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There is a growing evidence of cardiovascular complications in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. As evidence accumulated of COVID-19 mediated inflammatory effects on the myocardium, substantial attention has been directed towards cardiovascular imaging modalities that facilitate this diagnosis. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) is the gold standard for the detection of structural and functional myocardial alterations and its role in identifying patients with COVID-19 mediated cardiac injury is growing. Despite its utility in the diagnosis of myocardial injury in this population, CMRI's impact on patient management is still evolving. This review provides a framework for the use of CMRI in diagnosis and management of COVID-19 patients from the perspective of a cardiologist. We review the role of CMRI in the management of both the acutely and remotely COVID-19 infected patient. We discuss patient selection for this imaging modality; T1, T2, and late gadolinium enhancement imaging techniques; and previously described CMRI findings in other cardiomyopathies with potential implications in COVID-19 recovered patients.

Ventricular septal defect is a common congenital cardiac condition that presents in a variety of morphologies. Less commonly, when an individual patient is found to have multiple ventricular septal defects, the term “Swiss cheese ventricular septal defect” is applied. Although not routinely utilized in clinical practice, electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated computed tomographic angiography (CTA) has been shown to provide utility in detecting intracardiac shunts, demonstrating promise in preventing acute strokes secondary to a paradoxical embolus from occurring; this is especially important when atypical cardiac septa are suspected. This case seeks to illustrate how usage of ECG-gated CTA can assist in early detection and prevention of adverse outcomes resulting from an atypical presentation of a ventricular septal defect.

Background\ud Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) can be used to assist stent deployment in severe coronary artery calcifications (CAC).\ud \ud Methods\ud Studies employing IVL for CAC lesions were included. The primary outcomes included clinical and angiographic success. The secondary outcomes, including lumen gain, maximum calcium thickness, and calcium angle at the final angiography site, minimal lumen area site, and minimal stent area site, were analyzed by the random-effects model to calculate the pooled standardized mean difference. Tertiary outcomes included safety event ratios.\ud \ud Results\ud Seven studies (760 patients) were included. The primary outcomes: pooled clinical and angiographic success event ratio parentage of IVL was 94.4% and 94.8%, respectively. On a random effect model for standard inverse variance for secondary outcomes showed: minimal lumen diameter increase with IVL was 4.68 mm (p-value < 0.0001, 95% CI 1.69–5.32); diameter decrease in the stenotic area after IVL session was −5.23 mm (95 CI –22.6–12.8). At the minimal lumen area (MLA) and final minimal stent area (MSA) sites, mean lumen area gain was 1.42 mm2 (95% CI 1.06–1.63; p < 0.00001) and 1.34 mm2 (95% CI 0.71–1.43; p < 0.00001), respectively. IVL reduced calcium thickness at the MLA site (SMD −0.22; 95% CI −0.40–0.04; P = 0.02); calcium angle was not affected at the MLA site. The tertiary outcomes: most common complication was major adverse cardiovascular events (n = 48/669), and least common complication was abrupt closure of the vessel (n = 1/669).\ud \ud Conclusions\ud Evidence suggests that IVL safely and effectively facilitates stent deployment with high angiographic and clinical success rates in treating severely calcified coronary lesions.

Introduction Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) delivered to arrhythmogenic foci within the heart is a promising treatment modality. We dosimetrically evaluated the radiation dose to the organs at risk of four swine that were successfully treated with linear-accelerator-based SRS for atrioventricular (AV) node ablation. Materials and methods Single-chamber pacemakers were implanted in four large white breed swine. Cardiac computed tomography simulation scans were performed to localize the AV node and organs at risk. SRS (35-40 Gy) was delivered to the AV node, and the pigs were followed up with pacemaker interrogations. One-sample t-tests were used to evaluate Dmax of great vessels, esophagus, and chest wall as compared to known normal tissue constraints as per RTOG 0631 and AAPM Task Group 101. Results All pigs had disturbances of AV conduction with progressive transition into complete heart block. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluation showed fibrosis in the AV node but did not reveal any changes in non-nodal cardiac tissue or vessels. The mean Dmax±SD (p-value) of the chest wall (14.7±3.3 (0.02)), esophagus (10.7±1.1 (

This review summarizes key imaging studies that were presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2020, which occurred virtually this year due to the pandemic, related to the fields of single-photon emission computed tomography, positron emission tomography, cardiac computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and echocardiography. The aim of this bird's eye view is to inform readers of the various studies discussed at the meeting from these imaging modalities. Since there was no physical attendance this year, we find that a general overview of imaging will be especially useful. Further, we hope that the presentation of multiple imaging studies in a single synthesized review will stimulate new ideas for future research in imaging.

Background: Echocardiography has been the subject of interest in diagnosing diastolic dysfunction and estimating left ventricular filling pressures (LVFPs). The present study is set to estimate the correlation between the worsening of diastolic parameters and the evidence of inducible ischemia during an exercise stress echocardiography (SE) in comparison with the results of coronary computed tomographic angiogram (CCTA). Methods: A total of 191 consecutive patients from the executive screening program who underwent exercise SE followed by CCTA were evaluated. Baseline demographics, heart rate, and blood pressure measurements were extracted for analysis. Standard two-dimensional and tissue Doppler imaging parameters were analyzed. Diastolic function was graded at rest and peak exercise. Results: Patients who had worsening of diastolic function by at least one grade had had 2–3-fold higher odds of having abnormal SE. In addition, patients with worsening of diastolic function had higher stress LVFPs (E/e’ = 11.7 ± 2.7 vs. E/e’ 8.0 ± 2.0; P < 0.0001), more E/e’ change >25% (48% vs. 22%, P = 0.012), and were more likely to have obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) on CCTA (23.8% vs. 9.2%; P = 0.045). A change in E/e’ >25% (stress-rest) was highly associated with a positive stress test and abnormal CCTA result. Patients with no change or improvement in diastolic function with stress had a 92% negative predictive value of having normal SE and 91% of normal/nonobstructive CCTA. Conclusion: A worsening of diastolic function and a change in E/e’ >25% (stress-rest) were associated with abnormal SE, positive stress test, and obstructive CAD when compared to CCTA results.

Background: Little is known about the outcome of patients with MS undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Therefore, we sought to evaluate the potential impact of MS on the outcome of\ud patients who underwent TAVR using the US national cohort.\ud \ud Method: Using weighted data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database between 2011 and 2015, we identified patients who had undergone a TAVR as a primary procedure. Patients with MS diagnosis were compared to those without MS. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed for the outcomes of in-hospital mortality and\ud post-procedural complications. Outcomes were also stratified by the type to TAVR (endovascular versus transapical).\ud \ud Results: A total of 62,110 patients underwent TAVR (mean age 81 ± 8.72, 47.4% females, and 3.7% African Americans) and 887 patients had MS (1.43%). Patients with concomitant MS had higher in-hospital mortality (5.1% vs 3.5% adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR], 1.455; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.059-2.001, P=0.021), major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (9.0% vs\ud 7.1% aOR, 1.297; 95% CI, 1.012-1.663, P=0.040), major bleeding (16.3% vs 12.1% aOR, 1.303; 95% CI, 1.067-1.593, P=0.010), cardiac complications (21.8% vs 16.0% aOR, 1.536; 95% CI, 1.300-1.815, P

Objectives. In heart failure, invasive angiography is often employed to differentiate ischaemic from non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy. We aim to examine the predictive value of echocardiographic strain features alone and in combination with other features to differentiate ischaemic from non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy, using artificial neural network (ANN) and logistic regression modelling. Design. We retrospectively identified 204 consecutive patients with an ejection fraction n = 146) or non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (n = 58). For each patient, left ventricular strain parameters were obtained. Additionally, regional wall motion abnormality, 13 electrocardiographic (ECG) features and six demographic features were retrieved for analysis. The entire cohort was randomly divided into a derivation and a validation cohort. Using the parameters retrieved, logistic regression and ANN models were developed in the derivation cohort to differentiate ischaemic from non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy, the models were then tested in the validation cohort. Results. A final strain-based ANN model, full feature ANN model and full feature logistic regression model were developed and validated, F1 scores were 0.82, 0.79 and 0.63, respectively. Conclusions. Both ANN models were more accurate at predicting cardiomyopathy type than the logistic regression model. The strain-based ANN model should be validated in other cohorts. This model or similar models could be used to aid the diagnosis of underlying heart failure aetiology in the form of the online calculator (https://cimti.usj.edu.lb/strain/index.html) or built into echocardiogram software.

Background Sedentary lifestyle has become prevalent in our community. Recent data showed controversy on the effect of regular exercise on left ventricular compliance and myocardial relaxation. Hypothesis We sought to assess whether physical inactivity is an independent predictor of diastolic dysfunction in or community, after adjustment for several covariates. Methods Consecutive outpatients presenting to the echocardiography laboratory between July 2013 and June 2014 were prospectively enrolled. Clinical variables were collected prospectively at enrollment. Patients were considered physically active if they exercised regularly ≥3× a week, ≥30 minutes each time. The primary endpoint was presence of diastolic dysfunction. Results The final cohort included 1356 patients (mean age [SD] 52.9 [17.4] years, 51.3% female). Compared with physically active patients, the 1009 (74.4%) physically inactive patients were older, more often female, and had more comorbidities and worse diastolic function (51.3% vs 38.3%; P < 0.001). On univariate analysis, physical inactivity was associated with 70% increased odds of having diastolic dysfunction (odds ratio: 1.70, 95% confidence interval: 1.32-2.18, P < 0.001). There was significant interaction between physical activity and left ventricular mass index (LVMI; P = 0.026). On multivariate analysis, patients who were physically inactive and had LVMI ≥ median had significantly higher odds of having diastolic dysfunction (odds ratio: 2.82, 95% confidence interval: 1.58-5.05, P < 0.001). Conclusions In a large, prospectively enrolled cohort from a single tertiary center in the Middle East, physically inactive patients with increased LVMI had 2- to 3-fold increased odds of having diastolic dysfunction after multivariate adjustment.

A 78-year-old female patient with a medical history of severe aortic stenosis and metastatic ovarian cancer with liver and right iliac bone metastases was admitted for dyspnoea that started during the same day. Six months ago, she was diagnosed with acute heart failure with a B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level at 682 pg/mL. Upon presentation, she was hypotensive (85/55 mmHg) and tachycardic (114 b.p.m.). Her BNP level was 278 pg/mL. A bedside echocardiogram showed a large pericardial effusion that was successfully drained. Ten days later, BNP was repeated and was 1147 pg/mL. The pseudonormalization of BNP level was due to the impaired ventricular stretching caused by the chronic cardiac tamponade.

Background Linear accelerator–based stereotactic radiosurgery delivered to cardiac arrhythmogenic foci could be a promising catheter‐free ablation modality. We tested the feasibility of in vivo atrioventricular ( AV ) node ablation in swine using stereotactic radiosurgery. Methods and Results Five Large White breed swine (weight 40–75 kg; 4 females) were studied. Single‐chamber St Jude pacemakers were implanted in each pig. The pigs were placed under general anesthesia, and coronary/cardiac computed tomography simulation scans were performed to localize the AV node. Cone beam computed tomography was used for target positioning. Stereotactic radiosurgery doses ranging from 35 to 40 Gy were delivered by a linear accelerator to the AV node, and the pigs were followed up with weekly pacemaker interrogations to observe for potential electrocardiographic changes. Once changes were observed, the pigs were euthanized, and pathology specimens of various tissues, including the AV node and tissues surrounding the AV node, were taken to study the effects of radiation. All 5 pigs had disturbances of AV conduction with progressive transition into complete heart block. Macroscopic inspection did not reveal damage to the myocardium, and pigs had preserved systolic function on echocardiography. Immunostaining revealed fibrosis in the target region of the AV node, whereas no fibrosis was detected in the nontargeted regions. Conclusions Catheter‐free radioablation using linear accelerator–based stereotactic radiosurgery is feasible in an intact swine model.

ObjectivesThis study tested the diagnostic and prognostic utility of a rapid, visual T1 assessment method for identification of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) in a “real-life” referral population undergoing cardiac magnetic resonance for suspected CA.BackgroundIn patients with confirmed CA, delayed-enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (DE-CMR) frequently shows a diffuse, global hyperenhancement (HE) pattern. However, imaging is often technically challenging, and the prognostic significance of diffuse HE is unclear.MethodsNinety consecutive patients referred for suspected CA and 64 hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) were prospectively enrolled and underwent a modified DE-CMR protocol. After gadolinium administration a method for rapid, visual T1 assessment was used to identify the presence of diffuse HE during the scan, allowing immediate optimization of settings for the conventional DE-CMR that followed. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality.ResultsAmong patients with suspected CA, 66% (59 of 90) demonstrated HE, with 81% (48 of 59) of these meeting pre-specified visual T1 assessment criteria for diffuse HE. Among hypertensive LVH patients, 6% (4 of 64) had HE, with none having diffuse HE. During 29 months of follow-up (interquartile range: 12 to 44 months), there were 50 (56%) deaths in patients with suspected CA and 4 (6%) in patients with hypertensive LVH. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that the presence of diffuse HE was the most important predictor of death in the group with suspected CA (hazard ratio: 5.5, 95% confidence interval: 2.7 to 11.0; p < 0.0001) and in the population as a whole (hazard ratio: 6.0, 95% confidence interval 3.0 to 12.1; p < 0.0001). Among 25 patients with myocardial histology obtained during follow-up, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of diffuse HE in the diagnosis of CA were 93%, 70%, and 84%, respectively.ConclusionsAmong patients suspected of CA, the presence of diffuse HE by visual T1 assessment accurately identifies patients with histologically-proven CA and is a strong predictor of mortality.

Amyloidosis is an infiltrative disease characterized by deposition of amyloid fibrils within the extracellular tissue of one or multiple organs. Involvement of the heart, cardiac amyloidosis, is recognized as a common cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy and heart failure. The two major types of cardiac amyloidosis are cardiac amyloid light-chain (AL) and transthyretin-related cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR, mutant and wild types) (Nat Rev Cardiol 2010;7:398-408). While early recognition of cardiac amyloidosis is of major clinical importance, so is the ability to differentiate between subtypes. Indeed, both prognosis and therapeutic options vary drastically depending on the subtype. While endomyocardial biopsy with immunostaining is considered the gold standard, advances in imaging provide an attractive non-invasive alternative. Currently, electrocardiography, echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are all used in the evaluation of cardiac amyloidosis with varying diagnostic and prognostic accuracy. Yet, none of these modalities can effectively differentiate the cardiac amyloid subtypes. Recent data with (99m)Tc-phosphate derivatives, previously used as bone seeking radioactive tracers, have shown promising results; these radiotracers selectively bind ATTR, but not AL subtype, and can differentiate subtypes with high diagnostic accuracy. This review will initially present the non-radionuclide imaging techniques and then focus on the radionuclide imaging techniques, particularly (99m)Tc-DPD and (99m)Tc-PYP, mechanism of action, performance and interpretation of the study, diagnostic accuracy, prognostic value, future clinical perspective, and outlook.

Background— American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association appropriate use criteria recommend performing stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) for intermediate- to high-risk patients presenting with syncope but not for low-risk patients. However, there are limited data to support these recommendations. We investigated the yield of stress MPI for the evaluation of syncope in patients at risk but without known coronary artery disease. Methods and Results— Using the Cleveland Clinic Institutional Review Board–approved MPI database, we identified consecutive patients without known coronary artery disease who underwent stress MPI between 2006 and 2012 for diagnostic workup of syncope. Patients were stratified into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups using the Framingham risk score. For patients with abnormal MPI, left heart catheterization were reviewed if performed. There were 700 patients (mean age, 62±15 years; 55% female) who had undergone stress MPI for syncope; 659 patients (94%) had normal perfusion. Of the 41 patients with abnormal MPI, 18 had left heart catheterization (9 were false-positive); there were 23 remaining patients with abnormal MPI (16 having moderate to severe perfusion defect size) but who did not have a left-side angiogram and could have undiagnosed significant coronary artery disease. The diagnostic yield of stress MPI was similarly low among all cardiovascular risk categories. Conclusions— Stress MPI for evaluation of syncope in patients without known coronary artery disease has a low-diagnostic yield among all risk categories; thus, reaffirmation and revision of the appropriateness criteria should be considered.

In patients presenting with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery and three-vessel disease are the most commonly encountered culprit lesions in the presence of ST depression, while one third of patients with left circumflex (LCX) artery related infarction have normal ECG. We sought to determine the predictors of presence of culprit lesion in NSTEMI patients based on ECG, echocardiographic, and clinical characteristics.Patients admitted to the coronary care unit with the diagnosis of NSTEMI between June 2012 and December 2013 were retrospectively identified. Admission ECG was interpreted by an electrophysiologist that was blinded to the result of the coronary angiogram. Patients were dichotomized into either normal or abnormal ECG group. The primary endpoint was presence of culprit lesion. Secondary endpoints included length of stay, re-hospitalization within 60 days, and in-hospital mortality.A total of 118 patients that were identified; 47 with normal and 71 with abnormal ECG. At least one culprit lesion was identified in 101 patients (86%), and significantly more among those with abnormal ECG (91.5% vs. 76.6%, P=0.041).The LAD was the most frequently detected culprit lesion in both groups. There was a higher incidence of two and three-vessel disease in the abnormal ECG group (P=0.041).On the other hand, there was a trend of higher LCX involvement (25% vs. 13.8%, P=0.18) and more normal coronary arteries in the normal ECG group (23.4% vs. 8.5%, P=0.041). On multivariate analysis, prior history of coronary artery disease (CAD) [odds ratio (OR) 6.4 (0.8-52)], male gender [OR 5.0 (1.5-17)], and abnormal admission ECG [OR 3.6 (1.12-12)], were independent predictors of a culprit lesion. There was no difference in secondary endpoints between those with normal and abnormal ECG.Among patients presenting with NSTEMI, prior history of CAD, male gender and abnormal admission ECG were independent predictors of a culprit lesion. An abnormal ECG was significantly associated with two and three-vessel disease, while normal ECG was more associated with LCX involvement or normal angiogram. Admission ECG did not impact secondary outcomes.

Background— Diastolic dysfunction is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction. There are limited data, however, on whether worsening of diastolic function is associated with worse prognosis. Methods and Results— We reviewed clinical records and echocardiograms of consecutive patients who had baseline echocardiograms between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2009, that showed left ventricular ejection fraction ≥55% and who subsequently had a follow-up echocardiogram within 6 to 24 months. Diastolic function was labeled as normal, mild, moderate, or severe dysfunction. All-cause mortality was determined by use of the Social Security Death Index. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis with a proportional hazard model were performed to assess outcomes. A total of 1065 outpatients were identified (mean±SD age, 67.9±13.9 years; 58% male). Baseline diastolic dysfunction was present in 770 patients (72.3%), with mild being the most prevalent. On follow-up testing (mean±SD, 1.1±0.4 years), 783 patients (73%) had stable, 168 (16%) had worsening, and 114 (11%) had improved baseline diastolic function. Eighty-eight patients (8.3%) had a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction to P =0.002). After a mean±SD follow-up (from the second study) of 1.6±0.8 years, 142 patients (13%) died. On multivariate analysis, a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction to P =0.02; and hazard ratio, 1.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.21–2.59; P =0.003, respectively). Conclusion— In patients with normal baseline left ventricular ejection fraction, worsening of diastolic function is an independent predictor of mortality.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary lifestyle has become prevalent in our community. Recent data showed controversy on the effect of regular exercise on left ventricular compliance and myocardial relaxation. HYPOTHESIS: We sought to assess whether physical inactivity is an independent predictor of diastolic dysfunction in or community, after adjustment for several covariates. METHODS: Consecutive outpatients presenting to the echocardiography laboratory between July 2013 and June 2014 were prospectively enrolled. Clinical variables were collected prospectively at enrollment. Patients were considered physically active if they exercised regularly ≥3× a week, ≥30 minutes each time. The primary endpoint was presence of diastolic dysfunction. RESULTS: The final cohort included 1356 patients (mean age [SD] 52.9 [17.4] years, 51.3% female). Compared with physically active patients, the 1009 (74.4%) physically inactive patients were older, more often female, and had more comorbidities and worse diastolic function (51.3% vs 38.3%; P < 0.001). On univariate analysis, physical inactivity was associated with 70% increased odds of having diastolic dysfunction (odds ratio: 1.70, 95% confidence interval: 1.32‐2.18, P < 0.001). There was significant interaction between physical activity and left ventricular mass index (LVMI; P = 0.026). On multivariate analysis, patients who were physically inactive and had LVMI ≥ median had significantly higher odds of having diastolic dysfunction (odds ratio: 2.82, 95% confidence interval: 1.58‐5.05, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In a large, prospectively enrolled cohort from a single tertiary center in the Middle East, physically inactive patients with increased LVMI had 2‐ to 3‐fold increased odds of having diastolic dysfunction after multivariate adjustment.

In patients with heart failure and prolonged QRS duration, randomized clinical trials have shown that cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is associated with improvement in quality of life, left ventricular (LV) remodeling, and survival.1–3 The improvements are believed to be mediated by more effective synchronized contraction in the presence of a wide QRS, but mechanical and electrical dyssynchrony are not equivalent.4,5 Although the concept of CRT response remains problematic,6 20% to 40% of patients who receive CRT based on electrical dyssynchrony criteria (ie, QRS duration) do not derive symptom improvement or demonstrate reverse remodeling.7–10 Scar burden11–13 and failure to place the LV pacing lead at the site of latest onset of contraction14–17 have been linked to a poor response. Thus, optimal clinical decision-making for CRT must include a comprehensive evaluation of all these factors to identify patients with heart failure who will benefit. The standard echocardiographic parameters of LV mechanical dyssynchrony have been extensively reviewed,18 with >600 published articles. Most of this work has been done using tissue Doppler imaging, with more recent work using speckle tracking,19,20 3D echocardiography,21 echocardiographic contrast imaging,22 and intracardiac echocardiography.23 Despite the important benefits of high temporal resolution, success in individual centers, and ability to assess the impact of scar burden and concordance of LV lead with latest activation site,14 fundamental limitations of tissue Doppler imaging include the inability to measure over a sufficient number of cardiac cycles to overcome beat-to-beat variation, poor image quality, and measurement error.24 In the only randomized trial of CRT in patients with wide QRS,25 the failure of 12 different echocardiographic dyssynchrony parameters to improve outcome was most likely related to the large interobserver and …

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone secreted from intestinal L cells upon nutrients ingestion, and is currently used for treating diabetes mellitus. It plays an important role in receptor modulation and cross talk with insulin at the coronary endothelium (CE) and cardiomyocytes (CM) in diabetic type 1 rat heart model. We studied the effects of insulin, GLP-1 analogues (exendin-4), and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitor on GLP-1 cardiac receptor modulation. The binding affinity of GLP-1 to its receptor on CE and CM was calculated using a rat heart perfusion model with [(125)I]-GLP-1(7-36). Tissue samples from the heart were used for immunostaining and Western blot analyses. GLP-1 systemic blood levels were measured using ELISA. GLP-1 binding affinity (τ) increased on the CE (0.33 ± 0.01 vs. 0.25 ± 0.01 min; p < 0.001) and decreased on the CM (0.29 ± 0.02 vs. 0.43 ± 0.02 min; p < 0.001) in the diabetic non-treated rats when compared to normal. There was normalization of τ back to baseline on the CE and CM levels with insulin and DPP-IV inhibitor treatment, respectively. Histological sections and immunofluorescence showed receptor up-regulation in diabetic rats with significant decrease and even normalization with the different treatment strategies. Systemic GLP-1 levels increased after 14 days of diabetes induction (10 ± 3.7 vs. 103 ± 58 pM; p = 0.0005). In conclusion, there is a significant GLP-1 receptor affinity modulation on the CE and CM levels in rats with diabetes type 1, and a cross talk with GLP-1 analogues in early prevention of cardiac remodeling.

Background— Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk in the general population. Its prognostic implications are less well defined in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods and Results— We analyzed patients in the Duke Database for Cardiovascular Disease with a diagnosis of incident obstructive coronary artery disease. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was classified as a clinical history of DM, use of hypoglycemic drugs, or fasting glucose of ≥126 mg/dL. MetSyn was defined as having 3 of 5 characteristics: fasting glucose ≥100 and 150 mg/dL, blood pressure ≥130/85 mm Hg, or use of antihypertensive therapy, or body mass index ≥27. Death, myocardial infarction, or stroke was assessed at 6 months, 1 year, then annually. Cox proportional hazards models were generated to compare mortality and cardiovascular events between groups. The primary cohort consisted of 5744 patients; 1831 (31.9%) had DM, 2491 (43.4%) had MetSyn, and 1422 (24.7%) had no DM/MetSyn. Median follow-up was 5 years. Compared with no DM/MetSyn patients, DM patients had a higher adjusted risk for mortality (hazard ratio, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.28 to 1.69) but MetSyn patients did not (hazard ratio, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.81 to 1.08). Similar results were found for the combined end points of death or myocardial infarction, and death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Conclusions— In a population of consecutive patients with a new diagnosis of coronary artery disease by angiography, MetSyn without DM was not an independent predictor of mortality or cardiovascular events.

A 9-year-old boy with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) was referred for cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging following an abnormal echocardiogram that showed a large mass layered on the inferolateral wall of the left ventricle, causing secondary severe mitral regurgitation. Cardiac involvement in HES usually affects the ventricular apex. In our case, CMR confirmed the presence of a large mural thrombus of 0.9 cm × 4.2 cm. This unusual cardiac involvement in HES was diagnosed in its intermediate thrombotic stage. CMR is very sensitive and specific in staging the disease. It explained the etiology of mitral regurgitation and guided therapy, especially when echocardiography was nonconclusive.

Blunted heart rate response (HRR) to regadenoson has been shown to be predictive of poor outcome in patients undergoing SPECT myocardial perfusion Imaging (MPI). The predictive value of this marker has not been evaluated in high risk patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). ESRD patients

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) is a novel non-invasive modality with many potential indications, and was recently introduced in Lebanon. We sought to assess the appropriateness and diagnostic yield of CMR studies performed at a tertiary referral center from the Middle East since the inception of the program.All patients who underwent CMR studies between January 1(st) 2013 and June 18(th) 2014 were enrolled in this study. CMR reports were retrospectively reviewed. The study indication, clinical history, and findings were extracted and analyzed. The appropriateness of the study was judged according to the 2010 updated Asian Society of Cardiac Imaging guidelines.There were a total of 142 patients [mean age 42.1 (SD: 18) years, 24.6% females] that underwent CMR study. Two-thirds of studies were performed on an outpatient basis, and outside referrals constituted 16.2% of the entire cohort. The cardiologists referred 122 cases (86%) with main contribution from electrophysiology and imaging specialists. Of the 142 cases, 12 (8.4%) were not indicated and added little value. Of the remaining 130 appropriate studies (appropriateness level A8-A9), one-third had an incorrect diagnosis prior to CMR, and 8% had relevant findings that were missed on other studies but captured by CMR. Furthermore, CMR confirmed the diagnosis in 28% of the cases, provided relevant information on scar burden, shunt quantification, and ruled out infiltrative disease in the remaining patients. Also, CMR demonstrated the presence of scar in 45 of patients, among whom 20 (44%) had significant scar volume quantification (5% of left ventricular myocardium). Finally, 9% of patients had a relevant extra-cardiac finding that needed further investigation.Despite the recent launch of the CMR program at our institution, the majority of studies were appropriately indicated, provided relevant data and were clinically useful. Inappropriate or uncertain studies did not provide relevant data, and should be further minimized to avoid unnecessary costs and downstream testing. Large prospective CMR database with clinical follow-up is needed to provide more insight about cardiovascular disease and outcomes in our population.

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has many advantages over invasive coronary angiography. It allows the detection of anomalous vessels and their relationship to heart structures. Dual left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) anomaly is defined by the presence of two LADs. It is categorized on the basis of a long and short LAD. We present a novel type in which one long LAD branches from the right coronary artery (RCA) and the other LAD, a long vessel as well, branches from the left main coronary artery (LMCA). They course in parallel to terminate at the apex. This pattern defies the current short-long classification. We suggest it to be a novel pattern.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a leading cause of mortality in patients with cardiomyopathy. Although angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) decrease cardiac mortality in these cohorts, their role in preventing SCD has not been well established. We sought to determine whether the use of ACEi or ARB in patients with cardiomyopathy is associated with a lower incidence of appropriate implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) shocks in the Genetic Risk Assessment of Defibrillator Events study that included subjects with an ejection fraction of ≤30% and ICDs. Treatment with ACEi/ARB versus no-ACEi/ARB was physician dependent. There were 1,509 patients (mean age [SD] 63 [12] years, 80% men, mean [SD] EF 21% [6%]) with 1,213 (80%) on ACEi/ARB and 296 (20%) not on ACEi/ARB. We identified 574 propensity-matched patients (287 in each group). After a mean (SD) of 2.5 (1.9) years, there were 334 (22%) appropriate shocks in the entire cohort. The use of ACEi/ARB was associated with lower incidence of shocks at 1, 3, and 5 years in the matched cohort (7.7%, 16.7%, and 18.5% vs 13.2%, 27.5%, and 32.0%; RR = 0.61 [0.43 to 0.86]; p = 0.005). Among patients with glomerular filtration rate (GFR)60 and 30 to 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2), those on no-ACEi/ARB were at 45% and 77% increased risk of ICD shock compared with those on ACEi/ARB, respectively. ACEi/ARB were associated with significant lower incidence of appropriate ICD shock in patients with cardiomyopathy and GFR ≥30 ml/min/1.73 m(2) and with neutral effect in those with GFR30 ml/min/1.73 m(2).

Pericarditis diagnosis and management can be challenging requiring surgical intervention even in young healthy individuals. A 23-year-old lady presented with two months history of progressive neck pressure and dyspnea on exertion. She recalls having flu-like symptoms few months prior to her

SCD is a leading cause of cardiac mortality in patients with cardiomyopathy (CM). ACEi/ARB antagonize the action of angiotensin-II, a known precursor of interstitial fibrosis associated with ventricular arrhythmia. While ACEi/ARB decrease mortality, their role in preventing SCD in patients with CM

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is widely utilized for assessment of myocardial ischemia and function. This study compared 3 commonly used software programs that quantitate myocardial perfusion defect size (PDS) and left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction (EF). MPI scans of 100

Left ventricular ejection fraction as determined by echocardiography has a limited sensitivity in predicting risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD). Subsequent efforts to improve cost-effectiveness of device implantation and identify a better risk-stratifying tool have been quite desirable. The presence of scar and myocardial tissue heterogeneity has been linked to ventricular arrhythmia, which is believed to be the major cause of SCD. Cardiac magnetic resonance is a noninvasive imaging modality that visualizes and quantifies scar, with growing evidence delineating its additive value in identifying patients at higher risk for SCD.

After 3 hours of chest pain, a 67-year-old man presented with deep symmetric T-wave inversions in the precordial leads, a prognostically significant finding.