[Thoracic real-time MRI: experience from 2200 examinations in acute and ill-defined thoracic diseases]. / Thorakale Echtzeit-MRT: Erfahrungen aus 2200 Untersuchungen bei akuten und unklaren thorakalen Erkrankungen.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively assess the indication for thoracic real-time MRI, demonstrate typical findings, analyze the diagnostic potential in subgroups with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) and aortic dissection (AD), and describe the influence of real-time MRI on the role of MRI in acute thoracic diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2001 to February 2005, real-time MRI was applied in 2,256 examinations in 1,714 patients. MRI was the primary diagnostic modality for these thoracic diseases as computed tomography has been available only since 2003. Characteristics of the TrueFISP sequence applied were: TR/TE/flip angle 3.1 ms/1.6 ms/59 degrees , respectively. FOV 340 - 360 mm, matrix size 156 to 192 x 256 pixels, slice thickness 3 to 4 mm, slices overlapped by 50 %. Acquisition time was 0.4 to 0.5 s per image. Three hundred and twenty transverse, coronal and sagittal images were acquired in three minutes. No breath holding, and only minimal patient cooperation, was required. Turbo-spin-echo sequences as well as ECG-gated and contrast-enhanced sequences were added depending on the indication. RESULTS: Most common indications were: acute thoracic nonspecified disease (n = 276, 12.24 %), PE (n = 573, 25.4 %), bleeding (n = 154, 6.8 %), AD (n = 222, 9.8 %), topographic information in complex findings (n = 654, 29.0 %). Real-time MRI was the sole MRI technique applied in 180 examinations (8.0 %), ECG-gated real-time MRI was applied in 87 examinations and breath hold was used in 107 examinations. PE was diagnosed in 181 examinations; reference techniques (MRI, computed tomography, single photon emission computed tomography) confirmed 170 of these and detected 19 more cases (sensitivity 90.0 %, specificity 97.1 %). Real-time MRI detected 141 suspected AD and 53 more nonsuspected AD. Of these, 191 were confirmed by other MRI techniques, surgery or clinical course (98.5 %). Real-time MRI coincidentally detected 56 pulmonary tumors, all were confirmed with computed tomography. Thus, especially vascular diseases could be easily assessed with real-time MRI, while computed tomography had advantages in the evaluation of the lung parenchyma. CONCLUSION: Real-time MRI both enables emergency MRI examinations for thoracic diseases in clinical patients in unstable condition and allows an explorative style of working in patients with nondefined acute thoracic diseases.

[Prostate cancer detection rates: comparison of standard biopsy with prompt rebiopsy and a one-time extended biopsy]. / Prostatakarzinomdetektionsraten : Vergleich zwischen der Standardbiopsie mit zeitnaher Rebiopsie und einer einmaligen extendierten Biopsie.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate biopsy is the gold standard for the detection of prostate cancer (PCA). While national and international guidelines recommend the extraction of 10-12 cores at initial biopsy, some authors plead to initially perform more extensive biopsy protocols. We assessed the PCA detection and complication rates of different biopsy schemes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We relied on the data of 425 men who underwent their first prostate biopsy from April 2005 to May 2013. Exclusion criteria consisted of PSA > 20 ng/ml, prior surgery of the prostate, or intake of 5-α-reductase inhibitors. Overall 357 underwent a 10- to 12-core biopsy, while 68 patients underwent 20-core biopsy. In case of a negative biopsy in the 10-12 cohort, rebiopsy was performed within 6 months, while in the 20-core group clinical follow-up determined further course of action. Endpoints of the study were the overall PCA detection rate and the rate of severe complications, which were defined as complications requiring hospital admission. The effect of the respective biopsy scheme on the PCA detection rate was assessed using uni- and multivariable logistic regression analysis. In the subanalysis, the PCA detection rates between the two groups were compared solely in patients with PSA values ≤10 ng/ml. RESULTS: At initial biopsy, the overall PCA detection rate was 50.4% (214/425). In the 10-12 core group, the PCA detection rate at first biopsy was 52.4% (187/357) and rebiopsy detected a further 19 (11.2%) PCA cases, resulting in a cumulative PCA detection rate of 57.7% (206/357). In the 20-core group, the PCA detection rate was 39.7% (27/68). While the different PCA detection rates were not statistically different when the initial biopsies were compared, biopsy scheme reached independent predictor status when the cumulative PCA detection rate of the 10- to 12-core scheme was compared to the 20-core scheme (p=0.01). Comparable results were obtained only when patients with PSA ≤10 ng/ml were considered. The rate of severe complications was statistically higher in the 20-core group (6.1 vs. 2.4%; p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that an initial 20-core biopsy does not lead to a higher PCA detection rate compared to an initial 10- to 12-core biopsy. Moreover, the cumulative PCA detection rate of a 10- to 12-core biopsy and prompt repeat biopsy was significantly higher compared to a single 20-core biopsy.

[The role of MRI for the evaluation of atrial septal defects before and after percutaneous occlusion with the amplatzer septal occluder(R)]. / Wertigkeit der MRT zur Beurteilung von Vorhofseptumdefekten vor und nach perkutanem Verschluss mittels Amplatzer Septal Occluder(R).

PURPOSE: Evaluation of morphologic and functional MRI of atrial septal defects (ASD) before and after percutaneous occlusion with the Amplatzer Septal Occluder (AOC). Comparison of MRI with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), balloon measurement (IVBM) and cardiac catheterization with shunt quantification (CCSQ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with ASD were examined before and three months after AOC implantation. ECG-triggered, breath-hold T1-weighted Turbo Spin Echo Segmented FLASH 2D and dynamic turbo-FLASH-GRE sequences after application of 0.2 mmol gadolinium DTPA per kg body weight were obtained in a 1.5 T MRI system. Defect size, and distance to coronal sinus (CS) and right upper pulmonary vein (RUPV) were determined for pre-interventional planning, and the AOC size was measured quantitatively for post-interventional follow-up. The shunts were evaluated qualitatively (occurrence of jets), semiquantitatively (jet length, turbulence square product) and quantitatively (flow measurement in the thoracic aorta and in the left and right pulmonary arteries). RESULTS: The average size of the ASD measured by MRI was 17.6 mm (11 - 24.8 mm) in the axial view, 15.9 mm (10.8 - 28.9 mm) in the sagittal view and 16.4 mm (12.1 - 24.8 mm) in the short axis view. In comparison, the average defect size was 15 mm (8 - 24 mm) by TEE and 20 mm (13 - 27 mm) by IVBM. The average distance to the RUPV was 17 mm (9.6 - 21.9 mm) and to the CS 11.2 mm (5 - 17 mm). The AOC was visualized with only minimal artifacts. Qualitative analysis of the MRI findings revealed an occurrence of jets in 17/20 patients. Semiquantitative analysis documented a high correlation for jet length and square product of the turbulence to defect size r = 0.81 resp. r = 0.82. Mean QP/QS-ratio measured by MR-volumetry was 1.6 +/- 0.29 and by MR-flow 1.6 +/- 0.26. The corresponding measurements were 1.7 +/- 0.3 for TEE and 1.5 +/- 0.5 for CCSQ. In comparison to TEE, the correlation coefficient was r = 0.96 for MR-volumetry and r = 0.85 for MR-flow measurement. CONCLUSION: MRI is found to be a valuable diagnostic method for pre-interventional planning and post-interventional follow-up of atrial septal defects occluded by the Amplatzer septal occluder.

Intravenous coronary angiography using synchrotron radiation: technical description and preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: Standard coronary angiography requires an arterial access and catheters; intravenous coronary angiography may image coronary arteries noninvasively and without catheters. The aim of this study was the assessment of the diagnostic accuracy of intravenous coronary angiography validated by selective coronary angiography. METHODS: Seventy outpatients (80% males, mean age 62 +/- 8 years) underwent both standard and intravenous coronary angiography after a previous coronary intervention. Intravenous coronary angiography was performed within 6 weeks before or after selective coronary angiography. Two different projections were used to obtain 6-8 sequences per patient. Images were taken after injection of the contrast agent into the brachial vein or into the superior vena cava. During image acquisition, patients were moved through the scanning beam on a special chair. Thereafter, images were evaluated and compared to selective coronary angiograms for the following criteria: no stenosis, subsignificant stenosis (< 70%), significant stenosis (> or = 70%), and occlusion. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-seven target vessels were analyzed. In 50 target vessels one or more stents had been implanted. Seventeen target vessels were not analyzable due to inadequate image quality. The sensitivity of intravenous coronary angiography for the detection of lesions was 80% and the specificity was 95%. The sensitivity for the detection of significant lesions in the left anterior descending coronary artery was 84% (specificity 93%), in the left circumflex coronary artery 67% (specificity 90%), in the right coronary artery 85% (specificity 97%), and in bypass grafts 85% (specificity 97%). No complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous coronary angiography is efficacious and safe and allows quantification of lesions of the coronary arteries and of bypass vessels. Further advances in image processing are needed to improve sensitivity especially in the left circumflex coronary artery.

[Consensus recommendations of the German Radiology Society (DRG), the German Cardiac Society (DGK) and the German Society for Pediatric Cardiology (DGPK) on the use of cardiac imaging with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging]. / Konsensusempfehlungen der DRG/DGK/DGPK zum Einsatz der Herzbildgebung mit Computertomografie und Magnetresonanztomografie.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) have been developed rapidly in the last decade. Technical improvements and broad availability of modern CT and MRI scanners have led to an increasing and regular use of both diagnostic methods in clinical routine. Therefore, this German consensus document has been developed in collaboration by the German Cardiac Society, German Radiology Society, and the German Society for Pediatric Cardiology. It is not oriented on modalities and methods, but rather on disease entities. This consensus document deals with coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, arrhythmias, valvular diseases, pericardial diseases and structural changes, as well as with congenital heart defects. For different clinical scenarios both imaging modalities CT and MRI are compared and evaluated in the specific context.

High-dose tirofiban pretreatment reduces the need for bail-out study medication in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: results of a subgroup analysis of the On-TIME 2 trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the outcome of patients who received bail-out study medication and evaluated whether high-dose tirofiban (HDT) pretreatment may reduce the need for bail-out study medication. DESIGN: A prespecified analysis of the multicentre, double-blind, placebo controlled, randomised On-TIME 2 trial. Bail-out use of study medication was predefined and part of the combined clinical end point. PATIENTS: 984 patients excluded from many coronary intervention hospitals in different countries were randomly assigned to HDT or placebo. In the subgroup who received blinded bail-out treatment, patients pretreated with placebo who received bail-out HDT were compared with those pretreated with HDT who received bail-out placebo. Interventions Routine prehospital initiation of HDT versus bail-out use of HDT. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Electrocardiographic and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Blinded bail-out study medication was used in 24% (237/980) of patients, with a higher rate in patients pretreated with placebo: 29% (140/492) versus 20% (97/488), p=0.002. Bail-out versus no bail-out use of study medication was associated with more residual ST deviation (5.5±7.2 vs 3.7±4.8 mm, p=0.005), and worse clinical outcome (major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 30 days 12.2% vs 5.6%, p<0.001), mainly due to poor outcome in patients who received HDT bail-out. In patients pretreated with HDT who received placebo bail-out study medication, residual ST deviation and clinical outcome did not differ significantly compared with patients who did not receive bail-out medication (4.0±4.6 vs 3.7± 4.8 mm, p=0.703, MACE 7.2% vs 5.6%, p=0.535). CONCLUSIONS: Routine prehospital treatment with HDT significantly reduced the use of blinded bail-out study medication. The need for bail-out therapy was associated with a less favourable outcome. This analysis suggests that routine pretreatment is superior to provisional use of HDT in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Radiation dose exposure of computed tomography coronary angiography: comparison of dual-source, 16-slice and 64-slice CT.

BACKGROUND: Dual-source CT (DSCT) promises a significant reduction of radiation dose exposure for coronary CT angiography (CTA). Large studies on radiation dose estimates are rare. OBJECTIVE: To compare radiation dose estimates of DSCT with 16- and 64-slice multidetector CT (MDCT) for non-invasive coronary angiography. PATIENTS AND DESIGN: Retrospective data analysis was performed on 292 patients: 56 patients were examined with 16-slice MDCT, 38 patients with 64-slice MDCT and 202 patients using DSCT. The effective dose (ED) estimates were calculated for all patients from the dose-length product and the conversion factor k (0.017 mSv/mGy/cm), as recommended by current guidelines. RESULTS: The mean (SD) ED for patients examined by 16-slice MDCT was 9.8 (1.8) mSv, for 64-slice MDCT 8.6 (2.8) mSv and for DSCT 11.4 (7.2) mSv. With a protocol of 100 kV tube voltage and 110 ms ECG pulsing window the mean (SD) ED was 3.8 (1.7) mSv for DSCT scanning. When DSCT with a tube voltage of 100 kV was used, a significant inverse correlation between heart rate and radiation dose exposure was found. CONCLUSIONS: When standard protocols for coronary CTA with 16-, 64-slice MDCT and DSCT scanners are used, the radiation dose is still high. However, using optimised and individually adjusted protocols low estimated radiation doses can be achieved.

Marked reduction of early stent thrombosis with pre-hospital initiation of high-dose Tirofiban in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: No randomized comparisons are yet available evaluating the effect of pre-hospital high dose tirofiban on the incidence of early stent thrombosis after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this analysis was to evaluate whether routine pre-hospital administration of high-dose tirofiban in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) decreases the incidence of early stent thrombosis after primary PCI. PATIENTS/METHODS: The Ongoing Tirofiban in Myocardial Evaluation (On-TIME) 2 trial was a prospective multicenter study of consecutive STEMI patients referred for primary PCI in which patients were randomized to pre-hospital no high-dose tirofiban/placebo. We examined the incidence of Academic Research Consortium definite and probable early stent thrombosis and determined predictors and outcome of early stent thrombosis. RESULTS: Primary PCI was performed in 1203 out of 1398 patients (86.1%). In 1073 patients (89.2%) a coronary stent was placed. Early stent thrombosis occurred in 39 patients (3.6%). Pre-hospital initiation of high-dose tirofiban significantly reduced early stent thrombosis (2.1% vs. 5.2%, P = 0.006) and was associated with a lower incidence of urgent repeat PCI (1.9% vs. 5.2%, P = 0.005). Early stent thrombosis, as well as pre-hospital initiation of high-dose tirofiban, was independently associated with 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-hospital initiation of high-dose tirofiban reduces the 30-day incidence of stent thrombosis in STEMI patients treated with primary PCI and stenting. Early stent thrombosis and pre-hospital initiation of high-dose tirofiban were independent predictors of 30-day mortality.

Pulmonary perfusion in acute pulmonary embolism: agreement of MRI and SPECT for lobar, segmental and subsegmental perfusion defects.

PURPOSE: To assess prospectively the agreement of magnetic resonance (MR) pulmonary perfusion with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) perfusion for perfusion defects down to the subsegmental level in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 41 patients with suspected PE, contrast-enhanced MR pulmonary perfusion (3D-FLASH, TR/TE 1.6/0.6 ms) was compared to SPECT perfusion on a per-examination basis as well as at the lobar, segmental, and subsegmental level. RESULTS: The MRI protocol was completed in all patients, and mean examination time was 3 min 56 s. MR perfusion showed a very high agreement with SPECT (kappa value per examination 0.98, and 0.98, 0.83, and 0.69 for lobar, segmental, and subsegmental perfusion defects, respectively). Of 15 patients with PE, MR perfusion detected 14 cases. CONCLUSION: The very high agreement of MR perfusion with SPECT perfusion enables the detection of subtle findings in suspected PE.

Left ventricular adaptation after atrial septal defect closure assessed by increased concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in adult patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine in an observational study whether N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is raised in patients with an atrial septal defect (ASD) and whether concentrations change after interventional closure. METHODS: 12 patients (6 men, mean (SD) age 44.4 (18.6) years) with a moderate sized ASD type II (23.3 (4.5) mm, pulmonary to systemic flow ratio 2.1 (0.68)) were investigated. In all patients a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study was performed and NT-proBNP was assessed at baseline and early (9 (13) days) and late (138 (64) days) after intervention. RESULTS: Concentrations of NT-proBNP were found to be within the normal range at baseline (median 87 pg/ml, interquartile range 65-181 pg/ml) but increased early after the interventional closure (315 pg/ml, 133-384 pg/ml, p = 0.005 versus baseline). The increase of NT-proBNP was associated with an increase in left ventricular dimensions as assessed by MRI (left ventricular end diastolic volume 104 (27) ml to 118 (27) ml, p = 0.003). Late after ASD closure NT-proBNP returned to baseline concentrations (102 pg/ml, 82-188 pg/ml, p = 0.004 versus early follow up). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the presence of transitory haemodynamic stress during adaptation of the left ventricle after ASD closure, which may contribute to the understanding of the pathological mechanism of acute heart failure and delayed improvement of exercise capacity after ASD closure.

Left atrial myxoma diagnosed and characterized by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

A 71 year old man was referred for MRI investigation of the heart. He had a history of progressive dyspnea. Due to his echocardiographical findings and the known history of permanent atrial fibrillation, his cardiologist suspected atrial thrombi. MRI investigation of the heart showed a left atrial mass pedunculated at the atrial septum which showed signal enhancement after intravenous administration of gadolinium-DTPA. Left atrial myxoma was suspected. The patient underwent surgery with resection of the tumor and patch-occlusion of the atrial septum. Histology confirmed a polypoid cardial myxoma.

Cardiac angiosarcoma: case report and review of the literature.

Angiosarcoma of the heart, the most common primary malignant cardiac tumor in adults is known to carry a dismal prognosis. The diagnosis is often delayed because of the nonspecific clinical presentation. Symptoms are determined by the size and location of the tumor. Echocardiography has become the primary diagnostic technique because of its high degree of accuracy, noninvasiveness, and cost effectiveness. Complete surgical resection is required for improved survival. Conventional postoperative chemotherapy does not appear to modify the clinical course. We report a case of cardiac angiosarcoma with a large mural mass infiltrating the right atrial and ventricular walls and critically review the pertinent literature.

Transcatheter closure of a ruptured ventricular septum after myocardial infarction using a venous approach.

A 65-year old patient was admitted after having sustained a ventricular septum rupture 18 days after an anterior myocardial infarction. He developed acute heart failure. Given the extremely high perioperative risk in surgical approaches in this setting, we decided for a transcatheter closure of the defect with an exclusively venous approach. After a complete recovery, the patient underwent open heart surgery with aorto coronary bypass, aneurysmectomy, and removal of the closure device. This case demonstrates that transcatheter closure of a post infarction ventricular septum rupture is a technically feasible and suitable method.

[Rotational atherectomy: technique, indications, results]. / Rotablation: Technik, Indikation, Ergebnisse.

Rotational atherectomy (Rotablation) represents one of the alternative devices to treat complex coronary artery stenoses. Rather than increasing luminal diameter by arterial stretching and plaque fracture as with balloon angioplasty, rotablation debulks atherosclerotic plaque with an abrasive diamond coated burr. The basic physical principle is differential cutting. It allows the advancing burr to selectively cut inelastic material while elastic tissue deflects away from the burr. 95% of the particles generated by the Rotablator are less than 5 microns. They are removed by the body's reticuloendothelial system. There are different strategies to perform a rotablation, regarding the number of burrs used and the final burr-to-artery ratio. An adjunctive PTCA is recommended without proof by randomized studies so far. The best indication for the Rotablator is the undilatable lesion. Lesion modification (debulking) as a method of improving vessel compliance seems to be also usefull in diffusely diseased and calcified vessels, as well as in aorto-ostial and angulated stenoses. The instent restenoses is a new indication. Randomized studies will have to proof if there is an advantage for rotablation compared to PTCA. Restenosis rates appear comparable to balloon angioplasty.

Comparison of intravenous coronary angiography using synchrotron radiation with selective coronary angiography.

Intravenous coronary angiography with synchrotron radiation is a novel and minimally invasive technique for coronary imaging. At the Hamburger Synchrotronstrahlungslabor HASYLAB at DESY, a dedicated angiography system has been developed, which has been shown to provide detailed images of coronary artery segments. For each scan, two monochromatic X-ray images below and above the K-edge of iodine were recorded simultaneously. The two images were subtracted logarithmically to produce a maximal contrast enhancement of the iodine. To date, the procedure has been carried out on 379 outpatients. No complications occurred during or after the angiographic procedure, and hospitalization was not required in any subject. The acceptance by patient is extremely high. Five outside reviewers, blinded as to the clinical data or prior angiographic interpretation, reviewed the images for the presence or absence of 70% or more occlusion of a vessel. They reached a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 99%. The study has demonstrated that the synchrotron method has satisfactory sensitivity and very high specificity for severe stenoses. The new method has several advantages over magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electron beam computed tomography (EBCT), and multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT). Neither vascular calcification (CT) nor the presence of metal stents (MRI) impairs the evaluation of perfusion of segments of the coronary arteries. Furthermore, the spatial resolution is three or four times higher using synchrotron angiography, and problems due to respiratory motion are eliminated.

[Cardiopulmonary exercise capacity increases after interventional ASD-closure]. / Verbesserung der kardiopulmonalen Belastbarkeit nach interventionellem ASD-Verschluss.

BACKGROUND: In patients with atrial septal defects of the secundum-type (ASD), exercise tolerance is reduced. Generally, ASD closure is recommended in symptomatic patients and in patients with a relevant left-to-right shunt (Qp/Qs > 1.5). Only few data are available concerning objective parameters of cardiopulmonary exercise capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate exercise capacity as achieved by ergospirometry in adult patients with an ASD at baseline and in the long-term following transcatheter closure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty consecutive patients (8 male; mean age 43.4 years; defect size 23.5 mm; pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio (Qp/Qs) 1.94) performed exercise testing on a supine bicycle ergometer. At baseline, oxygen consumption at maximal exercise (VO(2) peak) was 14.3 ml/min kg, oxygen consumption at the anaerobic threshold (VO(2)-AT) was 11.2 ml/min/kg and maximal achieved workload was 86 Watt. At one and six months after ASD-closure, there was no relevant increase of the VO(2) peak, the VO(2)-AT or the maximal workload. After 12 months, there was a significant increase of the VO(2) peak (15.1 ml/min/kg, p = 0.049), the VO(2)-AT (13 ml/min/kg, p < 0.001) and the maximal workload (99 Watt, p < 0.01). An increase of the oxygen consumption at the anaerobic threshold (Delta VO(2) AT) could be seen in 24 out of 30 patients and was independent of shunt volume (Q(p)/Q(s) < or = 2, 1.95 ml/ min/kg; Q(p)/Q(s) > 2, 2.13 ml/min/ kg; ns), defect size (defect < or = 24 mm, 2.0 ml/min/kg; defect > 24 mm, 1.5 ml/min/kg; ns), age (age < or = 44 years, 1.97 ml/min/kg; age >44 years, 1.66 ml/min/kg; ns), gender (female 1.56 ml/min/ kg; male 1.91 ml/min/kg; ns) and of the existence of a residual shunt. Highly symptomatic patients had a tendency to have greater benefit from ASD-closure as compared to mildly symptomatic patients (NYHA 0/I 1.85 ml/min/kg; NYHA II 1.5 ml/min/ kg; NYHA III 2.7 ml/min/kg; ns). There was no correlation between shunt volume, shunt size, pulmonal arterial pressure and increase of the oxygen consumption at the anaerobic threshold (Delta VO(2) AT). CONCLUSION: There is no relevant improvement in exercise capacity early (1-6 months) after interventional ASD-closure, but late after ASD-closure (12 months) exercise capacity improves significantly. This improvement can be found in almost all patients independent of gender, age, symptoms, shunt volume and defect size.

[Intravenous coronary angiography with synchrotron radiation]. / Intravenöse Koronarangiographie mit Synchrotronstrahlung.

INTRODUCTION: Coronary artery disease still remains the primary cause of death in the western industrialized world. Although the clinical value of selective coronary angiography (SCA) is beyond dispute, the associated risk of an invasive approach, the inherent costs and the necessary hospitalization have lead to the development and investigation of novel non-invasive techniques for coronary imaging. Intravenous coronary angiography (ICA) has been shown to permit non-invasive imaging of the coronary arteries. METHODS: In 66 pts (80% male, age 62 (+/- 8.5 yrs) after interventional therapy/CABG operation, ICA and a SCA were carried out within a time interval of < 6 weeks. After determination of the individual circulation time, contrast media (370 mg iodine/ml, 15 ml/s, 21 ml) was injected via a sheath in the cubital vein while the patient was sitting in an upright position in a specially designed scanning chair. In two different projections 6-8 images/patient were obtained for further image processing and evaluation. 182 target vessels had to be evaluated (LAD 55, Cfx 21, RCA 54, Grafts 52). In 50 target vessels one or more stents were implanted. RESULTS: 182 target vessels were evaluated according to the following criteria: no stenosis, < 70%, > = 70%, occlusion. Evaluation of the ICA and SCA images was performed by two independent investigators. Due to poor image quality, 17 vessels were not evaluated. The ICA findings were compared to that of SCA. For the LAD a sensitivity of 84% (specificity 93%), for the RCA a sensitivity of 85% (specificity 97%), for the Cfx a sensitivity of 67% (specificity 90%), and for grafts a sensitivity of 85% (specificity 97%) was calculated. CONCLUSION: ICA proved to be a feasible and safe technique for follow-up after coronary intervention/CABG operation on an outpatient basis. Evaluation of stents and severe calcification is possible. A good image quality provided, LAD RCA and grafts can be evaluated with an acceptable sensitivity and specificity. Due to superimpositioning the low sensitivity for the Cfx has to be compensated by further image processing.