Prognostic Role of Multiparametric Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Neo Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia.

BACKGROUND: We prospectively evaluated the predictive value of multiparametric cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for cardiovascular complications in non-transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia (ß-NTDT) patients who started regular transfusions in late childhood/adulthood (neo ß-TDT). METHODS: We considered 180 patients (38.25 ± 11.24 years; 106 females). CMR was used to quantify cardiac iron overload, biventricular function, and atrial dimensions, and to detect left ventricular (LV) replacement fibrosis. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 76.87 ± 41.60 months, 18 (10.0%) cardiovascular events were recorded: 2 heart failures, 13 arrhythmias (10 supraventricular), and 3 cases of pulmonary hypertension. Right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic volume index (EDVI), RV mass index (MI), LV replacement fibrosis, and right atrial (RA) area index emerged as significant univariate prognosticators of cardiovascular complications. The low number of events prevented us from performing a multivariable analysis including all univariable predictors simultaneously. Firstly, a multivariable analysis including the two RV size parameters (mass and volume) was carried out, and only the RV MI was proven to independently predict cardiovascular diseases. Then, a multivariable analysis, including RV MI, RA atrial area, and LV replacement fibrosis, was conducted. In this model, RV MI and LV replacement fibrosis emerged as independent predictors of cardiovascular outcomes (RV MI: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.18; LV replacement fibrosis: HR = 6.26). CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the importance of CMR in cardiovascular risk stratification.

Prevention of post-contrast kidney injury in patients with cancer.

Post-contrast acute kidney injury is defined as a nephropathy with an increase in serum creatinine of >0.3 mg/dL (or >26.5 µmol/L) or >1.5-times the baseline within 48-72 h of intravascular administration of a contrast medium. Patients with cancer have an increased risk of post-contrast acute kidney injury not only related to the frequent use of contrast medium for computed tomography scans but also to other factors, including the type of tumour, age, oncological therapies, use of other nephrotoxic agents and dehydration. Preventive strategies were developed and may be applied to different risk profiles. Patients at risk may be detected by recently published risk scores.

About different localization of hypoattenuated lesions following transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Subclinical leaflet thrombosis is diagnosed using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and is characterised by a meniscal-shaped hypoattenuated lesion of one or more leaflets. Transcatheter aortic self-expandable valves are commonly manufactured with pliable pericardium over a nitinol frame that forms leaflet and extra-leaflet components such as the valve skirt. Little is known about extra-leaflet hypoattenuated lesion localisation, including that at the anatomical sinus level. Thus, the main aim of this study was to describe leaflet and extra-leaflet (anatomic sinus and subvalvular level) hypoattenuated lesions following transcatheter aortic valve replacement with a self-expandable prosthesis. As a secondary aim, we sought to investigate predictors of hypoattenuated lesions. METHODS: Fifty patients underwent MDCT at the follow-up. RESULTS: At a follow-up of 12 months, hypoattenuated leaflet lesions with mild to severe restricted movement were detected in eight individuals (16%), anatomic sinus lesions were identified in nine patients (18%), with higher prevalence in the non-coronary sinus (16%), and subvalvular lesions with variable extension toward the valve inflow were diagnosed in eight patients (16%). In 4 patients (8%) the anatomic sinus thrombus was 'in overlap' with leaflet thrombus; in 3 patients (6%) was in continuity with subvalvular frame thrombus. Bicuspid valve was the only independent predictor associated with hypoattenuated lesions (adj OR 8.25 (95% CI: 1.38, 49.21), p = 0.02)). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that hypoattenuated lesions could be identified not only at the leaflet but also at the subvalvular and anatomic sinus levels. The clinical relevance of such lesions remains unclear.

Phenotypic Clustering of Beta-Thalassemia Intermedia Patients Using Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.

We employed an unsupervised clustering method that integrated demographic, clinical, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) data to identify distinct phenogroups (PGs) of patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia (ß-TI). We considered 138 ß-TI patients consecutively enrolled in the Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia (MIOT) Network who underwent MR for the quantification of hepatic and cardiac iron overload (T2* technique), the assessment of biventricular size and function and atrial dimensions (cine images), and the detection of replacement myocardial fibrosis (late gadolinium enhancement technique). Three mutually exclusive phenogroups were identified based on unsupervised hierarchical clustering of principal components: PG1, women; PG2, patients with replacement myocardial fibrosis, increased biventricular volumes and masses, and lower left ventricular ejection fraction; and PG3, men without replacement myocardial fibrosis, but with increased biventricular volumes and masses and lower left ventricular ejection fraction. The hematochemical parameters and the hepatic and cardiac iron levels did not contribute to the PG definition. PG2 exhibited a significantly higher risk of future cardiovascular events (heart failure, arrhythmias, and pulmonary hypertension) than PG1 (hazard ratio-HR = 10.5; p = 0.027) and PG3 (HR = 9.0; p = 0.038). Clustering emerged as a useful tool for risk stratification in TI, enabling the identification of three phenogroups with distinct clinical and prognostic characteristics.

Self-Expandable Prosthesis Valve Adaptation: Non-Uniform Expansion and Stent Frame Decoupling.

The incidence of non-uniform expansion in the context of the self-expandable transcatheter heart valve (THV) is little investigated, along with stent-frame decoupling, which is a form of stent adaptation, in which the lower part of the THV stent conforms to both the ellipticity of the left ventricle outflow tract and the native annulus while maintaining the higher part of the valve more circular. We analyzed post-implant multi-detector computed tomography scans in 50 patients. Prosthesis non-uniform expansion was assessed by computing the prosthesis eccentricity on 6 prespecified levels: (1) frame inflow, (2) native annulus, (3) leaflet inflow, (4) prosthesis waist, (5) leaflet outflow, and (6) frame outflow. Stent-frame decoupling was assessed by comparing the mean eccentricity on 6 different prosthesis levels. Implantation depth, leaflet expansion and alignment, and residual anatomic sinus area ratios were also calculated. Subclinical leaflet thrombosis was defined as hypoattenuated lesion of a meniscal shape. At a 12-month follow-up, non-uniform expansion was consistently detected at each valvular level. Highest eccentricity was measured at the native annulus level (eccentricity: 0.54 ±  0.12), while the lowest index at the frame outflow level (0.23 ± 0.11). Similar results were observed in the subgroup analyses of sizes 23, 26, 29, and 34. Eccentricity significantly decreased from the annulus level to the prosthesis frame outflow (p <0.001). Notably, the incidence of mild-to-severe subclinical leaflet thrombosis was relevant (16%). In conclusion, prosthesis non-uniform expansion and stent frame decoupling frequently occur after self-expandable THV replacement. The clinical and hemodynamic implications remain uncertain.

Epicardial and thoracic subcutaneous fat texture analysis in patients undergoing cardiac CT.

Introduction: The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of texture analysis of epicardial fat (EF) and thoracic subcutaneous fat (TSF) in patients undergoing cardiac CT (CCT). Materials and methods: We compared a consecutive population of 30 patients with BMI ≤25 kg/m2 (Group A, 60.6 ± 13.7 years) with a control population of 30 patients with BMI >25 kg/m2 (Group B, 63.3 ± 11 years). A dedicated computer application for quantification of EF and a texture analysis application for the study of EF and TSF were employed. Results: The volume of EF was higher in group B (mean 116.1 cm3 vs. 86.3 cm3, p = 0.014), despite no differences were found neither in terms of mean density (-69.5 ± 5 HU vs. -68 ± 5 HU, p = 0.28), nor in terms of quartiles distribution (Q1, p = 0.83; Q2, p = 0.22, Q3, p = 0.83, Q4, p = 0.34). The discriminating parameters of the histogram class were mean (p = 0.02), 0,1st (p = 0.001), 10th (p = 0.002), and 50th percentiles (p = 0.02). DifVarnc was the discriminating parameter of the co-occurrence matrix class (p = 0.007).The TSF thickness was 15 ± 6 mm in group A and 19.5 ± 5 mm in group B (p = 0.003). The TSF had a mean density of -97 ± 19 HU in group A and -95.8 ± 19 HU in group B (p = 0.75). The discriminating parameters of texture analysis were 10th (p = 0.03), 50th (p = 0.01), 90th percentiles (p = 0.04), S(0,1)SumAverg (p = 0.02), S(1,-1)SumOfSqs (p = 0.02), S(3,0)Contrast (p = 0.03), S(3,0)SumAverg (p = 0.02), S(4,0)SumAverg (p = 0.04), Horzl_RLNonUni (p = 0.02), and Vertl_LngREmph (p = 0.0005). Conclusions: Texture analysis provides distinctive radiomic parameters of EF and TSF. EF and TSF had different radiomic features as the BMI varies.

A multicenter evaluation of a deep learning software (LungQuant) for lung parenchyma characterization in COVID-19 pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: The role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis and characterization of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia has been widely recognized. We evaluated the performance of a software for quantitative analysis of chest CT, the LungQuant system, by comparing its results with independent visual evaluations by a group of 14 clinical experts. The aim of this work is to evaluate the ability of the automated tool to extract quantitative information from lung CT, relevant for the design of a diagnosis support model. METHODS: LungQuant segments both the lungs and lesions associated with COVID-19 pneumonia (ground-glass opacities and consolidations) and computes derived quantities corresponding to qualitative characteristics used to clinically assess COVID-19 lesions. The comparison was carried out on 120 publicly available CT scans of patients affected by COVID-19 pneumonia. Scans were scored for four qualitative metrics: percentage of lung involvement, type of lesion, and two disease distribution scores. We evaluated the agreement between the LungQuant output and the visual assessments through receiver operating characteristics area under the curve (AUC) analysis and by fitting a nonlinear regression model. RESULTS: Despite the rather large heterogeneity in the qualitative labels assigned by the clinical experts for each metric, we found good agreement on the metrics compared to the LungQuant output. The AUC values obtained for the four qualitative metrics were 0.98, 0.85, 0.90, and 0.81. CONCLUSIONS: Visual clinical evaluation could be complemented and supported by computer-aided quantification, whose values match the average evaluation of several independent clinical experts. KEY POINTS: We conducted a multicenter evaluation of the deep learning-based LungQuant automated software. We translated qualitative assessments into quantifiable metrics to characterize coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia lesions. Comparing the software output to the clinical evaluations, results were satisfactory despite heterogeneity of the clinical evaluations. An automatic quantification tool may contribute to improve the clinical workflow of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Pancreatic fatty replacement as risk marker for altered glucose metabolism and cardiac iron and complications in thalassemia major.

OBJECTIVES: This multicenter study assessed the extent of pancreatic fatty replacement and its correlation with demographics, iron overload, glucose metabolism, and cardiac complications in a cohort of well-treated patients with thalassemia major (TM). METHODS: We considered 308 TM patients (median age: 39.79 years; 182 females) consecutively enrolled in the Extension-Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia Network. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to quantify iron overload (IO) and pancreatic fat fraction (FF) by T2* technique, cardiac function by cine images, and to detect replacement myocardial fibrosis by late gadolinium enhancement technique. The glucose metabolism was assessed by the oral glucose tolerance test. RESULTS: Pancreatic FF was associated with age, body mass index, and history of hepatitis C virus infection. Patients with normal glucose metabolism showed a significantly lower pancreatic FF than patients with impaired fasting glucose (p = 0.030), impaired glucose tolerance (p < 0.0001), and diabetes (p < 0.0001). A normal pancreatic FF (< 6.6%) showed a negative predictive value of 100% for abnormal glucose metabolism. A pancreatic FF > 15.33% predicted the presence of abnormal glucose metabolism. Pancreas FF was inversely correlated with global pancreas and heart T2* values. A normal pancreatic FF showed a negative predictive value of 100% for cardiac iron. Pancreatic FF was significantly higher in patients with myocardial fibrosis (p = 0.002). All patients with cardiac complications had fatty replacement, and they showed a significantly higher pancreatic FF than complications-free patients (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Pancreatic FF is a risk marker not only for alterations of glucose metabolism, but also for cardiac iron and complications, further supporting the close link between pancreatic and cardiac disease. KEY POINTS: • In thalassemia major, pancreatic fatty replacement by MRI is a frequent clinical entity, predicted by a pancreas T2* < 20.81 ms and associated with a higher risk of alterations in glucose metabolism. • In thalassemia major, pancreatic fatty replacement is a strong risk marker for cardiac iron, replacement fibrosis, and complications, highlighting a deep connection between pancreatic and cardiac impairment.

Acute appendicitis and situs viscerum inversus: radiological and surgical approach-a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Acute appendicitis is one of the most frequent intra-abdominal diseases requiring emergency surgical consult and treatment. The diagnosis of this condition is based on clinical features and radiologic findings. One-third of patients with acute appendicitis present unusual symptoms. There are several circumstances that may cause misdiagnosis and unclear prognostic prediction. Among these, situs viscerum inversus totalis and midgut malrotation can be challenging scenarios, leading to a delay in treatment, especially when these conditions are unknown. We decided to carry on a systematic review of published cases of acute appendicitis in the context of anatomical anomalies. METHODS: We used the MESH terms "appendicitis" AND "situs inversus" AND/OR "gut malrotation" to search for titles and abstracts. Inclusion criteria were patients with clinical and/or radiological diagnosis of acute appendicitis, with conservative or surgical management and with preoperative/intraoperative findings of situs viscerum inversus or gut malrotation. Additionally, previous reviews were examined. Exclusion criteria of the studies were insufficient patient clinical and demographic data. RESULTS: We included in this review 70 articles concerning 73 cases of acute appendicitis with anatomical anomaly. Patients were aged from 8 to 86 years (median: 27.0 years). 50 were male and 23 were female. 46 patients (63%) had situs viscerum inversus, 24 (33%) had midgut malrotation, 2 (2.7%) had Kartagener's syndrome, one of them (1.4%) had an undetermined anomaly In 61 patients the anatomical anomaly was unknown previously (83.6%), while 16,4% already were aware of their condition. CONCLUSION: Acute appendicitis can occur in association of rare anatomical anomalies and in these cases diagnosis can be challenging. Situs viscerum inversus and midgut malrotation should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient with left lower quadrant pain, especially in younger population. Besides clinical features, it is fundamental to implement the diagnostic progress with radiological examination. Laparoscopic approach is useful to identify and treat acute surgical emergency and it is also a diagnostic tool and can be tailored in order to offer the best exposition of the operatory field for each single case.

Aortic valve and vascular calcium score in pre-TAVI CT: correlation with early post-procedural complications.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of early complications after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) and their correlation with the Calcium Score (CS) of the aortic valve, aorta and ilio-femoral arteries derived from pre-procedural computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 226 patients (100 males, mean age 79.4 ± 6.7 years) undergoing 64-slice CT for pre-TAVI evaluation from January 2018 to April 2021. The population was divided into CS quartiles. RESULTS: Overall, 173 patients underwent TAVI procedure, of whom 61% presented paravalvular leak after the procedure, 28% presented bleeding or vascular complications, 25% presented atrioventricular block, and 8% developed acute kidney injury. The prevalence of paravalvular leak and vascular complications was higher in the upper CS quartiles for aortic valve and ilio-femoral arteries. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve and vascular CS could help to predict post-TAVI early complications.

Left ventricular global function index is associated with myocardial iron overload and heart failure in thalassemia major patients.

PURPOSE: The left ventricular global function index (LVGFI) is a comprehensive marker of cardiac performance, integrating LV morphology with global function. We explored the cross-sectional association of LVGFI with myocardial iron overload (MIO), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), myocardial fibrosis, and heart failure (HF) in ß-thalassemia major (TM) patients. METHODS: We considered 1352 adult TM patients (708 females, 32.79 ± 7.16years) enrolled in the Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia Network and 112 healthy subjects (50 females, 32.09 ± 6.08years). LVGFI and LVEF were assessed by cine images and MIO by multislice multiecho T2* technique. Replacement myocardial fibrosis was detected by late gadolinium enhancement technique. RESULTS: LVGFI and LVEF were significantly lower in patients with significant MIO (global heart T2*<20ms) than in patients without MIO and in healthy subjects but were comparable between TM patients without MIO and healthy subjects. In TM, LVGFI was significantly associated with LVEF (R = 0.733; p < 0.0001). Global heart T2* values were significantly associated with both LVGFI and LVEF, but the correlation with LVGFI was significantly stronger (p = 0.0001). Male sex, diabetes mellitus, significant MIO, and replacement myocardial fibrosis were the strongest predictors of LVGFI. Eighty-six patients had a history of HF and showed significantly lower global heart T2* values, LVEF, and LVGFI than HF-free patients. A LVGFI ≤ 44.9% predicted the presence of HF. The LVGFI showed a diagnostic performance superior to that of LVEF (area under the curve: 0.67 vs. 0.62; p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: In TM patients the LVGFI correlates with MIO and provides incremental diagnostic value for HF detection compared with LVEF.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance with Delayed Enhancement of the Right Ventricle in patients with Left Ventricle primary involvement: diagnosis and evaluation of functional parameters.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) allows an accurate Right Ventricle (RV) assessment that could be of great relevance in diseases causing inflammation or fibrosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concomitant involvement of the RV in patients with delayed enhancement (DE) of the Left Ventricle (LV-DE) using CMR. We retrospectively enrolled 95 (male n. 66; age 55±18years; BMI 26±5kg/m2) consecutive patients with LV-DE who underwent a CMR (Achieva 1.5 T, Philips) for different indications: post-ischemic dilated cardiopathy (PDM), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), myocardial infarction (MI), myocarditis/pericarditis (MP) and congenital heart disease (CD). We assessed the presence and extension of DE and functional parameters such as ventricular end-diastolic (EDV), end-systolic volumes (ESV) and ejection fraction (EF) of both LV and RV. Prevalence of RV-DE was 30.5% (29/95): 75% (3/4) for CD, 44% (4/9) for PDM, 36% (17/47) for MI, 27.8% (5/18) for MP and 0% (0/17) for HCM. LV-EF and RV-EF were 53±15mL and 51±13mL, respectively, for patients without RV-DE (RV-DE-), and 40±19 mL and 42±15 mL, respectively, for patients with RV-DE (RV-DE+) (p<0.05), while LV-EDV and LV-ESV were 80±28 mL and 40±26 mL, respectively, for RV-DE- and 100±45 mL and 65±49 mL, respectively, for RV-DE+ (p<0.05). The prevalence of RV-DE in patients with LV primary involvement is not negligible and it is found mainly in patients with CD and PDM and then in patients with MI and MP. It is more often associated with LV-EF and RV-EF reduction and increase in LV volumes.

SIRM-SIN-AIOM: appropriateness criteria for evaluation and prevention of renal damage in the patient undergoing contrast medium examinations-consensus statements from Italian College of Radiology (SIRM), Italian College of Nephrology (SIN) and Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM).

The increasing number of examinations and interventional radiological procedures that require the administration of contrast medium (CM) in patients at risk for advanced age and/or comorbidities highlights the problem of CM-induced renal toxicity. A multidisciplinary group consisting of specialists of different disciplines-radiologists, nephrologists and oncologists, members of the respective Italian Scientific Societies-agreed to draw up this position paper, to assist clinicians increasingly facing the challenges posed by CM-related renal dysfunction in their daily clinical practice.The major risk factor for acute renal failure following CM administration (post-CM AKI) is the preexistence of renal failure, particularly when associated with diabetes, heart failure or cancer.In accordance with the recent guidelines ESUR, the present document reaffirms the importance of renal risk assessment through the evaluation of the renal function (eGFR) measured on serum creatinine and defines the renal risk cutoff when the eGFR is < 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 for procedures with intravenous (i.v.) or intra-arterial (i.a.) administration of CM with renal contact at the second passage (i.e., after CM dilution with the passage into the pulmonary circulation).The cutoff of renal risk is considered an eGFR < 45 ml/min/1.73 m2 in patients undergoing i.a. administration with first-pass renal contact (CM injected directly into the renal arteries or in the arterial district upstream of the renal circulation) or in particularly unstable patients such as those admitted to the ICU.Intravenous hydration using either saline or Na bicarbonate solution before and after CM administration represents the most effective preventive measure in patients at risk of post-CM AKI. In the case of urgency, the infusion of 1.4% sodium bicarbonate pre- and post-CM may be more appropriate than the administration of saline.In cancer patients undergoing computed tomography, pre- and post-CM hydration should be performed when the eGFR is < 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 and it is also advisable to maintain a 5 to 7 days interval with respect to the administration of cisplatin and to wait 14 days before administering zoledronic acid.In patients with more severe renal risk (i.e., with eGFR < 20 ml/min/1.73 m2), particularly if undergoing cardiological interventional procedures, the prevention of post-CM AKI should be implemented through an internal protocol shared between the specialists who treat the patient.In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using gadolinium CM, there is a lower risk of AKI than with iodinated CM, particularly if doses < 0.1 mmol/kg body weight are used and in patients with eGFR > 30 ml/min/1.73 m2. Dialysis after MRI is indicated only in patients already undergoing chronic dialysis treatment to reduce the potential risk of systemic nephrogenic fibrosis.

Focal hepatic intrinsically hyperattenuating lesions at unenhanced CT: Not always calcifications.

Due to the growing use of CT, there has been an increase in the frequency of detecting focal liver lesions. Intrinsically hyperattenuating hepatic lesions or pseudolesions are not uncommon at unenhanced CT. Hyperattenuating hepatic lesions can be divided into non-calcified and calcified. Causes of intrinsic hyperattenuation include hemorrhage, thrombosis, and calcifications. Focal liver lesions can show hyperattenuation on unenhanced CT in case of severe liver steatosis. Recognition of etiologies associated with hyperattenuation on unenhanced CT can help the radiologist in characterizing focal liver lesions and pseudolesions. In this paper, we describe the spectrum of intrinsically hyperattenuating focal liver lesions and pseudolesions at unenhanced CT.

Whole-Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Current Role in Patients with Lymphoma.

Imaging of lymphoma is based on the use of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) and/or contrast-enhanced CT, but concerns have been raised regarding radiation exposure related to imaging scans in patients with cancer, and its association with increased risk of secondary tumors in patients with lymphoma has been established. To date, lymphoproliferative disorders are among the most common indications to perform whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Whole-body MRI is superior to contrast-enhanced CT for staging the disease, also being less dependent on histology if compared to 18F-FDG-PET/CT. As well, it does not require exposure to ionizing radiation and could be used for the surveillance of lymphoma. The current role of whole-body MRI in the diagnostic workup in lymphoma is examined in the present review along with the diagnostic performance in staging, response assessment and surveillance of different lymphoma subtypes.

Post-operative computed tomography imaging evaluation of ascending aorta surgery.

Ascending thoracic aorta disease is often a life-threatening condition. Aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection are the most frequent ascending aorta diseases requiring surgical intervention. Surgical repair techniques of the ascending aorta are various; they include reconstruction of the ascending aorta by using a graft with or without a prosthetic valve, reconstruction with a composite artificial graft or using a biological graft, and reconstruction of the ascending aorta with a composite graft preserving the native valve and arch repair. The radiologist plays a key role in the identification of post-operative complications; differentiation from normal postoperative findings is fundamental. Our aim is to discuss the main diseases affecting the ascending aorta requiring surgery and the different techniques used to treat them. We also discuss the normal computed tomography (CT) imaging findings and after-surgery complications.

Imaging the COVID-19: a practical guide.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) represents the first medical catastrophe of the new millennium. Although imaging is not a screening test for COVID-19, it plays a crucial role in evaluation and follow-up of COVID-19 patients. In this paper, we will review typical and atypical imaging findings of COVID-19.

Updated diagnostic & prognostic paradigm for CAD: a narrative review.

Cardiovascular diseases are the first cause of death globally; early detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) is a challenge for clinicians and radiologists. Over the past 2 decades there have been several improvements in the methods for the assessment of diagnosis and prognosis in patients with suspected CAD; most of these methods are imaging methods and they operate with high-end technologies. Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) as we know it today was introduced in 1998 and has ever progressed with constant pace. The first decade was the technical validation phase of the method while the second decade was the clinical validation phase. CCT has developed an excellent diagnostic and prognostic value; technological development together with radiation dose reduction, contributed to the widening of its clinical indications. The diagnostic value of CCT is particularly important as a first line in symptomatic patients with suspected obstructive CAD and low-to-intermediate cardiovascular risk. It is a test that should come, whenever possible, in front of functional evaluation because of its very high sensitivity and negative predictive value. The prognostic value of CCt is still investigational, even though it is becoming quite evident that the atherosclerotic phenotype plays a major role in the determination of prognosis, and as consequence, in the individualization of optimal pharmacological therapy, especially in the cohort without significant obstructive CAD. Recently, scientific and practical guidelines have been updated taking into account the role of CCT, which is able to provide a reliable and fast diagnosis with an additional resources optimization. Multiple registries and trials have been developed and will be summarized in this review. Recent guidelines highlighted the role of CCT in diagnosing suspected CAD.

TAVI imaging: over the echocardiography.

Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is a common valvular heart disease. Recently, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has changed the treatment of severe AS in elderly patients with contraindications to traditional surgical replacement. Echocardiography is conventionally used as the first imaging modality to assess the presence and severity of AS and to provide anatomical and functional information. Nowadays, imaging techniques play a crucial role in the planning of TAVI to define suitable candidates. Computed tomography (CT) is essential to display the anatomy of the aortic valve complex (including aortic annulus, Valsalva sinuses, coronary arteries ostia, sinotubular junction), thoracoabdominal aorta, and vascular access. Cardiac CT may also provide the evaluation of coronary arteries in alternative to conventional coronary angiography. Magnetic resonance imaging may be alternative or supplementary in selected cases, providing detailed information of cardiac function and myocardial wall characteristics. More recently, advanced computer modeling image-based techniques can be used to support the evaluation of the feasibility and safety of TAVI procedures.

SIRM-SIAAIC consensus, an Italian document on management of patients at risk of hypersensitivity reactions to contrast media.

Hypersensitivity reactions (HRs) to contrast media (CM) can be distinguished in immune-mediated (including allergic reactions) and non-immune-mediated reactions, even if clinical manifestations could be similar. Such manifestations range from mild skin eruptions to severe anaphylaxis, making it important for radiologists to know how to identify and manage them. A panel of experts from the Società Italiana di Radiologia Medica e Interventistica (SIRM) and the Società Italiana di Allergologia, Asma e Immunologia Clinica (SIAAIC) provided a consensus document on the management of patients who must undergo radiological investigations with CM. Consensus topics included: the risk stratification of patients, the identification of the culprit CM and of a safe alternative by an allergy workup, as well as the use of premedication and the correct procedure to safely perform an elective (i.e., scheduled) or urgent examination. The most important recommendations are: (1) in all patients, a thorough medical history must be taken by the prescribing physician and/or the radiologist to identify at-risk patients; (2) in patients with hypersensitivity reactions to CM, the radiologist must consider an alternative, non-contrast imaging study with a comparable diagnostic value, or prescribe a different investigation with another class of CM; (3) if such options are not feasible, the radiologist must address at-risk patients to a reference centre for an allergy evaluation; (4) if timely referral to an allergist is not viable, it is recommended to use a CM other than the responsible one, taking into account cross-reactivity patterns; in the case of patients with histories of severe reactions, the presence of an anesthesiologist is also recommended and a premedication is suggested.