Early Right Heart Remodeling in Patients With Mitral Valve Prolapse.

PURPOSE: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) has been associated with left heart remodeling. This study explored cardiac remodeling in patients with MVP without significant regurgitation, focusing on the right heart. METHODS: This single-center study enrolled consecutive patients referred to trans-thoracic-echocardiography (TTE) with MVP, excluding those with significant regurgitation or known cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases. A group of healthy controls was included. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients with MVP and 54 controls were finally selected (mean age of 62, 52-71; 52% males), and echocardiographic parameters were compared among groups. Twenty-nine (41%) patients with MVP showed tricuspid valve prolapse (TVP). Patients with MVP, irrespective of TVP, showed greater tricuspid annulus (systolic annulus: 31±6 vs. 32±5 vs. 27±3 mm for MVP+/TVP-, MVP+/TVP+, and controls, respectively; all p < 0.01) and greater minimum right atrial volume indexed (13, 12-15 mL/m2 vs. 15, 12-20 mL/m2 vs. 11, 10-14 mL/m2; all p < 0.05). Right ventricular dimensions and systolic indexes did not differ among groups, except TAPSE, which was significantly greater in MVP+/TVP+ patients compared to controls (25±4 vs. 22±3 mm, p = 0.004). A significant correlation (ρ = 0.43; p < 0.001) and an independent association at multivariate analysis (ß = 0.28; 95% CI 0.09-0.47; p = 0.004) were observed between end-systolic tricuspid diameter and TAPSE. CONCLUSION: In patients with MVP with less-than-moderate mitral or tricuspid regurgitation, dilation of the right atrium and tricuspid annulus was found. The latter finding was associated with increased values of TAPSE, which should then be used with caution, while other indexes may be preferred when assessing the systolic function of these patients.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance semi-automated threshold-based post-processing of right ventricular volumes in repaired tetralogy of Fallot.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is the gold-standard to estimate right ventricular (RV) volumes, which are key for clinical management of patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF). Semi-automated threshold-based methods (SAT) have been proposed for CMR post-processing as alternatives to fully manual standard tracing. We investigated the impact of SAT on RV analysis using different thresholds in rTOF patients. METHODS: RV volumes and mass were estimated using SAT and standard fully manual tracing methods in rTOF patients. Two threshold levels were set for SAT, i.e., default 50 (SAT-50) and 30 (SAT-30). RV stroke volumes (SV) were compared to main pulmonary artery forward flow (MPA-FF). Post-processing time, intra- and interobserver variabilities were compared across methods. RESULTS: Sixty-two CMRs of rTOF patients were analyzed. Compared to the standard fully manual tracing, no significant differences in RV mass, volumes and ejection fraction were observed using SAT-30, whereas SAT-50 significantly underestimated RV end-diastolic-volume index (EDVi) by 10.4% (mean difference of - 11.8 ± 6.2 ml/m2, p 0.03) and overestimated RV mass index by 21.8% (mean difference of 14.2 ± 11.9 g/m2, p 0.002). Compared to MPA-FF, RVSV by standard fully manual method and SAT-30 showed minor biases, respectively, 0.03 ml/m2 and 0.7 ml/m2, while SAT-50 underestimated RVSV by 6.86 ml/m2 (p < 0.001). In six patients, the degree of RV EDVi underestimation by SAT-50 determined a change of category from dilated to non-dilated RV. Intra- and interobserver variabilities were good to excellent for all methods. Post-processing duration was shorter for SAT compared to standard manual segmentation (5.5 ± 1.7 min vs. 19.5 ± 4.4 min, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: CMR SAT-30 post-processing is a precise, accurate and time-saving method for biventricular assessment of volumes, ejection fraction and mass in rTOF.

Prognostic value of stress CMR and SPECT-MPI in patients undergoing intermediate-to-high-risk non-cardiac surgery.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the role of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) stress tests using stress cardiac magnetic resonance (sCMR) and single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) in non-cardiac surgery (NCS) pre-operatory management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This monocentric retrospective study enrolled patients with coronary artery disease or a minimum of two cardiovascular risk factors undergoing intermediate-to-high-risk non-cardiac surgeries. The primary composite endpoint comprised cardiac death, cardiogenic shock, acute coronary syndromes (ACS), and cardiogenic pulmonary edema occurring within 30 days after surgery, while the secondary endpoint was ACS. RESULTS: A total of 1590 patients were enrolled; among them, 669 underwent a MPI stress test strategy (sCMR: 287, SPECT-MPI: 382). The incidence of 30-day cardiac events was lower in the stress-tested group compared to the non-stress-tested group (1.2% vs. 3.4%; p 0.006). Adopting a stress test strategy showed a significant reduction in the risk of the composite endpoint (OR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.15-0.76, p 0.009) and ACS (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.17-0.98, p 0.046) at multivariable analysis, with similar cardiac events rate between stress CMR and SPECT (1.1% vs. 1.3%, p 0.756). Stress CMR showed a greater accuracy to predict coronary artery revascularizations (sCMR c-statistic: 0.95, ischemic cut-point: 5.5%; SPECT c-statistic: 0.85, ischemic cut-point: 7.5%). CONCLUSION: Stress test strategy is related to a lower occurrence of cardiac events in high-risk patients scheduled for intermediate-to-high-risk non-cardiac surgeries. Both sCMR and SPECT-MPI comparably reduce the likelihood of cardiac complications, albeit sCMR offers greater accuracy in predicting coronary artery revascularization.

Prognostic value of right ventricular involvement in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) involvement has been reported in one out of three patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), however its prognostic significance remains unknown. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of RV involvement in patients with HCM through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A literature search was performed on PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov and Cochrane Library databases from inception through November 15, 2023. Original articles enrolling HCM patients >18 years old and evaluating the association of RV parameters routinely assessed in clinical practice through trans-thoracic echocardiography or cardiac magnetic resonance (i.e., RV hypertrophy, volumes, systolic function, and late gadolinium enhancement) and the risk of a pre-defined composite endpoint including i) all cause death; ii) cardiac death; iii) heart transplantation; iv) heart failure-related hospitalization; v) atrial fibrillation; vi) ventricular tachycardia; and vii) stroke were retrieved. We pooled the effect of RV imaging variables on the combined clinical endpoint in terms of hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 12 articles and 4634 patients. The pooled analysis demonstrated that the presence of RV systolic dysfunction conveyed an increased risk of adverse outcomes (HR 2.46; 95% CI 1.80-3.35; P < 0.001), whereas other RV imaging parameters were not significantly associated with patients' prognosis, except for RV-fractional area change analyzed as a continuous variable (HR 0.96 per % increase; 95% CI 0.93-0.995; P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Our results pinpoint a prognostic role of RV dysfunction, independent of left ventricular involvement, in patients with HCM, and future longitudinal studies, including multi-parametric RV assessment, are encouraged to provide clinically-relevant data to refine risk stratification in patients with HCM.

Mitral annulus disjunction in consecutive patients undergoing cardiovascular magnetic resonance: Where is the boundary between normality and disease?

BACKGROUND: The presence of mitral annulus disjunction (MAD) has been considered a high-risk feature for sudden cardiac death based on selected study populations. We aimed to assess the prevalence of MAD in consecutive patients undergoing clinically indicated cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), its association with ventricular arrhythmias, mitral valve prolapse (MVP), and other CMR features. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included consecutive patients referred to CMR at our institution between June 2021 and November 2021. MAD was defined as a ≥1 mm displacement between the left atrial wall-mitral valve leaflet junction and the left ventricular wall during end-systole. MAD extent was defined as the maximum longitudinal displacement. Associates of MAD were evaluated at univariable and multivariable regression analysis. The study endpoint, a composite of (aborted) sudden cardiac death, unexplained syncope, and sustained ventricular tachycardia, was evaluated at a 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: Four hundred and forty-one patients 55 ± 18 years, 267/441 (61%) males) were included, and 29/441 (7%) had MVP. The prevalence of MAD ≥1 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm was 214/441 (49%), 63/441 (14%), and 15/441 (3%), respectively. Patients with MVP showed a higher prevalence of MAD greater than 1 mm (26/29 (90%) vs 118/412 (46%)); p < 0.001), 4 mm (14/29 (48%) vs 49/412 (12%)); p < 0.001), and 6 mm (3/29 (10%) vs 12/412 (3%)); p = 0.03), and a greater MAD extent (4.2 mm, 3.0-5.7 mm vs 2.8 mm, 1.9-4.0 mm; p < 0.001) compared to patients without MVP. MVP was the only morpho-functional abnormality associated with MAD at multivariable analysis (p < 0.001). A high burden of ventricular ectopic beats at baseline Holter-electrocardiogram was associated with MAD ≥4 mm and MAD extent (p < 0.05). The presence of MAD ≥1 mm (0.9% vs 1.8%; p = 0.46), MAD ≥4 mm (1.6% vs 1.3%; p = 0.87), or MVP (3.5% vs 1.2%; p = 0.32) were not associated with the study endpoint, whereas patients with MAD ≥6 mm showed a trend toward a higher likelihood of the study endpoint (6.7% vs 1.2%; p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: MAD of limited severity was common in consecutive patients undergoing CMR. Patients with MVP showed higher prevalence and greater extent of MAD. Extended MAD was rarer and showed association with ventricular arrhythmias at baseline. The mid-term prognosis of MAD seems benign; however, prospective studies are warranted to search for potential "malignant MAD extents" to improve patients' risk stratification.

Arrhythmic Mitral Valve Prolapse Phenotype: An Unsupervised Machine Learning Analysis Using a Multicenter Cardiac MRI Registry.

Purpose To use unsupervised machine learning to identify phenotypic clusters with increased risk of arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse (MVP). Materials and Methods This retrospective study included patients with MVP without hemodynamically significant mitral regurgitation or left ventricular (LV) dysfunction undergoing late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac MRI between October 2007 and June 2020 in 15 European tertiary centers. The study end point was a composite of sustained ventricular tachycardia, (aborted) sudden cardiac death, or unexplained syncope. Unsupervised data-driven hierarchical k-mean algorithm was utilized to identify phenotypic clusters. The association between clusters and the study end point was assessed by Cox proportional hazards model. Results A total of 474 patients (mean age, 47 years ± 16 [SD]; 244 female, 230 male) with two phenotypic clusters were identified. Patients in cluster 2 (199 of 474, 42%) had more severe mitral valve degeneration (ie, bileaflet MVP and leaflet displacement), left and right heart chamber remodeling, and myocardial fibrosis as assessed with LGE cardiac MRI than those in cluster 1. Demographic and clinical features (ie, symptoms, arrhythmias at Holter monitoring) had negligible contribution in differentiating the two clusters. Compared with cluster 1, the risk of developing the study end point over a median follow-up of 39 months was significantly higher in cluster 2 patients (hazard ratio: 3.79 [95% CI: 1.19, 12.12], P = .02) after adjustment for LGE extent. Conclusion Among patients with MVP without significant mitral regurgitation or LV dysfunction, unsupervised machine learning enabled the identification of two phenotypic clusters with distinct arrhythmic outcomes based primarily on cardiac MRI features. These results encourage the use of in-depth imaging-based phenotyping for implementing arrhythmic risk prediction in MVP. Keywords: MR Imaging, Cardiac, Cardiac MRI, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Cluster Analysis, Ventricular Arrhythmia, Sudden Cardiac Death, Unsupervised Machine Learning Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2024.

CT imaging post-TAVI: Murphy's first law in action-preparing to recognize the unexpected.

Transfemoral aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been long considered the standard of therapy for high-risk patients with severe aortic-stenosis and is now effectively employed in place of surgical aortic valve replacement also in intermediate-risk patients. The potential lasting consequences of minor complications, which might have limited impact on elderly patients, could be more noteworthy in the longer term when occurring in younger individuals. That's why a greater focus on early diagnosis, correct management, and prevention of post-procedural complications is key to achieve satisfactory results. ECG-triggered multidetector computed tomography angiography (CTA) is the mainstay imaging modality for pre-procedural planning of TAVI and is also used for post-interventional early detection of both acute and long-term complications. CTA allows detailed morphological analysis of the valve and its movement throughout the entire cardiac cycle. Moreover, stent position, coronary artery branches, and integrity of the aortic root can be precisely evaluated. Imaging reliability implies the correct technical setting of the computed tomography scan, knowledge of valve type, normal post-interventional findings, and awareness of classic and life-threatening complications after a TAVI procedure. This educational review discusses the main post-procedural complications of TAVI with a specific imaging focus, trying to clearly describe the technical aspects of CTA Imaging in post-TAVI and its clinical applications and challenges, with a final focus on future perspectives and emerging technologies. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: This review undertakes an analysis of the role computed tomography angiography (CTA) plays in the assessment of post-TAVI complications. Highlighting the educational issues related to the topic, empowers radiologists to refine their clinical approach, contributing to enhanced patient care. KEY POINTS: Prompt recognition of TAVI complications, ranging from value issues to death, is crucial. Adherence to recommended scanning protocols, and the optimization of tailored protocols, is essential. CTA is central in the diagnosis of TAVI complications and functions as a gatekeeper to treatment.

Effects of Enzyme Replacement Therapy on Cardiac MRI Findings in Fabry Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of enzyme replacement therapy on cardiac MRI parameters in patients with Fabry disease. Materials and Methods A systematic literature search was conducted from January 1, 2000, through January 1, 2024, in PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Study outcomes were changes in the following parameters: (a) left ventricular wall mass (LVM), measured in grams; (b) LVM indexed to body mass index, measured in grams per meters squared; (c) maximum left ventricular wall thickness (MLVWT), measured in millimeters; (d) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) extent, measured in percentage of LVM; and (e) native T1 mapping, measured in milliseconds. A random-effects meta-analysis of the pooled mean differences between baseline and follow-up parameters was conducted. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022336223). Results The final analysis included 11 studies of a total of 445 patients with Fabry disease (mean age ± SD, 41 years ± 11; 277 male, 168 female). Between baseline and follow-up cardiac MRI, the following did not change: T1 mapping (mean difference, 6 msec [95% CI: -2, 15]; two studies, 70 patients, I2 = 88%) and LVM indexed (mean difference, -1 g/m2 [95% CI: -6, 3]; four studies, 290 patients, I2 = 81%). The following measures minimally decreased: LVM (mean difference, -18 g [95% CI: -33, -3]; seven studies, 107 patients, I2 = 96%) and MLVWT (mean difference, -1 mm [95% CI: -2, -0.02]; six studies, 151 patients, I2 = 90%). LGE extent increased (mean difference, 1% [95% CI: 1, 1]; three studies, 114 patients, I2 = 85%). Conclusion In patients with Fabry disease, enzyme replacement therapy was associated with stabilization of LVM, MLVWT, and T1 mapping values, whereas LGE extent mildly increased. Keywords: Fabry Disease, Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT), Cardiac MRI, Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE) Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2024.

Multiparametric Mapping via Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance in the Risk Stratification of Ventricular Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death.

Risk stratification for malignant ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death is a daunting task for physicians in daily practice. Multiparametric mapping sequences obtained via cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging can improve the risk stratification for malignant ventricular arrhythmias by unveiling the presence of pathophysiological pro-arrhythmogenic processes. However, their employment in clinical practice is still restricted. The present review explores the current evidence supporting the association between mapping abnormalities and the risk of ventricular arrhythmias in several cardiovascular diseases. The key message is that further clinical studies are needed to test the additional value of mapping techniques beyond conventional cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging for selecting patients eligible for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

"Interstitial fibrosis is associated with left atrial remodeling and adverse clinical outcomes in selected low-risk patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy".

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) extracellular volume (ECV) allows non-invasive detection of myocardial interstitial fibrosis, which may be related to diastolic dysfunction and left atrial (LA) remodeling in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). While the prognostic role of LGE is well-established, interstitial fibrosis and LA dysfunction are emerging novel markers in HCM. This study aimed to explore the interaction between interstitial fibrosis by ECV, LA morpho-functional parameters and adverse clinical outcomes in selected low-risk patients with HCM. METHODS: 115 HCM patients and 61 matched controls underwent CMR to identify: i) interstitial fibrosis by ECV in hypertrophied left ventricular LGE-negative remote myocardium (r-ECV); ii) LA indexed maximum (LAVi max) and minimum (LAVi min) volumes, ejection fraction (LA-EF) and strain (reservoir εs, conduit εe and booster εa), by CMR feature-tracking. 2D-echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function was also performed within 6 months from CMR. A composite endpoint including worsening NYHA class, heart failure hospitalization, atrial fibrillation and all-cause death was evaluated at 2.3 years follow-up. HCM patients were divided into two groups, according to r-ECV values of controls. RESULTS: Patients with r-ECV ≥29% (n = 45) showed larger LA volumes (LAVimax 63 vs. 54 ml/m2, p < 0.001; LAVimin 43 vs. 28 ml/m2, p ã€ˆ0001), worse LA function (εs 16 vs. 28%, εe 8 vs. 15%, εa 8 vs. 14%, LA-EF 33 vs. 49%, all p < 0.001) and elevated Nt-proBNP (1115 vs. 382 pg/ml, p = 0.002). LA functional parameters inversely correlated with r-ECV (εs r = -0.54; LA-EF r = -0.46; all p < 0.001) and E/e' (εs r = -0.52, LA-EF r = -0.46; all p < 0.006). r-ECV ≥29% and LAVi min >30 ml/m2 have been identified as possible independent factors associated with the endpoint. CONCLUSIONS: In HCM diffuse interstitial fibrosis detected by increased r-ECV is associated with LA remodeling and emerged as a potential independent predictor of adverse clinical outcomes, on top of the well-known prognostic impact of LGE.

Prognostic value of hypochloremia on mortality in patients with heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: Electrolyte imbalances are common in patients with heart failure. Several studies have shown that a low serum chloride level is associated with adverse outcomes in hospitalized patients with acute heart failure and in outpatients with chronic heart failure. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association of hypochloremia with all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure. METHODS: Data search was conducted from inception through 1 February 2023, using the following MeSH terms: ('chloride' OR 'hypochloremia') AND 'heart failure'. Studies evaluating the association between serum chloride and all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure were included. The predefined primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Pooled hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as effect estimates and calculated with a random-effects model; fixed-effects model and leave-one-out sensitivity analyses were also performed. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies, involving 25 848 patients, were included. The prevalence of hypochloremia ranged from 8.6 to 31.5%. Follow-up time ranged from 6 to 67 months. Hypochloremia as a categorical variable was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality [hazard ratio 1.56; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38-1.75; P  < 0.001]. As a continuous variable, serum chloride was associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio per mmol/l decrease in serum chloride: 1.06; 95% CI 1.05-1.07; P  < 0.001). Results were confirmed by using several sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: Hypochloremia exhibits a significant prognostic value in patients with heart failure. Serum chloride can be used as an effective tool for risk stratifying in patients with heart failure.

Ethnicity differences in geometric remodelling and myocardial composition in hypertension unveiled by cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

AIMS: Hypertensive patients of African ancestry (Afr-a) have higher incidences of heart failure and worse clinical outcomes than hypertensive patients of European ancestry (Eu-a), yet the underlying mechanisms remain misunderstood. This study investigated right (RV) and left (LV) ventricular remodelling alongside myocardial tissue derangements between Afr-a and Eu-a hypertensives. METHODS AND RESULTS: 63 Afr-a and 47 Eu-a hypertensives underwent multi-parametric cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Biventricular volumes, mass, function, mass/end-diastolic volume (M/V) ratios, T2 and pre-/post-contrast T1 relaxation times, synthetic extracellular volume, and myocardial fibrosis (MF) were measured. 3D shape modelling was implemented to delineate ventricular geometry. LV and RV mass (indexed to body-surface-area) and M/V ratio were significantly greater in Afr-a than Eu-a hypertensives (67.1 ± 21.7 vs. 58.3 ± 16.7 g/m2, 12.6 ± 3.48 vs. 10.7 ± 2.71 g/m2, 0.79 ± 0.21 vs. 0.70 ± 0.14 g/mL, and 0.16 ± 0.04 vs. 0.13 ± 0.03 g/mL, respectively; P < 0.03). Afr-a patients showed greater basal interventricular septum thickness than Eu-a patients, influencing LV hypertrophy and RV cavity changes. This biventricular remodelling was associated with prolonged T2 relaxation time (47.0 ± 2.2 vs. 45.7 ± 2.2 ms, P = 0.005) and higher prevalence (23% vs. 4%, P = 0.001) and extent of MF [2.3 (0.6-14.3) vs. 1.6 (0.9-2.5) % LV mass, P = 0.008] in Afr-a patients. Multivariable linear regression showed that modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and greater end-diastolic volume, but not ethnicity, were independently associated with greater LV mass. CONCLUSION: Afr-a hypertensives had distinctive biventricular remodelling, including increased RV mass, septal thickening and myocardial tissue abnormalities compared with Eu-a hypertensives. From this study, modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and ventricular geometry, but not ethnicity, were independently associated with greater LV myocardial mass.

Bileaflet Tethering With Preserved LV Geometry and Function: An Unusual Mechanism of Functional Mitral Regurgitation.

An 81-year-old woman presented with acute pulmonary edema. Echocardiography revealed severe functional mitral regurgitation, the mechanism of which was unusual. An atypical bileaflet tethering caused by disharmonic annular remodeling, concomitant aortic dilatation, and reduced aorto-mitral angle without left ventricular dysfunction or dilatation was found. A transcatheter edge-to-edge repair was nonetheless successfully performed.

CMR Mapping: The 4th-Era Revolution in Cardiac Imaging.

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has witnessed substantial progress with the advent of parametric mapping techniques, most notably T1 and T2 mapping. These advanced techniques provide valuable insights into a wide range of cardiac conditions, including ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathies, inflammatory cardiomyopathies, heart valve disease, and athlete's heart. Mapping could be the first sign of myocardial injury and oftentimes precedes symptoms, changes in ejection fraction, and irreversible myocardial remodeling. The ability of parametric mapping to offer a quantitative assessment of myocardial tissue properties addresses the limitations of conventional CMR methods, which often rely on qualitative or semiquantitative data. However, challenges persist, especially in terms of standardization and reference value establishment, hindering the wider clinical adoption of parametric mapping. Future developments should prioritize the standardization of techniques to enhance their clinical applicability, ultimately optimizing patient care pathways and outcomes. In this review, we endeavor to provide insights into the potential contributions of CMR mapping techniques in enhancing the diagnostic processes across a range of cardiac conditions.

Deep Learning Image Reconstruction Algorithm for CCTA: Image Quality Assessment and Clinical Application.

OBJECTIVE: The increasing number of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) requests raised concerns about dose exposure. New dose reduction strategies based on artificial intelligence have been proposed to overcome limitations of iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms. Our prospective study sought to explore the added value of deep-learning image reconstruction (DLIR) in comparison with a hybrid IR algorithm (adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-veo [ASiR-V]) in CCTA, even in clinical challenging scenarios, as obesity, heavily calcified vessels and coronary stents. METHODS: We prospectively included 103 consecutive patients who underwent CCTA. Data sets were reconstructed with ASiR-V and DLIR. For each reconstruction signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated, and qualitative assessment was made with a four-point Likert scale by two independent and blinded radiologists with different expertise. RESULTS: Both SNR and CNR were significantly higher in DLIR (SNR-DLIR median value [interquartile range] of 13.89 [11.06-16.35] and SNR-ASiR-V 25.42 [22.46-32.22], P < 0.001; CNR-DLIR 16.84 [9.83-27.08] vs CNR-ASiR-V 10.09 [5.69-13.5], P < 0.001).Median qualitative score was 4 for DLIR images versus 3 for ASiR-V ( P < 0.001), with a good interreader reliability [intraclass correlation coefficient(2,1)e intraclass correlation coefficient(3,1) 0.60 for DLIR and 0.62 and 0.73 for ASiR-V].In the obese and in the "calcifications and stents" groups, DLIR showed significantly higher values of SNR (24.23 vs 11.11, P < 0.001 and 24.55 vs 14.09, P < 0.001, respectively) and CNR (16.08 vs 8.04, P = 0.008 and 17.31 vs 10.14, P = 0.003) and image quality. CONCLUSIONS: Deep-learning image reconstruction in CCTA allows better SNR, CNR, and qualitative assessment than ASiR-V, with an added value in the most challenging clinical scenarios.

Fabry Disease: More than a Phenocopy of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Fabry disease (FD) is a genetic lysosomal storage disease with frequent cardiovascular involvement, whose presence is a major determinant of adverse clinical outcomes. As a potentially treatable cause of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the early recognition of FD is crucial to initiate enzyme replacement therapy and improve long-term prognosis. Multimodality imaging plays a central role in the evaluation of patients with FD and helps in the differential diagnosis of other conditions presenting with LVH. In the present review, we explore the current applications of multimodality cardiac imaging, in particular echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance, in the diagnosis, prognostic assessment, and follow-up of patients with FD.

Percutaneous suture-based patent foramen ovale closure: A state-of-the-art review.

Percutaneous closure of a patent foramen ovale (PFO), a common variation of interatrial septum anatomy, is a commonly performed procedure in the catheterization laboratory to reduce the risk of recurrent stroke in selected patients and to treat other PFO-related syndromes. In the last twenty years, disc-based devices have represented the armamentarium of the interventional cardiologist; recently, suture-based devices have become an attractive alternative, despite limited data regarding their long-term performance. The present review gives an overview of the current evidence regarding suture-based PFO closure, the device's characteristics, the echocardiographic evaluation of the PFO anatomy, and recommendations for patient selection. A detailed procedural guide is then provided, and potential complications and future developments in the field are discussed.