In-Stent Restenosis in Peripheral Arterial Disease: Ultra-High-Resolution Photon-Counting Versus Third-Generation Dual-Source Energy-Integrating Detector CT Phantom Study in Seven Different Stent Types.

Purpose: The visualization of peripheral in-stent restenosis using energy-integrating detector CT is challenging due to deficient spatial resolution and artifact formation. This study compares the first clinically available photon-counting detector CT to third-generation dual-source energy-integrating detector CT.

Materials And Methods: Nylon cylinders with central bores (4 mm, 2 mm), mimicking 75% and 95% stenoses, were placed inside seven different 8-mm diameter stents and filled with diluted contrast medium.

A simple classification system (the Tree flowchart) for breast MRI can reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies in MRI-only lesions.

Objectives: To assess whether using the Tree flowchart obviates unnecessary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided biopsies in breast lesions only visible on MRI.

Methods: This retrospective IRB-approved study evaluated consecutive suspicious (BI-RADS 4) breast lesions only visible on MRI that were referred to our institution for MRI-guided biopsy. All lesions were evaluated according to the Tree flowchart for breast MRI by experienced readers.

Effect of β-blocker on aneurysm sac behavior after endovascular abdominal aortic repair.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine whether β-blocker (BB) therapy is associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) sac regression after endovascular abdominal aortic repair (EVAR).

Methods: A total of 198 patients (mean age, 76 years) who underwent EVAR were analyzed (104 in the BB group and 94 in the non-BB group). The primary end point was the incidence of AAA sac regression at 1 and 2 years.

Influence of Statin Therapy on Aneurysm Sac Regression after Endovascular Aortic Repair.

Purpose: To determine whether statin therapy is associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) sac regression after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Materials And Methods: A total of 109 patients treated with EVAR were retrospectively analyzed (no-statin group, n = 45; statin group, n = 64). The primary endpoint was the incidence of AAA sac regression.

Effects of Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty on Diastolic Function in Patients With Chronic Occlusion of Lower-Extremity Artery.

Objective: We investigated whether successful revascularization of total occlusion of a large lower-extremity artery is associated with improvement of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function.

Background: Total occlusion of a large lower-extremity artery might affect the systemic vascular resistance and increase the afterload, because the left ventricle must work harder to eject blood into a smaller vascular bed. Chronic elevation of afterload is a cause of LV diastolic dysfunction.

The Influence of Statin Therapy on Restenosis in Patients Who Underwent Nitinol Stent Implantation for de Novo Femoropopliteal Artery Disease: Two-Year Follow-up at a Single Center.

Purpose: To determine whether statin therapy is associated with reduced restenosis following nitinol stent implantation for de novo femoropopliteal artery disease.

Materials And Methods: A total of 135 limbs in 135 patients (mean age, 72 y) implanted with nitinol stents in femoropopliteal occlusions were analyzed (statin arm, n = 91; nonstatin arm, n = 44). The patients were treated with one type of nitinol stent.

Degeneration and Instability and the Relation to Patients' Function Late After Lumbar Disc Surgery: Data from a 12-Year Follow-Up.

Objective: To investigate the excess risk of degeneration and segmental instability in operated segments late after lumbar disc surgery in patients with presurgically stable segments, and whether local pathological findings relate to patients' back health.

Design: This retrospective analysis reports on 69 patients 12 years after first-time, uncomplicated lumbar disc surgery. Two independent radiologists evaluated the patients' lumbar functional x-rays; the Back Pain Rating Score (LBP-RS) assessed back-specific function.

MR-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy of MRI-only lesions: a single center experience.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare three different biopsy devices on false-negative and underestimation rates in MR-guided, vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) of MRI-only lesions.

Methods: This retrospective, single-center study was IRB-approved. Informed consent was waived.

Endovascular Treatment of Inflammatory Infrarenal Aortic Aneurysms.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate short- and midterm outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair in patients with inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm (IAAA) focusing on changes in perianeurysmal inflammation and hydronephrosis.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed considering data prospectively gathered from 1998 to 2013 in 3 centers. Patient demographics, preoperative clinical characteristics, clinical presentation, preoperative imaging measurements, procedural, and postoperative data were collected.

Radioprotective lightweight caps in the interventional cardiology setting: a randomised controlled trial (PROTECT).

Aims: The aim of this study was to test the radioprotection efficacy and comfort of newer bilayer barium sulphate-bismuth oxide composite (XPF) caps in an interventional cardiology setting.

Methods And Results: Operators were randomly assigned to wear standard fabric (n=59), 0.3 mm (n=74), or 0.

Veins in plaques of multiple sclerosis patients - a longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging study at 7 Tesla.

Objective: To monitor the venous volumes in plaques of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to an age-matched control group over a period of 3.5 years.

Methods: Ten MS patients underwent an annual neurological examination and MRI.

Reliability and accuracy of simple visual estimation in assessment of peripheral arterial stenosis.

Purpose: To evaluate reliability, accuracy, and agreement of simple visual estimation (SVE) in determining the degree of peripheral arterial stenosis compared with calibrated measurements.

Materials And Methods: In 2 sessions, 23 interventionists with a wide range of experience and subspecialty training reviewed 42 angiographic images of lower extremity and carotid arteries (21 iliofemoral arteries and 21 carotid arteries). An independent physician measured all lesions using manual calipers.

TRPC3 contributes to regulation of cardiac contractility and arrhythmogenesis by dynamic interaction with NCX1.

Aim: TRPC3 is a non-selective cation channel, which forms a Ca2+ entry pathway involved in cardiac remodelling. Our aim was to analyse acute electrophysiological and contractile consequences of TRPC3 activation in the heart.

Methods And Results: We used a murine model of cardiac TRPC3 overexpression and a novel TRPC3 agonist, GSK1702934A, to uncover (patho)physiological functions of TRPC3.

Ultrasound-accelerated versus standard catheter-directed thrombolysis in 102 patients with acute and subacute limb ischemia.

Purpose: To compare the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis (UAT) and standard catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) in patients with acute and subacute limb ischemia.

Materials And Methods: Medical records of all patients treated with thrombolysis for acute and subacute limb ischemia between August 2005 and January 2012 were reviewed. Coprimary (increase in ankle-brachial index, degree of lysis) and secondary endpoints (technical success, distal embolization, bleeding complications, need for additional interventions) were assessed.

Enhanced CaEntry and Tyrosine Phosphorylation Mediate Nanostructure-Induced Endothelial Proliferation.

Nanostructured substrates have been recognized to initiate transcriptional programs promoting cell proliferation. Specifically -catenin has been identified as transcriptional regulator, activated by adhesion to nanostructures. We set out to identify processes responsible for nanostructure-induced endothelial -catenin signaling.

Lightweight bilayer barium sulfate-bismuth oxide composite thyroid collars for superior radiation protection in fluoroscopy-guided interventions: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To test whether newer bilayer barium sulfate-bismuth oxide composite (XPF) thyroid collars (TCs) provide superior radiation protection and comfort during fluoroscopy-guided interventions compared with standard 0.5-mm lead-equivalent TCs.

Materials And Methods: Institutional review board approval and written informed consent were obtained for this HIPAA-compliant study, and 144 fluoroscopy-guided vascular interventions were included at one center between October 2011 and July 2012, with up to two operators randomly assigned to wear XPF (n = 135) or standard 0.

Prospective comparison of palpation versus ultrasound-guided radial access for cardiac catheterization.

Background: Radial access is increasingly used for both diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures. Prospective data comparing ultrasound- versus palpation-guided radial catheterization are largely lacking.

Methods: In this prospective, single-center study, a total of 183 consecutive patients scheduled for transradial cardiac catheterization by an experienced interventionalist were assigned 1:1 to either palpation- or ultrasound-guided radial access.

Inhibition of Orai1-mediated Ca(2+) entry is a key mechanism of the antiproliferative action of sirolimus in human arterial smooth muscle.

Sirolimus (rapamycin) is used in drug-eluting stent strategies and proved clearly superior in this application compared with other immunomodulators such as pimecrolimus. The molecular basis of this action of sirolimus in the vascular system is still incompletely understood. Measurements of cell proliferation in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (hCASM) demonstrated a higher antiproliferative activity of sirolimus compared with pimecrolimus.

Magnetic resonance imaging analysis of the spread of local anesthetic solution after ultrasound-guided lateral thoracic paravertebral blockade: a volunteer study.

Background: This study was designed to examine the spread of local anesthetic (LA) via magnetic resonance imaging after a standardized ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral blockade.

Methods: Ten volunteers were enrolled in the study. We performed ultrasound-guided single-shot paravertebral blocks with 20 ml mepivacaine 1% at the thoracic six level at both sides on two consecutive days.

Nanopatterned polymer substrates promote endothelial proliferation by initiation of β-catenin transcriptional signaling.

Control of endothelial phenotype involves a variety of signaling pathways and transcriptional regulators, including the junctional protein β-catenin. This multifunctional signaling molecule is part of adhesion contacts in the endothelium and is able to translocate into the nucleus to activate genetic programs and control proliferation and the fate of the cells. We investigated the influence of laser-generated nanopatterns on polymeric cell culture substrates on endothelial tissue architecture, proliferation and β-catenin signaling.

Vascular bioactivation of nitroglycerin is catalyzed by cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase-2.

Rationale: According to general view, aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) catalyzes the high-affinity pathway of vascular nitroglycerin (GTN) bioactivation in smooth muscle mitochondria. Despite having wide implications to GTN pharmacology and raising many questions that are still unresolved, mitochondrial bioactivation of GTN in blood vessels is still lacking experimental support.

Objective: In the present study, we investigated whether bioactivation of GTN is affected by the subcellular localization of ALDH2 using immortalized ALDH2-deficient aortic smooth muscle cells and mouse aortas with selective overexpression of the enzyme in either cytosol or mitochondria.

[Magnetic resonance tomography-guided interventional procedure for diagnosis of prostate cancer].

In recent years magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been increasingly established in the diagnosis of prostate cancer in addition to transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS). The use of T2-weighted imaging allows an exact delineation of the zonal anatomy of the prostate and its surrounding structures. Other MR imaging tools, such as dynamic contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging or diffusion-weighted imaging allow an inference of the biochemical characteristics (multiparametric MRI).

[Diagnose importance of multiparametric magnetic resonance tomography for prostate cancer].

Prostate cancer is biologically and clinically a heterogeneous disease which makes imaging evaluation challenging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has considerable potential to improve prostate cancer detection and characterization. Until recently morphologic MRI has not been routinely incorporated into clinical care because of its limitation to detect, localize and characterize prostate cancer.