Mid-term development of the right ventricle in competitive athletes.

Background: Long-term intensive training induces physiological, morphological, and functional adaption of the athlete's heart.

Purpose: To evaluate the development of athlete's heart during a mid-term follow-up of competitive athletes using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).

Material And Methods: Eighteen competitive long-distance runners and triathletes (age 43 ± 13 years, 3 women) were prospectively examined in a longitudinal follow-up study 5.

Clinical use of cardiac PET/MRI: current state-of-the-art and potential future applications.

Combined PET/MRI is a novel imaging method integrating the advances of functional and morphological MR imaging with PET applications that include assessment of myocardial viability, perfusion, metabolism of inflammatory tissue and tumors, as well as amyloid deposition imaging. As such, PET/MRI is a promising tool to detect and characterize ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. To date, the greatest benefit may be expected for diagnostic evaluation of systemic diseases and cardiac masses that remain unclear in cardiac MRI, as well as for clinical and scientific studies in the setting of ischemic cardiomyopathies.

Diagnostic accuracy of low and high tube voltage coronary CT angiography using an X-ray tube potential-tailored contrast medium injection protocol.

Objectives: To compare the diagnostic accuracy between low-kilovolt peak (kVp) (≤ 100) and high-kVp (> 100) third-generation dual-source coronary CT angiography (CCTA) using a kVp-tailored contrast media injection protocol.

Methods: One hundred twenty patients (mean age = 62.6 years, BMI = 29.

Single-Breath-Hold Evaluation of Cardiac Function with Use of Time-Resolved Parallel Cardiac Magnetic Resonance.

Using cardiac magnetic resonance, we tested whether a single-breath-hold approach to cardiac functional evaluation was equivalent to the established multiple-breath-hold method. We examined 39 healthy volunteers (mean age, 31.9 ± 11.

Optimizing Contrast Media Injection Protocols in Computed Tomography Angiography at Different Tube Voltages: Evaluation in a Circulation Phantom.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the minimum iodine delivery rate (IDR) and contrast media (CM) volume required for diagnostic contrast enhancement of 350 HU (Hounsfield units) in the ascending aorta at different kV settings.

Methods: Dynamic computed tomography acquisitions from 70 to 150 kV were performed in a circulation phantom. First, injections with IDR ranging from 0.

Noise-optimized monoenergetic post-processing improves visualization of incidental pulmonary embolism in cancer patients undergoing single-pass dual-energy computed tomography.

Purpose: To evaluate noise-optimized monoenergetic postprocessing of dual-energy CT (DE-CT) on image quality in patients with incidental pulmonary embolism in single-pass portal-venous phase CT (CT).

Materials And Methods: 20 Consecutive patients with incidental pulmonary embolism in contrast-enhanced oncological follow-up DE-CT examination were included in this study. Images were acquired with a 3rd generation DE-CT system in DE mode (100/Sn150 kV) and activated tube current modulation 90 s after contrast agent administration.

Effect of inversion time on the precision of myocardial late gadolinium enhancement quantification evaluated with synthetic inversion recovery MR imaging.

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of inversion time (TI) on the precision of myocardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) quantification using synthetic inversion recovery (IR) imaging in patients with myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: Fifty-three patients with suspected prior MI underwent 1.5-T cardiac MRI with conventional magnitude (MagIR) and phase-sensitive IR (PSIR) LGE imaging and T1 mapping at 15 min post-contrast.

CT angiography for planning transcatheter aortic valve replacement using automated tube voltage selection: Image quality and radiation exposure.

Purpose: To assess image quality and accuracy of CT angiography (CTA) for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) planning performed with 3rd generation dual-source CT (DSCT).

Material And Methods: We evaluated 125 patients who underwent TAVR-planning CTA on 3rd generation DSCT. A two-part protocol was performed including retrospectively ECG-gated coronary CTA (CCTA) and prospectively ECG-triggered aortoiliac CTA using 60mL of contrast medium.

Optimization of window settings for standard and advanced virtual monoenergetic imaging in abdominal dual-energy CT angiography.

Objectives: To determine the optimal window setting for displaying virtual monoenergetic reconstructions of third generation dual-source, dual-energy CT (DECT) angiography of the abdomen.

Methods: Forty-five patients were evaluated with DECT angiography (90/150 kV, 180/90 ref. mAs).

T(Rho) and magnetization transfer and INvErsion recovery (TRAMINER)-prepared imaging: A novel contrast-enhanced flow-independent dark-blood technique for the evaluation of myocardial late gadolinium enhancement in patients with myocardial infarction.

Purpose: To evaluate a new dark-blood late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) technique called "T(Rho) And Magnetization transfer and INvErsion Recovery" (TRAMINER) for the ability to detect myocardial LGE versus standard "bright-blood" inversion recovery (SIR) imaging.

Materials And Methods: This Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant prospective study included 40 patients (62 ± 14 years [mean ± standard deviation (SD)], 29 males) with suspected myocardial infarction (MI) referred for the assessment of myocardial viability. The patients underwent a 1.

Diagnostic accuracy of coronary CT angiography using 3-generation dual-source CT and automated tube voltage selection: Clinical application in a non-obese and obese patient population.

Purpose: To investigate diagnostic accuracy of 3-generation dual-source CT (DSCT) coronary angiography in obese and non-obese patients.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 76 patients who underwent coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and invasive coronary angiography. Prospectively ECG-triggered acquisition was performed with automated tube voltage selection (ATVS).

Correction Factors for CT Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring Using Advanced Modeled Iterative Reconstruction Instead of Filtered Back Projection.

Rationale And Objectives: Iterative reconstruction (IR) computed tomography (CT) techniques allow for radiation dose reduction while maintaining image quality. However, CT coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores may be influenced by certain IR algorithms. The aim of our study is to identify suitable correction factors to ensure consistency between IR and filtered back projection (FBP)-based CAC scoring.

Low contrast medium-volume third-generation dual-source computed tomography angiography for transcatheter aortic valve replacement planning.

Purpose: To investigate feasibility, image quality and safety of low-tube-voltage, low-contrast-volume comprehensive cardiac and aortoiliac CT angiography (CTA) for planning transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Materials And Methods: Forty consecutive TAVR candidates prospectively underwent combined CTA of the aortic root and vascular access route (270 mgI/ml iodixanol). Patients were assigned to group A (second-generation dual-source CT [DSCT], 100 kV, 60 ml contrast, 4.

Effect of Noise-Optimized Monoenergetic Postprocessing on Diagnostic Accuracy for Detecting Incidental Pulmonary Embolism in Portal-Venous Phase Dual-Energy Computed Tomography.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of virtual monoenergetic images (MEI+) at low kiloelectronvolt levels for the detection of incidental pulmonary embolism (PE) in oncological follow-up portal-venous phase dual-energy (DE-CTpv) staging.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-six patients with incidental PE in DE-CTpv staging, which was confirmed by computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), were included in this study. In addition, 26 matched control patients who were negative for PE in both DE-CTpv and CTPA were included.

Detection of pulmonary fat embolism with dual-energy CT: an experimental study in rabbits.

Objectives: To evaluate the use of dual-energy CT imaging of the lung perfused blood volume (PBV) for the detection of pulmonary fat embolism (PFE).

Methods: Dual-energy CT was performed in 24 rabbits before and 1 hour, 1 day, 4 days and 7 days after artificial induction of PFE via the right ear vein. CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and lung PBV images were evaluated by two radiologists, who recorded the presence, number, and location of PFE on a per-lobe basis.

Dynamic CT myocardial perfusion imaging.

Non-invasive cardiac imaging has rapidly evolved during the last decade due to advancements in CT based technologies. Coronary CT angiography has been shown to reliably assess coronary anatomy and detect high risk coronary artery disease. However, this technique is limited to anatomical assessment, thus non-invasive techniques for functional assessment of the heart are necessary.

Single- and dual-energy CT of the abdomen: comparison of radiation dose and image quality of 2nd and 3rd generation dual-source CT.

Objectives: To compare single-energy (SECT) and dual-energy (DECT) abdominal CT examinations in matched patient cohorts regarding differences in radiation dose and image quality performed with second- and third-generation dual-source CT (DSCT).

Methods: We retrospectively analysed 200 patients (100 male, 100 female; mean age 61.2 ± 13.

Effect of automated tube voltage selection, integrated circuit detector and advanced iterative reconstruction on radiation dose and image quality of 3rd generation dual-source aortic CT angiography: An intra-individual comparison.

Purpose: To compare, on an intra-individual basis, the effect of automated tube voltage selection (ATVS), integrated circuit detector and advanced iterative reconstruction on radiation dose and image quality of aortic CTA studies using 2nd and 3rd generation dual-source CT (DSCT).

Material And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 32 patients who had undergone CTA of the entire aorta with both 2nd generation DSCT at 120kV using filtered back projection (FBP) (protocol 1) and 3rd generation DSCT using ATVS, an integrated circuit detector and advanced iterative reconstruction (protocol 2). Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated.

Coronary CT angiography derived morphological and functional quantitative plaque markers correlated with invasive fractional flow reserve for detecting hemodynamically significant stenosis.

Objective: Compare morphological and functional coronary plaque markers derived from coronary CT angiography (CCTA) for their ability to detect lesion-specific ischemia.

Materials And Methods: Data of patients who had undergone both dual-source CCTA and invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement within 3 months were retrospectively analyzed. Various quantitative stenosis markers were derived from CCTA: Corrected coronary opacification (CCO), transluminal attenuation gradient (TAG), remodeling index (RI), computational FFR (cFFR), lesion length (LL), vessel volume (VV), total plaque volume (TPV), and calcified and non-calcified plaque volume (CPV and NCPV).

A noise-optimized virtual monochromatic reconstruction algorithm improves stent visualization and diagnostic accuracy for detection of in-stent re-stenosis in lower extremity run-off CT angiography.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of noise-optimized virtual monochromatic imaging (VMI+) on stent visualization and accuracy for in-stent re-stenosis at lower extremity dual-energy CT angiography (DE-CTA).

Material And Methods: We evaluated third-generation dual-source DE-CTA studies in 31 patients with prior stent placement. Images were reconstructed with linear blending (F_0.

Automated tube voltage selection for radiation dose and contrast medium reduction at coronary CT angiography using 3(rd) generation dual-source CT.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between automated tube voltage selection (ATVS) and body mass index (BMI) and its effect on image quality and radiation dose of coronary CT angiography (CCTA).

Methods: We evaluated 272 patients who underwent CCTA with 3(rd) generation dual-source CT (DSCT). Prospectively ECG-triggered spiral acquisition was performed with automated tube current selection and advanced iterative reconstruction.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: Comparison of dual-energy computed tomography and single photon emission computed tomography in canines.

Purpose: To compare diagnostic accuracy between dual-energy CT lung perfused blood volume (Lung PBV) imaging and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in detecting chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) with histopathological results as reference standard in a canine model.

Materials And Methods: Eighteen CTEPH canines were included into this experimental study. All procedures including paracentesis, embolization, scanning, pressure measurement and feeding medicine were repeated each two weeks, until systolic/diastolic pressure in canines was ≥ 30/15 mm Hg or mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥ 20 mm Hg, and then sacrificed for histopathology examination.

Vascular Imaging Before Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): Why and How?

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become an alternative to surgical intervention for symptomatic or severe aortic valve stenosis in patients with high surgical risk. Successful TAVR requires a multimodality imaging approach for appropriate patient selection and prosthesis sizing. Here, we describe individual imaging modalities and report their respective roles in this emerging field.

Coronary CT angiography in obese patients using 3(rd) generation dual-source CT: effect of body mass index on image quality.

Objectives: To evaluate the image quality of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) in obese patients using a 3(rd) generation, dual-source CT scanner.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 102 overweight and obese patients who had undergone CCTA. Studies were performed with 3(rd) generation dual-source CT, prospectively ECG-triggered acquisition at 120 kV, and automated tube current modulation.