Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Coronary Artery Calcification in a Primary Prevention Population.

Objective: To elucidate whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is protective or contributory to coronary artery disease plaque burden.

Patients And Methods: Study participants were working middle-aged men from the Mayo Clinic Executive Health Program who underwent coronary artery calcium (CAC) assessment and exercise treadmill testing for risk stratification. Data from January 1, 1995, through December 31, 2008, were considered.

Coronary microcirculation changes in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy identified by novel perfusion CT.

Intramyocardial microvessels demonstrate functional changes in cardiomyopathies. However, clinical computed tomography (CT) does not have adequate spatial resolution to assess the microvessels. Our hypothesis is that these functional changes manifest as altered heterogeneity of the spatial distribution of arteriolar perfusion territories.

Diagnostic capability of comprehensive handheld vs transthoracic echocardiography.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic capability of handheld echocardiography (HHE) compared with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) performed and evaluated by experienced sonographers and expert echocardiographers.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a prospective study of adult outpatients undergoing comprehensive TTE between July 9, 2012, and April 3, 2013. Experienced sonographers performed a detailed, standardized examination using a handheld ultrasound device that included 2-dimensional and color Doppler images from standard imaging windows.

Weight change after a one-time preventive cardiology clinic visit.

Aim: The effect of a one-time visit to a cardiovascular health clinic (CVHC) on weight change remains unknown. Our study examined the effects of such a visit for subjects undergoing medical and preventive evaluations.

Methods: The study screened 836 subjects with a baseline BMI>25 kg/m2 and a follow-up weight at least 6 months from the initial visit.

Early changes in myocardial microcirculation in asymptomatic hypercholesterolemic subjects: as detected by perfusion CT.

Intramyocardial microvessels show functional changes in early stages of atherosclerosis prior to epicardial coronary artery stenosis. However, clinical CT does not have adequate spatial resolution to resolve the microvessels. To clinically detect changes in the function of the intramyocardial microcirculation, the spatial heterogeneity of the distribution of myocardial perfusion (F) and intramyocardial microcirculatory blood volume (Bv) was determined by perfusion CT.