Toward quantitative fast diffusion kurtosis imaging with b-values chosen in consideration of signal-to-noise ratio and model fidelity.

Purpose: Diffusion kurtosis (DK) imaging is a variant of conventional diffusion magnetic resonance (MR) imaging that allows assessment of non-Gaussian diffusion. Fast DK imaging expedites the procedure by decreasing both scan time (acquiring the minimally required number of b-values) and computation time (obviating least-square curve fitting). This study aimed to investigate the applicability of fast DK imaging for both cerebral gray matter and white matter as a quantitative method.

Positive Captopril Renography Without Renal Artery Stenosis but a Renal Cell Carcinoma.

A positive captopril renography indicates that patient's hypertension is renin dependent, most commonly caused by renal artery stenosis. The authors reported a case of positive captopril renography; however, CT demonstrated that renal arteries were intact, but there was a huge chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. Renin-dependent hypertension was relieved soon after nephrectomy.

Alterations of cerebral perfusion in asymptomatic internal carotid artery steno-occlusive disease.

Patients with asymptomatic occlusion in the internal carotid arteries (ICA) have been shown to have a better preserved hemodynamic status of the brain as compared to patients with symptoms. This study was aimed to explore the cerebral perfusion alterations in asymptomatic patients using multi-parametric arterial spin-labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Forty-two patients diagnosed with asymptomatic ICA stenosis/occlusion were prospectively included and divided into high-grade (ultrasonographic stenosis ≥70%, N = 20) and low-grade groups (N = 22).

Aortic stiffness and interstitial myocardial fibrosis by native T1 are independently associated with left ventricular remodeling in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Increased aortic stiffness is related to increased ventricular stiffness and remodeling. Myocardial fibrosis is the pathophysiological hallmark of failing heart. We investigated the relationship between noninvasive imaging markers of myocardial fibrosis, native T1, and late gadolinium enhancement, respectively, and aortic stiffness in ventricular remodeling.

Contrast-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging of coronary vessel wall: state of art.

Coronary wall imaging by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) emerges as a promising method to detect vascular injury and remodeling directly within the coronary vascular wall. In this review, the current evidence on coronary wall enhancement using CMR is presented and summarized, with particular focus on its ability to detect inflammation in atherosclerosis, Takayasu's arteritis, acute coronary syndromes and immune-mediated inflammatory vasculitides. The authors review the possible mechanisms of coronary wall contrast enhancement on CMR and discuss the technical considerations and limitations.

Frequency and risk factors associated with atherosclerotic plaques in patients with a zero coronary artery calcium score.

Background: Analysis of the coronary artery calcium levels usually provides important information that can be used in patient prognosis and stratification of treatment when coronary artery disease is suspected. However, plaques, with or without significant stenosis, have been reported in patients without coronary artery calcium. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and risk factors of the development of coronary artery plaques in individuals with a zero calcium score.

Myocardial bridging in Taiwanese: noninvasive assessment by 64-detector row coronary computed tomographic angiography.

Background: Myocardial bridging (MB) is a congenital structural variant in which a segment of the epicardial coronary artery tunnels into and is surrounded by the myocardium. MB has been correlated to some clinical complications of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The depiction rate of MB varies significantly between catheter coronary angiography and autopsy studies.