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Background: The integrated ST segment elevation score (ISSTE) score objectively quantifies the ECG changes before and after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The inflammatory response is a major component in scar formation and remodeling process of the myocardial tissue following myocardial infarction (MI). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) precisely quantifies the cardiac function and assesses the pattern of the myocardial scar tissue. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relations between the ISSTE score and: (1) acute inflammatory biomarkers and (2) extent of the myocardial scar determined by CMR in STEMI treated with pPCI. Material and methods: One hundred thirty STEMI patients were included in the study, who underwent pPCI in the first 12 hours from symptom debut. ISSTE-1 was calculated at presentation and 2 hours following pPCI (ISSTE-2). Inflammatory biomarkers were determined at admission and day 5, followed by LGE-CMR at 4 weeks, with quantification of cardiac function and extent of infarct size (IS) and transmurality. Patients were divided in low and high ISSTE groups based on the median values. Results: No significant differences were noted in terms of CMR parameters or inflammatory biomarkers and between the groups with low or high ISSTE-1. Significantly higher levels of day-5 hs-CRP (p = 0.03) and day-1 IL-6 (p = 0.02), MMP-9 (p = 0.05) were recorded in high ISSTE-2 groups. LV IS mass (23.11 ± 5.31 vs. 57.94 ± 8.33, p = 0.001), percentage (13.55 ± 6.22 vs. 27.15 ± 7.12, p = 0.001) and transmurality (p = 0.001) was significantly higher in ISSTE-2 group. ISSTE-2 significantly correlated with LV IS mass (r = 0.391, p

Background: The evaluation of site-specific phenotype according to the topographic location of atherosclerotic lesions within the coronary tree has not been studied so far. The present study is based on the premise that the location of coronary plaques can influence their composition and degree of vulnerability. Aim: To evaluate different phenotypes of vulnerable coronary plaques across the three major coronary arteries in terms of composition, morphology, and degree of vulnerability, in patients with chest pain and low-to-intermediate probability of coronary artery disease, using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and a complex plaque analysis. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional study on 75 subjects undergoing CCTA for chest pain, who presented at least one vulnerable coronary plaque (VP), defined as the presence of ≥1 CT vulnerability marker (low attenuation plaque, napkin-ring sign, spotty calcifications, positive remodeling). The study included per plaque analysis of 90 vulnerable coronary lesions identified in various locations within the coronary tree as follows: n = 30 VPs in the left anterior descending artery (LAD), n = 30 VPs in the circumflex artery (CXA), and n = 30 VPs in the right coronary artery (RCA). Results: The RCA exhibited significantly longer VPs (p = 0.001), with the largest volume (p = 0.0007) compared to those arising from the LAD and CXA. Vulnerable plaques located in the LAD exhibited a significantly more calcified phenotype (calcified volume: LAD – 44.07 ± 63.90 mm3 vs. CXA – 12.40 ± 19.65 mm3 vs. RCA – 33.69 ± 34.38 mm3, p = 0.002). Plaques from the RCA presented a more non-calcified phenotype, with the largest non-calcified (p = 0.002), lipid rich (p = 0.0005), and fibrotic volumes (p = 0.003). Low-attenuation plaques were most frequent in the RCA (p = 0.0009), while the highest vulnerability degree was present in lesions located in the LAD, which presented the highest number of vulnerability markers per plaque (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Vulnerable plaques arising from the right coronary artery are longer, more vo-luminous and with larger lipid and non-calcified content, whereas those located in the left anterior descending artery present a higher volume of calcium, but also a higher degree of vulnerability. The least vulnerable lesions were present in the circumflex artery.

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the new coronavirus discovered in 2019, which may lead to a severe acute respiratory syndrome and has a major impact on public health worldwide, being declared a pandemic by World Health Organization. In Italy, and especially in the region of Lombardia, the healthcare system has faced a huge overload, which led to significant consequences on cardiology resources. The accessibility to cardiology care units has been drastically reduced, and scheduled interventions, such as elective primary percutaneous coronary interventions, have been significantly delayed. During this time, there was a global concern regarding the management of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, but also the management of main cardiovascular emergencies. Under usual circumstances, the differential diagnosis of myocardial injury does not confront many difficulties. Unfortunately, there are several limitations in the management of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the current pandemic state. The aim of the present manuscript is to provide an overview on the main causes of myocardial injury during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) has been defined as clinical presentation of an acute coronary syndrome with laboratory evidence of myocardial necrosis, but with coronary stenosis of less than 50% on coronary angiography. On the other side, myocarditis is an inflammatory response triggered by viral, bacterial, fungal, lymphocytic, eosinophilic, or autoimmune myocardial injury, which may be associated with elevated myocardial necrosis serum biomarkers. We present the case of a young male patient with acute chest pain, ST-segment elevation, and high-sensitivity troponin levels of 22,162 ng/L.

Environmental factors may have an important role in the development of coronary heart disease. However, it is not clearly understood yet how the genetic factors interplay with the environmental ones in the onset of acute myocardial infarction. The early onset of coronary artery disease in cases with a positive family history suggests a certain role of genetic predisposition, but the open question remains: could environmental differences contribute to this predisposition? This case report describes similar coronary angiographic findings of two brothers who developed acute myocardial infarction in their early 40s, after being exposed to different environmental risk factors.

Introduction: In patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) complicating an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the survival depends largely on the restoration of coronary flow in the infarct related artery. The aim of this study was to determine clinical and angiographic predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with OHCA and STEMI, successfully resuscitated and undergoing primary percutaneous intervention (PCI).

Introduction: The recent development of large networks dedicated to ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) led to a significant increase in the number of primary percutaneous interventions (p-PCI) parallel with mortality reduction in Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). The number of non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is increasing and the highest mortality rates are encountered in patients with cardiogenic shock and/or out of hospital cardiac arrest associated to ACS. The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with a higher mortality rate in a global population with acute coronary syndromes presented in the emergency department of a county clinical hospital which serves as a regional center for a STEMI network.

In the modern management of coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has emerged as a pivotal diagnostic tool, offering detailed visualization of coronary artery lumens and atherosclerotic plaques. We present the case of a 49-year-old woman, with no prior cardiovascular history but with several risk factors, in whom CCTA identified a highly inflamed atherosclerotic plaque, which led immediately to an acute myocardial infarction. Significantly, this case spotlights the vital role of perivascular inflammation mapping in CCTA, crucial for identifying high-risk plaques. The case emphasizes the necessity for a comprehensive, multifaceted diagnostic approach in the evaluation and management of CAD, incorporating advanced techniques like perivascular inflammation mapping for a more accurate and predictive assessment.

3D printing has changed the paradigm of personalized medicine. Similarly to fingerprints, there are no two identical hearts; consequently, in cardiology, diagnosis and treatment, either medical, interventional or surgical, must be individualized according to the specific problem of a particular patient.

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between multislice computed tomography (MSCT)-derived parameters characterizing atrial enlargement and the frequency of emergency hospitalizations after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Cardiac resynchronization therapy is an essential tool for treating patients with heart failure in different types of dilatative cardiomyopathy with bundle branch block. This technique is wildly used with significant benefits in terms of quality of life and effort tolerability along with optimized medical therapy. In spite of its benefits, several factors may influence its efficacy such as etiology, lead position, or device settings. In some cases, the anatomical variance of the coronary sinus could create technical difficulties for advancing the left ventricular lead. This case report describes a female patient presenting with decompensated heart failure, known with complicated sclerosis multiplex and a fibrous tissue in the coronary sinus, which created a critical obstruction leading to impossibility to advance the left ventricular lead. This case underlines the importance of appropriate imaging investigation for optimal interventional approach in these difficult cases.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) represents one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality across Europe. Most of the patients do not experience any warning sign before the coronary event develops, therefore screening this group of patients is essential to prevent major cardiac events. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) offers a noninvasive approach of the coronary arteries, providing information not only on the presence and severity of the coronary stenosis, but is also able to characterize the structure of the coronary wall. CCTA allows complex evaluation of the extension of CAD, and by assessing the structure of the atherosclerotic plaque, it can identify its degree of vulnerability. The napkin-ring sign (NRS) represents a ring-like attenuation of the non-calcified portion of the coronary lesion and has a high specificity (96–100%) for the identification of thin cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) or culprit lesion in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). It is also an independent predictor for ACS events and the strongest predictor for future ACS. Modern CCTA can provide submillimeter isotropic spatial resolution. Thus, CT attenuation-based tissue interpretation enables the assessment of total coronary plaque burden and individual plaque components, with a similar accuracy as intravascular ultrasoud-based investigations. This review aims to present the important role of CCTA as a potent screening tool for patients with CAD, and the current evidences in the detection and quantification of vulnerable plaques.

Cardiovascular diseases remain the main cause of death in western societies. This contributes to the appearance of new diagnostic and treatment methods addressed to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases. In the last decades new imaging methods have emerged; furthermore, routine biomarkers were found to be useful in cardiovascular risk stratification. Data reviewed in this article emphasize the multifactorial etiology of cardiovascular disease. The authors describe the role of inflammation in the precipitation and progression of atherosclerosis and atrial fibrillation. Affordable and well-known inflammatory markers can be used alone or in combination with new imaging methods for a better cardiovascular risk stratification. Coronary computed tomographic angiography findings and inflammatory markers are capable to identify patients with high risk of major adverse cardiovascular events or atrial fibrillation. Furthermore, they also have an important role in the choice of treatment strategy and follow-up.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a pandemic and public health crisis of an unprecedent effect. Clinical studies reported an association between COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease, whereas COVID-19 itself can induce myocardial injury, arrhythmia, acute coronary syndrome, and venous thromboembolism.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF), a common arrhythmia in clinical practice, is associated with a high rate of complications and an increased risk for thromboembolic events. Pulmonary vein ablation is a new therapeutic option to cure AF; however, it remains associated with a high rate of recurrence. In this study we aimed to identify the clinical characteristics and imaging-based features that may predict the risk of recurrence after pulmonary veins ablation in atrial fibrillation.

Atherosclerosis is a slow, progressive disease, its most common manifestation and most severe consequence being coronary artery disease, one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The vast majority of cardiovascular deaths are caused by complications of atherosclerosis, most often being represented by the rupture of an unstable coronary plaque, regularly triggered by inflammation. A vulnerable plaque is characterized by a large, lipid-rich necrotic core, a thin fibrous cap with macrophage infiltration, and the presence of multiple specific biomarkers such as positive remodeling, irregular calcifications, and low attenuation visible with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Identifying biomarkers that could predict the risk of plaque rupture with high accuracy would be a significant advance in predicting acute cardiac events in asymptomatic patients, furthermore guiding treatment of patients with this disease. The main indication of noninvasive imaging is to identify patients at risk based on the presence or absence of symptoms that can be related to myocardial ischemia. The diagnostic objective is to confirm or to exclude the presence of coronary plaques. Coronary imaging in asymptomatic individuals is used to estimate the risk of future cardiac events through the identification of non-obstructive high-risk plaques. The possibility to monitor the evolution of vulnerable plaques via noninvasive imaging techniques, prior to the occurrence of an acute clinical event, is the main goal in plaque imaging. This manuscript will be focusing on recent advances of noninvasive imaging of vulnerable coronary plaques.

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a reliable screening method of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). CCTA is capable to assess both coronary stenosis and plaque morphology, but does not provide hemodynamic characterization of the coronary lesions. However, the severity of coronary stenosis does not always reflect the hemodynamic significance of the plaque. Invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) is considered the gold standard for the functional evaluation of a potential ischemia-causing stenosis. FFR derived from CCTA (FFR-CT) is a new noninvasive diagnostic tool, using a typically acquired CCTA, without the need for any further radiation or medication. Additional functional assessment of the coronary lesions permits a more complex characterization of CAD patients. Based on the FFR-CT examination, patients who need invasive coronary intervention can be selected more precisely, and a more personalized and optimized treatment can be provided.

Heart failure is a clinical syndrome that appears as a consequence of a structural disease, and the most common cause of left ventricular systolic dysfunction results from myocardial ischemia. Cardiac remodeling and neuroendocrine activation are the major compensatory mechanisms in heart failure. The main objective of the study is to identify the association between serum biomarkers illustrating the extent of myocardial necrosis (highly sensitive troponin as-says), left ventricular dysfunction (NT-proBNP), and systemic inflammatory response (illustrated via serum levels of hsCRP and interleukins) during the acute phase of a myocardial infarction, and the left ventricular remodeling process at 6 months following the acute event, quantified via speckle tracking echocardiography. The study will include 400 patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction without signs and symptoms of heart failure at the time of enrollment that will undergo a complex clinical examination and speckle tracking echocardiography. Serum samples from the peripheral blood will be collected in order to determine the inflammatory serum biomarkers. After 6 months, patients will be divided into 2 groups according to the development of ventricular remodeling, quantified by speckle tracking echocardiography: group 1 will consist of patients with a remodeling index lower than 15%, and group 2 will consist of patients with a remodeling index higher than 15%. All clinical and imaging data obtained at the baseline will be compared between these two groups in order to determine the features associated with a higher risk of deleterious ventricular remodeling and heart failure.

Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease that most often affects the carotid arteries. Being usually asymptomatic in its early stages, it is diagnosed only in advanced stages, when treatment is more difficult and prognosis is poor. Carotid ultrasound (US) is the most commonly used method for diagnosing carotid artery disease and represents a proper method for screening in patients with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. This paper shows the methodology and necessity of carotid imaging methods in patients at high risk of developing atherosclerotic lesions. We also review the findings that underline the need of carotid screening in patients with ischemic heart disease or with ischemic arteriopathy, showing that the carotid arteries are like ‘mirrors’ of the arterial system, which need to be assessed in every patient with CV risk factors, regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent form of supraventricular arrhythmia in medical practice. It is characterized by chaotic electrical activity in the atria, which often leads to irregular and fast ventricular contractions. Pulmonary veins (PV) play an essential part in the genesis of AF. There are a series of risk factors that trigger the development and recurrence of AF after PV isolation. Despite advanced medical technology, the success rate of AF ablation is not satisfactory. The purpose of this study is to assess the preprocedural imaging and serum biomarkers linked to an increased recurrence of AF after PV isolation. The primary endpoint is represented by AF recurrence after PV isolation. In addition, the rate of cardiovascular death and the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events will be assessed in relation to the enlargement of the left atrium and the volume of epicardial adipose tissue surrounding the heart.

Kawasaki disease, also known as Kawasaki syndrome or mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is a pathology that causes inflammation in the walls of medium-sized arteries, with symptoms such as fever, lymphadenopathy, rash, and erythema of the eyes, lips, nose, palms, and feet. The cause is unknown, although clinical features strongly suggest an infectious etiology. We present the case of a 53-year-old woman, known with Kawasaki disease since childhood, with different associated pathologies, who presented with acute inferior ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Recent studies demonstrated that despite restoration of the sinus rhythm, patients with a positive history of atrial fibrillation (AF) are still at risk of thromboembolic events. The primary objective of this study is to identify new imaging-derived biomarkers provided by modern imaging technologies, such as cardiac computed tomography angiography, delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging, or speckle tracking echocardiography, as well as hematological biomarkers, associated with the risk of intracavitary thrombosis in patients with AF, in order to identify the imaging-derived characteristics associated with an increased risk of cardioembolic events. Imaging data collected will be post-processed using advanced techniques of computational modeling, in order to fully characterize the degree of structural remodeling and the amount of atrial fibrosis. The primary endpoint of the study is represented by the rate of thromboembolic events. The rate of cardiovascular death, the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events, and the rate of AF recurrence will also be determined in relation to the degree of structural remodeling and atrial fibrosis.

Severe limb ischemia represents a critical condition, being associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) require urgent initiation of interventional or surgical treatment, as restoration of the blood flow is the only way to ensure limb salvage in these critical cases. At the same time, in acute limb ischemia, a dramatic form of sudden arterial occlusion of the lower limbs, the integrity of the limb is also seriously threatened in the absence of urgent revascularization. From patients with CLI, 40% are “no option CLI”, meaning patients in whom, due to anatomical considerations or to the severity of the lesions, there is no possibility to perform interventional or surgical treatment or they have failed. Therapeutic angiogenesis has been proposed to serve as an effective and promising alternative therapy for patients with severe limb ischemia who do not have any other option for revascularization. This review aims to present the current status in therapeutic angiogenesis and the role of different approaches (gene or cell therapy, intra-arterial vs. intramuscular injections, different sources of cells) in increasing the rates of limb salvage in patients with severe ischemia of the lower limbs.

Coronary artery fistulas, a rare anomaly, are represented by an abnormal communication between the coronary arteries and other vascular structures or cardiac chambers and, in most cases, are detected incidentally. Regularly, they do not cause important pathological changes, but if the symptoms persist, they need to be treated. The hemodynamic impact depends on the localization and size of the fistulas. Noninvasive imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging and multislice computed tomography, are widely used for the detection of coronary anomalies. The presence of symptoms (angina, dyspnea) is the primary indication for the surgical or percutaneous closure of the communications; therefore, a systematic follow-up is indicated in all cases. We present four cases of coronary artery fistulas, without important hemodynamic complications, detected by multislice computed tomography coronary angiography.

Hematological conditions and their treatments have an increased risk of cardiovascular events, and invasive interventions have a higher risk of periprocedural complications in this group of patients. The aim of this review was to evaluate the risk of invasive interventions in patients with hematologic disorders and to underline the role of noninvasive cardiovascular screening in patients with hematological disorders such as Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, anemia, hemophilia, thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera, and leukemia. Based on present knowledge in the field, our opinion is that the screening of patients with hematological diseases is very important to reduce the morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular events. Noninvasive assessments are suitable for this purpose with a significantly lower risk compared to invasive interventions.

Ischemic heart disease morbidity and mortality are closely related to global and regional left ventricular function. The evaluation of left ventricular global function is a relevant part in the evolution of ischemic heart disease because it plays a significant role in prognosis prediction and patient management after revascularization. Regional function is also a critical part of the evolution, offering a possible and reliable mode for the assessment of myocardial disease. Currently several techniques for the evaluation of left ventricular parameters and function are in use. In this review we will discuss and compare currently available methods for the evaluation of global and regional left ventricular function such as 2D and 3D echocardiography, 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography, multi-slice computed tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Arteriovenous fistulas are abnormal vascular communications between the arterial and venous system and may lead to the development of arteriovenous shunts. These malformations are extremely rare, and their diagnosis can be difficult due to the lack of symptoms or the absence of hemodynamic consequences. In many cases, arteriovenous fistulas are discovered by chance. In this brief report, we present the case of a 31-year-old male with symptoms suggestive of angina pectoris, tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome and multiple episodes of syncope. Multi-slice computed tomography revealed the presence of multiple mediastinal fistulas connecting the aorta, superior vena cava, pulmonary veins and azygos system.

An unstable plaque has a high risk of thrombosis and at the same time for a fast progression of the stenosis degree. Also, “high-risk plaque” and “thrombosis-prone plaque” are used as synonym terms for characterization of a vulnerable plaque. The imaging biomarkers for vulnerable coronary plaques are considered to be spotty calcifications, active remodeling, low-density atheroma and the presence of a ring-like attenuation pattern, also known as the napkin-ring sign. Computed cardiac tomography can determine the plaque composition by assessing the plaque density, which is measured in Hounsfield units (HU). The aim of this manuscript was to provide an update about the most frequently used biomarkers of vulnerability in a vulnerable plaque with the help of computed cardiac tomography.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent cardiac arrhythmia increasing the risk of stroke and mortality from heart failure. Magnetic resonance imaging was used by several authors for assessment of atrial fibrosis and to predict the rate of recurrence following AF ablation. The aim of this manuscript was to summarize the new data in the literature regarding the role of atrial fibrosis in AF imaging and the role of cardiac fibrosis in predicting AF recurrence after radio-frequency ablation.

One of the most significant causes of heart failure is coronary heart disease and subsequent left ventricular dysfunction. The prognosis and perioperative mortality are influenced by left ventricular function, which is also an important predictor marker following revascularization. The evaluation of myocardial perfusion is of utmost importance in patients who present several symptoms before choosing cardiac catheterization as treatment. The evaluation of myocardial perfusion and myocardial viability leads to superior diagnostic and treatment algorithms, thus resulting in an important improvement in the outcomes of patients with coronary artery disease. Color Doppler myocardial imaging, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), contrast perfusion echocardiography, positron emission computed tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are currently used methods for assessing myocardial perfusion. This review aims to summarize the benefits and disadvantages of each of these techniques.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the differences in critical network times and mortality in STEMI patients presenting to hospitals in the same STEMI network, but located at different distances from the pPCI center.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of parahisian accessory pathways in pre-excitation syndrome is a challenging task, due to the extremely high risk of complete atrioventricular block. In this brief report we describe the case of a 32 year-old man presenting a parahisian accessory pathway, who has been successfully treated by radiofrequency ablation. Radiofrequency catheter ablation using low-power radiofrequency current is considered to be the most appropiate method of ablation in adult patients.

Introduction: Peripheral artery disease, a frequent consequence of atherosclerosis, is usually associated with concomitant ischaemic coronary artery disease and with a high rate of cardiovascular mortality.

Introduction: Percutaneous coronary intervention is the first therapeutic choice in the treatment of symptomatic coronary artery disease and Multi-Slice Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography (MSCT-CA) is a new non-invasive diagnostic tool in the follow-up of these patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the rate of in-stent restenosis (ISR), to identify the predictive factors for ISR at 1 year after PCI and to assess the progression of non-culprit lesions, using a MSCT-CA follow-up.

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and is associated with a significant socio-economic impact. In many cases, patients are treated with implanted coronary stents that carry a significant risk for reobstruction. The aim of our study was to evaluate the importance of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in evaluating the significance of in-stent restenosis lesions and for establishing the indication for reintervention in these cases.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a common and potentially life-threatening cardiovascular emergency. Systemic thrombolysis with intravenous infusion of a thrombolytic agent is generally recommended for treatment of high risk PE. However, this method has known limitations in the presence of high bleeding risk. Catheter-directed thrombolysis has the potential to achieve the same benefits as systemic thrombolysis, with a lower risk of haemorrhage. The case presented is of a 67-year-old male patient with a high risk of pulmonary embolism and contraindications for systemic thrombolysis, in whom the presence of severe comorbidities presented an increased risk of surgical embolectomy, who was successfully treated by catheter-directed thrombolysis.

Introduction: In-stent restenosis (ISR) is traditionally associated with neointimal hyperplasia. However, recent studies have suggested that an underlying progression of the atherosclerotic process called neoatherosclerosis, different from intimal proliferation, could be involved in ISR development. In this study the aim was to compare the characteristics of the neoatheromatous plaque evidenced by Multislice Angio Computed Tomography, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Virtual Histology Intravascular Ultrasound (VH-IVUS) with the characteristics of de-novo lesions in native coronary vessels of patients with ISR. Material and methods: This is a prospective single-center pilot study in which patients presenting with acute chest pain and having at least one symptomatic bare-metal stent (BMS) restenosis at six months to one year after BMS implantation, were enrolled. The characteristics of the neointimal tissue developed within the implanted stents using Acio CT, OCT and VH-IVUS were studied. Results: In total, 27 patients with 38 coronary BMS were included in the study, in whom 27 ISR lesions and 43 lesions in native coronary vessels were identified. Angio CT examination revealed that atheromatous plaques responsible for ISR tend to have a larger volume compared with native lesions located in the same coronary vessel (plaque volume 91.2 mm3 for ISR vs. 60.4 mm3 for native vessels, p

Aortic intramural haematoma (AIH) is a rarely recognized disease characterized by a sudden haemorrhage into aortic media in the absence of any intimal tear. The clinical evolution and mortality rates of AIH are similar to those of acute aortic dissection. However, in the acute clinical care of patients presenting with chest pain of aortic origin, it is important to differentiate intramural haematoma from aortic dissection. A case of an elderly patient with an intramural hematoma (IMH), which progressed to very large dimensions and involved the entire aortic wall, resulting in fatal complications is presented here.

Introduction: The present study aims to demonstrate the role of acute impairment of regional contractility, as assessed by 3D echocardiography, in predicting LV remodeling in post acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients.

Introduction: The location of culprit lesions on the left main is associated with an increased procedural risk in acute coronary syndromes. Our study aims to evaluate the utility of CT angiography determined Syntax score (CCTA) in comparison with the classical angiographic Syntax score for predicting the procedural success in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) of left main lesions.