Predicting non-response in patient-reported outcome measures: results from the Swiss quality assurance programme in cardiac inpatient rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Quality assurance programmes measure and compare certain health outcomes to ensure high-quality care in the health-care sector. The outcome of health-related quality of life is typically measured by patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). However, certain patient groups are less likely to respond to PROMs than others. This non-response bias can potentially distort results in quality assurance programmes. OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to identify relevant predictors of non-response during assessment using the PROM MacNew Heart Disease questionnaire in cardiac rehabilitation. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study based on data from the Swiss external quality assurance programme. All patients aged 18 years or older who underwent inpatient cardiac rehabilitation in 16 Swiss rehabilitation clinics between 2016 and 2019 were included. Patients' socio-demographic and basic medical data were analysed descriptively by comparing two groups: non-responders and responders. We used a random intercept logistic regression model to estimate the associations of patient characteristics and clinic differences with non-response. RESULTS: Of 24 572 patients, there were 33.3% non-responders and 66.7% responders. The mean age was 70 years, and 31.0% were women. The regression model showed that being female was associated with non-response [odds ratio (OR) 1.22; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-1.30], as well as having no supplementary health insurance (OR 1.49; 95% CI 1.39-1.59). Each additional year of age increased the chance of non-response by an OR of 1.02 (95% CI 1.02-1.02). Not being a first language speaker of German, French or Italian increased the chance of non-response by an OR of 6.94 (95% CI 6.03-7.99). Patients admitted directly from acute care had a higher chance of non-response (OR 1.23; 95% CI 1.10-1.38), as well as patients being discharged back into acute care after rehabilitation (OR 3.89; 95% CI 3.00-5.04). Each point on the cumulative illness rating scale total score increased the chance of non-response by an OR of 1.05 (95% CI 1.04-1.05). Certain diagnoses also influenced the chance of non-response. Even after adjustment for known confounders, response rates differed substantially between the 16 clinics. CONCLUSION: We have found significant non-response bias among certain patient groups, as well as across different treatment facilities. Measures to improve response rates among patients with known barriers to participation, as well as among different treatment facilities, need to be considered, particularly when PROMs are being used for comparison of providers in quality assurance programmes or outcome evaluation.

Outcome in middle-aged individuals with anomalous origin of the coronary artery from the opposite sinus: a matched cohort study.

AIMS: Anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the opposite sinus (ACAOS) has been associated with adverse cardiac events in the young. It remains unknown whether this holds true for middle-aged patients with uncorrected ACAOS as well. We assessed the outcome in middle-aged patients with newly diagnosed ACAOS by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) compared with a matched cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively identified 68 consecutive patients with ACAOS documented by CCTA. ACAOS with a course of the anomalous vessel between the aorta and pulmonary artery were classified as interarterial course (IAC). Each patient with ACAOS was matched to two controls without ACAOS. Major adverse cardiac events (i.e. myocardial infarction, revascularization and cardiac death) were recorded for all patients and controls. Two (3%) patients were lost to follow-up. Thus, 66 patients with ACAOS were included in the final analysis and matched with 132 controls. Mean age of patients was 56 ± 11 years, 73% were male and the mean follow-up was 49 months. Forty (65%) patients were classified as having ACAOS with IAC. The annual event rate of ACAOS vs. controls was 4.9 and 4.8%, the hazard ratio (HR) 0.94 (0.39-2.28, P = 0.89). The annual event rate of ACAOS with IAC compared with their matched controls was 5.2 and 4.3%, and the HR 1.01 (95% CI 0.39-2.58, P = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: In middle-aged individuals with newly diagnosed ACAOS mid-term outcome is not statistically different to a matched control cohort without coronary artery anomalies, regardless of whether ACAOS with or without IAC variants are present.

Long-term prognostic performance of low-dose coronary computed tomography angiography with prospective electrocardiogram triggering.

OBJECTIVES: To assess long-term prognosis after low-dose 64-slice coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) using prospective electrocardiogram-triggering. METHODS: We included 434 consecutive patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease referred for low-dose CCTA. Patients were classified as normal, with non-obstructive or obstructive lesions, or previously revascularized. Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) was assessed in 223 patients. Follow-up was obtained regarding major adverse cardiac events (MACE): cardiac death, myocardial infarction and elective revascularization. We performed Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regressions. RESULTS: Mean effective radiation dose was 1.7 ± 0.6 mSv. At baseline, 38% of patients had normal arteries, 21% non-obstructive lesions, 32% obstructive stenosis and 8% were revascularized. Twenty-nine patients (7%) were lost to follow-up. After a median follow-up of 6.1 ± 0.6 years, MACE occurred in 0% of patients with normal arteries, 6% with non-obstructive lesions, 30% with obstructive stenosis and 39% of those revascularized. MACE occurrence increased with increasing CACS (P < 0.001), but 4% of patients with CACS = 0 experienced MACE. Multivariate Cox regression identified obstructive stenosis, lesion burden in CCTA and CACS as independent MACE predictors (P ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION: Low-dose CCTA with prospective electrocardiogram-triggering has an excellent long-term prognostic performance with a warranty period >6 years for patients with normal coronary arteries. KEY POINTS: • Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) has an excellent long-term prognostic performance. • CCTA can accurately stratify cardiac risk according to coronary lesion severity. • A normal CCTA predicts freedom from cardiac events for >6 years. • Patients with a coronary calcium score of 0 may experience cardiac events. • CCTA allows for reclassification of cardiac risk compared with ESC SCORE.

Hybrid CCTA/SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging findings in patients with anomalous origin of coronary arteries from the opposite sinus and suspected concomitant coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Anomalous coronary arteries originating from the opposite sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS) are associated with adverse cardiac events. Discrimination between ACAOS and coronary artery disease (CAD)-related perfusion defects may be difficult. The aim of the present study was to investigate the value of hybrid coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)/SPECT-MPI in patients with ACAOS and possible concomitant CAD. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 46 patients (mean age 56 ± 12 years) with ACAOS revealed by CCTA who underwent additional SPECT-MPI. ACAOS with an interarterial course were classified as malignant, whereas all other variants were considered benign. CCTA/SPECT-MPI hybrid imaging findings (ischemia or scar) were analyzed according to the territory subtended by an anomalous vessel or a stenotic coronary artery. RESULTS: Twenty-six (57%) patients presented with malignant ACAOS. Myocardial ischemia or scar was found only in patients who had concomitant obstructive CAD in the vessel matching the perfusion defect as evidenced by hybrid CCTA/SPECT imaging. CONCLUSION: Hybrid CCTA/SPECT-MPI represents a valuable non-invasive tool to discriminate the impact of ACAOS from concomitant CAD on myocardial ischemia. Our results suggest that in a middle-aged population myocardial ischemia due to ACAOS per se may be exceedingly rare and is more likely attributable to concomitant CAD.

Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction-V: Impact on Image Quality in Ultralow-Dose Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography.

OBJECTIVE: The clinical utility of a latest generation iterative reconstruction algorithm (adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction [ASiR-V]) has yet to be elucidated for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). This study evaluates the impact of ASiR-V on signal, noise and image quality in CCTA. METHODS: Sixty-five patients underwent clinically indicated CCTA on a 256-slice CT scanner using an ultralow-dose protocol. Data sets from each patient were reconstructed at 6 different levels of ASiR-V. Signal intensity was measured by placing a region of interest in the aortic root, LMA, and RCA. Similarly, noise was measured in the aortic root. Image quality was visually assessed by 2 readers. RESULTS: Median radiation dose was 0.49 mSv. Image noise decreased with increasing levels of ASiR-V resulting in a significant increase in signal-to-noise ratio in the RCA and LMA (P < 0.001). Correspondingly, image quality significantly increased with higher levels of ASiR-V (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: ASiR-V yields substantial noise reduction and improved image quality enabling introduction of ultralow-dose CCTA.

MR-based attenuation correction for cardiac FDG PET on a hybrid PET/MRI scanner: comparison with standard CT attenuation correction.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of attenuation correction (AC) for cardiac (18)F-labelled fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) using MR-based attenuation maps. METHODS: We included 23 patients with no known cardiac history undergoing whole-body FDG PET/CT imaging for oncological indications on a PET/CT scanner using time-of-flight (TOF) and subsequent whole-body PET/MR imaging on an investigational hybrid PET/MRI scanner. Data sets from PET/MRI (with and without TOF) were reconstructed using MR AC and semi-quantitative segmental (20-segment model) myocardial tracer uptake (per cent of maximum) and compared to PET/CT which was reconstructed using CT AC and served as standard of reference. RESULTS: Excellent correlations were found for regional uptake values between PET/CT and PET/MRI with TOF (n = 460 segments in 23 patients; r = 0.913; p < 0.0001) with narrow Bland-Altman limits of agreement (-8.5 to +12.6 %). Correlation coefficients were slightly lower between PET/CT and PET/MRI without TOF (n = 460 segments in 23 patients; r = 0.851; p < 0.0001) with broader Bland-Altman limits of agreement (-12.5 to +15.0 %). PET/MRI with and without TOF showed minimal underestimation of tracer uptake (-2.08 and -1.29 %, respectively), compared to PET/CT. CONCLUSION: Relative myocardial FDG uptake obtained from MR-based attenuation corrected FDG PET is highly comparable to standard CT-based attenuation corrected FDG PET, suggesting interchangeability of both AC techniques.

Effect of a hypertensive response during exercise on growth rates of aortic diameters.

BACKGROUND: Aortic diameters are related to age, sex, and body size. There are a scarcity of data on the long-term sequelae of a hypertensive response to exercise (HRE) on aortic diameters. In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between the growth rates of the aorta in individuals with a HRE. METHODS: Our analysis included follow-up data of 649 patients recruited between January 2009 and December 2014 with a HRE. Participants with known connective tissue disease or a history of acute aortic syndrome were excluded. Sinus of Valsalva (SoV) and ascending aorta (AscAo) diameters were measured by transthoracic echocardiography using leading edge to leading edge convention at end-diastole. RESULTS: At baseline, median age, maximum systolic blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), diameter of the SoV, and AscAo were 62 years, 208 mmHg, 26.9 kg/m2, 35 mm, and 35 mm respectively. 32% of patients were female and 67% had hypertension. After a median follow-up of 7.1 years, mean yearly growth rates (±SD) of the SoV and AscAo were 0.09 (0.41) mm and 0.13 (0.56) mm respectively. No significant associations were observed between growth rates of aortic diameters and maximum systolic and diastolic BP or when considering only individuals with a baseline diameter > 40mm. CONCLUSION: In this large cohort study, maximum systolic and diastolic BP during exercise showed no association with growth rates of aortic diameters. Furthermore, the mean growth rates of aortic diameters in this population were in line with growth rates in a normal population.

A comparative analysis of open heart surgery and minimally invasive cardiac surgery in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Historically, the majority of patients admitted to inpatient exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (EBCR) have undergone open heart surgery (OHS). However, with advances in minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS), these patient groups are also increasingly referred for inpatient EBCR. Herein, we aimed to compare the progress of these groups during rehabilitation. METHODS: In this prospective, nonrandomized study, 403 inpatient EBCR patients were recruited from December 2022 until September 2023 and stratified into two groups: OHS, and MICS. Participants completed a 3-4-week certified EBCR program. The primary endpoint was defined as a change in the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Moreover, a comprehensive panel of quality-of-life (QoL) assessments were performed at admission and discharge. RESULTS: At baseline, patients with OHS were older (66 years [IQR 59 - 72]), more often male (83%), and underwent emergency/urgent procedures more often (20%) than patients with MICS. Furthermore, patients with MICS showed a better 6MWT at admission (426 meters [IQR 336 - 483]) compared to patients with OHS (381 meters [IQR 299 - 453]). While all patients were able to increase the distance in the 6MWT, regression analyses in fully adjusted models showed no difference in improvements between the two groups (ß -5, 95% CI, -26 - 14, p = 0.58). Moreover, during EBCR, we observed significant improvements in all QoL measures in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, improvements in fitness, as assessed by the 6WMT were observed in all groups. Furthermore, multiple QoL measures improved equally across all groups. These encouraging results emphasize the importance of EBCR.

[Heart Patients and Exposure to Altitude]. / Herzpatienten und Höhenexposition.

Overall, heart patients should be advised individually with respect to their tolerance of altitudes. However, the historical reflex that altitude 'per se' is bad for heart patients should become a thing of the past. Adequately treated and stable patients can usually go up to an altitude of 2500 m without any restrictions. Higher altitudes are also possible for a large number of patients, but may require an adaptation of the medication and further clarification. This is especially the case when physical work is to be performed at great heights.

Myocardial blood flow and cardiac sympathetic innervation in young adults late after arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries.

BACKGROUND: The arterial switch operation (ASO) for repair of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) requires transection of the great arterial trunks and re-implantation of the coronary arteries into the neoaortic root resulting in cardiac sympathetic denervation which may affect myocardial blood flow (MBF) regulation. The aims of the present study were to evaluate sympathetic (re-)innervation in young adults after ASO and its impact on MBF. METHODS: Twelve patients (age 22.5 ±â€¯2.6 years) after ASO for TGA in the neonatal period and ten healthy controls (age 22.0 ±â€¯1.7 years) were included. Positron emission tomography (PET) was used for measuring cardiac sympathetic innervation with [11C]meta-hydroxyephedrine (mHED) and MBF with [15O]H2O PET at rest, during adenosine stimulation, and during sympathetic stimulation with cold pressor test. Cold pressor-induced MBF response capacity was calculated as maximal global MBF over peak rate-pressure product multiplied by 10'000. RESULTS: Global [11C]mHED uptake was significantly lower in patients compared to controls (7.0 ±â€¯2.3 versus 11.8 ±â€¯2.1%/min, p < 0.001). Global MBF was lower in patients compared to controls at rest and during adenosine-induced hyperemia (0.66 ±â€¯0.08 versus 0.82 ±â€¯0.15 ml/min/g, p = 0.005; 2.23 ±â€¯1.19 versus 3.36 ±â€¯1.04 ml/min/g, p = 0.030, respectively). Interestingly, MBF during cold pressor test did not differ between patients and controls (0.99 ±â€¯0.20 versus 1.07 ±â€¯0.16 ml/min/g, p = 0.330). However, cold pressor-induced MBF response capacity was significantly lower for patients as compared to controls (1.09 ±â€¯0.35 versus 1.44 ±â€¯0.39 ml/g/10,000 mmHg, p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: With only partial sympathetic re-innervation of the coronary arteries, maximal dilator capacity of the coronary microvasculature and cold pressor-induced MBF response capacity remain substantially impaired in young adults after ASO compared to healthy controls.

Ultra-low-dose coronary artery calcium scoring using novel scoring thresholds for low tube voltage protocols-a pilot study.

Aims: To determine if tube-adapted thresholds for coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring by computed tomography at 80 kilovolt-peak (kVp) tube voltage and 70-kVp yield comparable results to the standard 120-kVp protocol. Methods and results: We prospectively included 103 patients who underwent standard scanning with 120-kVp tube voltage and additional scans with 80 kVp and 70 kVp. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.9 ± 5.1 kg/m2. For the lowered tube voltages, we applied novel kVp-adapted thresholds for calculation of CAC scores and compared them with standard 120-kVp scans using intraclass correlation and Bland-Altman (BA) analysis. Furthermore, risk-class (CAC score 0/1-10/11-100/101-400/>400) changes were assessed. Median CAC score from 120-kVp scans was 212 (interquartile range 25-901). Thirteen (12.6%) patients had zero CAC. Using the novel kVp-adapted thresholds, CAC scores derived from 80-kVp scans showed excellent correlation (r = 0.994, P < 0.001) with standard 120-kVp scans with BA limits of agreement of -235 (-39.5%) to 172 (28.9%). Similarly, for 70-kVp scans, correlation was excellent (r = 0.972, P < 0.001) but with broader limits of agreement of -476 (-85.0%) to 270 (48.2%). Only 2 (2.8%) reclassifications were observed for the 80-kVp scans in patients with a BMI <30 kg/m2 (n = 71), and 2 (6.1%) for the 70-kVp scans in patients with a BMI <25 kg/m2 (n = 33). Mean effective radiation dose was 0.60 ± 0.07 millisieverts (mSv), 0.19 ± 0.02 mSv, and 0.12 ± 0.01 mSv for the 120-kVp, 80-kVp, and 70-kVp scans, respectively. Conclusion: The present study suggests that CAC scoring with reduced peak tube voltage is accurate if kVp-adapted thresholds for calculation of CAC scores are applied while offering a substantial further radiation dose reduction.

Real-time respiratory triggered SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging using CZT technology: impact of respiratory phase matching between SPECT and low-dose CT for attenuation correction.

AIMS: To assess the impact of respiratory phase matching between single-photon-emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) and low-dose computed tomography (CT) for attenuation correction (AC). METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty patients underwent 1-day 99mTc-tetrofosmin pharmacological stress/rest SPECT-MPI using a cadmium-zinc-telluride gamma camera. Low-dose CT for AC was performed at deep-inspiration breath-hold. SPECT-MPI was acquired once with free-breathing (FB) and repeated at deep-inspiration breath-hold (BH) to match the respiratory phase of AC. From these acquisitions we reconstructed four data sets: free-breathing SPECT-MPI without AC (non-corrected; FB-NC), breath-hold SPECT-MPI without AC (non-corrected; BH-NC), free-breathing SPECT-MPI with AC (FB-AC), and breath-hold SPECT-MPI with AC (BH-AC), the latter representing respiratory-phase-matched AC SPECT-MPI. We compared semi-quantitative segmental tracer uptake, visual diagnosis, inter-observer agreement, and image quality. Compared with FB-NC, deep-inspiration BH-NC increases inferior and lateral uptake, but decreases septal uptake. Addition of AC to FB increases inferior and septal uptake, but decreases anterolateral uptake. Combining breath-hold MPI with breath-hold CT AC (BH-AC) increases inferior, inferolateral, and septal uptake, but reduces apical uptake, without affecting anterolateral uptake, with significant differences to all other protocols. Frequency of normal scans increases across protocols: 10% with FB-NC, 21% with BH-NC, 38% with FB-AC, and 51% with BH-AC. Image quality and inter-observer agreement were highest for BH-AC among all protocols. CONCLUSION: Compared with non-corrected breath-hold SPECT-MPI and with free-breathing AC SPECT-MPI, respiratory-phase-matched AC SPECT-MPI significantly affects segmental semi-quantitative uptake, increases the frequency of normal scans, yields the best inter-observer agreement, and significantly improves image quality. These findings suggest a potential role of respiratory triggered SPECT-MPI in clinical routine.

Fused cardiac hybrid imaging with coronary computed tomography angiography and positron emission tomography in patients with complex coronary artery anomalies.

OBJECTIVE: To provide data on the value of fused cardiac hybrid imaging with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and positron emission tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (PET-MPI) in patients with complex coronary artery anomalies (CCAA). DESIGN/SETTING: This is a retrospective, single-center study. PATIENTS: Seven consecutive patients with CCAA (mean 57 ± 7 y, 86% were male) who underwent clinically indicated hybrid CCTA/PET-MPI between 2005 and 2015 in our clinic were included. The findings from both modalities and fused cardiac hybrid imaging were evaluated in these patients. RESULTS: Out of the seven patients with CCAA, two patients had Bland-White-Garland anomaly, two patients showed a coronary artery fistula, two patients showed a "single right," and one patient showed a "single left" coronary artery. Semiquantitative fused hybrid CCTA/PET-MPI depicted inferolateral scar matching the territory of a nonanomalous vessel with significant concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) in one patient only. In contrast, analysis of quantitative myocardial blood flow (MBF) as assessed by fused hybrid CCTA/PET-MPI revealed abnormally reduced flow capacities in the territories subtended by the anomalous vessels in 4 patients. CONCLUSIONS: In this case series of middle-aged patients with CCAA, perfusion defects as assessed by semiquantitative PET-MPI were rare and attributable to concomitant CAD rather than to the anomalous vessel itself. By contrast, impaired MBF as assessed by quantitative hybrid CCTA/PET-MPI was revealed in the majority of patients in the vessel territories subtended by the anomalous coronary artery itself. Fused hybrid CCTA/PET-MPI incorporating information on morphology and on semiquantitative and quantitative myocardial perfusions may provide added value for the management of patients with CCAA.

A low-dose and an ultra-low-dose contrast agent protocol for coronary CT angiography in a clinical setting: quantitative and qualitative comparison to a standard dose protocol.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a low-dose (LD) and an ultra-LD (ULD) contrast protocol for coronary CT angiography on qualitative and quantitative image parameters in a clinical setting. METHODS: We scanned 120 consecutive patients with a 256-slice CT scanner applying a LD (60 patients, 35-55 ml) or ULD (60 patients, 25-45 ml) contrast protocol adapted to the body mass index. Visually assessed image quality and attenuation measured in each coronary segment were retrospectively compared in 20 consecutive patients scanned with a normal-dose (ND, 40-105 ml) contrast protocol. RESULTS: Visually assessed image quality did not differ significantly among protocols. By contrast, attenuation obtained from the ULD protocol (median contrast volume 35 ml) differed significantly from the LD (median 45 ml) and ND (median 70 ml) protocols in the coronary segments (316 ± 52 vs 363 ± 60 and 359 ± 52 HU, p < 0.001). Attenuation did not differ significantly between the LD and ND protocol. The proportion of patients with inadequate coronary vessel attenuation was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the ULD protocol (37%) than in the ND (5%) and LD (10%) protocols but did not differ significantly between the ND and LD protocols. CONCLUSION: In a clinical setting, a LD contrast protocol with a median volume of 45 ml is feasible for the latest generation 256-slice coronary CT angiography as it yields attenuation comparable to a ND protocol. By contrast, the implementation of an ULD protocol remains challenging. Advances in knowledge: Although not perceived by the naked eye, an ULD contrast protocol in a clinical setting yields attenuation below a threshold for diagnostic image quality.

Prognostic value of aortic regurgitation after TAVI in patients with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Aortic regurgitation (AR) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe aortic valve stenosis results in major haemodynamic changes. Influence of post-implant AR and aortic valve calcification on outcome in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unclear. METHODS: Short-term outcome was defined as a combined 30-day endpoint, long-term outcome as survival. Post-implant AR was classified as none/mild or moderate/severe using transthoracic echocardiography. Aortic valve calcification was calculated by computed tomography. Logistic regression analyses were performed in patients with none/mild (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]≥30ml/min/1.73m(2)) and advanced (eGFR<30ml/min/1.73m(2)) CKD to evaluate predictors of outcome and post-implant AR. RESULTS: TAVI was performed in 546 consecutive patients. Moderate/severe post-implant AR was the only independent predictor of the 30-day endpoint in patients with advanced (OR 7.091, 95% CI 1.144-43.962, p=0.035), but not in patients with none/mild CKD. Similarly, moderate/severe AR predicted impaired survival only in patients with advanced CKD (p<0.001). NT-proBNP (OR 1.023 per 500ng/l increase, 95% CI 1.003-1.043; p=0.026) before intervention was the only independent predictor of the 30-day endpoint in patients with none/mild CKD. Aortic valve calcification was comparable in patients with none/mild versus advanced CKD and was an independent predictor of moderate/severe post-implant AR in the overall population as well as in the subgroups with none/mild or advanced CKD. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate/severe AR after TAVI predicts outcome in patients with advanced CKD, but not in patients with none/mild CKD. Aortic valve calcification is an important predictor of post-implant AR independent of kidney function.

Minimized Radiation and Contrast Agent Exposure for Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography: First Clinical Experience on a Latest Generation 256-slice Scanner.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the latest coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) techniques allowing a radiation- and contrast-sparing protocol on image quality in unselected patients referred for exclusion of suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was approved by the local ethics committee, and all patients provided written informed consent. Between March and June 2015, 89 consecutive patients (61% male; mean age 55 ± 11 years) referred for exclusion of CAD by 256-slice CCTA using prospective electrocardiogram triggering were included. Tube voltage (80-120 kVp), tube current (180-310 mA) as well contrast agent volume (25-45 mL) and flow rate (3.5-5 mL/s) were adapted to body mass index. Signal intensity was measured by placing a region of interest in the aortic root, the left main artery, and the proximal right coronary artery. Image noise was measured in the aortic root. Two independent blinded readers semi-quantitatively assessed the image quality regarding motion, noise, and contrast on a 4-point scale. RESULTS: Median contrast agent volume and median effective radiation dose were 35 mL (interquartile range, 30-40 mL) and 0.5 mSv (interquartile range, 0.4-0.6 mSv), respectively. Mean attenuation in the aortic root was 412 ± 89 Hounsfield units. Diagnostic image quality was obtained in 1050 of 1067 (98.4%) coronary segments and, on an intention-to-diagnosis basis, in 85 of 89 (95.5%) patients. Below a cut-off heart rate of 67 beats/min, only 1 of 974 (0.1%) coronary segments was nondiagnostic. CONCLUSION: A radiation- and contrast-sparing protocol for CCTA on a latest generation 256-slice computed tomography scanner yields diagnostic image quality in patients referred for CAD exclusion in daily clinical routine.

Prevalence and characteristics of coronary artery anomalies detected by coronary computed tomography angiography in 5 634 consecutive patients in a single centre in Switzerland.

STUDY PRINCIPLES: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) allows three-dimensional visualisation of the origin, course and ending of the coronary vessels with high spatial resolution, yielding an accurate depiction of coronary artery anomalies (CAAs). This study sought to determine the prevalence, incidence and characteristics of CAAs detected with CCTA in a single centre in Switzerland. METHODS: CAAs were retrospectively identified in 5 634 consecutive patients referred for CCTA between March 2007 and July 2015. Single coronary arteries, Bland-White-Garland syndrome, anomalous coronary arteries originating from the opposite site of the sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS) with an interarterial course and coronary artery fistulas were classified as potentially malignant CAAs. RESULTS: We identified 145 patients with CAAs, resulting in an overall prevalence of 2.6% and cumulative incidence of 2.1% in all patients referred for CCTA in the observation period. Forty-nine (33.8%) patients showed malignant CAAs including 1 (0.7%) patient with Bland-White-Garland syndrome, 7 (4.8%) with single coronary arteries, 36 (24.8%) with ACAOS and an interarterial course, and 5 (3.5%) with coronary artery fistulas. The remaining 96 (66.2%) patients were classified as having benign variants. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CAA detected by CCTA is not negligible. Because of its noninvasive nature, relatively low cost and low radiation exposure, a further increase in the utilisation of CCTA may be expected, which may consequently be paralleled by an increasing absolute number of incidentally detected CAAs. Hence, awareness of the main issues and possible management strategies regarding CAAs is of importance for every treating physician.

Association of left bundle branch block with obstructive coronary artery disease on coronary CT angiography: a case-control study.

AIMS: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is considered an unfavourable prognostic marker in patients with underlying heart disease. Testing for coronary artery disease (CAD) is often prompted by incidental LBBB finding, but published studies disagree about a significant association between LBBB and CAD. We therefore assessed the association of LBBB with previously unknown CAD in patients undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). METHODS AND RESULTS: We enrolled 818 patients (mean age 57.2 ± 11.1 years, 106 patients with presumably new LBBB and 712 controls) without known CAD who underwent 64-slice CCTA. Image quality was assessed for each coronary segment. Comparison of obstructive CAD prevalence (defined as ≥50% stenosis) was performed using triple case-matching for pre-test probability (based on age, gender, and symptom typicality) in 101 LBBB patients and 303 matched controls with diagnostic quality in all segments. We found no difference in obstructive CAD prevalence between LBBB patients and matched controls (15 vs. 16%, P = 0.88). Similarly, there were no significant differences in cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), stenosis severity, CAD extent, non-obstructive CAD, and vessel-based analysis between patient groups. Image quality was very high in LBBB patients and comparable to controls. On multivariate analysis, age, gender, typical angina, and CVRF, but not LBBB (P = 0.94), emerged as significant and independent predictors of obstructive CAD. CONCLUSION: CAD prevalence is similar in LBBB patients at low-to-moderate pre-test probability compared with controls with similar CVRF matched for age, gender, and symptom typicality. CCTA is a useful imaging modality in LBBB patients, providing comparable image quality to non-LBBB controls.