Poor outcomes in methamphetamine-associated cardiomyopathy-a growing health issue in New Zealand.

Background: Methamphetamine-associated cardiomyopathy (MAC) is increasingly recognised as a serious consequence of chronic metamphetamine use. Evidence to guide management and prognostication of patients with MAC compared to other cardiomyopathies remain limited.

Methods: Clinical characteristics, in-hospital and post-discharge outcomes were collected in consecutive MAC patients at Middlemore Hospital from 2006-2018, and compared with a 1:1 age-range matched cohort with non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (NCM).

The effect of a whole heart motion-correction algorithm on CT image quality and measurement reproducibility in Pre-TAVR aortic annulus evaluation.

Background: Motion correction (MC) algorithms have been shown to improve image quality, interpretability and diagnostic accuracy in coronary CT angiography. We sought to determine whether MC extended to the whole heart would demonstrate improved image quality and reproducibility of aortic annular measurements in pre-TAVR CT.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-two consecutive contrast enhanced CT data sets acquired for pre TAVR evaluation using retrospective ECG synchronization during a single heart beat were retrospectively identified.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients with Amphetamine-Associated Cardiomyopathy in South Auckland, New Zealand.

Background: Amphetamine-associated cardiomyopathy (AAC) is becoming an increasingly recognised entity. The characteristics and outcomes of these patients are poorly understood.

Methods: Thirty patients admitted with heart failure and echocardiographic evidence of cardiomyopathy between 2005 and 2014 and who had a documented history of amphetamine abuse that was considered an important factor in the causation of their cardiomyopathy were retrospectively identified.

Management and Long-Term Outcome of Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients Presenting with Heart Failure in a Contemporary New Zealand Cohort (ANZACS-QI 4).

Background: Acute heart failure (HF) associated with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) predicts adverse outcome. There have been important recent improvements in ACS management. Our aim was to describe the management and outcomes in those with and without HF in a contemporary ACS cohort.