Endovascular coil embolization of inferior mesenteric artery to ileal-conduit fistula: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Uretero-arterial fistulas (UAFs) are uncommon and pose a diagnostic dilemma, making them life threatening if not recognized and treated expediently. UAFs to small arteries such as a branch of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) are very uncommon and present a further diagnostic and treatment challenge. There should be a high index of suspicion for UAFs when intervening on patients with history of treated pelvic cancers and long-standing ureteric stents experiencing hematuria not attributable to another cause. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a fistula formed between a distal branch of the IMA-superior rectal artery-and an ileal-conduit in a patient with a long-standing reverse nephroureterostomy (Hobbs) catheter presenting with abdominal pain and hematuria through the conduit. During a tube exchange, contrast injection demonstrated a fistula with the superior rectal artery, multiple ileal intraluminal blood clots, and active extravasation. The patient became tachycardic and hypotensive, actively bleeding through the ileal-conduit, prompting a massive transfusion protocol. Successful endovascular coiling of the superior rectal artery was performed with resolution of active extravasation and stabilization of the patient. The patient recovered and was discharged in stable condition 10 days later. CONCLUSIONS: Although UAFs are uncommon, our case demonstrated key predisposing risk factors to fistula development; pelvic cancer surgery, pelvic radiation, and a prolonged ureteric stent through the ileal-conduit. Typically, UAFs arise from communication with the iliac arterial system, however in this instance we have demonstrated that fistulization to other arterial vessels is also possible. Endovascular management has become the preferred method of therapy, typically involving the placement of covered stents when involving the iliac arterial system. In this instance stent grafting was not possible due to the small caliber vessel and therefore had to be embolized.

Cardiac remodeling in middle-aged endurance athletes: relation between signal-averaged electrocardiogram and LV mass.

The relationship between structural and electrical remodeling in the heart, particularly after long-standing endurance training, remains unclear. Signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG) may provide a more sensitive method to evaluate cardiac remodeling than a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Accurate measures of electrical function (SAECG filtered QRS duration (fQRSd) and late potentials (LP) and left-ventricular (LV) mass (cardiac magnetic resonance, CMR) can allow an assessment of structural remodeling and QRS prolongation. Endurance athletes (45-65 yr old, >10 yr of endurance sport), screened to exclude cardiac disease, had standardized 12-lead ECG, SAECG, resting echocardiogram (ECHO), and CMR performed. SAECG fQRSd was correlated with QRS duration on the 12-lead ECG, and ECHO and CMR-derived LV mass. Participants (n = 82, 67% male, mean age: 54 ± 6 yr, mean V̇o2max: 50 ± 7 mL/kg/min) had a CMR-derived LV mass of 118 ± 28 g/m2 and a fQRSd of 112 ± 8 ms (46% had abnormal fQRSd (>114 ms), and 51% met clinical threshold for abnormal SAECG). fQRSd was positively correlated with the 12-lead ECG QRS duration (r = 0.83), ECHO-derived LV mass (r = 0.60), CMR-derived LV mass (r = 0.58) and LV end-diastolic volume (r = 0.63, P < 0.001 for all). fQRSd had higher correlations with ECHO and CMR-derived LV mass than 12-lead ECG (P < 0.0008 and P < 0.0005, respectively). In conclusion, in a healthy cohort of middle-aged endurance athletes, the SAECG is often abnormal by conventional criteria, and is correlated with structural remodeling, but CMR evaluation does not indicate pathologic structural remodeling. SAECG fQRSd is superior to the 12-lead ECG for the electrocardiographic evaluation of LV mass.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Study findings indicate that a positive correlation exists between electrical (SAECG fQRSd) and structural indices (LV mass) in middle-aged endurance athletes with normal physiological LV adaptation, in the absence of known cardiac pathology. SAECG fQRSd may also provide an alternative, superior method for identifying increased LV mass compared to other 12-lead ECG criteria.

Non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography in critical limb ischemia: performance of quiescent-interval single-shot (QISS) and TSE-based subtraction techniques.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate diagnostic performance of non-contrast-enhanced 2D quiescent-interval single-shot (QISS) and 3D turbo spin-echo (TSE)-based subtraction magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in the assessment of peripheral arteries in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen consecutive patients (74 % male, 72.8 ± 9.9 years) with CLI underwent 2D QISS and 3D TSE-based subtraction MRA at 1.5 T. Axial-overlapping QISS MRA (3 mm/2 mm; 1 × 1 mm2) covered from the toes to the aortic bifurcation while coronal 3D TSE-based subtraction MRA (1.3 × 1.2 × 1.3 mm3) was restricted to the calf only. MRA data sets (two readers) were evaluated for stenosis (≥50 %) and image quality. Results were compared with digital subtraction angiography (DSA). RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-seven (267) segments were available for MRA-DSA comparison, with a prevalence of stenosis ≥50 % of 41.9 %. QISS MRA was rated as good to excellent in 79.5-96.0 % of segments without any nondiagnostic segments; 89.8-96.1 % of segments in 3D TSE-based subtraction MRA were rated as nondiagnostic or poor. QISS MRA sensitivities and specificities (segmental) were 92 % and 95 %, respectively, for reader one and 81-97 % for reader two. Due to poor image quality of 3D TSE-based subtraction MRA, diagnostic performance measures were not calculated. CONCLUSION: QISS MRA demonstrates excellent diagnostic performance and higher robustness than 3D TSE-based subtraction MRA in the challenging patient population with CLI. KEY POINTS: • QISS MRA allows reliable diagnosis of peripheral artery stenosis in critical limb ischemia. • Robustness of TSE-based subtraction MRA is limited in critical limb ischemia. • QISS MRA allows robust therapy planning in PAD patients with resting leg pain.

Atrial structure and function in middle-aged, physically-active males and females: A cardiac magnetic resonance study.

Recent studies have reported on an association between endurance sport, atrial enlargement and the development of lone atrial fibrillation in younger, male cohorts. The atrial morphology and function of middle-aged, physically-active males and females have not been well studied. We hypothesized that middle-aged males would demonstrate larger left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RA) volumes compared to females, but atrial function would not differ. LA and RA volume and function were evaluated at rest in healthy adults, using a standardized 3.0Tesla cardiac magnetic resonance protocol. Physical activity, medical history, and maximal oxygen consumption ( V ˙ O 2 peak ) were also assessed. Physically-active, middle-aged men (n = 60; 54 ± 5 years old) and women (n = 30; 54 ± 5 years old) completed this study. Males had a higher body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and V ˙ O 2 peak than females (p < .05 for all), despite similar reported physical activity levels. Absolute and BSA and height-indexed LA and RA maximum volumes were higher in males relative to females, despite no differences in ejection fractions (p < .05 for all). In multivariable regression, male sex p < .001) and V ˙ O 2 peak (p = .004) were predictors of LA volume (model R2  = 0.252), whereas V ˙ O 2 peak (p < .001), male sex (p = .03), and RV EF (p < .05) were predictors of RA volume (model R2  = 0.377). While middle-aged males exhibited larger atrial volumes relative to females, larger, prospective studies are needed to explore the magnitude of physiologic atrial remodeling and functional adaptations in relation to phenotypic factors.

Variability in echocardiography and MRI for detection of cancer therapy cardiotoxicity.

OBJECTIVES: To compare variability of echocardiographic and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) measured left ventricular (LV) function parameters and their relationship to cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). METHODS: We prospectively recruited 60 participants (age: 49.8±11.6 years), 30 women with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer (15 with CTRCD and 15 without CTRCD) and 30 healthy volunteers. Patients were treated with anthracyclines and trastuzumab. Participants underwent three serial CMR (1.5T) and echocardiography studies at ~3-month intervals. Cine-CMR for LV ejection fraction (LVEF), myocardial tagging for global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS), two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography for strain and LVEF and three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography for LVEF measurements were obtained. Temporal, interobserver and intraobserver variability were calculated as the coefficient of variation and as the SE of the measurement (SEM). Minimal detected difference (MDD) was defined as 2xSEM. RESULTS: Patients with CTRCD demonstrated larger mean temporal changes in all parameters compared with those without: 2D-LVEF: 4.6% versus 2.8%; 3D-LVEF: 5.2% vs 2.3%; CMR-LVEF: 6.6% versus 2.7%; 2D-GLS: 1.9% versus 0.7%, 2D-GCS: 2.5% versus 2.2%; CMR-GCS: 2.7% versus 1.6%; and CMR-GLS: 2.1% versus 1.4%, with overlap in 95% CI for 2D-LVEF, 2D-GCS, CMR-GLS and CMR-GCS. The respective mean temporal variability/MDD in healthy volunteers were 3.3%/6.5%, 1.8%/3.7%, 2.2%/4.4%, 0.8%/1.5%, 1.9%/3.7%, 1.8%/3.6% and 1.4%/2.8%. Although the mean temporal variability in healthy volunteers was lower than the mean temporal changes in CTRCD, at the individual level, 2D-GLS, 3D-LVEF and CMR-LVEF had the least overlap. 2D-GLS and CMR-LVEF had the lowest interobserver/intraobserver variabilities. CONCLUSION: Temporal changes in 3D-LVEF, 2D-GLS and CMR LVEF in patients with CTRCD had the least overlap with the variability in healthy volunteers; however, 2D-GLS appears to be the most suitable for clinical application in individual patients.

Left Ventricular Fibrosis in Middle-Age Athletes and Physically Active Adults.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and T1 mapping techniques enable the quantification of focal and diffuse myocardial LGE, respectively. Studies have shown evidence of fibrosis in middle-age athletes, but not relative to physically active (PA) adults who perform recommended physical activity levels. Therefore, we examined cardiac remodeling and presence of left ventricular (LV) LGE and T1 values in both recreational middle-age endurance athletes (EA) and PA adults. METHODS: Healthy EA and PA adults (45-65 yr) completed a standardized 3-T CMR protocol with ventricular volumetry, LV LGE, and T1 mapping. RESULTS: Seventy-two EA and 20 PA participants (mean age, 53 ± 5 vs 56 ± 4 yr; P < 0.01; V˙O2peak = 50 ± 7 vs 37 ± 9 mL·kg·min, P < 0.0001) were examined, with CMR data available in 89/92 participants. Focal LV LGE was observed in 30% of participants (n = 27/89): 33% of EA (n = 23/69; 33%) and 20% of PA (n = 4/20; 20%). LGE was present at the right ventricular hinge point (n = 21/89; 23.5%) or identified as ischemic (n = 2/89; 2%) or nonischemic (n = 4/89; 4%). Focal LV LGE was observed similarly in both EA and PA (P = 0.25). EA had larger LV chamber sizes and T1 native values (1169 ± 35 vs 1190 ± 26, P = 0.02) compared with PA, with similar LV ejection fraction. Global extracellular volume (ECV) was similar in both EA and PA (22.6% ± 3.5% vs 21.5% ± 2.6%, P = 0.26), with no relationship between global ECV and LV mass (r = -0.16, P = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: Focal LGE at the right ventricular hinge point was detected at the same frequency in both groups, was unrelated to demographic or clinical indices, and was found without evidence of global ECV expansion in EA, suggesting a physiologic remodeling response. The long-term clinical implications of hinge-point LGE require clarification using prospective, long-term follow-up studies.

Can Quantitative CMR Tissue Characterization Adequately Identify Cardiotoxicity During Chemotherapy?: Impact of Temporal and Observer Variability.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the temporal and observer variability of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-measured native T1, T2, and extracellular volume fraction (ECV) and serum biomarkers for the detection of cancer-therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). BACKGROUND: Biomarkers and serial quantitative CMR tissue characterization may help identify early myocardial changes of CTRCD, but these parameters require both accuracy and reliability. METHODS: A total of 50 participants (age 48.9 ± 12.1 years) underwent 3 CMR studies (1.5-T) and biomarker measurements (high-sensitivity troponin-I and B-type natriuretic peptide) at 3-month intervals: 20 with HER2-positive breast cancer (10 with and 10 without CTRCD), and 30 prospectively recruited healthy participants. T1 and T2 maps were obtained at 3 left ventricular short-axis locations. Temporal and observer variability were calculated as the coefficient of variation and as the standard error of the measurement (SEM) using repeated measures and 2-way analysis of variance. Minimal detected difference was defined as 2 × SEM. RESULTS: Compared with the patients without CTRCD, those with CTRCD had larger temporal change in native T1 (27.2 ms [95% confidence interval (CI): 20.8 to 39.3 ms] vs. 12.4 ms [95% CI: 9.5 to 17.9 ms]), T2 (2.0 ms [95% CI: 1.5 to 2.9 ms] vs. 1.0 ms [95% CI: 0.74 to 1.4 ms]), and ECV (2.1% [95% CI: 1.5% to 3.1%] vs. 1.0% [95% CI: 0.8% to 1.5%]). However, the temporal changes in biomarkers overlapped. The minimal detected difference for T1 (29 ms), T2 (3.0 ms), and ECV (2.2%) in healthy participants approached the mean temporal changes in patients with CTRCD. For individual patients with CTRCD, there was overlap in the temporal changes of all 3 parameters, and the variability in healthy participants with the least overlap for native T1. The interobserver/intraobserver variabilities for the CMR parameters were low (coefficient of variation 0.5% to 4.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The temporal changes in both biomarkers and tissue characterization measures in individual patients overlap with the temporal variability in healthy participants and approach the minimal detectable temporal differences. While the accuracy of the parameters awaits further study, the temporal variability of these methods may pose challenges to routine clinical application in individual patients receiving cancer therapy.

Rationale and design of the Canadian Outcomes Registry Late After Tetralogy of Fallot Repair: the CORRELATE study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hemodynamically relevant pulmonary regurgitation (PR) resulting in important right ventricular dilation and ventricular dysfunction is commonly seen after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair. Late adverse clinical outcomes, including exercise intolerance, arrhythmias, heart failure and/or death accelerate in the third decade of life and are cause for considerable concern. Timing of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) to address chronic PR is controversial, particularly in asymptomatic individuals, and effect of PVR on clinical measures has not been determined. METHODS: Canadian Outcomes Registry Late After Tetralogy of Fallot Repair (CORRELATE) is a prospective, multicentre, Canada-wide cohort study. Candidates will be included if they are ≥ 12 years of age, have had surgically repaired TOF resulting in moderate or severe PR, and are able to undergo cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. Enrollment of > 1000 individuals from 15 participating centres (Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Sherbrooke, Halifax, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver) is anticipated. Clinical data, health-related quality of life metrics, and adverse outcomes will be entered into a web-based database. A central core lab will analyze all cardiovascular magnetic resonance studies (PR severity, right ventricular volumes, and ventricular function). Major adverse outcomes (sustained ventricular tachycardia and cardiovascular cause of death) will be centrally adjudicated. RESULTS: To the best of our knowledge, CORRELATE will be the first prospective pan-Canadian cohort study of congenital heart disease in children and adults. CONCLUSIONS: CORRELATE will uniquely link clinical, imaging, and functional data in those with repaired TOF and important PR, thereby enabling critical evaluation of clinically relevant outcomes in those managed conservatively compared with those referred for PVR.