional prognostic value of myocardial perfusion SPECT in patients with known coronary artery disease with high exercise capacity.

Background: The prognostic value of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD) and high exercise capacity is still unknown. We sought to determine the MPI additional prognostic value over electrocardiography (ECG) stress testing alone in patients with known CAD who achieved ≥ 10 metabolic equivalents (METs).

Methods And Results: We evaluated 926 patients with known CAD referred for MPI with exercise stress.

Quantification of myocardial flow reserve using a gamma camera with solid-state cadmium-zinc-telluride detectors: Relation to angiographic coronary artery disease.

Background: Previous studies have suggested using gamma cameras with cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT) detectors to quantify myocardial blood flow (MBF) and flow reserve (MFR). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of MFR quantification using a CZT camera compared to coronary angiography.

Methods: Forty-one participants referred for coronary angiography underwent a rest/stress one-day myocardial perfusion imaging protocol using a CZT gamma camera.

All-cause mortality of metabolically healthy or unhealthy obese: risk stratification using myocardial perfusion imaging.

Introduction: There is still controversy about the favorable prognosis of "metabolically healthy" (MH) obese. This study evaluated mortality and the use of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) for risk stratification of MH or metabolically unhealthy (MU) obese or nonobese patients.

Material And Methods: Patients without dyslipidemia, hypertension, or diabetes were considered MH, and those with ≥ 1 of these risk factors were considered MU.

The Prognostic Value and Clinical Use of Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy in Asymptomatic Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: The role of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) in the follow-up of asymptomatic patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not established.

Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic value and clinical use of MPS in asymptomatic patients after PCI.

Methods: Patients who underwent MPS consecutively between 2008 and 2012 after PCI were selected.

Prognostic Assessment of Diabetics Using Myocardial Perfusion Imaging: Diabetes Mellitus is Still a Coronary Artery Disease Equivalent.

Background: Even though diabetes mellitus (DM) has been considered a "Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) equivalent", that is still controversial, especially in a contemporary population subject to optimized treatment.

Objective: We aimed to assess the cardiovascular risk of diabetics by myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS).

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent MPS from 2008 to 2012 were studied.

Prognostic value of a faster, low-radiation myocardial perfusion SPECT protocol in a CZT camera.

To determine the prognostic value of a new, ultrafast, low dose myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) protocol in a cadmium-zinc telluride (CZT) camera. CZT cameras have introduced significant progress in MPS imaging, offering high-quality images despite lower doses and scan time. Yet, it is unknown if, with such protocol changes, the prognostic value of MPS is preserved.

Factors Associated With Coronary Artery Disease Progression Assessed By Serial Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography.

Background: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) allows for noninvasive coronary artery disease (CAD) phenotyping. Factors related to CAD progression are epidemiologically valuable.

Objective: To identify factors associated with CAD progression in patients undergoing sequential CCTA testing.

Prognostic performance of coronary computed tomography angiography in asymptomatic individuals as compared to symptomatic patients with an appropriate indication.

Introduction: Current Appropriatene Usa Criteria exclude coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) in asymptomatic individuals. We compared the prognostic value of coronary CTA in asymptomatic individuals to symptomatic patients with "definitely appropriate" indications for coronary CTA.

Methods: Consecutive patients without previously known CAD referred for a CTA exam were divided into 2 groups.

Real-time cardiac magnetic resonance cine imaging with sparse sampling and iterative reconstruction for left-ventricular measures: Comparison with gold-standard segmented steady-state free precession.

Background: Segmented cine imaging with a steady-state free-precession sequence (Cine-SSFP) is currently the gold standard technique for measuring ventricular volumes and mass, but due to multi breath-hold (BH) requirements, it is prone to misalignment of consecutive slices, time consuming and dependent on respiratory capacity. Real-time cine avoids those limitations, but poor spatial and temporal resolution of conventional sequences has prevented its routine application. We sought to examine the accuracy and feasibility of a newly developed real-time sequence with aggressive under-sampling of k-space using sparse sampling and iterative reconstruction (Cine-RT).

"Metabolically healthy" obesity: Prevalence, clinical features and association with myocardial ischaemia.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of the "metabolically healthy" (MH) or "metabolically unhealthy" (MU) obesity phenotypes and their association with cardiorespiratory fitness and inducible myocardial ischaemia.

Methods: Individuals without known coronary artery disease undergoing myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (MPS) were studied. Those without dyslipidemia, hypertension, or diabetes were considered MH, and when ≥1 of these was present, MU status was considered present.

Comparison of the prognostic value of myocardial perfusion imaging using a CZT-SPECT camera with a conventional anger camera.

Background: Recent studies have shown that myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT) cameras allow faster exams with less radiation dose but there are little data comparing its prognosis information with that of dedicated cardiac Na-I SPECT cameras OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to compare the prognostic value of MPI using an ultrafast protocol with low radiation dose in a CZT-SPECT and a traditional one.

Methods: Group 1 was submitted to a two-day MIBI protocol in a conventional camera, and group 2 was submitted to a 1-day MIBI protocol in CZT camera. MPI were classified as normal or abnormal, and perfusion scores were calculated.

Comparison of myocardial T1 and T2 values in 3 T with T2* in 1.5 T in patients with iron overload and controls.

Myocardial iron quantification remains limited to 1.5 T systems with T2* measurement. The present study aimed at comparing myocardial T2* values at 1.

Prevalence and predictors of left intraventricular dyssynchrony determined by phase analysis in patients undergoing gatedSPECT myocardial perfusion imaging.

Left ventricular dyssynchrony (LVD) is an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular events, death, and progression to heart failure. Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with ECG-gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) can be used to diagnose LVD rapidly and automatically using phase analysis (PA). The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of LVD in patients undergoing MPI.

Changes in Medical Management after Coronary CT Angiography.

Introduction: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) allows for non-invasive coronary artery disease (CAD) phenotyping. There are still some uncertainties regarding the impact this knowledge has on the clinical care of patients.

Objective: To determine whether CAD phenotyping by CCTA influences clinical decision making by the prescription of cardiovascular drugs and their impact on non-LDL cholesterol (NLDLC) levels.