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Background: Long-term intensive training induces physiological, morphological, and functional adaption of the athlete's heart., Purpose: To evaluate the development of athlete's heart during a mid-term follow-up of competitive athletes using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)., Material and Methods: Eighteen competitive long-distance runners and triathletes (age 43 ± 13 years, 3 women) were prospectively examined in a longitudinal follow-up study 5.05 ± 0.6 years after baseline. CMR at 1.5-T was performed for functional and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging. Left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic volume (LVEDV, RVEDV) as well as ejection fraction (LVEF, RVEF), LV myocardial mass (LVMM), and atrial sizes were determined and compared to baseline in matched pairs statistics for paired difference., Results: LVEDV (197 ± 38 mL vs. 196 ± 38 mL, paired difference -0.9 mL, P = 0.7) and LVEF (62 ± 7% vs. 62 ± 5%, paired difference 0.1%, P = 0.9) did not change during the follow-up period, whereas LVMM increased significantly (149 ± 31 g vs.164 ± 32 g, paired difference 14 g, P < 0.0001). RVEDV significantly increased from 221 ± 47 mL at baseline to 230 ± 52 mL (paired difference 10 mL, P = 0.0033). RVEF decreased from baseline 57 ± 8% to 53 ± 7% (paired difference -3%, P = 0.0234). Left atrial size showed no significant changes (24 ± 5 cm 2 vs. 25 ± 6 cm 2 , paired difference 0.5 cm 2 , P = 0.17) and right atrial size increased significantly (30 ± 5 cm 2 vs. 32 ± 4 cm 2 , paired difference 2 cm 2 , P = 0.0054)., Conclusion: This study supports the theory of ongoing remodeling in an athlete's heart. Predominantly the right heart can further enlarge in a mid-term period. This response seems not linearly dependent on a steady, decreased, or increased training volume.

Dietary administration of orotic acid (OA), an intermediate in the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway, is considered to provide a wide range of beneficial effects, including cardioprotection and exercise adaptation. Its mechanisms of action, when applied extracellularly, however, are barely understood. In this study, we evaluated potential effects of OA on skeletal muscle using an in vitro contraction model of electrically pulse-stimulated (EPS) C2C12 myotubes. By analyzing a subset of genes representing inflammatory, metabolic, and structural adaptation pathways, we could show that OA supplementation diminishes the EPS-provoked expression of inflammatory transcripts (interleukin 6, Il6; chemokine (C-X-C Motif) ligand 5, Cxcl5), and attenuated transcript levels of nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 3 (Nr4A3), early growth response 1 (Egr1), activating transcription factor 3 (Atf3), and fast-oxidative MyHC-IIA isoform (Myh2). By contrast, OA had no suppressive effect on the pathogen-provoked inflammatory gene response in skeletal muscle cells, as demonstrated by stimulation of C2C12 myotubes with bacterial LPS. In addition, we observed a suppressive effect of OA on EPS-induced phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), whereas EPS-triggered phosphorylation/activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) was not affected. Finally, we demonstrate that OA positively influences glycogen levels in EP-stimulated myotubes. Taken together, our results suggest that in skeletal muscle cells, OA modulates both the inflammatory and the metabolic reaction provoked by acute contraction. These results might have important clinical implications, specifically in cardiovascular and exercise medicine.

Physical activity is nowadays an established therapeutic principle concerning primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases; therefore, in internal sports medicine various aspects go beyond basic cardiological knowledge and require special medical expertise (sports cardiology). Acute cardiac risk is increased during physical activity; therefore, physical activity should be individually phased under consideration of the whole clinical situation. Physical training results in a functional adaptation of the cardiovascular system. Moreover, a structural adaptation can also be observed in competitive athletes but a differentiation between athlete's heart and cardiomyopathy is sometimes challenging. Preparticipation screening verifiably reduces the incidence of sudden cardiac death in athletes. Respective recommendations for the required diagnostics have been published and statutory health insurances are increasingly more willing to bear the incurred costs. Statistically, doping is more frequent in performance-orientated leisure time sports than in competitive sports. Drugs which are relevant for doping have partially irreversible cardiac side effects.

Objective: Ischemic mitral regurgitation is a predictor of heart failure resulting in increased mortality in patients with chronic myocardial infarction. It is uncertain whether the presence of papillary muscle (PM) infarction contributes to the development of mitral regurgitation in patients with chronic myocardial infarction (MI). The aim of the present study was to assess the correlation of PM infarction depicted by MRI with mitral regurgitation and left ventricular function., Methods and Materials: 48 patients with chronic MI and recent MRI and echocardiography were retrospectively included. The location and extent of MI depicted by MRI were correlated with left ventricular function assessed by MRI and mitral regurgitation assessed by echocardiography. The presence, location and extent of PM infarction depicted by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE-) MRI were correlated with functional parameters and compared with patients with chronic MI but no PM involvement., Results: PM infarction was found in 11 of 48 patients (23 %) using LGE-MRI. 8/11 patients (73 %) with PM infarction and 22/37 patients (59 %) without PM involvement in MI had ischemic mitral regurgitation. There was no significant difference between location, extent of MI and presence of mitral regurgitation between patients with and without PM involvement in myocardial infarction. In 4/4 patients with complete and in 4/7 patients with partial PM infarction, mitral regurgitation was present. The normalized mean left ventricular end-diastolic volume was increased in patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation., Conclusion: The presence of PM infarction does not correlate with ischemic mitral regurgitation. In patients with complete PM infarction and consequent discontinuity of viable tissue in the PM-chorda-mitral valve complex, the probability of developing ischemic mitral regurgitation seems to be increased. However, the severity of mitral regurgitation is not increased compared to patients with partial or no PM infarction., Key Points: · No correlation between ischemic mitral regurgitation and presence of papillary muscle infarction. · Complete papillary muscle infarction results in dysfunction associated with ischemic mitral regurgitation. · Severity of mitral regurgitation not increased in patients with complete PM infarction., Citation Format: · Bretschneider C, Heinrich H, Seeger A et al. Impact of Papillary Muscle Infarction on Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation Assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2018; 190: 42 - 50., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Using cardiac magnetic resonance, we tested whether a single-breath-hold approach to cardiac functional evaluation was equivalent to the established multiple-breath-hold method. We examined 39 healthy volunteers (mean age, 31.9 ± 11.4 yr; 22 men) by using 1.5 T with multiple breath-holds and our proposed single breath-hold. Left ventricular and right ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF and RVEF), LV and RV end-diastolic volumes (LVEDV and RVEDV), and LV myocardial mass (LVMM) were compared by using Bland-Altman plots; LVEF and RVEF were tested for equivalence by inclusion of 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Equivalence of the methods was assumed within the range of -5% to 5%. In the multiple- versus the single-breath-hold method, LVEF was 0.62 ± 0.05 versus 0.62 ± 0.04, and RVEF was 0.59 ± 0.06 versus 0.59 ± 0.07. The mean difference in both methods was -0.2% (95% CI, -1 to 0.6) for LVEF and 0.3% (95% CI, -0.8 to 1.5) for RVEF. The mean differences between methods fit within the predetermined range of equivalence, including the 95% CI. The mean relative differences between the methods were 3.8% for LVEDV, 4.5% for RVEDV, and 1.6% for LVMM. Results of our single-breath-hold method to evaluate LVEF and RVEF were equivalent to those of the multiple-breath-hold technique. In addition, LVEDV, RVEDV, and LVMM showed low bias between methods.

In recent years, coronary computed tomography angiography has become an increasingly safe and noninvasive modality for the evaluation of the anatomical structure of the coronary artery tree with diagnostic benefits especially in patients with a low-to-intermediate pretest probability of disease. Currently, increasing evidence from large randomized diagnostic trials is accumulating on the diagnostic impact of computed tomography angiography for the management of patients with acute and stable chest pain syndrome. At the same time, technical advances have substantially reduced adverse effects and limiting factors, such as radiation exposure, the amount of iodinated contrast agent, and scanning time, rendering the technique appropriate for broader clinical applications. In this work, we review the latest developments in computed tomography technology and describe the scientific evidence on the use of cardiac computed tomography angiography to evaluate patients with acute and stable chest pain syndrome., (Copyright © 2016 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in middle-aged, male marathon runners using coronary dual source CT angiography (DSCTA)., Materials and Methods: 50 male marathon runners older than 45 years (mean age: 52.7, standard deviation: 5.9 years, range: 45 to 67 years) received DSCTA including calcium scoring (CS) in addition to standard pre-participation screening. Based on standard risk factors, the risk for coronary events was calculated using the PROCAM score. Coronary status was defined using the following system: 1. absence of CAD (CS zero, no coronary plaques) 2. mild coronary atherosclerosis (CS > 0, coronary plaques with luminal narrowing < 50 %), 3. moderate coronary atherosclerosis (CS > 0, luminal narrowing > 50 %), 4. significant CAD (CS > 0, luminal narrowing > 75 %)., Results: The mean PROCAM score was 1.85 % (standard deviation = 1.56, range 0.39 to 8.47 %). 26/50 marathon runners had no atherosclerosis. 1 of the remaining 24 participants had significant CAD, 3 had moderate coronary atherosclerosis and 20 had mild coronary atherosclerosis. Treadmill exercise testing was unremarkable in terms of myocardial ischemia in all participants. Age, systolic blood pressure, personal minimum time, family history of cardiovascular disease and PROCAM score were factors associated with an increased risk for coronary atherosclerosis., Conclusion: Coronary atherosclerosis can be detected in almost 50 % of male marathon runners aged older than 45 years. In 24 % of the participants plaques were located in the proximal coronary system. However, only a minority of these persons have obstructive CAD. As expected, treadmill exercise testing failed to detect these persons that possibly have a higher risk for coronary events., Key Points: • Coronary atherosclerosis can be detected in ~50 % of male marathon runners > 45 years. • Only a minority of these persons have obstructive CAD. • Treadmill exercise testing failed to detect these persons. • Cardiac CT might help to identify athletes with elevated risk for coronary events, especially in persons with a family history of coronary artery., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Purpose: Sudden cardiac death [SCD] in competitive athletes is caused by a diverse set of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy [HCM/DCM], myocarditis, coronary anomalies or even coronary artery disease. In order to identify potential risk factors responsible for SCD, elite athletes underwent cardiac magnetic resonance [CMR] imaging., Materials and Methods: 73 male [M] and 22 female [F] athletes (mean age 35.2 ± 11.4 years) underwent CMR imaging. ECG-gated breath-hold cine SSFP sequences were used for the evaluation of wall motion abnormalities and myocardial hypertrophy as well as for quantitative analysis (left and right ventricular [LV, RV] end-diastolic and end-systolic volume [EDV, ESV], stroke volume [SV], ejection fraction [EF] and myocardial mass [MM]). Furthermore, left and right atrial sizes were assessed by planimetry and delayed enhancement imaging was performed 10 minutes after the application of contrast agent. Coronary arteries were depicted using free-breathing Flash-3 D MR angiography., Results: The quantitative analyses showed eccentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle (remodeling index [MM/LV-EDV]: M 0.75, F 0.665), enlargement of the RV volumes (RV-EDV: M 122.6 ± 19.0 ml/m², F 99.9 ± 7.2 ml/m²) and an increased SV (LV-SV: M 64.7 ± 10.0 ml/m², F 56.5 ± 5.7 ml/m²; RV-SV; M 66.7 ± 10.4 ml/m², F 54.2 ± 7.1 ml/m²). Abnormal findings were detected in 6 athletes (6.3 %) including one benign variant of coronary anomaly and abnormal late gadolinium enhancement in 2 cases. None of the athletes showed wall motion abnormalities or signs of myocardial ischemia., Conclusion: CMR imaging of endurance athletes revealed abnormal findings in more than 5 % of the athletes. However, the prognostic significance remains unclear. Thus, cardiac MRI cannot be recommended as a routine examination in the care of athletes., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

"Athlete's heart" is characterized by an increase in ventricular chamber sizes and myocardial mass (MM), and is mainly observed in endurance athletes. At present, it remains unclear whether cardiac adaptations in long-distance runners differ from those in triathletes. Twenty male triathletes (mean age 38.7 ± 6.2 years) and 20 male marathon runners (mean age 44.1 ± 7.9) underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to calculate left and right ventricular end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), and MM. Late-enhancement (LE) imaging was used to exclude structural alterations or myocardial scarring. EDV, ESV, SV, and EF for the left and right ventricles, as well as MM, did not differ between long-distance runners and triathletes, although the weekly training volume was significantly higher in triathletes (17.05 vs 9.95 h/week, P < 0.0001). There was a significant correlation between weekly training volume and right and left EDV, right and left ESV as well as MM within the study group. Myocardial LE was absent in all athletes. Highly trained male long-distance runners and triathletes have comparable cardiac parameters. However, the extent of physical training seems to be associated with the degree of cardiac adaptation in endurance athletes. The absence of LE supports the idea that athlete's heart is a nonpathological adaptation of the cardiovascular system.

Intensive endurance training can induce abnormal ECG patterns at rest. These alterations are differentiated into minor, mildly or distinctly abnormal ECG patterns. Echocardiographic data imply a correlation between the extent of these alterations and cardiac parameters like cardiac volume or wall thickness. In comparison to echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is characterized by high reproducibility and accuracy. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between ECG alterations and cardiac parameters in highly trained asymptomatic male endurance athletes as assessed using cardiac MRI. Forty-five asymptomatic male endurance athletes (mean age 40 ± 8.9 years., range 19-59 years., 13 ± 5 h of training per week) underwent a cardiac MRI examination in addition to a resting ECG. Based on the ECG patterns at rest, the athletes were divided into groups with normal or minor (group 1) and mild or distinct (group 2) alterations. Steady-state free-precession cine MRI was used to calculate left and right ventricular end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, stroke volume, ejection fraction, and myocardial mass (MM). Late enhancement imaging was used to exclude structural alterations or myocardial scarring. Athletes in group 1 and 2 did not differ significantly in terms of age, height, body weight, body mass index or hours of training per week. Athletes with mildly or distinctly abnormal ECG patterns showed a significantly higher MM than athletes with minor ECG alterations at rest or normal resting ECG values (156.4 ± 18.4 g vs. 140.5 ± 20.0 g; p = 0.0103). The differences persisted when the values were corrected for body surface area (80.0 ± 7.4 g/m² vs. 73.4 ± 8.3 g; p = 0.0093). All other assessed cardiac parameters did not differ between the two groups. Pathological myocardial enhancement was detected only in one patient with a minor abnormal ECG. Male asymptomatic endurance athletes with mildly or distinctly abnormal ECG patterns at rest are characterized by a higher myocardial mass than comparable athletes with minor alterations or normal ECG at rest. Thus, the extent of ECG-abnormalities seems to be mainly the result of an increase in myocardial mass. Additionally, the absence of mild or distinct ECG alterations does not exclude the presence of pathological late gadolinium enhancement.

Background: Environmental stresses, such as immersion, cold, and venous gas microbubbles, have been shown to contribute to an increase in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) after single SCUBA dives. This study was carried out to investigate PAP changes following a dry chamber dive., Methods: 17 male divers [mean age 32 years, standard deviation (SD) 7 years, mean body mass index 26 kg m(-2) (SD 3 kg m(-2))] participated in the study. Heart disease was ruled out by ECG, stress-ECG and transthoracic echocardiography in all subjects. Echocardiographic assessment of PAP (peak gradient at pulmonary and tricuspid valve), acceleration time (AT), ejection time (ET) and the ratio AT/ET as an estimate of PAP was performed directly prior to, directly, and 20 and 80 min after a simulated dive (maximal pressure 600 kPa, duration 60 min)., Results: AT/ET decreased from 0.40 (SD 0.03) to 0.34 (SD 0.03) directly after the dive (p = <0.0001), which was statistically significant, whereas 80 min after decompression, AT/ET tended to return to baseline levels (0.36, SD 0.03; p = 0.001). Other echocardiographic indices, e.g. ET, systolic PAP, and heart rate, did not change significantly after the dive. No gas microbubbles were detected during or after decompression., Conclusions: A transient decrease of both AT and AT/ET following a simulated hyperbaric dry chamber dive indicated an increase in mean PAP in healthy men. We speculate that factors other than immersion, cold, or gas microbubbles may contribute to an elevation of PAP after a single hyperbaric exposure.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in western industrialized countries. Physical inactivity is known to be an important risk factor. The present publication gives an overview of studies with the topic physical activity and relative risk of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, aspects influencing the association between physical activity and cardiovascular disease, e.g., the duration and intensity of exercise, adults older than 60 years, late onset of physical activity, and body mass index, are discussed.

Scuba diving may elicit acute changes to human cardiovascular function. Environmental stresses such as immersion, cold, and venous gas microbubbles all have been shown to contribute to right ventricular overload and impaired left ventricular filling after single dives. We investigated cardiac function after simulated dry chamber dives. Twenty male divers [mean age 31 years, standard deviation (SD) 8 years, mean body mass index 26 kgm(-2) (SD 3 kgm(-2))] participated in the study. All subjects had normal ECG, stress-ECG, and transthoracic echocardiography at rest. Echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function [E/A-ratio, deceleration time (DT), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), E/e'-ratio] was performed directly prior to and 20 and 80 min after two simulated dry hyperbaric chamber dives (maximal pressure 600 kPa, duration 60 min) that were conducted within 1 week. DT statistically significantly decreased from 163 ms (SD 14 ms) to 125 ms (SD 15 ms) 20 min after the dive (p < 0.0001), whereas 80 min after decompression these changes tended to return to baseline [146 ms (SD 14 ms); p = 0.06]. There was no statistically significant change in heart rate, E/A-ratio or E/e'-ratio after 20 or 80 min compared to baseline. These changes could be reproduced after the second dry chamber dive. No gas microbubbles were detectable during or after decompression from either dive. Simulated hyperbaric dry chamber dives were associated with a transient decrease in deceleration time in healthy men. Factors other than immersion, cold, or nitrogen microbubbles may contribute to acute changes in cardiac function after single scuba dives.

We evaluated attenuation-based 3-dimensional segmentation for the analysis of left ventricular function, using as our standard of reference magnetic resonance imaging and dual-source computed tomography with traditional short-axis planimetry.Twenty patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease were examined prospectively. In all magnetic resonance and computed tomographic datasets, global functional values were determined by 2-dimensional planimetry. Computed tomographic scans were further evaluated by automated 3-dimensional segmentation, and the results were compared by Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman analysis.Agreement between magnetic resonance imaging and dual-source computed tomographic 2-dimensional planimetry was good for all values (end-diastolic volume, bias= -4.2, r=0.99; end-systolic volume, bias= -1.7, r=0.99, stroke-volume, bias= -2.4, r=0.98; ejection fraction, bias=0.26, r=0.94; and myocardial mass, bias= 2.5, r=0.90). By contrast, dual-source computed tomographic 3-dimensional segmentation overestimated end-diastolic volume (bias= -19.1, P <0.001), stroke-volume (bias= -16.9, P <0.001), and myocardial mass (bias= -34.4, P <0.001). Moreover, correlation with magnetic resonance imaging proved disappointing for ejection fraction (r=0.72). Results were similar in a direct comparison between dual-source computed tomographic 2-dimensional planimetry and 3-dimensional segmentation (end-diastolic volume, bias= -14.9, r=0.94; end-systolic volume, bias= -0.5, r=0.90; stroke volume, bias= -14.5, r=0.83; ejection fraction, bias= -2.8, r=0.74; and myocardial mass, bias= -36.8, r=0.79).Due to significant overestimation of volumes and poor correlation of ejection fraction with cine magnetic resonance imaging results, attenuation-based 3-dimensional segmentation compares unfavorably with traditional planimetry. Hence this method should be used with caution, and its time benefits should be weighed against its imprecision of functional analysis.

For selected indications, coronary computed tomographic (CT) angiography is an established clinical technology for evaluation in patients suspected of having or known to have coronary artery disease. In coronary CT angiography, image quality is highly dependent on heart rate, with heart rate reduction to less than 60 beats per minute being important for both image quality and radiation dose reduction, especially when single-source CT scanners are used. β-Blockers are the first-line option for short-term reduction of heart rate prior to coronary CT angiography. In recent years, multiple β-blocker administration protocols with oral and/or intravenous application have been proposed. This review article provides an overview of the indications, efficacy, and safety of β-blockade protocols prior to coronary CT angiography with respect to different scanner techniques. Moreover, implications for radiation exposure and left ventricular function analysis are discussed., (© RSNA, 2010.)

Rationale and Objectives: The quantification of coronary calcification has established itself as a valid risk marker to predict cardiovascular events. However, data derived from cardiac multi-detector row computed tomography could demonstrate that the exclusion of coronary calcification is not synonymous with the exclusion of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aims of this retrospective analysis were to determine the prevalence of significant CAD in a symptomatic cohort with indications for invasive angiography but without coronary calcification (Agatston score 0) as assessed by multislice computed tomography and to investigate whether there were any differences in terms of risk factors between patients with and without significant CAD., Materials and Methods: Five hundred multislice computed tomographic scans (in 371 men and 129 women) were included in the analysis. Agatston scores were determined on native scans. All patients underwent coronary angiography to detect or rule out obstructive CAD. Patients with negative calcium scoring were selected and divided into two subgroups: those without obstructive CAD and those with obstructive CAD (luminal stenoses > 50%). These subgroups were characterized in terms of clinical characteristics (age and sex) and cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipoproteinemia, familial predisposition, smoking, and overweight)., Results: Sixty-one of 500 patients (12.2%) had negative calcium scores (Agatston score 0). Sixteen of these patients (26.3%, or 3.2% of the total population) had obstructive CAD according to invasive angiography. Patients with obstructive CAD were significantly older (mean age, 64 ± 9 vs 55 ± 10 years; P = .003) and were more frequently diabetic (25% vs 4%, P = .0389) than patients without obstructive CAD. There were no significant differences with regard to the other risk factors., Conclusions: In this high-risk population, the absence of coronary calcification was not sufficient to rule out CAD. Among patients without coronary calcification, the presence of significant CAD was associated with increased age and the presence of diabetes mellitus., (Copyright © 2010 AUR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cardiac multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) permits accurate visualization of high-grade coronary artery stenosis. However, in patients with heart rate irregularities, MDCT was found to have limitations. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a new dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) scanner generation with 83 ms temporal resolution in patients without stable sinus rhythm., Methods: 44 patients (31 men, mean age 67.5+/-9.2 years) without stable sinus rhythm and scheduled for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) because of suspected (n=17) or known coronary artery disease (CAD, n=27) were included in this study. All patients were examined with DSCT (Somatom Definition, Siemens). Besides assessment of total calcium score, all coronary segments were analyzed with regard to the presence of significant coronary artery lesions (>50%). The findings were compared to ICA in a blinded fashion., Results: During CT examination, heart rhythm was as follows: 25 patients (57%) atrial fibrillation, 7 patients (16%) ventricular extrasystoles (two of them with atrial fibrillation), 4 patients (9%) supraventricular extrasystoles, 10 patients (23%) sinus arrhythmia (heart rate variability>10 bpm). Mean heart rate was 69+/-14 bpm, median 65 bpm. Mean Agatston score equivalent (ASE) was 762, ranging from 0 to 4949.7 ASE. Prevalence of CAD was 68% (30/44). 155 segments (27%) showed "step-ladder" artifacts and 28 segments (5%) could not be visualized by DSCT. Only 70 segments (12%) were completely imaged without any artifacts. Based on a coronary segment model, sensitivity was 73%, specificity 91%, positive predictive value 63%, and negative predictive value 94% for the detection of significant lesions (>or=50% diameter stenosis). Overall accuracy was 88%., Conclusions: In patients with heart rate irregularities, including patients with atrial fibrillation and a high prevalence of coronary artery disease, the diagnostic yield of dual-source computed tomography is still hampered due to a high number of segments with "step-ladder" artifacts., (Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: In preliminary studies DSCT provides robust image quality over a wide range of heart rates and excludes CAD with high accuracy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reproducibility of these results in a large, unselected and consecutive group of patients scheduled for invasive coronary angiography (ICA)., Material and Methods: 170 patients (124 men, 46 women; mean age: 64+/-9 years) with known CAD (101 patients) or suspected CAD (69 patients) scheduled for ICA were examined by coronary CTA prior to ICA. All coronary segments were assessed for image quality (1: excellent; 5: non-diagnostic). The presence of significant vessel stenosis (>50%) was calculated using ICA as standard of reference., Results: A total of 680 vessels were analyzed. Despite of 45 arrythmic patients all analyzed coronary segments were diagnostically evaluable. Mean Agatston score equivalent was 686 (range 0-4950). ICA revealed 364 lesions with > or =50% diameter stenosis. DSCT correctly identified 336 of these lesions. 115 lesions with a diameter stenosis < or =50% were overestimated by DSCT and thus considered as false-positive findings. On a per-segment basis, sensitivity was 92%, specificity 93%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 75% and negative predictive value (NPV) 98%. On a per-vessel basis DSCT revealed a sensitivity of 93%, a specificity of 88%, a PPV of 78% and a NPV of 97%. On a per-patient basis sensitivity was 94%, specificity 79%, PPV 88% and NPV 90%., Conclusions: Initial results of preliminary studies showing robust image quality and high accuracy in DSCT cardiac imaging could be approved with the present study enclosing a large consecutive population. However severe coronary calcifications and irregular heart rate still remain limiting factors for coronary CTA. Despite improved image quality and high accuracy of coronary DSCT angiography, proof of indication is necessary, due to still remaining limiting factors., (Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The aim of the study was to estimate radiation exposure of coronary calcium scoring and angiography using ECG-gated and ECG-triggered dual-source computed tomography., Materials and Methods: An Alderson Rando phantom equipped with thermoluminescent dosimeters was used for all dose measurements. Effective dose was calculated according to ICRP 103. Radiation exposure was performed on a dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) scanner with standard protocols for calcium scoring (DSCT-Ca) and coronary angiography (DSCTA) at different heart rates (40-100 beats/min). Furthermore, a scanning protocol with ECG-triggering as well as a standard chest CT scan were evaluated., Results: Depending on gender, heart rate and ECG-pulsing, the effective dose of a complete cardiac DSCT (DSCT-Ca and DSCTA) scan varies from 10.2 to 32.6mSv. The effective radiation dose increased significantly with lower heart rates (p<0.035). ECG-pulsing reduced the radiation exposure significantly in DSCTA (p<0.001). Due to breast tissue in the primary scan range, females' doses showed an increase up to 69.9% compared to males in scan protocols without ECG-pulsing. Prospective ECG-triggered DSCTA resulted in estimated effective doses from 2.8mSv (males) to 4.1mSv (females)., Conclusion: The ECG-pulsing technique has proven its effectiveness to reduce effective dose in coronary CT angiography and is recommended for all patients with regular heart rates. The patient's heart rate influences the radiation exposure with a significant decrease at higher heart rates. Due to its lower dose, ECG-triggered DSCTA should be implemented for special indications, i.e. for diagnosis of pathologies of the aortic root and the ascending aorta., (Copyright (c) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Rationale and Objectives: To prospectively evaluate the influence of the clinical pretest probability assessed by the Morise score onto image quality and diagnostic accuracy in coronary dual-source computed tomography angiography (DSCTA)., Materials and Methods: In 61 patients, DSCTA and invasive coronary angiography were performed. Subjective image quality and accuracy for stenosis detection (>50%) of DSCTA with invasive coronary angiography as gold standard were evaluated. The influence of pretest probability onto image quality and accuracy was assessed by logistic regression and chi-square testing. Correlations of image quality and accuracy with the Morise score were determined using linear regression., Results: Thirty-eight patients were categorized into the high, 21 into the intermediate, and 2 into the low probability group. Accuracies for the detection of significant stenoses were 0.94, 0.97, and 1.00, respectively. Logistic regressions and chi-square tests showed statistically significant correlations between Morise score and image quality (P < .0001 and P < .001) and accuracy (P = .0049 and P = .027). Linear regression revealed a cutoff Morise score for a good image quality of 16 and a cutoff for a barely diagnostic image quality beyond the upper Morise scale., Conclusion: Pretest probability is a weak predictor of image quality and diagnostic accuracy in coronary DSCTA. A sufficient image quality for diagnostic images can be reached with all pretest probabilities. Therefore, coronary DSCTA might be suitable also for patients with a high pretest probability., (Copyright 2010 AUR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study assesses the global left ventricular function and volumes using dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) with improved temporal resolution (83 ms) by use of a semi-automatic software tool in comparison to invasive angiography (IVA). One hundred patients scheduled for invasive coronary angiography because of suspected or known coronary artery disease (80 men; 20 women, mean age 62 +/- 10 years) were additionally examined by DSCT. Global left ventricular function (LVF), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), end-systolic volume (LVESV), and stroke volume (SV) were calculated by the use of semi-automatic post-processing software and results compared with those of IVA. Bland-Altman analysis revealed a good concordance between DSCT and IVA in terms of LVF: Pearson's r 0.78, confidence interval [CI] 0.68-0.86, P < 0.0001, bias 7.1% +/- 9.1%. The same was true for LVESV (Pearson's r 0.78, CI 0.67-0.85, P < 0.0001, bias 15.0 +/- 21.0 ml), whereas the agreement for LVEDV and SV was only moderate (LVEDV: Pearson's r 0.59, CI 0.43-0.72, P < 0.0001, bias 13.0 +/- 18.1 ml; SV: Pearson's r 0.47, CI 0.28-0.62, P < 0.0001, bias -1.4 +/- 28.4 ml). Semi-automatic evaluation of left ventricular parameters with DSCT revealed good correlation for LVF and LVESV, whereas LVEDV and SV showed only a moderate correlation. Moreover, LVF is systematically underestimated by DSCT.

Via multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) with retrospective electrographic gating, we sought to evaluate whether plaque distribution differs between responders and low responders to clopidogrel treatment. Low response was defined as a post-treatment aggregation of 35% to 70%. In this observational study, we enrolled 62 patients (mean age, 64.8 ± 8.9 yr; 51 men). In addition to determining coronary calcium scores, we performed noninvasive coronary angiography with MDCT before stent implantation. Plaques were visually classified as calcified, mixed, or completely noncalcified. Mean density was measured. Residual platelet aggregation (RPA) was evaluated by aggregometry 6 hr after administration of a 600-mg loading dose of clopidogrel. Patients with an RPA of less than 35% were defined as responders.The median calcium score was 736 Agatston score equivalent (ASE) (range, 0-5,772) and mean platelet inhibition was 35% ± 19% (range, 0-70%). A total of 494 coronary plaques were detected (responders: calcified, 197; mixed, 47, noncalcified, 5; and low responders: calcified, 177; mixed, 65; noncalcified, 3). Responders (n = 35) had significantly lower ASEs and fewer mixed but more calcified plaques than did low responders. In mean plaque density (measured within the noncalcified part of the plaques), no statistically significant difference existed between the 2 patient groups. By use of MDCT, we showed that ASE and plaque distribution were associated with RPA after clopidogrel treatment. Patients with a low coronary plaque burden and a small proportion of mixed plaques were more likely to have low RPA after administration of clopidogrel.

Multislice computed tomography is an emerging diagnostic modality in cardiology practice. Within the last decade a rapid technical evolution from 4-slice scanners to 64-slice and meanwhile 320-slice scanners which faster gantry rotation time has taken place. These advances as well as improved post-processing tools account for a stabilization of image quality and allow assessing cardiac structures with high spatial and temporal resolution. Moreover, dedicated acquisition techniques have been employed to reduce radiation exposure to a minimum. Today cardiac computed tomography is not only able to depict the coronary arteries, but to get reliable information about cardiac function and cardiac structure. This review focuses on present clinical indications and future application of multi-slice computed tomography in clinical cardiology.

Paravalvular leakage following the atrioventricular valve replacement, though mostly harmless with insignificant morbidity, can result in heart failure and significant hemolysis that requires treatment. Reoperation is still the treatment of choice, but there is a high risk of recurrence, especially in patients with a history of endocarditis and/or those who have already undergone reoperation for paravalvular leakage. Recently, percutaneous closure of perivalvular leaks with occluders or coils have become an alternative to surgery. However, up to now, the collective of patients who benefit from this approach still has to be defined. Here, we present a case of a highly symptomatic 64-year-old male with severe hemolysis caused by paravalvular leakages after reoperation of a mechanical mitral valve replacement due to recurrent endocarditis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the role of adenosine stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for risk stratification in patients with coronary artery stenoses of intermediate angiographic severity., Background: Coronary angiography only provides a morphological description of coronary lesions. As the patient's prognosis is closely related to the functional significance of angiographically detected coronary lesions, a functional assessment is desirable in patients with coronary artery stenoses of intermediate severity., Methods: Myocardial perfusion measurements at rest and adenosine stress were performed on 81 patients (75.6% male, mean age 64.2 years) with stable angina pectoris (AP) and coronary artery stenoses of intermediate angiographic severity (50% to 75%). Regardless of the CMR result, all patients were treated conservatively with an intensified medical treatment, and a follow-up was performed after 18 +/- 8 months and 30 +/- 8 months. The primary end point was defined as a major adverse cardiac event (MACE): all-cause death, stroke, acute coronary syndrome; the secondary end point was defined as target vessel revascularization. Furthermore, AP and dyspnea were evaluated., Results: After the follow-up period of 30 +/- 8 months, 9 patients with perfusion deficit (PD) suffered from MACE, whereas no MACE occurred among the 36 patients without PD (p = 0.014). Among patients who had MACE, the number of ischemic segments (2.3 +/- 1.6 vs. 1.4 +/- 1.6, p = 0.0025) was significantly higher, whereas the number of delayed enhancement segments did not differ (1.4 +/- 1.6 vs. 1.6 +/- 2.3, p = 0.4). Target vessel revascularization was required in 38% of patients with PD and 6% of patients without PD (p = 0.005). In addition, the percentage of freedom from AP and dyspnea at the follow-up after 18 +/- 8 months was significantly lower among patients without perfusion deficit (69.4% vs. 15.6%; p = 0.0001). After a follow-up period of 30 +/- 8 months, the rate of AP (11.1% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.33) as well as the percentage of patients free of symptoms was similar in both groups (77.8% vs. 88.9%, p = 0.82)., Conclusions: Adenosine stress CMR may help to identify patients at risk who benefit from intensified medical treatment and close follow-up.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a voxel-based analytic technique for quantification of noncalcified coronary artery plaque with intravascular sonography as a standard of reference., Subjects and Methods: Intravascular sonography and dual-source MDCT angiography prospectively performed on 12 patients resulted in identification of 20 segments containing noncalcified plaque. Four of these segments were used to establish reference measurements of 0.6-mm proximal wall thickness with a 0-HU cutoff between the epicardial fat and outer wall and an individually adjusted threshold for the interface between the wall and lumen. With these data, consecutive circular layers of the outer wall were subtracted from a 3D volume to determine the plaque plus medial layer and the actual plaque volume in the other 16 segments. Accuracy of the voxel technique was assessed by comparing the results with intravascular sonographic findings., Results: Both the total plaque burden (plaque plus medial layer) and the actual plaque volume had good concordance with intravascular sonographic findings (49.6 +/- 20 mm (3) vs 56.7 +/- 23.6 mm (3), p = 0.076; 26.5 +/- 14.8 mm (3) vs 30.9 +/- 15.3 mm (3), p = 0.09). Corresponding correlation coefficients were r = 0.76 and r = 0.79. The method had good reproducibility, the an intraclass correlation coefficients being 0.93 for total plaque burden and 0.90 for actual plaque volume., Conclusion: Voxel analysis can be used for accurate and reproducible quantification not only of plaque burden but also of actual plaque volume.

Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the impact of body mass index (BMI) on image quality and diagnostic accuracy using dual-source computed tomography., Subjects and Methods: Dual-source computed tomography and invasive coronary angiography were performed in 125 consecutive patients. Coronary segments were assessed for both image quality (1: excellent; 4: poor) and presence of significant vessel stenosis (>or=50%). Accuracy of lesion detection was calculated using invasive coronary angiography as the standard of reference. The impact of BMI on image quality and accuracy was assessed by multivariate regression and between subgroups of BMI., Results: Mean BMI in our study was 28.4 +/- 4.1 kg/m2. In multivariate regression, BMI was proved to have a significant and independent impact on image quality (P = 0.009). Similarly, the latter was significantly degraded in a subgroup of patients with BMI >or=30 kg/m2 (P < 0.05). Although the proportion of segments with diagnostic image quality was equal in all BMI subgroups, linear regression suggested 25 kg/m as the cut-off until which excellent or good image quality can be achieved. Sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values were 91.6%, 93%, 75.2%, and 97.9% on a per-segment and 100%, 77.5%, 90.4%, and 100% on a per-patient level. In both multivariate analysis and comparison of subgroups, there was no significant effect of BMI on the per-segment diagnostic accuracy., Conclusion: Although in an unselected population, obesity turns out to have an independent impact on image quality, there is no translation of this effect into a deterioration of diagnostic accuracy.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether CMRI provides characteristic findings in patients with acute chest pain suffering from ST-elevation-myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), acute myocarditis or Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy., Patients and Methods: 230 consecutive patients with acute chest pain underwent cardiac catheterization followed by CMRI within median 5 days. Patients were classified to suffer from STEMI (n = 102), NSTEMI (n = 89), acute myocarditis (n = 27), or Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy (n = 12) on the synopsis of all clinical data. Wall motion abnormalities, late enhancement (LE), persistent microvascular obstruction as well ventricular volumes and functions were assessed by CMRI., Results: Right and left ventricular volumes were significantly different between the groups and values were highest in patients with acute myocarditis. Wall motion abnormalities were observed in 100% of STEMI, 75% of NSTEMI, 67% of acute myocarditis and 100% of Tako-tsubo patients. There was a characteristic pattern of abnormal wall motion focused on midventricular-apical segments in patients with Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy, depending on the culprit vessel in patients with STEMI/NSTEMI and with a random distribution in patients with acute myocarditis. LE was mainly subendocardial or transmural in patients with STEMI (93.2%) or NSTEMI (62.9%). LE was diffuse, intramural or subepicardial in patients with acute myocarditis. No LE was observed in patients with Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy. Persistent microvascular obstruction was only visualized in patients with STEMI (33%) or NSTEMI (6%)., Conclusions: Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging provides characteristic patterns of LE, persistent microvascular obstruction and wall motion abnormalities that allow a differentiation between patients with acute chest pain from coronary and non-coronary origin.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the effect of heart rate, heart rate variability, and calcification on dual-source computed tomography (CT) image quality and to prospectively assess diagnostic accuracy of dual-source CT for coronary artery stenosis, by using invasive coronary angiography as the reference standard., Materials and Methods: This study had local Ethics Committee approval; all patients gave informed consent. Patients who underwent bypass surgery were excluded; patients with coronary artery stent-grafts were included. One hundred patients (20 women, 80 men; mean age, 62 years +/- 10 [standard deviation]) known to have or suspected of having coronary artery disease underwent dual-source CT and invasive coronary angiography. Image quality was assessed. Accuracy of dual-source CT in depiction or exclusion of significant stenosis (>or=50%) was evaluated on a per-segment and per-patient basis. Effects of heart rate, heart rate variability, and calcification on image quality and accuracy were analyzed by using multivariate regression and were analyzed between subgroups of predictor variables. Simple regression was performed to calculate thresholds for adequate image quality., Results: Mean heart rate was 64.9 beats per minute +/- 13.2, mean variability was 23.6 beats per CT examination +/- 36.2, and mean Agatston score was 786.5 +/- 965.9. Diagnostic image quality was obtained in 90.2% of segments. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the presence of significant stenosis were, respectively, 91.1%, 92.0%, 75.4%, and 97.5% by segment and 100%, 81.5%, 93.6%, and 100% by patient. Image quality was significantly related to heart rate variability (P = .015) and calcification (P < .001); the number of nondiagnostic segments was significantly affected by calcification only. Calcification was the single factor with significant impact on diagnostic accuracy (P = .001)., Conclusion: While dual-source CT resulted in heart-rate independent image quality, image quality remained prone to heart rate variability and calcification., ((c) RSNA, 2008.)

The present case report describes a 37-year-old man who presented to the emergency room with symptoms of a myocardial infarction but no high-grade stenosis on conventional catheter angiography. Consecutive multidetector row computed tomography of the coronary arteries showed an intimal flap along a fibrous plaque formation in the left anterior descending artery. This finding was found to represent a plaque rupture, and the lesion was treated with an 18 mm stent. Multidetector row computed tomography helped to correctly position the stent by identifying the exact location of the rupture along the long plaque formation.

Purpose: Detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using adenosine stress first pass perfusion in patients with aortic stenosis in comparison with invasive angiography. Twenty-three consecutive patients (15 male, mean age 68 +/- 12 years) with relevant aortic stenosis (aortic valve area 0.90 +/- 0.41 cm(2)) were examined by MRI (1.5 T, Philips Intera CV). Contrast-enhanced first pass perfusion was performed with adenosine stress (140 microg/kg/min) and under rest conditions. The results were compared with invasive coronary angiography with regard to the presence of a relevant coronary artery stenosis (>70%). Three of 23 patients (13%) had contraindications for adenosine administration (one patient with atrioventricular block, two patients with mild claustrophobia). In the remaining 20 patients, adenosine stress perfusion could be performed without any complications. CAD was correctly detected in eight patients and correctly ruled out in 10 of 12 patients. False-positive results were seen in two patients with severe myocardial hypertrophy. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 100%, 80%, 83%, and 100%, respectively. Adenosine stress perfusion can be performed without complications even in patients with high grade aortic stenosis. MRI is helpful to detect and rule out significant CAD in these patients. Severe myocardial hypertrophy may lead to false-positive results. Our initial results indicate that due to a high negative predictive value pre-operative invasive coronary angiography might probably be waived in patients without perfusion defects in stress MRI.

As a consequence of improved technology, there is growing clinical interest in the use of multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) for non-invasive coronary angiography. Indeed, the accuracy of MDCT to detect or exclude coronary artery stenoses has been high in many published studies. This report of a Writing Group deployed by the Working Group Nuclear Cardiology and Cardiac CT (WG 5) of the European Society of Cardiology and the European Council of Nuclear Cardiology summarizes the present state of cardiac CT technology, as well as the currently available data concerning its accuracy and applicability in certain clinical situations. Besides coronary CT angiography, the use of CT for the assessment of cardiac morphology and function, evaluation of perfusion and viability, and analysis of heart valves is discussed. In addition, recommendations for clinical applications of cardiac CT imaging are given and limitations of the technique are described.

Background: Cardiac multidetector computed tomography (MSCT) permits the visualization of coronary artery stenosis. However, in patients with severe coronary calcifications, higher heart rates, and arrhythmia, MSCT was found to have limitations because of insufficient temporal and spatial resolution., Objective: The aim was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a new dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) scanner generation with 83-ms temporal resolution in cardiac imaging, especially in patients with high calcium scores and a high prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD)., Methods: Of 82 unselected consecutive patients scheduled for invasive coronary angiography, 41 persons were identified to have severe coronary calcifications (Agatston score > 350; 35 men; 66.2 +/- 8.4 years). All coronary segments were analyzed after intravenous injection of contrast media for the presence of coronary artery lesions., Results: Mean heart rate was 64 +/- 14 beats/min. Sixteen (39%) of 41 patients had nonsinus rhythm. Mean Agatston score equivalent (ASE) was 1391 (median 1146; range 358-3898). Prevalence of CAD was 98% (40 of 41). From a coronary segment model, sensitivity was 91%, specificity was 84%, positive predictive value was 70%, and negative predictive value was 96% for the detection of significant lesions (>50% diameter stenosis). Vessels with false-positive results had significantly higher ASE values than coronaries without false-positive results (median, 319.1 vs 143.3; P < 0.001)., Conclusion: In unselected patients with severe coronary calcifications, a high prevalence of CAD and a large percentage with heart rhythm irregularities, our data indicate that the accuracy of DSCT is limited in clinical routine.

Objective: Functional analysis using MDCT has been limited by insufficient temporal resolution. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of a dual-source CT system with improved temporal resolution in the determination of both volume- or time-dependent functional parameters and regional wall motion in comparison with cine MRI., Subjects and Methods: Twenty patients (15 of whom had previous myocardial infarction) were prospectively examined using dual-source CT. MRI was used as the standard of reference. Using the Simpson's method, ventricular volumes were determined for the whole of the cardiac cycle and results compared using Parson's correlation and Bland-Altman analysis. Regional wall motion was assessed on cine images and compared using weighted kappa statistics., Results: Dual-source CT revealed a strong correlation with cine MRI regarding the quantification of end-diastolic volume (r = 0.98), end-systolic volume (r = 0.99), stroke volume (r = 0.96), and ejection fraction (r = 0.95). Good correlation was obtained for peak ejection rate (r = 0.79) and peak filling rate (r = 0.84), whereas agreement proved only moderate for time-to-peak ejection rate (r = 0.68) or time-to-peak filling rate from end-systole (r = 0.64). The mean difference for ejection fraction was negligible (bias, 0.72%). Good agreement between both techniques was likewise found for regional wall motion (kappa = 0.88)., Conclusion: With the improvement of temporal resolution between 42 and 83 milliseconds, dual-source CT not only enables accurate assessment of global functional parameters, but it also allows for quantification of time-dependent variables and reliable evaluation of regional wall motion.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a new dual-source computed tomographic scanner generation with 83-ms temporal resolution in cardiac imaging. Fifty-one unselected consecutive patients (mean age 64 +/- 10 years) scheduled for invasive coronary angiography because of suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD) were examined with dual-source computed tomography (DSCT). All coronary segments were analyzed regarding the presence of coronary artery lesions. The findings were compared with invasive coronary angiography. During computed tomographic examination, mean heart rate was 65 +/- 14 beats/min. Thirteen of 51 patients (25%) did not have sinus rhythm. Mean Agatston score equivalent was 779 (median 358, range 0 to 3,898). Prevalence of CAD was 75%. Based on a coronary segment model, sensitivity was 96%, specificity 87%, positive predictive value 61%, and negative predictive value 99% for the detection of significant lesions (> or =50% diameter stenosis). The main reason for false-positive results was an overestimation of mild lesions by DSCT. In conclusion, our initial data indicate that DSCT allows a high accuracy to exclude relevant coronary stenosis in unselected patients with a high prevalence of CAD and a relevant number with heart rhythm irregularities. However, overestimation of stenosis, especially in cases of calcifications, is still a limitation.

Purpose: To evaluate acute changes in atrial and ventricular parameters by the use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with percutaneous transcatheter atrial septal defects (ASD) closure., Materials and Methods: The study included 14 patients (six males and eight females, 45 +/- 18 years) with congenital ASD. Cardiac MRI (1.5T Philips Intera CV) was performed before and within 24 hours after transcatheter ASD closure. Right atrial (RA) and left atrial (LA) dimensions, as well as right (RV) and left (LV) ventricular end-diastolic (ED) volumes were determined. Atrial size was assessed by planimetry of the maximum RA and LA areas in a standard four-chamber view, and ventricular volumes were calculated according to a modified Simpson's rule in short-axis views., Results: The mean RA decreased significantly from 27.6 +/- 6.4 cm(2) before closure to 24.4 +/- 5.6 cm(2) after the procedure (P = 0.0018), whereas the LA area did not change (24.1 +/- 4.7 cm(2) vs. 23.8 +/- 5.2 cm(2), P = 0.76). The RV volumes, volume index, and ejection fraction (EF) decreased significantly from 229 +/- 64 mL to 181 +/- 43 mL (P < 0.001, average reduction = 19% +/- 15%), from 126.0 +/- 37.2 mL/m(2) to 96.6 +/- 28.6 mL/m(2) (P < 0.0001) and from 64 +/- 5% to 58% +/- 7% (P = 0.01), respectively. The LV volumes and volume index remained unchanged (114 +/- 25 mL vs. 118 +/- 22 mL, P = 0.18, 63.5 +/- 13.5 mL/m(2) vs. 63.0 +/- 17.4 mL/m(2), P = 0.83). Left-right shunting decreased from 40% +/- 15% to 9% +/- 15% (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Cardiac MRI can reveal detailed information on acute changes in shunt fraction and ventricular dimensions after ASD closure. ASD closure by percutaneous transcatheter device implantation results within 24 hours in a significant reduction of shunt fraction, RA and RV sizes, and RV function, whereas LA and LV dimensions remain unchanged., ((c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Background: Diabetes mellitus is an important risk factor for coronary artery disease. Cardiac multislice computed tomography (MSCT) permits visualization of the coronary arteries with good sensitivity and specificity. However, at present, there are no data whether MSCT allows an accurate assessment of coronary arteries of diabetic patients, in comparison to nondiabetic patients. Thus, we compared the catheter-controlled MSCT results from diabetic and nondiabetic patients in a cohort of 116 patients with regard to sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value, as well as image quality., Methods and Materials: Twenty-two diabetic patients (age, 64.6+/-8.5 years; number of risk factors, 3.4+/-1.1) and 94 nondiabetic patients (age, 64.2+/-9.2 years; number of risk factors, 2.4+/-1.0) were examined by MSCT (Sensation 16 Speed 4 D, Siemens, Forchheim, Germany; gantry rotation time, 375 ms) and invasive coronary angiography. MSCT results were compared, blinded to the results of the coronary angiography with regard to the presence or absence of a significant stenosis (>50%) in a modified American Heart Association 13-segment model. Image quality was assessed on a qualitative scale between 1 (very good) and 5 (invisible) for each segment., Results: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were statistically not different in diabetic and nondiabetic patients (0.85/0.98/0.92/0.96 vs. 0.84/0.97/0.91/0.95). One diabetic and three nondiabetic patients had to be excluded from analysis. Diabetic patients had relevantly more risk factors (P < .05), but calcium scoring was not different in both groups (Agatston score 1090+/-1278 vs. 798+/-1033). The image quality in both cohorts was comparable., Conclusions: MSCT allows the assessment of the coronary arteries noninvasively in diabetic patients with a good sensitivity and specificity, and diabetes does not have an impact on the number of evaluable segments. Thus, MSCT is a noninvasive tool in the care of these patients.

Coronary atherosclerosis is known to be the major cause for morbidity and mortality in the industrial world. In Europe, every year approximately 600,000 persons die from coronary artery disease, a majority of them without any prior symptoms. Plaque rupture, mostly of noncalcified vulnerable plaques, is supposed to play a major role in this setting, and noninvasive techniques are mandatory to stratify the individual risk for experiencing an acute coronary event. During the last decade, magnetic resonance imaging has gained importance as a noninvasive imaging technique in cardiology. Continuous technical improvements enabled a rapidly expanding field of application, and recently noninvasive imaging of plaques has been introduced. In addition to morphological characterization, functional imaging of plaques has gained interest for a more specific risk assessment. This article summarizes pathophysiological aspects of the concept of vulnerable plaque, technical requirements for noninvasive plaque imaging, and characterization with magnetic resonance imaging.

Multislice detector spiral computed tomography (MSCT) is a noninvasive modality for visualization and evaluation of atherosclerosis in vivo in different arterial beds. Rapid technical advances led to a significant improvement of the diagnostic accuracy of coronary MSCT angiography. The most popular clinical application with best scientific Medical evidence of MSCT is the noninvasive detection and quantification of coronary calcifications. In particular, the concept of determining coronary artery age by evaluating an individual's biological age, rather than his or her chronological age, is attractive and currently under scientific evaluation. In addition to evaluating contrast-enhanced coronary arteries, different stages of atherosclerosis can be visualized. By comparative studies with intracoronary ultrasound, it could be shown that echogenicity corresponds well with the density measured within atherosclerotic plaques expressed by Hounsfield units using MSCT. Although the method is improving continuously and is still under development, the potential of MSCT to evaluate plaque composition and plaque volumes noninvasively in vivo is promising.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to quantify image quality gains of a moving coronary plaque phantom using dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) providing 83 milliseconds temporal resolution in direct comparison to 64 slice single-source multidetector CT (MDCT) with a temporal resolution of 165 milliseconds., Materials and Methods: Three cardiac vessel phantoms with fixed 50% stenosis and changing plaque configurations were mounted on a moving device simulating cardiac motion. Scans were performed at a simulated heart frequency of 60 to 120 bpm. Image quality assessment was performed in different anatomic orientations inside a thoracic phantom., Results: A significant improvement of image quality using the DSCT could be found (P=0.0002). Relevant factors influencing image quality aside from frequency (P=0.0002) are plaque composition (P<0.0001), as well as orientation (P<0.0001)., Conclusion: Scanning with 83 milliseconds temporal resolution improved image quality of coronary plaque at higher heart frequencies.

Purpose: Multislice detector computed tomography (MSCT) is an accurate noninvasive modality to detect and classify different stages of atherosclerosis. The aim of the New Age II Study was to detect coronary lesions in men without established coronary artery disease (CAD) but with a distinct cardiovascular risk profile. We also sought to assess the effect after 1 year of a lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) using 20 mg of atorvastatin., Methods: Forty-sixe male patients (mean, 61 +/- 10 years) with an elevated risk for CAD (PROCAM score >3 quintile) without LLT were included. Native and contrast-enhanced scans were performed in all patients. A total of 27 of 46 patients received a follow-up scan (after 488 +/- 138 days). Coronary plaque burden (CPB) was assessed volumetrically., Results: The prevalence of CAD was 83% (38/46 patients), and 11% (5/46) without coronary calcifications still had noncalcified plaques. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased significantly under LLT (225 +/- 41 mg/dL vs. 162 +/- 37 mg/dL, P < 0.0001 and 148 +/- 7 mg/dL vs. 88 +/- 5 mg/dL, P < 0.001, respectively). On follow-up, calcium score and CPB remained unchanged (Agatston score: 261 +/- 301 vs. 282 +/- 360; CPB: 0.149 +/- 0.108 vs. 0.128 +/- 0.075 mL, P > 0.05), whereas mean plaque volume of noncalcified plaques decreased significantly from 0.042 +/- 0.029 mL versus 0.030 +/- 0.014 mL (P < 0.05, mean reduction 0.012 +/- 0.017 mL or 24 +/- 13%)., Conclusions: Statin therapy led to a significant reduction of noncalcified plaque burden that was not reflected in calcium scoring or total plaque burden. This finding might explain the risk reduction after the initiation of statin therapy. Using multislice detector computed tomography, physicians have the potential to monitor medical treatment in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.

The purpose of this study was to assess segment image quality at high heart rates using 16-slice computed tomography and differential reconstruction for major coronary vessels. According to the following protocol, 16-slice CT coronary angiography in 46 patients with a mean heart rate of 86.3+/-11.8 was reconstructed. At three transverse planes, preview series were obtained and motion artifacts evaluated in 5% increments from 0-95% within the cardiac cycle. Relying on image quality in the previews, reconstructions were performed at three z-positions for each patient. Segment image quality was assessed in terms of artifacts and visibility. The effects of heart rate and trigger delay on image quality were analyzed. Optimal image quality was achieved at 25 to 35% of the cardiac cycle for the left circumflex (CX) and right coronary artery (RCA) or 30 to 40% for the left main (LM) and left anterior descending artery (LAD). Sixteen-slice CT and differential reconstruction produced good image quality with a low percentage of motion-degraded proximal and middle segments (8.8%). Grades were 1.5 for the LM, 1.9 for the LAD, 2.0 for the CX and 2.3 for the RCA. At high heart rates, good image quality of the coronary arteries is achieved by 16-slice CT and a sophisticated reconstruction strategy at peak to late systole.