Utility of coronary artery calcium in refining 10-year ASCVD risk prediction using a Thai CV risk score.

Background: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scanning is a valuable additional tool for calculating the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events. We aimed to determine if a CAC score could improve performance of a Thai CV risk score in prediction of 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk for asymptomatic patients with CV risk factors.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study that enrolled asymptomatic patients with CV risk factors who underwent CAC scans between 2005 and 2013.

Impact of coronary CT angiography in selection of treatment modalities and subsequent cardiovascular events in Thai patients with stable CAD.

Background: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) enables improved diagnosis of subclinical, coronary artery disease (CAD). This retrospective cohort study investigated the association between different treatment modalities guided by CCTA and the prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with stable CAD.

Methods: From 2005 to 2013, a total of 9338 patients, including both asymptomatic individuals with risk factors and symptomatic patients with suspected CAD, who underwent CCTA were analyzed.

Predictive values of coronary artery calcium and arterial stiffness for long-term cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Background: Subclinical atherosclerosis detected by increased coronary artery calcium (CAC) or arterial stiffness as reflected by cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) has been associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). However, comparative data from these two assessments in the same population are still limited.

Methods: From 2005 to 2013, patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), both asymptomatic and symptomatic who underwent both coronary computed tomography and CAVI were enrolled and followed for occurrence of MACEs (cardiovascular [CV] death, nonfatal myocardial infarction [MI], and nonfatal stroke) until December 2019.

Causal Relationship of Coronary Artery Calcium on Myocardial Infarction and Preventive Effect of Antiplatelet Therapy.

Background: The role of coronary artery calcium score (CACS) to guide antiplatelet therapy in order to prevent myocardial infarction (MI) is still uncertain. This study aimed to find the causal relationship of CACS on MI and preventive effect of antiplatelet therapy.

Methods: From 2005 to 2013, all patients with cardiovascular risk factors or symptoms of suspected CAD underwent coronary computed tomography.

Dialysate Magnesium and Coronary Artery Calcification, Bone Mineral Density, and Cramping in Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Quasi-experimental Study.

Rationale & Objective: Recent evidence suggests a role for magnesium as a calcification inhibitor. Increased magnesium abundance may attenuate vascular calcification and promote bone formation.

Study Design: Parallel-group, 1:1-allocation-ratio, quasi-experimental study.

Effect of Obesity on Left Ventricular Mass: Results from 320 Multi-Slices Computed Tomography.

Objective: To determine effects of obesity and gender on left ventricular mass in normotensive and hypertensive Thai patients using 320-slice cardiac computed tomography (CT).

Material And Method: Left ventricular mass (LVM) obtained from 320-slice coronary CT angiogram was compared in 597 normotensive subjects (175 men [65 obese] and 422 women [133 obese], aged 55±7 years) and 483 hypertensive patients (180 men [104 obese] and 303 women [170 obese], aged 60±7 years). Obesity in Asian population was defined by body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 in both genders.

Arterial stiffness contributes to coronary artery disease risk prediction beyond the traditional risk score (RAMA-EGAT score).

Objectives: The traditional risk score (RAMA-EGAT) has been shown to be an accurate scoring system for predicting coronary artery disease (CAD). Arterial stiffness measured by the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is known to be a marker of atherosclerotic burden. A study was undertaken to determine whether CAVI improves the prediction of CAD beyond the RAMA-EGAT score.

Normal data of left ventricular parameters in non-hypertensive patients using 320-slice cardiac CT: a study on intra- and interobserver variability.

Objective: Delineate normal data in a Thai population for global left ventricular function, left ventricular mass (LVM), and LV mass index (LVMI) by gated volumetric CT angiography (CTA).

Material And Method: Two hundred twenty seven patients with intermediate risk factors for CAD were referred for CT coronary angiography. The non-hypertensive and non-diabetic asymptomatic group was selected with negative coronary CTA.

International reproducibility of single breathhold T2* MR for cardiac and liver iron assessment among five thalassemia centers.

Purpose: To examine the reproducibility of the single breathhold T2* technique from different scanners, after installation of standard methodology in five international centers.

Materials And Methods: Up to 10 patients from each center were scanned twice locally for local interstudy reproducibility of heart and liver T2*, and then flown to a central MR facility to be rescanned on a reference scanner for intercenter reproducibility. Interobserver reproducibility for all scans was also assessed.

Visceral fat and insulin resistance as predictors of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Aim: To examine whether visceral fat is associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), to assess for parameters associated with visceral adiposity and to investigate for factors associated with fibrotic severity in NASH.

Methods: Thirty NASH and 30 control subjects underwent biochemical tests, anthropometric assessment, bioelectrical impedance, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and abdominal fat study by CT scan. Liver biopsies were graded according to the Brunt criteria.

Cardiovascular examination with 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging: first 100 cases at Ramathibodi Hospital.

Background: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has been utilized for diagnosis in various cardiovascular diseases and most of those were performed on a 1.5 Tesla CMR system. Recently, a 3.

Accuracy of sixteen-slice CT scanners in detected coronary artery disease.

Background: The coronary artery disease, now, the incidence is increasing in both developed and developing countries. The investigation is evoluted and non-invasive multislice CT scanners have been used more frequently, although the gold standard is still the coronary angiography.

Objective: To investigate the accuracy in detected coronary artery disease by using 16-slice CT scanners compared to the conventional coronary angiography.

Cardiac CT angiography: comprehensive assessment of patient suspected coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Although coronary angiography is currently a gold standard for diagnosis of coronary artery disease, some patients are of concern regarding small but not negligible risk of complications and discomfort of the procedure. In recent years, cardiac computerized tomographic angiography (CTA) is an attractive non-invasive modality for evaluation of chest pain in patients suspected to have coronary artery disease.