Does the presence of Q waves on the EKG accurately predict prior myocardial infarction when compared to cardiac magnetic resonance using late gadolinium enhancement? A cross-population study of noninfarct vs infarct patients.

Background: We hypothesize that infarct detection by electrocardiogram (EKG) is inaccurate as compared with detection by magnetic resonance imaging and is potentially independent of infarct vs noninfarct status. This might have implications for societies in which initial cardiovascular testing is uniformly EKG.

Objective: This study aimed to relate EKG-defined scar to cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR)-defined scar independent of the underlying myocardial pathology.

Is left ventricular hypertrophy regression important? Does the tool used to detect it matter?

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has been demonstrated to define an adverse cardiovascular prognosis. However, due to poor noninvasive tools in which to accurately define LVH, the clinical manifestations dictate an inexact manner in which to either initiate therapy or to gauge the success of LVH regression. Herein, the authors define the current state of imaging modalities available to interrogate LVH and its regression, but concentrating chiefly on the "gold standard" of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR).

Silent aortic dissection presenting as transient locked-in syndrome.

Acute aortic dissection is a medical emergency. Without prompt recognition and treatment, the mortality rate is high. An atypical presentation makes timely diagnosis difficult, especially if the patient is experiencing no characteristic pain.