Association of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Coronary Calcium Burden with Epicardial Adipose Tissue Volume Obtained from PET-CT Imaging in Oncological Patients.

Whole-body positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) imaging performed for oncological purposes may provide additional parameters such as the coronary artery calcium (CAC) and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume with cost-effective prognostic information in asymptomatic people beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors. We evaluated the feasibility of measuring the CAC score and EAT volume in cancer patients without known coronary artery disease (CAD) referred to whole-body F-FDG PET-CT imaging, regardless of the main clinical problem. We also investigated the potential relationships between traditional cardiovascular risk factors and CAC with EAT volume.

Cardiovascular risk factors and development of nomograms in an Italian cohort of patients with suspected coronary artery disease undergoing SPECT or PET stress myocardial perfusion imaging.

Introduction: Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) are non-invasive nuclear medicine techniques that can identify areas of abnormal myocardial perfusion. We assessed the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing SPECT or PET stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Based on significant risk factors associated with an abnormal MPI, we developed a nomogram for each cohort as a pretest that would be helpful in decision-making for clinicians.

Radiomics for the identification of extraprostatic extension with prostate MRI: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Extraprostatic extension (EPE) of prostate cancer (PCa) is predicted using clinical nomograms. Incorporating MRI could represent a leap forward, although poor sensitivity and standardization represent unsolved issues. MRI radiomics has been proposed for EPE prediction.

Age-Specific Cardiovascular Risk Factors for Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Patients Undergoing Myocardial Perfusion Imaging.

Background: The prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors shows different age-specific patterns. It is not known whether the prognostic impact of risk factors is similarly age-specific. We evaluated the profiles of cardiovascular risk factors and their prognostic impact on coronary artery disease (CAD) in relation to age.

Pancreatic cancer detection with a non-contrast MR protocol: is it reliable?

Purpose: The pancreatic cancer (PC) is the 4th leading cancer-related death, becoming the second one by 2030, with a 5 year survival rate of 8%. Considering its increased incidence in high-risk categories compared to the general population, we aimed to validate a non-contrast MR protocol, to detect PC in its earliest phase, which could be suitable as a screening tool in high-risk patients.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study, we selected 200 patients (> 40 years) from our radiological database, which performed upper abdominal MRI between 2012 and 2017.

Prognostic value of myocardial perfusion imaging by cadmium zinc telluride single-photon emission computed tomography in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Aim of this study was to define the prognostic value of stress myocardial perfusion imaging by cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for prediction of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods And Results: Studies published until November 2022 were identified by database search. We included studies using stress myocardial perfusion imaging by CZT-SPECT to evaluate subjects with known or suspected CAD and providing primary data of adverse cardiovascular events.

Prevalence of cancer therapy cardiotoxicity as assessed by imaging procedures: A scoping review.

Background: Advances in treatment and optimization of chemotherapy protocols have greatly improved survival in cancer patients. Unfortunately, treatment can cause a reduction in left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) leading to cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). We conducted a scoping review of published literature in order to identify and summarize the reported prevalence of cardiotoxicity evaluated by noninvasive imaging procedures in a wide-ranging of patients referred to cancer treatment as chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

External validation and update of the J-ACCESS model in an Italian cohort of patients undergoing stress myocardial perfusion imaging.

Background: Cardiovascular risk models are based on traditional risk factors and investigations such as imaging tests. External validation is important to determine reproducibility and generalizability of a prediction model. We performed an external validation of t the Japanese Assessment of Cardiac Events and Survival Study by Quantitative Gated SPECT (J-ACCESS) model, developed from a cohort of patients undergoing stress myocardial perfusion imaging.

Prediction of outcome by Rb PET/CT in patients with ischemia and nonobstructive coronary arteries.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic value of cardiac Rb positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) imaging in patients with myocardial ischemia of nonobstructive coronary arteries (INOCA).

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 311 INOCA patients who underwent rest stress Rb PET/CT. Cardiac end points were cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or late coronary revascularization.

Regional myocardial perfusion imaging in predicting vessel-related outcome: interplay between the perfusion results and angiographic findings.

Background: Despite myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) by cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) camera is largely used in the diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD), no data are available on the prognostic value of a regional MPI evaluation. We evaluated the prognostic value of regional MPI by the CZT camera in predicting clinical outcomes at the vessel level in patients with available angiographic data.

Methods And Results: Five hundred and forty-one subjects with suspected or known CAD referred to 99mTc-sestamibi gated CZT-SPECT cardiac imaging and with available angiographic data were studied.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance native T1 mapping in Anderson-Fabry disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: T1 mapping is an established cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) technique that can characterize myocardial tissue. We aimed to determine the weighted mean native T1 values of Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) patients and the standardized mean differences (SMD) as compared to healthy control subjects.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases was conducted according to the PRISMA statement to retrieve original studies reporting myocardial native T1 values in AFD patients and healthy controls.

Simultaneous assessment of myocardial perfusion and adrenergic innervation in patients with heart failure by low-dose dual-isotope CZT SPECT imaging.

Background: In patients with heart failure (HF) sequential imaging studies have demonstrated a relationship between myocardial perfusion and adrenergic innervation. We evaluated the feasibility of a simultaneous low-dose dual-isotope I/Tc-acquisition protocol using a cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) camera.

Methods And Results: Thirty-six patients with HF underwent simultaneous low-dose I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG)/Tc-sestamibi gated CZT-SPECT cardiac imaging.

A Comparison among Different Machine Learning Pretest Approaches to Predict Stress-Induced Ischemia at PET/CT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging.

Traditional approach for predicting coronary artery disease (CAD) is based on demographic data, symptoms such as chest pain and dyspnea, and comorbidity related to cardiovascular diseases. Usually, these variables are analyzed by logistic regression to quantifying their relationship with the outcome; nevertheless, their predictive value is limited. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the value of different machine learning (ML) techniques for the evaluation of suspected CAD; having as gold standard, the presence of stress-induced ischemia by Rb positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) ML was chosen on their clinical use and on the fact that they are representative of different classes of algorithms, such as deterministic (Support vector machine and Naïve Bayes), adaptive (ADA and AdaBoost), and decision tree (Random Forest, rpart, and XGBoost).

Risk of primary breast cancer in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer undergoing radioactive iodine therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Although it has been proven that radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment is an effective and well-tolerated procedure in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), there is still some concern regarding the risk of developing a second primary malignancy after RAI administration. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the risk of primary breast cancer in patients with DTC undergoing RAI therapy.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted according to the PRISMA statement.

External validation of the CRAX2MACE model in an Italian cohort of patients with suspected coronary artery disease undergoing stress myocardial perfusion imaging.

Background: Prevention and development of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques reduced morbidity and mortality for coronary artery disease (CAD). In this context, the cardiovascular risk assessment for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 2-year (CRAX2MACE) model for prediction of 2-year major adverse cardiac events was developed. We performed an external validation of this model.

Comparing the Prognostic Value of Stress Myocardial Perfusion Imaging by Conventional and Cadmium-Zinc Telluride Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography through a Machine Learning Approach.

We compared the prognostic value of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) by conventional- (C-) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and cadmium-zinc-telluride- (CZT-) SPECT in a cohort of patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD) using machine learning (ML) algorithms. A total of 453 consecutive patients underwent stress MPI by both C-SPECT and CZT-SPECT. The outcome was a composite end point of all-cause death, cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization procedures whichever occurred first.

Effect of changes in perfusion defect size during serial stress myocardial perfusion imaging on cardiovascular outcomes in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention after myocardial infarction.

Background: We evaluated the prognostic value of changes in perfusion defect size (PDS) on serial MPS in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: We enrolled 112 patients treated with primary PCI after AMI who underwent two stress MPS within 1 month and after 6 months. Improvement in PDS was defined as a reduction ≥5%.

Prognostic value of heart rate reserve in patients with suspected coronary artery disease undergoing stress myocardial perfusion imaging.

Background: Chronotropic incompetence is common in patients with cardiovascular disease and is associated with increased risk of adverse events. We assessed the incremental prognostic value of heart rate reserve (HRR) over stress myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (MPS) findings in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: We studied 866 patients with suspected CAD undergoing exercise stress-MPS as part of their diagnostic program.

Ablation rate after radioactive iodine therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer at intermediate or high risk of recurrence: a systematic review and a meta-analysis.

Purpose: We performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis to investigate the successful ablation rate after radioiodine (RAI) administration in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) at intermediate-high risk of recurrence.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted according to the PRISMA statement.

Results: The final analysis included 9 studies accounting for 3103 patients at intermediate-high risk of recurrence.

Meningioma MRI radiomics and machine learning: systematic review, quality score assessment, and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To systematically review and evaluate the methodological quality of studies using radiomics for diagnostic and predictive purposes in patients with intracranial meningioma. To perform a meta-analysis of machine learning studies for the prediction of intracranial meningioma grading from pre-operative brain MRI.

Methods: Articles published from the year 2000 on radiomics and machine learning applications in brain imaging of meningioma patients were included.

Risk of appendiceal neoplasm after interval appendectomy for complicated appendicitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Non-operative management is often the treatment of choice in cases of complicated appendicitis and routine interval appendectomy is not usually recommended. Actually, recent studies show an alarming number of appendiceal neoplasms following interval appendectomy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of appendiceal neoplasms and their histological types after interval appendectomy for complicated appendicitis in adults.

Prognostic value of coronary vascular dysfunction assessed by rubidium-82 PET/CT imaging in patients with resistant hypertension without overt coronary artery disease.

Purpose: The identification of coronary vascular dysfunction may enhance risk stratification in patients with resistant hypertension (RH). We evaluated if impaired coronary vascular function, assessed by rubidium-82 (Rb) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging, is associated with increased cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension without overt coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: We studied 517 hypertensive subjects, 26% with RH, without overt CAD, and with normal stress-rest myocardial perfusion imaging at Rb PET/CT.