Review of cardiovascular imaging in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology 2022: single photon emission computed tomography.

In this review, we will summarize a selection of articles on single-photon emission computed tomography published in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology in 2022. The aim of this review is to concisely recap major advancements in the field to provide the reader a glimpse of the research published in the journal over the last year. This review will place emphasis on myocardial perfusion imaging using single-photon emission computed tomography summarizing advances in the field including in prognosis, non-perfusion variables, attenuation compensation, machine learning and camera design. It will also review nuclear imaging advances in amyloidosis, left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony, cardiac innervation, and lung perfusion. We encourage interested readers to go back to the original articles, and editorials, for a comprehensive read as necessary but hope that this yearly review will be helpful in reminding readers of articles they have seen and attracting their attentions to ones they have missed.

Review of cardiovascular imaging in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology 2022: positron emission tomography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance.

In 2022, the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology® published many excellent original research articles and editorials focusing on imaging in patients with cardiovascular disease. In this review of 2022, we summarize a selection of articles to provide a concise recap of major advancements in the field. In the first part of this 2-part series, we addressed publications pertaining to single-photon emission computed tomography. In this second part, we focus on positron emission tomography, cardiac computed tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance. We specifically review advances in imaging of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, cardio-oncology, infectious disease cardiac manifestations, atrial fibrillation, detection and prognostication of atherosclerosis, and technical improvements in the field. We hope that this review will be useful to readers as a reminder to articles they have seen during the year as well as ones they have missed.

Review of cardiovascular imaging in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology 2020: positron emission tomography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance.

Although the year 2020 was different from other years in many respects, the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology published excellent articles pertaining to imaging in patients with cardiovascular disease due to the dedication of the investigators in our field all over the world. In this review, we will summarize a selection of these articles to provide a concise review of the main advancements that have recently occurred in the field and provide the reader with an opportunity to review a wide selection of articles. We will focus on publications dealing with positron emission tomography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance and hope that you will find this review helpful.

Multi-modality imaging: Bird's eye view from the 2020 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

This review summarizes key imaging studies that were presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2020, which occurred virtually this year due to the pandemic, related to the fields of single-photon emission computed tomography, positron emission tomography, cardiac computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and echocardiography. The aim of this bird's eye view is to inform readers of the various studies discussed at the meeting from these imaging modalities. Since there was no physical attendance this year, we find that a general overview of imaging will be especially useful. Further, we hope that the presentation of multiple imaging studies in a single synthesized review will stimulate new ideas for future research in imaging.

In-hospital outcome of peripheral vascular intervention in dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease patients.

BACKGROUND: The impact of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) outcome remains incompletely elucidated. OBJECTIVES: We sought to compare the outcome of PVI in dialysis patients with those with normal kidney function. METHODS: Using weighted data from the National Inpatient Sample database between 2002 and 2014, we identified all peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients aged ≥18 years that underwent PVI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to examine in-hospital outcomes. RESULTS: Of 1,186,192 patients who underwent PVI, 1,066,830 had normal kidney function (89.9%) and 119,362 had ESRD requiring dialysis (10.1%). Critical limb ischemia was more prevalent in dialysis patients (63.2 vs. 34.0%, p < .001). Compared with normal kidney function group, ESRD requiring dialysis was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (1.5 vs. 4.2%, adjusted OR: 2.13 [95% CI: 2.04-2.23]) and longer length of hospital stay (median 3 days, Interquartile range [IQR] (0-6) vs. 7 days, IQR (4-18); p < .001). Dialysis patients had higher incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (composite of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke; 14.3 vs. 9.8%, p < .001) and net adverse cardiovascular events (composite of MACE, major bleeding, or vascular complications; 40.8 vs. 29.1%, p < .001). ESRD patients less frequently underwent open bypass (5.6 vs. 8.5%, p < .001) and more frequently had major amputation (10.3 vs. 3.0%, p < .001) compared with normal kidney function group. CONCLUSION: PAD patients on dialysis who underwent PVI have higher rates of mortality and adverse outcomes as compared to those with normal kidney function.

Review of cardiovascular imaging in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology 2019: Single-photon emission computed tomography.

In 2019, the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology published excellent articles pertaining to imaging in patients with cardiovascular disease. In this review, we will summarize a selection of these articles to provide a concise review of the main advancements that have recently occurred in the field and provide the reader with an opportunity to review a wide selection of articles. In the first article of this 2-part series, we focused on publications dealing with positron emission tomography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance. This review will place emphasis on myocardial perfusion imaging using single-photon emission computed tomography summarizing advances in the field including in diagnosis and prognosis, non-perfusion variables, safety of testing, imaging in patients with heart failure and renal disease.

Review of cardiovascular imaging in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology 2019: Positron emission tomography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance.

In 2019, the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology published excellent articles pertaining to imaging in patients with cardiovascular disease. In this review we will summarize a selection of these articles to provide a concise review of the main advancements that have recently occurred in the field and provide the reader with an opportunity to review a wide selection of articles. In this first article of this 2-part series we will focus on publications dealing with positron emission tomography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance. We will specifically discuss imaging as it relates to coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis and inflammation, coronary artery calcification, cardiomyopathies, cardiac implantable electronic devices, prosthetic valves, and left ventricular assist devices. The second part of this review will place emphasis on myocardial perfusion imaging using single-photon emission computed tomography.

A speckle-tracking strain-based artificial neural network model to differentiate cardiomyopathy type.

Objectives. In heart failure, invasive angiography is often employed to differentiate ischaemic from non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy. We aim to examine the predictive value of echocardiographic strain features alone and in combination with other features to differentiate ischaemic from non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy, using artificial neural network (ANN) and logistic regression modelling. Design. We retrospectively identified 204 consecutive patients with an ejection fraction <50% and a diagnostic angiogram. Patients were categorized as either ischaemic (n = 146) or non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (n = 58). For each patient, left ventricular strain parameters were obtained. Additionally, regional wall motion abnormality, 13 electrocardiographic (ECG) features and six demographic features were retrieved for analysis. The entire cohort was randomly divided into a derivation and a validation cohort. Using the parameters retrieved, logistic regression and ANN models were developed in the derivation cohort to differentiate ischaemic from non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy, the models were then tested in the validation cohort. Results. A final strain-based ANN model, full feature ANN model and full feature logistic regression model were developed and validated, F1 scores were 0.82, 0.79 and 0.63, respectively. Conclusions. Both ANN models were more accurate at predicting cardiomyopathy type than the logistic regression model. The strain-based ANN model should be validated in other cohorts. This model or similar models could be used to aid the diagnosis of underlying heart failure aetiology in the form of the online calculator (https://cimti.usj.edu.lb/strain/index.html) or built into echocardiogram software.

Review of cardiovascular imaging in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology 2018. Part 1 of 2: Positron emission tomography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance.

In this review, we summarize key articles that have been published in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology in 2018 pertaining to nuclear cardiology with advanced multi-modality and hybrid imaging including positron emission tomography, cardiac-computed tomography, and magnetic resonance. In an upcoming review, we will summarize key articles that relate to the progress made in the field of single-photon emission computed tomography. We hope that these sister reviews will be useful to the reader to navigate the literature in our field.

Multi-modality imaging: Bird's eye view from the 2018 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

This review summarizes key imaging studies that were presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2018 in Chicago related to the fields of nuclear cardiology (including single photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography), cardiac computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and echocardiography. The aim of this bird's eye view is to inform readers of the various studies discussed at the meeting from these imaging modalities. While this review is directed to the benefit of those of us who were not able to attend the conference, we find that a general overview may also be useful to those that did since it is often difficult to get exposure to all abstracts at large meetings. Further, we hope that the presentation of multiple imaging studies in a single synthesized review will stimulate new ideas for future research in imaging.

Prognostic value of myocardial perfusion imaging performed pre-renal transplantation: post-transplantation follow-up and outcomes.

PURPOSE: Noninvasive stress testing is commonly performed as part of pre-renal transplantation (RT) evaluation. We evaluated the prognostic value of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI)-myocardial perfusion, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and heart rate response (HRR)-post-RT. METHODS: Consecutive RT recipients were identified at our institution. MPI was considered abnormal when there was a perfusion defect or reduced ejection fraction. HRR to vasodilator stress was calculated as percentage change from baseline. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary revascularization (CR) post-RT; all-cause mortality was the secondary endpoint. RESULTS: Among 1189 RT recipients, 819 (69%) underwent MPI. Of those, 182 (22%) had abnormal MPI, and 31 (4%) underwent CR pre-RT. During a median follow-up of 56 months post-RT, the annual CV event and mortality rates for patients who had no MPI, normal MPI and abnormal MPI were 1.5%, 3.1% and 4.3% (p < 0.001), and 1.8%, 2.6% and 3.6% (p = 0.016), respectively. After multivariate adjustment, compared to patients without MPI, the hazard ratios (HRs) for CV events for normal and abnormal MPI were 1.47 ([0.93-2.33], p = 0.1) and 1.78 ([1.03-3.06], p = 0.04). Blunted HRR was an independent predictor of CV events (HR = 1.73 [1.04-2.86], p = 0.034) and all-cause death (HR = 2.26 [1.28-3.98], p = 0.005) after adjusting for abnormal MPI. Patients with abnormal MPI who underwent CR pre-RT had annual mortality rates similar to those with no or normal MPI (1.9% vs. 1.7-2.6%, p = 0.2), while those who did not undergo CR had higher annual mortality (4% vs. 1.7-2.6%, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: One in five RT recipients who underwent screening MPI had an abnormal study, an independent predictor of CV events. A blunted HRR to vasodilator stress was associated with increased risk of CV events and death, even after adjusting for abnormal MPI. Patients with abnormal MPI who underwent CR were at low risk of mortality following RT. MPI is a useful tool to aid in risk stratification pre-RT.

Review of cardiovascular imaging in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology 2017. Part 1 of 2: Positron emission tomography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance.

Several original articles and editorials have been published in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology in 2017. It has become a tradition at the beginning of each year to summarize some of these key articles in 2 sister reviews. In this first part one, we will discuss some of the progress made in the field of heart failure (cardio-oncology, myocardial blood flow, viability, dyssynchrony, and risk stratification), inflammation, molecular and hybrid imaging using advancement in positron emission tomography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.

Review of cardiovascular imaging in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology in 2017. Part 2 of 2: Myocardial perfusion imaging.

In 2017, the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology published many high-quality articles. In this review, we will summarize a selection of these articles to provide a concise review of the main advancements that have recently occurred in the field. In the first article of this 2-part series, we focused on publications dealing with positron emission tomography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance. This review will place emphasis on myocardial perfusion imaging using single-photon emission computed tomography summarizing advances in the field including prognosis, safety and tolerability, the impact of imaging on management, and the use of novel imaging protocols.

Multi-modality imaging: Bird's eye view from the 2017 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

This review summarizes key imaging studies that were presented in the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2017 related to the fields of nuclear cardiology, cardiac computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and echocardiography. The aim of this bird's eye view is to inform readers about multiple studies reported at the meeting from these different imaging modalities. While such a review is most useful for those that did not attend the conference, we find that a general overview may also be useful to those that did since it is often difficult to get exposure to many abstracts at large meetings. The review, therefore, aims to help readers stay updated on the newest imaging studies presented at the meeting and will hopefully stimulate new ideas for future research in imaging.

Review of cardiovascular imaging in the journal of nuclear cardiology in 2016: Part 2 of 2-myocardial perfusion imaging.

In 2016, the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology published many high-quality articles. Similar to previous years, we will summarize here a selection of the articles that were published in the Journal in 2016 to provide a concise review of the main advancements that have recently occurred in the field. In the first article of this two-part series we focused on publications dealing with positron emission tomography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance. This review will place emphasis on myocardial perfusion imaging using single-photon emission-computed tomography summarizing advances in the field including in diagnosis, prognosis, and appropriate use.

Multi-modality imaging: Bird's eye view from the 2016 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

This review summarizes key imaging studies that were presented in the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2016 related to the fields of nuclear cardiology, cardiac computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and echocardiography. This bird's eye view will inform readers about multiple studies from these different modalities. We hope that this general overview will be useful for those that did not attend the conference as well as to those that did since it is often difficult to get exposure to many abstracts at large meetings. The review, therefore, aims to help readers stay updated on the newest imaging studies presented at the meeting.

Unusual digoxin toxicity with myocardial injury.

A 38-year-old healthy male presented with vomiting and profuse diarrhea, associated with blurry and yellow coloration of the vision (xanthopsia). Laboratory workup was unremarkable, except for hyperkalemia (K 5.2 mEq/L) and mildly elevated troponin level 0.11 ng/mL (cut-off value 0.08). An electrocardiogram showed sinus bradycardia with deep scooping of the T waves. Although the patient denied intake of any drugs, herbs, consumption of plants, a digoxin level was drawn and was significantly elevated >5ng/mL (therapeutic range 0.8-2.0). Further questioning revealed that the patient was a pharmacist mixing raw material to fabricate medication, and that he could have incidentally ingested contaminated water. His symptoms improved with parallel improvement in the electrocardiogram T wave abnormalities. An echocardiogram was normal. The positive troponin was felt to be secondary to severe digoxin toxicity. Review of the literature however showed no report of elevated troponin in the setting of digoxin toxicity.