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Positive remodeling is an integral part of the vascular adaptation process during the development of atherosclerosis, which can be detected by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). A total of 426 patients who underwent both coronary CTA and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were included. Four machine learning (ML) models, gradient boosting machine (GBM), random forest (RF), deep learning (DL), and support vector machine (SVM), were employed to detect specific plaque features. A total of 15 plaque features assessed by OCT were analyzed. The variable importance ranking was used to identify the features most closely associated with positive remodeling. In the variable importance ranking, lipid index and maximal calcification arc were consistently ranked high across all four ML models. Lipid index and maximal calcification arc were correlated with positive remodeling, showing pronounced influence at the lower range and diminishing influence at the higher range. Patients with more plaques with positive remodeling throughout their entire coronary trees had higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and were associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular events during 5-year follow-up (Hazard ratio 2.10 [1.26–3.48], P ​= ​0.004). Greater lipid accumulation and less calcium burden were important features associated with positive remodeling in the coronary arteries. The number of coronary plaques with positive remodeling was associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the diagnostic performance of a deep-learning model (DLM) (CorEx®, Spimed-AI, Paris, France) designed to automatically detect > 50% coronary stenosis on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) images. We studied inter-observer variability as an additional aim. CCTA images obtained before transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) were assessed by two radiologists and the DLM, and the results were compared to those of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) used as the reference standard. 165 consecutive patients underwent both CCTA and ICA as part of their TAVI work-up. We excluded the 42 (25.5%) patients with a history of stenting or bypass grafting and the 23 (13.9%) patients with low-quality images. We retrospectively subjected the CCTA images from the remaining 100 patients to evaluation by the DLM and compared the DLM and ICA results. All 25 patients with > 50% stenosis by ICA also had > 50% stenosis by DLM evaluation of CCTA: thus, the DLM had 100% sensitivity and 100% negative predictive value. False-positive DLM results were common, yielding a positive predictive value of only 39% (95% CI, 27–51%). Two radiologists with 3 and 25 years' experience, respectively, performed similarly to the DLM in evaluating the CCTA images; thus, accuracy did not differ significantly between each reader and the DLM (p = 0.625 and p = 0.375, respectively). The DLM had 100% negative predictive value for > 50% stenosis and performed similarly to experienced radiologists. This tool may hold promise for identifying the up to one-third of patients who do not require ICA before TAVI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Figure: see text]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital coronary artery anomalies are rare in the population. Patient, 57 years, was resuscitated from cardiac arrest at the airport. Coronary angiography demonstrated the left coronary artery originating from the right sinus of Valsalva and coursing between the aorta and the pulmonary trunk. If this anomaly is manifested as sudden cardiac death and the patient survives, a surgical correction is recommended. The question is whether implantable cardiover-defibrillator should be implanted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiologist and radiological techniques play a crucial role in imaging and interventional procedures in gastrointestinal hemorrhage and ischemia. They are involved in emergency situations that may lead to the death of the patient. Therefore correct diagnosis and treatment are absolutely decisive. We have a great potential in tools of diagnosis, with angiography serving not only as the gold standard for diagnosis even offering a potentially effective treatment for various pathologies. Nevertheless, other techniques have developed greatly during the past decade, including in standard protocols for the management of vascular pathologies such as those discussed here. Ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging and their applications in the vascular field such as in as Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography angiography, and magnetic resonance angiography provide sensitivity as high as that of angiography for detecting vascular-dependent lesions and for evaluating and excluding other causes of acute or chronic abdomen disorders. This contribution evaluates clinical aspects, various imaging techniques, and interventional effectiveness related to gastrointestinal hemorrhage and ischemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]