Radiolabeled WBC scintigraphy in the diagnostic workup of patients with suspected device-related infections.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of (99m)Tc-hexamethypropylene amine oxime labeled autologous white blood cell ((99m)Tc-HMPAO-WBC) scintigraphy in patients with suspected infections associated with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs).

Background: Early, definite recognition of CIED-related infections combined with accurate localization and quantification of disease burden is a prerequisite for optimal treatment strategies.

Methods: All 63 consecutive patients underwent clinical examination, blood chemistry, microbiology, and echography of the cardiac region/venous pathway of the device.

Ultrasound assessment of the force-frequency relationship from the law of conservation of momentum in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

Measurement of force-frequency relationship (FFR) is useful in the evaluation of heart rate-dependent contractile dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new Doppler-derived method for assessing FFR. Doppler velocity spectra at the left ventricular (LV) outflow tract was used to estimate mean blood flow velocity (mBFV), ejection time (ET) and velocity-time integral.

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of adult patients with congenital heart disease in Tuscany.

Aims: The clinical features of the adult population with congenital heart disease (CHD) are still not well characterized, particularly in the subset with more severe lesions. We report the data collected in the National Association of Hospital Cardiologists Toscana grown-up CHD (GUCH) registry over its first 8-month enrolment period.

Methods: The Registry included consecutive patients aged more than 16 years with a documented diagnosis of CHD, enrolled in seven different Tuscan hospitals using a web-based electronic form.

Added value of 99mTc-HMPAO-labeled leukocyte SPECT/CT in the characterization and management of patients with infectious endocarditis.

Unlabelled: The clinical performance of the Duke Endocarditis Service criteria to establish the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis (IE) can be improved through functional imaging procedures such as radiolabeled leukocytes ((99m)Tc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime [HMPAO]-labeled white blood cells [WBC]).

Methods: We assessed the value of (99m)Tc-HMPAO-WBC scintigraphy including SPECT/CT acquisitions in a series of 131 consecutive patients with suspected IE. Patients with permanent cardiac devices were excluded.

Peak power output to left ventricular mass: an index to predict ventricular pumping performance and morbidity in advanced heart failure.

Background: Similar to power-to-weight ratio and weight-to-power ratio, which are measurements of the actual performance of any engine, the ratios of peak power output to left ventricular (LV) mass (peak power/mass) and of peak LV mass to power output (peak mass/power) are indices of LV performance potentially useful in heart failure (HF). This Doppler echocardiographic study was designed to evaluate peak power/mass and peak mass/power in patients with advanced HF compared with healthy subjects and to assess their prognostic value.

Methods: Power output was measured at rest and at peak exercise in 75 subjects, 60 patients with advanced HF (LV ejection fraction ≤ 35%) and 15 controls.