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Objective: Hyperdense artery sign (HAS) on noncontrast brain computed tomography (CT) indicates an acute thrombus within the cerebral artery. It is a valuable imaging biomarker for diagnosing large-vessel occlusion; however, its identification may be challenging with the presence of vascular calcification. Dual-energy CT virtual noncalcium (VNCa) imaging using a 3-material decomposition algorithm is helpful for differentiating between calcification and hemorrhage. This study aimed to clarify the potential of VNCa imaging for differentiating HAS from vascular calcification.
Methods: Patients with acute ischemic stroke and large-vessel occlusion identified on MR angiography, who also underwent noncontrast dual-energy CT, were included. The 80 kV/Sn 140 kV mixed images, with a weighting factor of 0.4, were considered 120 kVp-equivalent images. Postprocessing using a 3-material decomposition algorithm to differentiate between calcium (Ca), cerebrospinal fluid, and hemorrhage was performed via a commercially available 3-dimensional workstation. A mixed image, VNCa image, color-coded Ca image, and color-coded Ca image with VNCa image overlay (color-coded Ca-overlay image) were obtained, and axial reconstruction with a 1-mm slice thickness was performed for each image type. Two experienced neuroradiologists conducted imaging evaluations in consensus.
Results: Thirty-four patients (mean age, 76.0 years; 21 male and 13 female patients) were included. The mixed and VNCa images revealed an HAS (indicating an acute clot) corresponding to the large-vessel occlusion site in 30 patients. Among them, the VNCa and color-coded Ca-overlay images enabled clear differentiation between the acute thrombus and adjacent vessel wall calcification in 5 patients. Among the other 4 patients, the VNCa, Ca-overlay, and Ca images identified calcified cerebral emboli in the M1 segment in 1 patient. For the other 3 patients, no high attenuation corresponding to magnetic resonance angiography findings was observed in any of the mixed, VNCa, Ca-overlay, or Ca images.
Conclusions: VNCa and color-coded Ca-overlay images obtained via dual-energy brain CT enabled differentiation of acute thrombus from vessel wall calcification and calcified cerebral emboli in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/RCT.0000000000001623 | DOI Listing |
Ann Surg
September 2025
Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Objective: To determine the incidence, clinical outcomes, and anatomical risk factors of portal vein (PV)-related complications after right lobe donor hepatectomy (RLDH).
Summary Background Data: With the increase in living donor liver transplantation, large-scale studies on donor morbidity have been conducted to ensure donor safety. However, reports evaluating PV-related complications following right hepatectomy in living donors are lacking.
Extracorporeal blood purification (EBP) is an emerging technique for reducing elevated levels of inflammatory mediators and/or endotoxins in critically ill patients with sepsis or other hyperinflammatory conditions. The oXiris filter combines endotoxin adsorption, cytokine adsorption, hemofiltration and anti-thrombosis, and an emerging body of evidence demonstrates its use in critical care patients with hyperinflammatory conditions and acute kidney injury (AKI). A group of Asia-Pacific experts convened to formulate consensus statements for the use of the oXiris filter based on a comprehensive review of publications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFActa Physiol (Oxf)
October 2025
Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Background: The cerebral circulation is continuously challenged by intravascular micrometer-sized particles that become trapped microvascular-emboli. These particles may include micro-thrombi, stiffened erythrocytes, and leukocytes, while also fat particles, air, and microplastics may cause microvascular embolism.
Review Scope: In this narrative review, we discuss these embolization processes and their acute and chronic consequences.
Aim To compare the results of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) in patients who recently recovered from COVID-19 with those not previously infected with SARS-CoV-2; to establish prognostic criteria for PCI complications, including stent thrombosis and restenosis (ST and SR) and progression of ischemic heart disease, and to determine ways to prevent them.Material and methods In 2021, middle-aged patients admitted to the Baku Central Clinical Hospital with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome who underwent urgent myocardial revascularization using percutaneous balloon angioplasty of the occluded coronary artery (CA) with implantation of a second-generation intracoronary drug-eluting stent were divided into two observation groups: the main group of 123 patients who had COVID-19 in the previous 6 months, and the control group of 112 patients who were not previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. The immediate results of PCI were assessed according to the TIMI scale; complications were assessed both clinically, by the incidence of severe complications (major adverse cardiovascular events, MACE), and angiographically, by the incidence of early and late ST and SR, and de novo stenosis that developed during the two-year observation period.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Case Rep Intern Med
August 2025
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon.
Unlabelled: Aortic dissection is a life-threatening cardiovascular emergency, particularly Stanford type A, which typically necessitates urgent surgical intervention. Despite advances in surgical techniques and perioperative care, preoperative bleeding and coagulopathy remain significant challenges. Tranexamic acid, an antifibrinolytic agent, is widely used to minimize perioperative bleeding in cardiovascular surgeries; however, its role in the non-surgical, preoperative stabilization of aortic dissection has not been well established.
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