High variability in reporting of right ventricle contouring technique and body surface area methodology in cardiac magnetic resonance studies of patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot: A systematic review.

Background: Timing of pulmonary valve intervention (PVI) for pulmonary regurgitation in patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is guided by right ventricle (RV) volumetric/function assessment on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) indexed to actual body surface area (BSA). However, different RV contouring techniques and BSA formulae exist with significant variability in reported measurements. We aimed to review the protocols reported in CMR studies of PVI in TOF.

Coarctation of the aorta and accelerated atherosclerosis: A contemporary review on the burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is one of the most common types of congenital heart disease. Unfortunately, there is a high prevalence of hypertension and late cardiovascular mortality in patients with CoA despite successful repair. The growing impact of acquired cardiovascular disease remains a significant concern as the adult congenital heart disease population continues to rapidly expand and age.

Coronary artery calcification detected on low-dose computed tomography in high-risk participants of an Australian lung cancer screening program: A prospective observational study.

Background And Objectives: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a frequent additional finding on lung cancer screening (LCS) low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death in LCS participants. We aimed to describe prevalence of incidental CAC detected on LDCT in LCS participants without prior history of coronary artery disease (CAD), evaluate their CVD risk and describe subsequent investigation and management.

Noninvasive ECG imaging of the intrinsic atrial pacemaker and atrial activation in surgically repaired or palliated congenital heart disease.

Introduction: Sinus node location, function, and atrial activation are often abnormal in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), due to anatomical, surgical, and acquired factors. We aimed to perform noninvasive electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI) of the intrinsic atrial pacemaker and atrial activation in patients with surgically repaired or palliated CHD, compared with control patients with structurally normal hearts.

Methods And Results: Atrial ECGI was performed in eight CHD patients with prespecified diagnoses (Fontan circulation, dextro transposition of the great arteries post Mustard/Senning, tetralogy of Fallot), and three controls.

Multi-vessel giant coronary artery aneurysms: An unusual cause of chest pain.

We describe an unusual case of multi-vessel giant coronary artery aneurysms complicated by acute coronary syndrome despite escalation of therapy. A 65-year-old man with hypertension and hypercholesterolemia presented to clinic with atypical chest pain over 4 months. Outpatient computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) demonstrated giant coronary aneurysms involving all 3 major coronary arteries.

Aortic root measurement on CT: linear dimensions, aortic root area and comparison with echocardiography. A retrospective cross sectional study.

Objective: We sought to assess the different CT aortic root measurements and determine their relationship to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).

Methods: TTE and ECG-gated CT images were reviewed from 70 consecutive patients (mean age 54 ± 18 years; 67% male) with tricuspid aortic roots (trileaflet aortic valves) between Nov 2009 and Dec 2013. Three CT planes (coronal, short axis en face and three-chamber) were used for measurement of nine linear dimensions.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue Accumulation Confers Atrial Conduction Abnormality.

Background: Clinical studies have reported that epicardial adipose tissue (EpAT) accumulation associates with the progression of atrial fibrillation (AF) pathology and adversely affects AF management. The role of local cardiac EpAT deposition in disease progression is unclear, and the electrophysiological, cellular, and molecular mechanisms involved remain poorly defined.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the underlying mechanisms by which EpAT influences the atrial substrate for AF.

SMARTphone-based, early cardiac REHABilitation in patients with acute coronary syndromes: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: There are well-documented treatment gaps in secondary prevention of coronary heart disease with a lack of clearly defined strategies to assist early physical activity after acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Smartphone technology may provide an innovative platform to close these gaps.

Objectives: The primary goal of this study was to assess whether a smartphone-based, early cardiac rehabilitation program improved exercise capacity in patients with ACS.

A closer look at immune-mediated myocarditis in the era of combined checkpoint blockade and targeted therapies.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have transformed the management of many malignancies. Although rare, immune-mediated myocarditis presents unique clinical challenges due to heterogenous presentation, potential life-threatening consequences, and the time-critical need to differentiate it from other causes of cardiac dysfunction. Increasingly, TKI are being combined with ICI to promote immune modulation and improve efficacy.

Pacing and implantable cardioverter defibrillator lead perforation as assessed by multiplanar reformatted ECG-gated cardiac computed tomography and clinical correlates.

Introduction: We aimed to assess the utility of cardiac computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of right atrial (RA) and right ventricular (RV) pacemaker and implantable cardiac defibrillator lead perforation.

Methods: Images from a 320-slice electrocardiogram-gated cardiac CT scanner were retrospectively independently analyzed by two reviewers for lead position, pericardial effusion, and perforation.Perforation results were correlated with pacing sensing, impedance, and threshold measurements.

Proximity of pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads to coronary arteries as assessed by cardiac computed tomography.

Introduction: There have been rare case reports of damage to adjacent coronary arteries by screw-in pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) leads. Our aim was to assess the proximity of pacemaker and ICD leads to the major coronary anatomy using cardiac computed tomography (CT).

Methods: Cardiac CT images were retrospectively analyzed to assess the spatial relationship of device lead tips to the major coronary anatomy.

Validation of conventional fluoroscopic and ECG criteria for right ventricular pacemaker lead position using cardiac computed tomography.

Introduction: It is hypothesized that pacing the right ventricular (RV) septum is associated with less deleterious outcomes than RV apical pacing. Our aim was to validate fluoroscopic and electrocardiography (ECG) criteria for describing pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator RV "septal" lead position against the proposed gold standard: cardiac computed tomography (CT).

Methods: Using the conventional fluoroscopic criteria, we intended to place RV nonapical leads on the interventricular septum.

Potential clinical impact of cardiovascular magnetic resonance assessment of ejection fraction on eligibility for cardioverter defibrillator implantation.

Background: For the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death, guidelines provide left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) criteria for implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement without specifying the technique by which it should be measured. We sought to investigate the potential impact of performing cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) for EF on ICD eligibility.

Methods: The study population consisted of patients being considered for ICD implantation who were referred for EF assessment by CMR.

Assessment of right ventricular volumes and function using cardiovascular magnetic resonance cine imaging after atrial redirection surgery for complete transposition of the great arteries.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is the reference standard for measurement of right ventricular (RV) volumes and function. To date, no study has compared methods of data acquisition and analysis by CMR for adults with a systemic RV. Our objective was to evaluate RV size and function using axial and short axis views in adults post atrial switch (Mustard) surgery.

A computed tomography-based coronary lesion score to predict acute coronary syndrome among patients with acute chest pain and significant coronary stenosis on coronary computed tomographic angiogram.

We tested the hypothesis that morphologic lesion assessment helps detect acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during index hospitalization in patients with acute chest pain and significant stenosis on coronary computed tomographic angiogram (CTA). Patients who presented to an emergency department with chest pain but no objective signs of myocardial ischemia (nondiagnostic electrocardiogram and negative initial biomarkers) underwent CT angiography. CTA was analyzed for degree and length of stenosis, plaque area and volume, remodeling index, CT attenuation of plaque, and spotty calcium in all patients with significant stenosis (>50% in diameter) on CTA.

Thrombus aspiration during primary percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with reduced myocardial edema, hemorrhage, microvascular obstruction and left ventricular remodeling.

Background: Thrombus aspiration (TA) has been shown to improve microvascular perfusion during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The objective of our study was to assess the relationship between TA and myocardial edema, myocardial hemorrhage, microvascular obstruction (MVO) and left ventricular remodeling in STEMI patients using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR).

Methods: Sixty patients were enrolled post primary PCI and underwent CMR on a 1.

Association of pericardial fat and coronary high-risk lesions as determined by cardiac CT.

Objective: Pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) is a pathogenic fat depot associated with coronary atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. We hypothesized that higher PAT is associated with coronary high-risk lesions as determined by cardiac CT.

Methods: We included 358 patients (38% female; median age 51 years) who were admitted to the ED with acute chest pain and underwent 64-slice CT angiography.

Viability imaging by cardiac computed tomography.

First-pass perfusion and delayed enhancement cardiac imaging have been shown to be feasible by cardiac CT. However, questions remain about its reliability, and ideal scanning parameters have yet to be fully established. In general, scar imaging with cardiac CT typically requires 2 scans, with first-pass perfusion information derived from the same data set used to visualize the coronary arteries.