Dose-dependent INhibitory effect of rosuVastatin In Japanese patienTs with Acute myocardial infarcTION on serum concentration of matrix metalloproteinases - INVITATION trial.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is mainly characterized by the rupture of lipid-rich vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been shown to play a critical role in inflammatory processes underlying plaque rupture. Some reports suggested statins inhibit the increased MMP levels after AMI.

Brain computed tomography using iterative reconstruction to diagnose acute middle cerebral artery stroke: usefulness in combination of narrow window setting and thin slice reconstruction.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine whether iterative model reconstruction (IMR) optimized for brain CT could improve the detection of acute stroke in the setting of thin image slices and narrow window settings.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 27 patients who presented acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke. Images were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP; 1- and 5-mm slice thickness) and IMR (1 mm thickness), and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) of infarcted and non-infarcted areas were compared.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography with GRASE sequence at 3.0T: does it improve image quality and acquisition time as compared with 3D TSE?

Objectives: The current study evaluated the clinical usefulness of the gradient and spin-echo (GRASE) sequence with single breath-hold in 3.0 T magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). We compared the acquisition time and image quality between GRASE and breath navigator-triggered 3D turbo spin echo (3D TSE).

Case of cecal volvulus successfully treated with endoscopic colopexy.

We herein report a case of cecal volvulus successfully treated with endoscopic colopexy. A 73-year-old man with a high fever and abdominal fullness was diagnosed with ileus caused by cecal volvulus. CT showed a dilated cecum and small intestine without bowel strangulation as well as acute pneumonia.

Quantification of myocardial perfusion reserve using dynamic SPECT images of patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disorders. The aim of this study was to examine whether the quantitatively measured myocardial blood flow (MBF) or myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR), calculated by dynamic single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) analysis using a cardiac cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) gamma camera, was related to renal dysfunction in patients with normal myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) findings.

Methods: The study population consisted of 46 patients with CKD and 46 individuals without CKD (controls).

[A Case of Severe Pneumonia and Usefulness of LAMP Assay].

Urinary antigen test is frequently used as a routine laboratory test for early diagnosis of , which is especially suitable for ordinary serogroup 1, but not for other types of . We report a case of severe pneumonia caused by , where a method of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay contributed an important role for the early detection. This case involved an 83-year-old man who developed fever, dyspnea, and productive cough.

CT evaluation of living liver donor: Can 100-kVp plus iterative reconstruction protocol provide accurate liver volume and vascular anatomy for liver transplantation with reduced radiation and contrast dose?

We evaluated whether donor computed tomography (CT) with a combined technique of lower tube voltage and iterative reconstruction (IR) can provide sufficient preoperative information for liver transplantation.We retrospectively reviewed CT of 113 liver donor candidates. Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT of the liver was performed on the following protocol: protocol A (n = 70), 120-kVp with filtered back projection (FBP); protocol B (n = 43), 100-kVp with IR.

Fat Suppressed Contrast-Enhanced T1-Weighted Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 3T: Comparison of Image Quality Between Spectrally Adiabatic Iversion Recovery and the Multiecho Dixon Technique in Imaging of the Prostate.

Objective: To compare the quality of fat suppression and image quality between multiecho Dixon technique (mDixon) and spectrally adiabatic iversion recovery (SPAIR) in dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate.

Methods: This prospective study assigned thirty consecutive patients to scanning with SPAIR technique (SPAIR protocol) and another consecutive 30 patients to scanning with mDixon technique (mDixon protocol). We calculated the contrast, signal to noise ratio (SNR), contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and the coefficient of variation between the 2 protocols.

Iterative Reconstruction Designed for Brain CT: A Correlative Study With Filtered Back Projection for the Diagnosis of Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of iterative model reconstruction designed for brain computed tomography (CT) (IMR-Neuro) for the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: This retrospective study included 20 patients with acute middle cerebral artery infarction who have undergone brain CT and 20 nonstroke patients (control). We reconstructed axial images with filtered back projection (FBP) and IMR-Neuro (slice thickness, 1 and 5 mm).

Usefulness of a Low Tube Voltage: Knowledge-Based Iterative Model Reconstruction Algorithm for Computed Tomography Venography.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of 80-kVp scans with knowledge-based iterative model reconstruction (IMR) for computed tomography venography (CTV).

Methods: This prospective study received institutional review board approval; a previous informed consent was obtained from all participants. We enrolled 30 patients with suspected deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism who were to undergo 80-kVp CTV studies.

Diagnosis of small posterior fossa stroke on brain CT: effect of iterative reconstruction designed for brain CT on detection performance.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to determine whether iterative model reconstruction designed for brain CT (IMR-neuro) would improve the accuracy of posterior fossa stroke diagnosis on brain CT.

Methods: We enrolled 37 patients with ischaemic stroke in the posterior fossa and 37 patients without stroke (controls). Using axial images reconstructed using filtered back-projection (FBP) and IMR-neuro, we compared the CT numbers in infarcted areas, image noise in the pons, and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) of infarcted and non-infarcted areas on scans subjected to IMR-neuro and FBP.

Cardiac helical CT involving a low-radiation-dose protocol with a 100-kVp setting: Usefulness of hybrid iterative reconstruction and display preset optimization.

To compare the radiation dose and image quality of retrospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated cardiac computed tomography (CT) between a 100-kVp protocol, hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR), and display preset optimization and the 120-kVp protocol.We prospectively enrolled 100 patients with tachycardia or atrial fibrillation scanned retrospective ECG-gated cardiac CT. We randomly assigned 50 patients to the 120-kVp protocol and 50 patients to the 100-kVp protocol.

Submillisievert Radiation Dose Coronary CT Angiography: Clinical Impact of the Knowledge-Based Iterative Model Reconstruction.

Rationale And Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the noise and image quality of images reconstructed with a knowledge-based iterative model reconstruction (knowledge-based IMR) in ultra-low dose cardiac computed tomography (CT).

Materials And Methods: We performed submillisievert radiation dose coronary CT angiography on 43 patients. We also performed a phantom study to evaluate the influence of object size with the automatic exposure control phantom.

Lipid profile associated with coronary plaque regression in patients with acute coronary syndrome: Subanalysis of PRECISE-IVUS trial.

Background And Aims: Although dual low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-lowering therapy (DLLT) with statin-ezetimibe combination showed clinical benefit in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) confirming "the lower, the better," the underlying mechanisms of DLLT are still unknown.

Methods: PRECISE-IVUS trial evaluated the effects of DLLT on IVUS-derived coronary atherosclerosis and lipid profile, compared with atorvastatin monotherapy, quantifying the coronary plaque response in 100 ACS patients. We explored the potential predictors of plaque regression.

Synergistic effect of ezetimibe addition on coronary atheroma regression in patients with prior statin therapy: Subanalysis of PRECISE-IVUS trial.

Background: The IMPROVE-IT trial showed that the clinical benefit of statin/ezetimibe combination appeared to be pronounced in patients with prior statin therapy. We hypothesized that the antiatherosclerotic effect of atorvastatin/ezetimibe combination was pronounced in patients with statin pretreatment.

Methods: In the prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter PRECISE-IVUS trial, 246 patients undergoing intravascular ultrasound-guided percutaneous coronary intervention were randomized to atorvastatin/ezetimibe combination or atorvastatin alone.

Low-Contrast and Low-Radiation Dose Protocol in Cardiac Computed Tomography: Usefulness of Low Tube Voltage and Knowledge-Based Iterative Model Reconstruction Algorithm.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a low contrast, low-radiation dose protocol of 80-peak kilovoltage (kVp) with prospective electrocardiography-gated cardiac computed tomography (CT) using knowledge-based iterative model reconstruction (IMR).

Methods: Thirty patients underwent an 80-kVp prospective electrocardiography-gated cardiac CT with low-contrast agent (222-mg iodine per kilogram of body weight) dose. We also enrolled 30 consecutive patients who were scanned with a 120-kVp cardiac CT with filtered back projection using the standard contrast agent dose (370-mg iodine per kilogram of body weight) as a historical control group.

Usefulness of 3D hybrid profile order technique with 3T magnetic resonance cholangiography: Comparison of image quality and acquisition time.

Purpose: To evaluate the image quality and acquisition time of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) with and without the 3D hybrid profile order technique.

Materials And Methods: We studied 32 consecutive patients at 3T. They underwent MRCP with and without the 3D hybrid profile order imaging technique during free breathing and MRCP with the 3D hybrid profile order technique during a single breath-hold.

Impact of Knowledge-Based Iterative Model Reconstruction in Abdominal Dynamic CT With Low Tube Voltage and Low Contrast Dose.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare iterative model reconstruction (IMR) and hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) of 80-kVp abdominal dynamic CT scans obtained with a low-dose contrast agent.

Subjects And Methods: A group of 27 consecutively registered patients underwent abdominal dynamic CT with an 80-kVp protocol and a low dose of contrast agent (300 mg I/kg). Another 27 patients who had previously undergone a 120-kVp protocol with filtered back projection (FBP) and a standard contrast dose (600 mg I/kg) acted as control subjects.

Comparison of iterative model, hybrid iterative, and filtered back projection reconstruction techniques in low-dose brain CT: impact of thin-slice imaging.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of iterative model reconstruction (IMR) in brain CT especially with thin-slice images.

Methods: This prospective study received institutional review board approval, and prior informed consent to participate was obtained from all patients. We enrolled 34 patients who underwent brain CT and reconstructed axial images with filtered back projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) and IMR with 1 and 5 mm slice thicknesses.

Effects of a high-pitch protocol and a hybrid iterative reconstruction algorithm on image quality of cerebral subtracted 3D CT angiography.

Purpose: To evaluate the image quality and the radiation dose of 3D-computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA) with a high-pitch protocol and a hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR).

Materials And Methods: This was a prospective study and thirty patients were scanned at a 0.51-helical pitch with filtered back-projection (FBP, protocol-A), and 30 patients were scanned at a 0.

Delivering the Saline Chaser Via a Spiral Flow-Generating Tube Improves Arterial Enhancement for Computed Tomography Angiography of the Lower Extremities.

Rationale And Objectives: We delivered the saline chaser via a spiral flow-generating tube or a conventional connecting tube and compared arterial enhancement at computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the lower extremities.

Materials And Methods: We randomly assigned 100 patients whose ankle bronchial pressure index or clinical symptoms were suspect of peripheral arterial disease to a spiral flow-generating tube (protocol A) or a conventional connecting-tube protocol (protocol B) and performed CTA of the lower extremities. The test bolus was delivered under protocol A or B, and the CT numbers recorded for each protocol were compared.

Impact of Dual Lipid-Lowering Strategy With Ezetimibe and Atorvastatin on Coronary Plaque Regression in Patients With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: The Multicenter Randomized Controlled PRECISE-IVUS Trial.

Background: Despite standard statin therapy, a majority of patients retain a high "residual risk" of cardiovascular events.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ezetimibe plus atorvastatin versus atorvastatin monotherapy on the lipid profile and coronary atherosclerosis in Japanese patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: This trial was a prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter study.

Low contrast dose protocol involving a 100 kVp tube voltage for hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with renal dysfunction.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of a 20 % reduced contrast dose hepatic arterial phase (HAP) CT for hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with 100 kVp.

Materials And Methods: The study included 97 patients with hypervascular HCC who underwent dynamic CT, including HAP scanning. The 54 patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of ≥60 were scanned with our conventional 120 kVp protocol.