Performance and Correlations of Myocardial Contraction Fraction Derived From MRI in Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia Patients.

Background: Myocardial contraction fraction (MCF) is a promising volumetric index of myocardial function.

Purpose: To evaluate the association of MRI-derived MCF with demographic characteristics, clinical data, MRI findings, and the history of heart failure in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT).

Study Type: Retrospective.

Heart-Brain axis: is microvascular dysfunction the link between stroke and Takotsubo syndrome?

Takotsubo syndrome (TS) is characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction, often triggered by psychological or physiological stress. Increasing evidence highlights the critical role of the brain-heart axis in TS, with small blood vessels acting as central mediators. Recent data indicate a significant association between TS and cerebrovascular events, particularly ischemic stroke.

Clinical impact and prognostic significance of pericardial involvement in acute myocarditis: insights from a CMR study.

This study aims to investigate the demographic, laboratory, clinical, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) correlates of pericardial involvement, as well as its impact on outcomes in patients with acute myocarditis. This retrospective study analyzed 141 consecutive patients diagnosed with acute myocarditis (113 males, mean age 41.12 ± 19.

Multinational Attitudes Toward AI in Health Care and Diagnostics Among Hospital Patients.

Importance: The successful implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care depends on its acceptance by key stakeholders, particularly patients, who are the primary beneficiaries of AI-driven outcomes.

Objectives: To survey hospital patients to investigate their trust, concerns, and preferences toward the use of AI in health care and diagnostics and to assess the sociodemographic factors associated with patient attitudes.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cross-sectional study developed and implemented an anonymous quantitative survey between February 1 and November 1, 2023, using a nonprobability sample at 74 hospitals in 43 countries.

Radiomics-based machine learning atherosclerotic carotid artery disease in ultrasound: systematic review with meta-analysis of RQS.

Background: Stroke, a leading global cause of mortality and neurological disability, is often associated with atherosclerotic carotid artery disease. Distinguishing between symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery disease is crucial for appropriate treatment decisions. Radiomics, a quantitative image analysis technique, and machine learning (ML) have emerged as promising tools in Ultrasound (US) imaging, potentially providing a helpful tool in the screening of such lesions.

From Acquisition to Prognosis: The Role of AI in Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of Ischemic Cardiomyopathy.

Acute and chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) still represents a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging plays a central role in the diagnosis and management of ICM, offering detailed visualization of cardiac structures and function. The evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing CMR exams, from acquisition to prognosis, is rapidly expanding in clinical practice, particularly in CMR of patients with ICM, emphasizing the integration of AI algorithms to optimize imaging workflows in standard protocols.

The impact of the fetal exposome as a predictor of cancer risk in childhood and adulthood. Aberrant epigenetic events occurring during gestation: May they trigger fetal programming of cancer risk later in life?

The rising incidence of cancer, particularly among children and young adults, has led to renewed interest in the early-life origins of the disease. The fetal programming hypothesis, originally proposed by Barker, posits that environmental disruptions during intrauterine development can induce long-lasting molecular and structural changes that increase susceptibility to diseases, including cancer, later in life. This narrative review examines how prenatal exposures, such as maternal malnutrition, alcohol use, exposure to toxins, obesity, and hormonal imbalances, may epigenetically reprogram the developing fetus, influencing cancer risk throughout the lifespan.

Current and future applications of photon-counting computed tomography in cardiovascular medicine.

Photon-counting CT (PCCT) represents a transformative advancement in cardiac imaging, addressing key limitations of conventional CT. This review synthesises current evidence to demonstrate how PCCT's superior spatial resolution, enhanced tissue characterisation and multienergy capabilities broaden the diagnostic potential of cardiac CT. Applications include the precise detection and quantification of coronary artery calcifications, evaluation of coronary plaque burden and composition, improved assessment of coronary stents, and comprehensive myocardial tissue characterisation and perfusion analysis.

Carotid Plaque-RADS: Inter-and intra-reader agreement and learning curve analysis in Computed Tomography Angiography.

Background And Purpose: Atherosclerotic disease of the carotid arteries is a major cause of ischemic stroke. Traditionally, the degree of stenosis has been regarded as the primary parameter for predicting stroke risk, but emerging evidence highlights the importance of carotid plaque composition and morphology. Recently, the Carotid Plaque-Reporting and Data System (RADS) has been introduced to standardize carotid plaque assessment beyond the degree of carotid stenosis.

What is the importance of monitoring iron levels in different organs over time with magnetic resonance imaging in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients?

Introduction: Iron overload is the main pathophysiological driver of organ damage in transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides detailed insights into the distribution and severity of iron accumulation in the different organs.

Areas Covered: This special report describes the impact of MRI on clinical and therapeutic management and short- and long-term outcomes in TDT patients.

Advancements in Computed Tomography Angiography for Pulmonary Embolism Assessment.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a critical condition stemming from venous thromboembolism, with potentially fatal outcomes. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) serves as the gold standard for diagnosing PE, offering unparalleled diagnostic accuracy, accessibility, and speed. Recent innovations, such as spectral CT systems and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven algorithms, have enhanced the diagnostic and prognostic capabilities of CTPA, enabling precise anatomical and functional assessments.

Left ventricular diastolic and systolic functions by cardiac magnetic resonance in beta-thalassemia major: correlation with clinical findings and cardiac complications.

This cross-sectional study explored the association of left ventricular (LV) fractional area change (FAC) with demographic characteristics, clinical data, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) findings, and cardiac complications (heart failure and arrythmias) in patients with beta-thalassemia major (β-TM). We included 292 β-TM patients (151 females, 36.72 ± 11.

Cracking the Code of Calcification: How Presence and Burden among Intracranial Arteries Influence Stroke Incidence and Recurrence.

Background: Intracranial atherosclerosis accounts for approximately 8% of all strokes in Western societies but the influence of arterial calcification on plaque instability is a topic of ongoing debate.

Purpose: Our purpose is to explore the association between the presence and burden of calcium in atherosclerotic plaques among intracranial arteries with the risk of clinical or silent stroke events through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources: Studies from PubMed and Embase investigating intracranial vessel calcification and stroke events were reviewed from inception through May 2024, adhering to PRISMA guidelines.

Assessment of Attenuation in Pericarotid Fat among Patients with Carotid Plaque and Spontaneous Carotid Dissection.

Background And Purpose: Changes in perivascular fat density (PFD) and its association with inflammation have been topics of interest in both atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic vasculopathies. The objective of this study was to assess the PFD in patients with spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection (SICAD) or carotid atherosclerotic plaque, with and without intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH).

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective bicentric analysis of 130 patients (30 with SICAD and 100 with carotid atherosclerotic plaque) who underwent CT angiography was performed.

Myocardial microvascular function assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance first-pass perfusion in patients with Takotsubo syndrome.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore microvascular function impairment using first-pass cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TS). Moreover, we explored myocardial microcirculation in patients with TS and related this to demographic data, cardiovascular risk factors, clinical parameters, cardiac biomarkers, and cardiac function.

Methods: This retrospective study performed CMR first-pass perfusion scans in 42 consecutive patients with TS (37 females, 70.

Impact of papillary muscle infarction on atrial and ventricular myocardial deformation in non-anterior STEMI patients.

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of papillary muscle (PPM) infarction on left atrial and ventricular strain parameters in patients with non-anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NA-STEMI) using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). This retrospective study performed CMR scans on 88 consecutive patients with NA-STEMI (68 males, 65 ± 10.05 years).

Current Status of CT Imaging Before Common Transcatheter Interventions for Structural Heart Disease.

Over the past decade, several trials and observational studies have validated the use of minimally invasive cardiac interventions as viable treatment options for various cardiac diseases. Transcatheter techniques for severe aortic valve stenosis have rapidly emerged as alternatives to surgical aortic valve replacement in certain patient populations. Additionally, non-surgical treatment options have expanded for conditions affecting other cardiac valves, such as the mitral valve.

Carotid artery atherosclerosis: mechanisms of instability and clinical implications.

Cardiovascular disease remains a prominent cause of disability and premature death worldwide. Within this spectrum, carotid artery atherosclerosis is a complex and multifaceted condition, and a prominent precursor of acute ischaemic stroke and other cardiovascular events. The intricate interplay among inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, lipid metabolism, and immune responses participates in the development of lesions, leading to luminal stenosis and potential plaque instability.

Interlinking pathways: a narrative review on the role of IL-6 in cancer and atherosclerosis.

Background And Objective: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays multifaceted roles in cancer and atherosclerosis. Initially recognized for its role in immune response and inflammation, IL-6 promotes tumor progression via the JAK-STAT and MAP kinase pathways and is associated with poor cancer prognoses. In atherosclerosis, IL-6 contributes to endothelial dysfunction and plaque formation.

Assessing Acute Pericarditis with T1 Mapping: A Supportive Contrast-Free CMR Marker.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of pericardial T1 mapping as a potential supportive non-contrast cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) parameter in the diagnosis of acute pericarditis. Additionally, we investigated the relationship between T1 mapping values in acute pericarditis patients and their demographic data, cardiovascular risk factors, clinical parameters, cardiac biomarkers, and cardiac function.

Method: This retrospective study included CMR scans in 35 consecutive patients with acute pericarditis (26 males, 45.

State of the art of CT myocardial perfusion.

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a powerful tool to rule out coronary artery disease (CAD). In the last decade, myocardial perfusion CT (CTP) technique has been developed for the evaluation of myocardial ischemia, thereby increasing positive predictive value for diagnosis of obstructive CAD. A diagnostic strategy combining CCTA and perfusion acquisitions provides both anatomical coronary evaluation and functional evaluation of the stenosis, increasing the specificity and the positive predictive value of cardiac CT.

Prevalence of Mitral Annular Disjunction at Cardiac MRI: Results from a Multicenter Registry.

Purpose To determine the prevalence of mitral annular disjunction (MAD) in patients undergoing cardiac MRI for various clinical indications and to assess the association of MAD with arrhythmia, mitral valve prolapse (MVP), and myocardial alteration. Materials and Methods This study analyzed data from a retrospective observational registry of consecutive patients undergoing cardiac MRI for different clinical indications. Cardiac MRI examinations were performed from January 2019 to June 2019 at 13 Italian hospitals.

Addressing hidden risks: Systematic review of artificial intelligence biases across racial and ethnic groups in cardiovascular diseases.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI)-based models are increasingly being integrated into cardiovascular medicine. Despite promising potential, racial and ethnic biases remain a key concern regarding the development and implementation of AI models in clinical settings.

Objective: This systematic review offers an overview of the accuracy and clinical applicability of AI models for cardiovascular diagnosis and prognosis across diverse racial and ethnic groups.

The Detection Rate of Late Gadolinium Enhancement in Takotsubo Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The absence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is commonly used to distinguish takotsubo syndrome (TTS) from other myocardial diseases. However, case series have reported the presence of LGE in TTS. This study aimed to summarize the evidence on the frequency of LGE in TTS and identify potential variables that may influence the detection of LGE.