Lipomatous hypertrophy presenting as superior vena cava syndrome.

We report a rare case of invasive lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum presenting as superior vena cava syndrome requiring surgical resection. Lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum is a common incidental finding and is thought to be a relatively benign condition. Classically, its appearance on cardiac computed tomography is primarily fatty with low attenuation, sharp margins and minimal enhancement, involving the interatrial septum with relative sparing of the fossa ovalis.

Prognostic value of cardiac computed tomography angiography: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to systematically review and perform a meta-analysis of the ability of cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) to predict future cardiovascular events and death.

Background: The diagnostic accuracy of CCTA is well reported. The prognostic value of CCTA has been described in several studies, but many were underpowered.

Calcium scoring and chest pain: is it dead on arrival?

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring has been shown to be a measure of overall coronary artery disease (CAD) burden and is a well-validated screening test that significantly improves cardiovascular risk prediction in asymptomatic adults beyond that provided with standard risk factors. The absence of coronary artery calcification identifies persons at very low cardiovascular risk. Among symptomatic patients, calcium scans have been shown to have high sensitivity for the presence of obstructive CAD among stable, low-intermediate risk middle-aged adults.

Decreasing outpatient cardiac catheterization rates associated with cardiology clinic volume but not with increasing cardiac computed tomography utilization.

Cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is an accurate noninvasive test for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD). To investigate whether increasing use of CTA is correlated with left heart catheterization (LHC) rates, we performed a retrospective review of existing outpatient and inpatient catheterization lab and CTA electronic medical records from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2008. Comparing the previous 2 years (July 2004-June 2006) to the 2 years after addition of CTA (July 2006-June 2008), monthly LHC rates decreased 20 +/- 6% (p = 0.

International, multidisciplinary update of the 2006 Appropriateness Criteria for cardiac computed tomography.

Background: A multi-society document outlining appropriateness criteria for cardiac CT (CCT) was published in 2006. Since then, CCT has experienced rapid growth in technologic advances and clinical use. We sought to reassess opinion about the appropriate use of CCT among an international group of experts in the field.