Association of aortic valve size with the degree of aortic valve calcification in severe high-gradient aortic stenosis.

Aims: Less pronounced calcification of the aortic valve (AVC) was observed in women with aortic stenosis (AS) as compared to men. Since women have smaller aortic valves (AV), this could explain a lower calcium load. We aimed to analyze the association of AV size with AVC independent from sex.

Left Atrial Appendage Closure in Atrial Fibrillation Patients with Cancer.

: There are limited data about left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) in patients with cancer. We therefore sought to compare the outcome after LAAC in patients with vs. without cancer in a multicentre registry.

The impact of concomitant chronic total occlusion on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a large single-center analysis.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common finding in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, the impact on prognosis of chronic total occlusions (CTOs), a drastic expression of CAD, remains unclear.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively reviewed 1,487 consecutive TAVR cases performed at a single tertiary care medical center.

[Efficacy of internet-based interventions for depression available in Germany-A systematic review and meta-analysis].

Background: Internet-based interventions (IBIs) for the treatment of depression have been found to have positive effects in international meta-analyses; however, it is unclear whether these effects also extend to IBIs specifically available in Germany. The aim of this meta-analysis was to estimate the immediate effects and the long-term effects of IBIs available in Germany free of charge or available on prescription and covered by the public health insurances as so-called digital health applications (DiGAs) and to compare the efficacy of DiGAs and freely available IBIs.

Method: A systematic literature search and random-effects meta-analysis were performed (preregistration: INPLASY202250070).

Emergency transvenous temporary pacing during rotational atherectomy.

Background: Rotational atherectomy (RA) during percutaneous coronary intervention may cause transient bradycardia or a higher-degree heart block. Traditionally, some operators use prophylactic transvenous pacing wire (TPW) to avoid haemodynamic complications associated with bradycardia.

Objective: We sought to establish the frequency of bail-out need for emergency TPW insertion in patients undergoing RA that have received no upfront TPW insertion.

The impact of chronic total occlusions in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is frequently encountered in patients evaluated for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) due to severe aortic stenosis. The prognostic relevance of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) in this setting is poorly understood. We conducted a search of MEDLINE and EMBASE to identify studies evaluating patients who underwent TAVR and evaluated outcomes depending on the presence of coronary CTOs.

Not to Rush-Laboratory Parameters and Procedural Complications in Patients Undergoing Left Atrial Appendage Closure.

Background: As a preventive procedure, minimizing periprocedural risk is crucially important during left atrial appendage closure (LAAC). Methods: We included consecutive patients receiving LAAC at nine centres and assessed the relationship between baseline characteristics and the acute procedural outcome. Major procedural complications were defined as all complications requiring immediate invasive intervention or causing irreversible damage.

Unveiling Cardiac Amyloidosis, its Characteristics, and Outcomes Among Patients With MR Undergoing Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge MV Repair.

Background: Mitral regurgitation (MR) and cardiac amyloidosis (CA) both primarily affect older patients. Data on coexistence and prognostic implications of MR and CA are currently lacking.

Objectives: This study sought to identify the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of MR CA compared with lone MR.

The Swiss Approach - feasibility of a national low-dose CT lung cancer screening program.

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Switzerland. Despite this, there is no lung cancer screening program in the country. In the United States, low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening is partially established and endorsed by guidelines.

Long-Term Technical Performance of the Osypka QT-5 Ventricular Pacemaker Lead.

Background: Lead-associated complications and technical issues in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices are common but underreported in the literature.

Methods: All patients undergoing implantation of the Osypka QT-5 ventricular lead at the University Clinic St. Pölten between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed ( = 211).

Indications and Outcome in Patients Undergoing Left Atrial Appendage Closure-The Austrian LAAC Registry.

Background: Complete real-world data on the indications and outcomes of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) outside of clinical trials are rare. In this study, we stratified patients undergoing LAAC by indication groups.

Methods: This analysis of the national multicentre Austrian LAAC Registry comprised all patients that underwent LAAC up until 2018 at the currently active centres in Austria.

Impact of On-Site Cardiac Surgery on Clinical Outcomes After Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Objectives: This study sought to investigate the outcome of high-risk and inoperable patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis undergoing transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in hospitals with (iOSCS) versus without institutional on-site cardiac surgery (no-iOSCS).

Background: Current guidelines recommend the use of TAVR only in institutions with a department for cardiac surgery on site.

Methods: In this analysis of the prospective multicenter Austrian TAVI registry, 1,822 consecutive high-risk patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis undergoing transfemoral TAVR were evaluated.

Evaluation of OMNIgene•SPUTUM reagent for mycobacterial culture.

Setting: National Mycobacterium Reference Laboratory, Borstel, Germany.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of OMNIgene®•SPUTUM (OM-S) reagent in comparison with a method using N-acetyl-L-cysteine-sodium hydroxide (NALC-NaOH) with regard to mycobacterial recovery and contamination of broth and solid cultures.

Design: Sputum samples from patients with tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases underwent decontamination with NALC-NaOH-based (MycoDDR™) or OM-S reagent.

Using the American College of Radiology Dose Index Registry to Evaluate Practice Patterns and Radiation Dose Estimates of Pediatric Body CT.

Objective: Imaging registries afford opportunities to study large, heterogeneous populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the American College of Radiology CT Dose Index Registry (DIR) for dose-related demographics and metrics of common pediatric body CT examinations.

Materials And Methods: Single-phase CT examinations of the abdomen and pelvis and chest submitted to the DIR over a 5-year period (July 2011-June 2016) were evaluated (head CT frequency was also collected).

Clinical perspective on diagnostic X-ray examinations of pregnant patients - What to take into account.

Imaging during pregnancy has increased in frequency. Radiation protection is extremely important although tissue reactions of the conceptus, requiring a threshold dose of around 100mGy, are unlikely in the diagnostic use of X-rays and stochastic effects of cancerogenesis have a rather low risk (around 10/mGy for childhood cancer due to in utero exposure). This article will review the risk depending on dose and phase of pregnancy and the exposure by frequent examinations; it will then concentrate on the duties of an imaging department: screening for pregnancy, examination justification, planning and optimization, patient information, counseling, involving the patient in the decisions, and managing the situation of pregnant staff members.

Incident air kerma to absorbed organ dose conversion factors for breast and lung in PA thorax radiography: The effect of patient thickness and radiation quality.

Purpose: Converting the measurable quantities to patient organ doses in projection radiography is usually based on a standard-sized patient model and a specific radiation quality, which are likely to differ from the real situation. Large inaccuracies can therefore be obtained in organ doses, because organ doses are dependent on the exposure parameters, exposure geometry and patient anatomy. In this study, the effect of radiation quality and patient thickness on the organ dose conversion factors were determined.

Outcome after Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Depends on Age in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease - An Analysis of Relative Survival in a Multicenter Cohort and an OCT Substudy.

Background: Age is a strong predictor of survival in patients with coronary artery disease. In elder patients with increasing co-morbidities percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with more complications and worse outcome. The calculation of relative survival rates adjusts for the "background" mortality in the general population by correcting for age and gender.

Exaggerated hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction without susceptibility to high altitude pulmonary edema.

Background: Abnormally high pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in hypoxia due to exaggerated hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) is a key factor for development of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). It was shown that about 10% of a healthy Caucasian population has an exaggerated HPV that is comparable to the response measured in HAPE-susceptible individuals. Therefore, we hypothesized that those with exaggerated HPV are HAPE-susceptible.

Prospective randomised comparison of diagnostic confidence and image quality with normal-dose and low-dose CT pulmonary angiography at various body weights.

Objectives: To find a threshold body weight (BW) below 100 kg above which computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) using reduced radiation and a reduced contrast material (CM) dose provides significantly impaired quality and diagnostic confidence compared with standard-dose CTPA.

Methods: In this prospectively randomised study of 501 patients with suspected pulmonary embolism and BW <100 kg, 246 were allocated into the low-dose group (80 kVp, 75 ml CM) and 255 into the normal-dose group (100 kVp, 100 ml CM). Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in the pulmonary trunk was calculated.

Proceedings from the first Global Summit on Radiological Quality and Safety.

The ACR, the European Society of Radiology, and the International Society of Radiology held the first joint Global Summit on Radiological Quality and Safety in May 2013. The program was divided into 3 day-long themes: appropriateness of imaging, radiation protection/infrastructure, and quality and safety. Participants came from global organizations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Health Organization, and other institutions; industry and patient advocacy groups with an interest in imaging were also represented.

Diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography pulmonary angiography with reduced radiation and contrast material dose: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

Objective: The objective of the study was to test the diagnostic performance of low-dose computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) at peak tube voltage of 80 kVp with both reduced radiation and reduced contrast material (CM) dose.

Materials And Methods: In this single-center, single-blinded prospective randomized trial, 501 patients with body weights of less than 100 kg with suspected acute pulmonary embolism (PE) were assigned to normal-dose CTPA (100-kVp tube energy and 100-mL CM, 255 patients) and low-dose CTPA (80-kVp tube energy and 75-mL CM, 246 patients). Primary end points were evidence of PE in CTPA and accuracy of CTPA on a composite reference standard.

Acute abdominal and pelvic pain in pregnancy: ESUR recommendations.

Acute abdominal pain in pregnancy presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Standard imaging techniques need to be adapted to reduce harm to the fetus from X-rays due to their teratogenic and carcinogenic potential. Ultrasound remains the primary imaging investigation of the pregnant abdomen.