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Background: "Triple rule-out" CT angiography simultaneously evaluates coronary artery disease, pulmonary embolism, and aortic dissection in a single imaging examination. However, the clinical outcomes of this approach are unknown., Objective: Using standard cardiac CT angiography as a reference, this study was performed to describe the diagnostic yield and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing triple rule-out in clinical practice., Methods: We identified consecutive patients at 2 institutions undergoing triple rule-out or cardiac CT angiography for acute chest pain. The primary outcome was a composite diagnostic yield consisting of coronary artery diameter stenosis >50%, pulmonary embolism, and aortic dissection. Other reported outcomes included radiation dose, downstream resource use, and 90-day clinical outcomes., Results: Among 2068 patients (272 triple rule-out and 1796 cardiac CT angiograms), the composite diagnostic yield was 14.3% with triple rule-out and 16.3% with cardiac CT (P = 0.41) and was driven by the diagnosis of obstructive coronary artery disease (13.2% triple rule-out versus 16.1% cardiac CT, P = 0.22). The diagnostic yield for pulmonary embolism was low (1.1% triple rule-out and 0.2% cardiac CT, P = 0.052) and no aortic dissections were found in either group. Compared with cardiac CT, the triple rule-out approach was associated with higher radiation exposure (12.0 ± 5.6 mSv versus 8.2 ± 4.0 mSv, P < 0.0001), a greater incidence of subsequent emergency center cardiac evaluations (5.9% versus 2.5%, P = 0.0017), and more downstream pulmonary embolism-protocol CT angiography (3.3% versus 0.9%, P = 0.0034)., Conclusions: Among patients with acute chest pain, a triple rule-out approach resulted in higher radiation exposure compared with cardiac CT, but was not associated with improved diagnostic yield, reduced clinical events, or diminished downstream resource use., (Copyright © 2011 Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study was designed as a "proof-of-concept" to establish whether coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) has the capability to identify morphological features of plaque disruption., Methods and Results: In patients with unstable angina undergoing CTA and invasive coronary angiography within 30 days, quantitative CTA analysis was performed on all plaques for percent stenosis, volume, remodeling index, and volume of low-attenuation plaque (<50 Hounsfield units). Plaques with >25% stenosis were evaluated for CTA features of disruption, including ulceration and intraplaque dye penetration. Using invasive coronary angiography complex plaque as the reference standard for disruption, the sensitivity and specificity of ulceration and intraplaque dye penetration by CTA were determined. In 60 patients, 294 plaques were identified by CTA, of which 109 (37%) had features of disruption, including ulceration in 53 (18%) lesions and intraplaque dye penetration in 80 (27%). Compared with nondisrupted lesions, plaques with ulceration or intraplaque dye penetration by CTA were more voluminous (313±356 mm(3) versus 118±93 mm(3) P<0.0001), more often positively remodeled (94.5% versus 44.3%, P<0.0001), contained more low-attenuation plaque (99±161 mm(3) versus 19±18 mm(3), P<0.0001), and were more often complex by ICA (57.8% versus 8.1%, P<0.0001). CTA features of disruption demonstrated modest to good sensitivity (53% to 81%) and good specificity (82% to 95%) for complex plaque by invasive coronary angiography., Conclusions: In this highly selected group of patients with unstable angina, CTA can delineate features of plaque disruption, including ulceration and intraplaque dye penetration, which are specific markers of invasively identified complex plaque. Further studies are needed to confirm the generalizability of the results and to explore the clinical and prognostic implications of these findings.

Background: Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) of 64-detector rows or greater represents a novel noninvasive anatomic method for evaluation of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Early studies suggest a potential for prognostic risk assessment by CCTA findings but were limited by small patient cohorts or single centers. The CONFIRM (COronary CT Angiography EvaluatioN For Clinical Outcomes: An InteRnational Multicenter) registry is a large, prospective, multinational dynamic observational study of patients undergoing CCTA. The primary aim of CONFIRM is to determine the prognostic value of CCTA findings for the prediction of future adverse CAD events., Methods: The CONFIRM registry currently represents 27,125 consecutive patients at 12 cluster sites in 6 countries in North America, Europe, and Asia. CONFIRM sites were chosen on the basis of adequate CCTA volume, site CCTA proficiency, and local demographic characteristics and medical facilities to ensure a broad-based sample of patients. Patients comprising the present CONFIRM cohort include those with suspected but without known CAD, with known CAD, or asymptomatic persons undergoing CAD evaluation. A data dictionary comprising a wide array of demographic, clinical, and CCTA findings was developed by the CONFIRM investigators and is uniformly used for all patients. Patients are followed up after CCTA performance to identify adverse CAD events, including death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, target vessel revascularization, and CAD-related hospitalization., Conclusions: From a number of countries worldwide, the information collected from the CONFIRM registry will add incremental and important insights into CCTA findings that confer prognostic value beyond demographic and clinical characteristics. The results of the CONFIRM registry will provide valuable information about the optimal methods for using CCTA findings., (Copyright © 2011 Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The impact of marathon running on kidney function has not been previously described., Methods: From 425 marathon runners, 13 women and 12 men were randomly selected and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and blood/urine biomarkers were performed 4 weeks before (baseline), immediately after (peak), and 24 h after the race (recovery)., Results: Participants were 38.7 ± 9.0 years old and completed the marathon in 256.2 ± 43.5 min. A total of 10/25 (40.0%) met the Acute Kidney Injury Network definition of acute kidney injury (AKI) based on a rise in serum creatinine. There were parallel and similar mean rises in serum creatinine and cystatin C from baseline, to peak, and return to normal in recovery. Urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin rose from 8.2 ± 4.0 to 47.0 ± 28.6 and returned to 10.6 ± 7.2 ng/mL, P < 0.0001. Likewise, the mean urinary kidney injury molecule-1 levels were 2.6 ± 1.6, 3.5 ± 1.6 and 2.7 ± 1.6 ng/mL (P = 0.001). The mean and minimum pre- and post-IVC (inferior vena cava) diameters by MRI were 24.9, 18.8 and 25.3, 17.5 mm, respectively, suggesting that runners were not volume depleted at the first post-race measurement., Conclusion: Approximately 40% of marathon runners experience a transient rise in serum creatinine that meets criteria of AKI with a parallel elevation of cystatin C, and supportive elevations of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and kidney injury molecule-1 in the urine. All biomarker elevations resolved by 24 h. These data suggest that AKI with a transient and minor change in renal filtration function occurs with the stress of marathon running. The impact of repetitive episodes of AKI with long-distance running is unknown., (© 2010 The Authors. Nephrology © 2010 Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology.)

Obesity is a common public health problem and obese individuals in particular have a disproportionate incidence of acute coronary events. This study was undertaken to identify coronary artery lesions as well as associated clinical features, risk factors and demographics in patients with a body mass index (BMI) >40 kg/m(2) without known coronary artery disease (CAD). Morbidly obese subjects were prospectively recruited to undergo coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) using a dual-source computed tomography (CT) system. CAD was defined as the presence of any atherosclerotic lesion in any one coronary artery segment. The presence, location, and severity of atherosclerosis were related to patient characteristics. Forty-one patients (28 women, mean age, 50.4±10.0 years, mean BMI, 43.8±4.8 kg/m(2)) served as the study population. Of these, 25 patients (61%) had at least one coronary stenosis. All but 2 patients within the CAD cohort had coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores >0, and most plaques identified (75.4%) were non-calcified. There was a predilection of calcified and non-calcified atherosclerosis involving the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery compared with other coronary segments. Univariate predictors of CAD included older age, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. In this preliminary study of young morbidly obese patients, CCTA detected a high prevalence of calcified and non-calcified CAD, although the later predominated.

We sought to clarify the significance of cardiac dysfunction and to assess its relationship with elevated biomarkers by using cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in healthy, middle-aged subjects immediately after they ran 26.2 miles. Cardiac dysfunction and elevated blood markers of myocardial injury have been reported after prolonged strenuous exercise. From 425 volunteers, 13 women and 12 men were randomly selected, provided medical and training history, and underwent baseline cardiopulmonary exercise testing to exhaustion. Blood biomarkers, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, and 24-h ambulatory electrocardiography were performed 4 wk before and immediately after the race. Participants were 38.7+/-9.0 yr old, had baseline peak oxygen consumption of 52.9+/-5.6 ml.kg(-1).min(-1), and completed the marathon in 256.2+/-43.5 min. Cardiac troponin I and B-type natriuretic peptide increased following the race (P=0.001 and P<0.0001, respectively). Cardiovascular magnetic resonance-determined pre- and postmarathon left ventricular ejection fractions were comparable, 57.7+/-4.1% and 58.7+/-4.3%, respectively (P=0.32). Right atrial volume index increased from 46.7+/-14.4 to 57.0+/-14.5 ml/m2 (P<0.0001). Similarly, right ventricular end-systolic volume index increased from 47.4+/-11.2 to 57.0+/-14.6 ml/m2 (P<0.0001) whereas the right ventricular ejection fraction dropped from 53.6+/-7.1 to 45.5+/-8.5% (P<0.0001). There were no morphological changes observed in the left atrium or ventricle or evidence of ischemic injury to any chamber by late gadolinium enhancement. There were no significant arrhythmias. Marathon running causes dilation of the right atrium and right ventricle, reduction of right ventricular ejection fraction, and release of cardiac troponin I and B-type natriuretic peptide but does not appear to result in ischemic injury to any chamber.

In the United States alone, nearly 6 million patients present annually to emergency departments with complaints of chest pain suggestive of acute coronary ischemia. Most of these patients have a non-negligible risk for acute coronary syndrome(s) (ACS) and undergo extended observation and workup for an ischemic cause. Of those admitted for extended observation, less than 30% of patients have true ACS. In patients with a low to intermediate probability, cardiac CT performs well in ruling out coronary artery disease, and American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines deem this application to be "appropriate." This article reviews the application of CT for the evaluation of acute chest pain the emergency department.

Background: Management of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and inconclusive stress imaging test findings may result in invasive coronary angiography (ICA). Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) may be useful in defining the risk of CAD and adverse outcomes in this patient population, as well as in reducing the need for ICA., Methods: We prospectively enrolled 199 sequential patients referred by cardiologists for CCTA after either inconclusive or nondiagnostic stress imaging tests. Before CCTA, physicians identified a "planned catheterization" group of patients who would undergo invasive angiography if CCTA were not available. After CCTA testing, patients were followed for >or=2 years. We established the added diagnostic value of the CCTA and its prognostic power in prediction of intermediate-term follow-up events in this patient population as compared to available historical and clinical predictors of CAD, stress ECG, and stress imaging test results using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards survival analysis., Results: Both observed data and results of the multivariable model for the prediction of obstructive CAD (>50% stenosis), or major cardiac events (death MI or revascularization), demonstrated that clinical, stress ECG, and imaging results were weakly predictive, whereas CCTA was found to be a strong independent and incremental predictor of the absence of either significant CAD or MACE in this population. None of the 93 patients with normal CCTA scans had MACE events, whereas 18 patients with evidence of CAD on the CCTA results underwent revascularization. Overall, physicians planned ICA in 125 patients (63.0%); after CCTA, ICA was performed in only 32 (16.0%) cases over 2 years. In this population with no other highly effective noninvasive clinical tools for diagnostic and prognostic estimation, the overall negative predictive value of CCTA for either CAD > 50% or MACE for 2 years was 99%., Conclusion: Observations from this prospective study demonstrate the significant added diagnostic value and prognostic potential of CCTA in patients with suspected CAD and either inconclusive or nondiagnostic stress test results in real-world settings. Normal CCTA results are associated with excellent intermediate-term prognosis in this clinical subset, and invasive angiography can be safely avoided in the majority of these patients when the results of CCTA are available.

Context: Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) can accurately diagnose coronary artery disease, but radiation dose from this procedure is of concern., Objectives: To determine whether a collaborative radiation dose-reduction program would be associated with reduced radiation dose in patients undergoing CCTA in a statewide registry over a 1-year period and to define its effect on image quality., Design, Setting, and Patients: A prospective, controlled, nonrandomized study conducted during a control period (July-August 2007), an intervention period (September 2007-April 2008), and a follow-up period (May-June 2008) at 15 hospital imaging centers participating in the Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Consortium in Michigan, which included small community hospitals and large academic medical centers. A total of 4995 sequential patients undergoing CCTA for suspected coronary artery disease were enrolled; 4862 patients (97.3%) had complete radiation data for analysis., Intervention: A best-practice CCTA scan model was used, which included minimized scan range, heart rate reduction, electrocardiographic-gated tube current modulation, and reduced tube voltage in suitable patients., Main Outcome Measures: Primary outcomes included dose-length product and effective radiation dose from all phases of the CCTA scan. Secondary outcomes were image quality assessed by a 4-point scale (1 indicated excellent; 2, good; 3, adequate; and 4, nondiagnostic) and frequency of diagnostic-quality scans., Results: Compared with the control period, patients' estimated median radiation dose in the follow-up period was reduced by 53.3% (dose-length product decreased from 1493 mGy x cm [interquartile range {IQR}, 855-1823 mGy x cm] to 697 mGy x cm [IQR, 407-1163 mGy x cm]; P < .001) and effective dose from 21 mSv (IQR, 12-26 mSv) to 10 mSv (IQR, 6-16 mSv) (P < .001). The greatest reduction in dose occurred at low-volume sites. There were no significant changes in median image quality assessment during the control period compared with the follow-up period (median image quality of 2 [images rated as good] vs median image quality of 2; P = .13) or frequency of diagnostic-quality scans (554/620 patients [89%] vs 769/835 patients [92%]; P = .07)., Conclusion: Consistent application of currently available dose-reduction techniques was associated with a marked reduction in estimated radiation doses in a statewide CCTA registry, without impairment of image quality., Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00640068.

Background: Morbidly obese persons (body mass index [BMI; in kg/m(2)] >or= 40) have an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality but have reduced accuracy with conventional cardiac testing and coronary CT angiography (CCTA)., Objective: This study investigated a novel dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) acquisition and reconstruction method for coronary imaging in morbidly obese patients., Methods: This was a observational study in which each patient served as his or her own control. After a single DSCT acquisition using a novel method, standard quarter-scan image reconstructions at a temporal resolution of 83 milliseconds were compared with temporal resolution reconstructions at 105, 125, and 165 milliseconds. Images were evaluated for diagnostic adequacy score and for image noise, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio. In each patient, the image reconstruction with the best visual diagnostic score was compared with the control image for quantitative measures., Results: Fifty patients (32 female; mean +/- SD age, 51 +/- 10 y; mean BMI, 44.8 +/- 5.6) were enrolled. Scans were of diagnostic quality in 47 (94%) patients using the "best reconstruction" compared with 38 (76%) patients using quarter-scan reconstruction. Significant improvements were observed in noise (42 +/- 16 HU versus 56 +/- 19 HU; P < 0.0001), contrast-to-noise ratio (8.4 +/- 3.3 HU versus 7.0 +/- 2.2 HU; P = 0.0038), and signal-to-noise ratio (7.6 +/- 2.9 HU versus 6.5 +/- 3.5 HU; P = 0.030)., Conclusions: CCTA with DSCT using a modified scan protocol and adjustable temporal reconstructions provides diagnostic image quality in >90% of morbidly obese patients.

Autopsy studies have shown the near universal presence of fatty streaks and fibroatheromas in the general population from which chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients arise. The vast majority of CKD patients have multiple conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Atherosclerosis, once present, can predominantly manifest as medial calcification, which has been previously termed Mönckeberg's sclerosis. This term has also been used in rare cases to describe vascular calcinosis not related to CKD. This clarification is critical to advance the field in terms of pathological diagnosis and treatment of CKD bone and mineral disorder. Factors that appear to promote the osteoblastic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells and enhance deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals include phosphorus activation of the Pit-1 receptor, bone morphogenic proteins 2 and 4, leptin, endogenous 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D, vascular calcification activating factor, and measures of oxidative stress. These entities work to accelerate the atherosclerotic process in CKD patients and may be future targets for diagnosis and treatment. Although conventional atherosclerotic risk factors should be optimally managed, it should be noted that trials of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors have failed to attenuate the rate of progressive vascular calcification as measured by computed tomography scans.

This retrospective study was undertaken to assess the responses to, and complications associated with, stress testing in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). Primary end points were occurrence of malignant ventricular arrhythmias, onset of burst pacing or ICD firing, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or death during or soon after stress testing. Secondary end points were urgent coronary revascularization and/or hospital readmission for cardiovascular complications. During a 4-year period, 1734 patients underwent ICD implantation or generator replacement at our institution; 84 patients (mean age +/- SD, 67+/-12 years; 76% men) subsequently underwent 107 stress tests, including 44 exercise and 63 pharmacologic (22 dobutamine, 41 dipyridamole) evaluations. None of the ICDs were inactivated before testing. All tests were supervised by specially trained paramedical personnel, with a physician immediately available. Four patients had self-terminating, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia at peak stress. None had sustained ventricular tachycardia requiring emergent therapy. There were no deaths or hospital readmissions for ventricular arrhythmias. These findings suggest that stress testing is feasible in patients with ICDs and that it can be performed without pretest inactivation.

Among the general heart failure (HF) population, over half have diastolic HF (DHF). The proportion of DHF increases with age, from 46% in patients younger than 45 years to 59% in patients older than 85 years. The diagnosis of DHF is made by the combination of signs and symptoms of HF with preserved systolic function (left ventricular ejection fraction >50%), and evidence of diastolic dysfunction obtained by echocardiographic Doppler examination, invasive hemodynamic evaluation, or an elevation of serum B-type natriuretic peptide. The most common risk factors for the development of diastolic dysfunction and DHF include long-standing hypertension, older age, female sex, obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and coronary artery disease. Acute decompensation occurs in the setting of pressure overload, volume overload, or superimposed cardiac ischemia. The cornerstones of in-hospital management include blood pressure and volume control, heart rate control, and correction of precipitating factors. Priorities in the outpatient clinic include optimal blood pressure control, maintenance of euvolemia with minimal or no diuretics, and, potentially, use of disease-modifying drugs including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, aldosterone receptor blockers, beta-blockers, and digoxin. Long-term regression of left ventricular hypertrophy, improvement in diastolic filling parameters, and sustained reductions in B-type natriuretic peptide may be future treatment targets for this condition.

Objectives: To determine the clinical outcomes associated with use of AngioJet thrombectomy (AT) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)., Background: Embolization of thrombus and atherosclerotic plaque is thought to contribute to sub-optimal myocardial reperfusion and worse clinical outcomes in STEMI. However, in a recent randomized trial, a higher mortality and infarct size was observed in patients treated with AT., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent primary or rescue PCI for STEMI between January 2000 and December 2005. Angiographic, procedural and in-hospital outcomes were compared between patients treated with or without AT., Results: 1,260 STEMI patients underwent primary or rescue PCI at our hospital during the study period. Of these, 239 (19%) underwent adjunctive treatment with AT. Patients treated with AT were more likely to be female, smokers and have a right coronary artery culprit. A slightly lower incidence of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 3 grade flow was observed in the AT group after PCI (86% vs. 90%, p = 0.04). There was no significant difference in the incidence of in-lab ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation, vascular complications or transfusion between the study groups. The peak creatine kinase was higher in patients treated with AT. The incidence of in-hospital major adverse cardiac events was 7.5% in the AT group and 9.0% in the control group (p = NS)., Conclusions: In this large, single-center experience, use of AT during mechanical reperfusion for STEMI was not associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes. Our data suggest that AT may be performed safely in selected patients with STEMI.

More than half of all persons with heart failure (HF) have diastolic HF. The prevalence of diastolic HF increases from 46% in persons younger than 45 years to 59% in those 85 years and older. The annual mortality rate associated with diastolic HF is >10%. Diagnosis is based on signs and symptoms of HF, elevated plasma B-type natriuretic peptide, preserved left ventricular systolic function, and evidence of diastolic dysfunction by Doppler examination on two-dimensional echocardiography. Approximately 80% of patients with diastolic HF have increased left ventricular mass and a history of hypertension. Neurohormonal activation is a key aspect of this condition. Studies suggest that activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, specifically direct cardiac effects of angiotensin II and aldosterone, contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of diastolic dysfunction. Hence, there is a rationale for use of agents that antagonize the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and aldosterone antagonists, in patients with heart failure.

This is the case of a patient who presented with severe right-sided heart failure due to diastolic dysfunction that caused a dilemma of differential diagnosis between restrictive cardiomyopathy and constrictive pericarditis. Restrictive cardiomyopathy was diagnosed based on noninvasive and invasive hemodynamic testing. However, the patient did not respond to therapy and succumbed to worsening heart failure and multiple comorbidities. Clinical features of right heart failure with edema, ascites, jugular venous distention, and tender hepatomegaly are commonly seen in clinical practice. When systolic function is determined to be normal, diastolic causes of heart failure must be ruled out. These include myocardial disorders with a broad range of pathologies leading to restrictive physiology, of which amyloidosis is a prototype. Pericardial disorders leading to diastolic heart failure are usually in the form of constrictive physiology, when pericardial tamponade is ruled out. Differentiation between restrictive and constrictive pathologies is often difficult and requires careful attention to hemodynamic and Doppler echocardiographic features. We report a case of severe right heart failure illustrating some of the complexities in decision-making and the importance of meticulous hemodynamic and ancillary testing in the diagnosis and treatment of this often fatal condition.