Virtual left atrial appendage occlusion in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation during sinus rhythm predicts variable reductions in blood stasis.

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is an emerging treatment option for cardioembolic stroke risk reduction in patients with sustained or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). How LAAO affects the atrial blood flow field during sinus rhythm has not yet been defined. Here, we simulated virtual LAAO in 21 paroxysmal AF patients and eight controls in normal sinus rhythm using computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

Assessment of metal artifacts from titanium wrist prostheses: photon-counting versus energy-integrating detector CT.

Background: We compared photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) polyenergetic images, PCD-CT virtual monoenergetic images (VMI), and energy-integrating detector computed tomography (EID-CT) polyenergetic images regarding bone visualization and metal artifacts in patients with titanium wrist prostheses.

Methods: After ethical approval, 15 patients were examined with PCD-CT and EID-CT. Polyenergetic images were reconstructed, as well as 130-keV VMI for PCD-CT.

Effect of Plasma Air Purifiers on Infection Rates in Orthopedic Surgery.

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) following orthopedic surgery impacts patient outcomes. Airborne transmission is one potential route of infection. Despite their high cost and resource demands, modern ventilation systems have shown limited efficacy in reducing SSI rates.

Accurate fully automated assessment of left ventricle, left atrium, and left atrial appendage function from computed tomography using deep learning.

Aims: Assessment of cardiac function is essential for diagnosis and treatment planning in cardiovascular disease. Volume of cardiac regions and the derived measures of stroke volume (SV) and ejection fraction (EF) are most accurately calculated from imaging. This study aims to develop a fully automatic deep learning approach for calculation of cardiac function from computed tomography (CT).

Effect of Reconstruction Kernel and Virtual Monoenergetic Imaging on Segmentation-Based Measurement of Coronary Plaque Volume With Photon-Counting CT.

Objectives: Coronary computed tomography angiography is the primary modality for noninvasive assessment of coronary artery disease. Photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) offers superior spatial resolution and spectral imaging for detailed characterization of atherosclerotic plaques. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of virtual monoenergetic imaging (VMI) energy levels and reconstruction kernels on segmentation-based measurement of plaque volume in individuals with coronary atherosclerosis using PCCT.

Arterial Stiffness and Markers of Atrial Myopathy.

Background: Arterial stiffness, measured using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (c-f PWV) and heart rate-corrected augmentation index (Aix75), is associated with cardiovascular disease, and in some studies incident atrial fibrillation (AF). In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to investigate whether arterial stiffness is associated with markers of atrial myopathy, which refers to structural and electrical changes in the atria that indicate increased AF risk.

Methods: We included 1050 participants (age 57 ± 4.

Combined plasma lens and rephasing stage for a laser wakefield accelerator.

Electrons from a laser wakefield accelerator have a limited energy gain due to dephasing and are prone to emittance growth, causing a large divergence. In this paper, we experimentally show that adjusting the plasma density profile can address both issues. Shock-assisted ionisation injection is used to produce 100 MeV quasi-monoenergetic electron bunches in the primary part of the accelerator.

Optimization of photon counting CT for cardiac imaging in patients with left ventricular assist devices: An in-depth assessment of metal artifacts.

Purpose: Photon counting CT (PCCT) holds promise for mitigating metal artifacts and can produce virtual mono-energetic images (VMI), while maintaining temporal resolution, making it a valuable tool for characterizing the heart. This study aimed to evaluate and optimize PCCT for cardiac imaging in patients during left ventricular assistance device (LVAD) therapy by conducting an in-depth objective assessment of metal artifacts and visual grading.

Methods: Various scan and reconstruction settings were tested on a phantom and further evaluated on a patient acquisition to identify the optimal protocol settings.

Reference ranges for ambulatory heart rate measurements in a middle-aged population.

Background: Elevated heart rate (HR) predicts cardiovascular disease and mortality, but there are no established normal limits for ambulatory HR. We used data from the Swedish CArdioPulmonary Imaging Study to determine reference ranges for ambulatory HR in a middle-aged population. We also studied clinical correlates of ambulatory HR.

A comparative study of image quality and diagnostic confidence in diagnosis and follow-up of scaphoid fractures using photon-counting detector CT and energy-integrating detector CT.

Purpose: Scaphoid fractures in patients and assessment of healing using PCD-CT have, as far as we know, not yet been studied. Therefore, the aim was to compare photon counting detector CT (PCD-CT) with energy integrating detector CT (EID-CT) in terms of fracture visibility and evaluation of fracture healing.

Method: Eight patients with scaphoid fracture were examined with EID-CT and PCD-CT within the first week post-trauma, and with additional scans at 4, 6 and 8 weeks.

Pulmonary function and atherosclerosis in the general population: causal associations and clinical implications.

Reduced lung function is associated with cardiovascular mortality, but the relationships with atherosclerosis are unclear. The population-based Swedish CArdioPulmonary BioImage study measured lung function, emphysema, coronary CT angiography, coronary calcium, carotid plaques and ankle-brachial index in 29,593 men and women aged 50-64 years. The results were confirmed using 2-sample Mendelian randomization.

Corrigendum: Elevated atrial blood stasis in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation during sinus rhythm: a patient-specific computational fluid dynamics study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.

Spectral photon-counting CT: Image quality evaluation using a metal-containing bovine bone specimen.

Purpose: To find the optimal imaging parameters for a photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) and to compare it to an energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT) in terms of image quality and metal artefact severity using a metal-containing bovine knee specimen.

Methods: A bovine knee with a stainless-steel plate and screws was imaged in a whole-body research PCD-CT at 120 kV and 140 kV and in an EID dual-source CT (DSCT) at Sn150 kV and 80/Sn150 kV. PCD-CT virtual monoenergetic 72 and 150 keV images and EID-CT images processed with and without metal artefact reduction algorithms (iMAR) were compared.

A prospective study comparing the quality of coronary computed tomography angiography images from photon counting and energy integrating detector systems.

Background: As guidelines endorse the use of computed tomography (CT) for examining coronary artery disease (CAD), it is important to compare the advantages and disadvantages of the novel photon counting detector CT (PCD-CT) technology with the established energy integrating detector CT (EID-CT).

Purpose: To compare the image quality of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and the Agatston scores (AS) derived from EID-CT and PCD-CT.

Material And Methods: In this prospective observational study, 28 patients underwent clinical calcium score and CCTA scans on an EID-CT and a PCD-CT scanner.

Elevated atrial blood stasis in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation during sinus rhythm: a patient-specific computational fluid dynamics study.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of stroke, often caused by thrombi that form in the left atrium (LA), and especially in the left atrial appendage (LAA). The underlying mechanism is not fully understood but is thought to be related to stagnant blood flow, which might be present despite sinus rhythm. However, measuring blood flow and stasis in the LAA is challenging due to its small size and low velocities.

Ventricular tachycardia risk prediction with an abbreviated duration mobile cardiac telemetry.

Background: Ventricular tachycardia (VT) occurs intermittently, unpredictably, and has potentially lethal consequences.

Objective: Our aim was to derive a risk prediction model for VT episodes ≥10 beats detected on 30-day mobile cardiac telemetry based on the first 24 hours of the recording.

Methods: We included patients who were monitored for 2 to 30 days in the United States using full-disclosure mobile cardiac telemetry, without any VT episode ≥10 beats on the first full recording day.

Dynamics of urine proteomics biomarker and disease progression in patients with IgA nephropathy.

Background: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) frequently leads to kidney failure. The urinary proteomics-based classifier IgAN237 may predict disease progression at the time of kidney biopsy. We studied whether IgAN237 also predicts progression later in the course of IgAN.