Sixty-Four-Section Cardiac Computed Tomography in Mechanical Prosthetic Heart Valve Dysfunction: Thrombus or Pannus.

Background: Distinguishing pannus and thrombus in patients with prosthetic valve dysfunction is essential for the selection of proper treatment. We have investigated the utility of 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in distinguishing between pannus and thrombus, the latter amenable to thrombolysis.

Methods And Results: Sixty-two (23 men, mean age 44±14 years) patients with suspected mechanical prosthetic valve dysfunction assessed by transesophageal echocardiography were included in this prospective observational trial.

Acute myocardial infarction during thrombolysis of mechanical aortic valve thrombosis associated with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

We report a case of a 60-year-old man with obstructive aortic prosthetic valve thrombosis (APVT). He was treated with low-dose (25 mg) slow infusion (6 hours) of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), and he suffered acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI) at the fourth hour of t-PA infusion. Infusion was kept on, and coronary reperfusion and successful lysis of APVT were achieved.

Mechanical mitral valve thrombosis and giant left atrial thrombus: comparison of transesophageal echocardiography and 64-slice multidetector computed tomography.

We report on the use of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the diagnosis of prosthetic heart valve thrombosis and a giant left atrial (LA) thrombus extending into the LA appendage (LAA), in comparison with findings of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). A 52-year-old woman with an eight-year history of mechanical mitral valve (MMV) replacement presented with progressive dyspnea. The electrocardiogram (ECG) showed atrial fibrillation.

Evaluation of myocardial bridges with 64-slice computed tomography coronary angiography.

Objective: The aim of this study is to report the characteristics of myocardial bridging (MB) using 64-slice computed tomography and to demonstrate the association between atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) and MB.

Methods And Results: In 990 consecutive patients who underwent multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) coronary angiography for suspected or known coronary artery disease, myocardial bridge evaluation was performed with axial, curved multiplanar reconstruction and three-dimensional volume-rendered images. 265 bridged segments were identified in 223 (22.

Prevalence of coronary artery disease in low to moderate-risk asymptomatic women: a multislice computed tomography study.

Objectives: Traditional risk factors may underestimate the burden of subclinical atherosclerosis in women. Recently, multislice computed tomography (MSCT) has become widely available in detecting early coronary artery disease (CAD). We sought the prevalence of CAD in low to moderate-risk asymptomatic women by MSCT coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring and coronary angiography.

Prevalence of left main coronary artery disease among patients referred to multislice computed tomography coronary examinations.

We have evaluated the prevalence of left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) among patients referred to multislice computed tomography (MSCT) coronary angiography examinations. The study Group comprised of 1,000 consecutive patients (750 male and 250 female; mean age 53+/-12 years) who underwent successful 64-slice MSCT examinations. Left main coronary artery (LMCA) was classified into three Groups: normal LMCA; nonsignificant LMCAD with coronary plaques resulting in obstructions 50%.

Diagnostic performance of 64-slice computed tomography coronary angiography to detect significant coronary artery stenosis.

Objective: We aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) to detect significant coronary artery stenosis with comparison to conventional coronary angiography (CCA).

Methods: In 100 patients (70 men, average age 58 +/- 10 years and age range 31-75 years) scheduled to have conventional coronary angiography, MSCT was performed before catheterization (within 2 months). All patients were in sinus rhythm, able to hold breath for 15 seconds, and had serum creatinine levels < 1.

Safety and efficacy of patient preparation with intravenous esmolol before 64-slice computed tomography coronary angiography.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of heart rate reduction by intravenous esmolol in patients who are assigned for coronary angiography with 64-slice computed tomography (CT).

Methods: Five hundred consecutive patients were prospectively analyzed. Patients with an initial heart rate less than 65 beats per minute (bpm) did not receive esmolol.