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Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely applied fur the noninvasive assessment of cardiac structure and function, and for tissue characterization. For more than 2 decades, 1.5 T has been considered the field strength of choice for cardiac MRI. Although the number of 3-T systems significantly increased in the past 10 years and numerous new developments were made, challenges seem to remain that hamper a widespread clinical use of 3-T MR systems for cardiac applications. As the number of clinical cardiac applications is increasing, with each having their own benefits at both field strengths, no "holy grail" field strength exists fur cardiac MRI that one should ideally use. This review describes the physical differences between 1.5 and 3 T, as well as the effect of these differences on major (routine) cardiac MRI applications, including functional imaging, edema imaging. late gadolinium enhancement. first-pass stress perfusion, myocardial mapping, and phase contrast flow imaging. For each application, the advantages and limitations at both 1.5 and 3 Tare discussed. Solutions and alternatives are provided to overcome potential limitations. Finally, we briefly elaborate on the potential use of alternative field strengths (ie, below 1.5 T and above 3 T) for cardiac MRI and conclude with field strength recommendations for the future of cardiac MRI.

High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are a highly heterogeneous and dynamic group of the smallest and densest lipoproteins present in the circulation. This review provides the current molecular insight into HDL metabolism led by articles describing mutations in genes that have a large affect on HDL cholesterol levels through their roles in HDL and triglyceride metabolism. Using this information from both human and animal studies, it is discussed how HDL is produced, remodeled in the circulation, affected by factors that control the metabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, how it helps maintain cellular cholesterol homeostasis, and, finally, how it is catabolized. It can be concluded that HDL cholesterol as a trait is genetically heterogeneous, with as many as 40 genes involved. In most cases, only heterozygotes of gene variants are known, and HDL cholesterol as a trait is inherited in an autosomal-dominant manner. Only 3 Mendelian disorders of HDL metabolism are currently known, which are inherited in an autosomal-recessive mode.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between road traffic noise exposure at home and the prevalence of hypertension. Methods: We conducted cross-sectional analyses in a large random sample (N = 40,856) of inhabitants of Groningen City, and in a subsample (the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease [PREVEND]) study cohort, N = 8592. Results: Before adjustment for confounders, road traffic noise exposure was associated with self-reported use of antihypertensive medication in the city of Groningen sample (odds ratio [OR] = 1.31 per 10-dB increase in L-den). Adjusted odds ratios were significant for the subjects between 45 and 55 years old in the full model when adjusted for PM10 (OR = 1.19) and at higher exposure (L-den > 55 dB) only (OR = 1.21; with adjustment for PM10, OR = 1.31). In the PREVEND cohort, the unadjusted odds ratio was 1.35 for hypertension (systolic and diastolic blood pressure > 140 and > 90 mm Hg, respectively, or use of antihypertensive medication). Again, the adjusted odds ratio was significant for subjects between 45 and 55 years old (OR = 1.27; with adjustment for PM10, OR = 1.39). Conclusions: Exposure to road traffic noise may be associated with hypertension in subjects who are between 45 and 55 years old. Associations seemed to be stronger at higher noise levels.

Objective: To assess the association of depression following myocardial infarction (MI) and cardiovascular prognosis. Methods: The authors performed a meta-analysis of references derived from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PSYCINFO (1975-2003) combined with crossreferencing without language restrictions. The authors selected prospective studies that determined the association of depression with the cardiovascular outcome of MI patients, defined as mortality and cardiovascular events within 2 years from index MI. Depression had to be assessed within 3 months after MI using established psychiatric instruments. A quality assessment was performed. Results: Twenty-two papers met the selection criteria. These studies described follow up (on average, 13.7 months) of 6367 MI patients (16 cohorts). Post-MI depression was significantly associated with all-cause mortality (odds ratio [OR], fixed 2.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.76-3.22; p