Effect of inferior caval valve implantation on circulating immune cells and inflammatory mediators in severe tricuspid regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Interventional valve implantation into the inferior vena cava (CAVI) lowers venous congestion in patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR). We evaluated the impact of a reduction of abdominal venous congestion following CAVI on circulating immune cells and inflammatory mediators. METHODS: Patients with severe TR were randomized to optimal medical therapy (OMT) + CAVI (n = 8) or OMT (n = 10). In the OMT + CAVI group, an Edwards Sapien XT valve was implanted into the inferior vena cava. Immune cells and inflammatory mediators were measured in the peripheral blood at baseline and three-month follow-up. RESULTS: Leukocytes, monocytes, basophils, eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, B, T and natural killer cells and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, interferon-gamma, interleukin-2, -4, -5, -10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) did not change substantially between baseline and three-month follow-up within the OMT + CAVI and OMT group. CONCLUSION: The present data suggest that reduction of venous congestion following OMT + CAVI may not lead to substantial changes in systemic inflammation within a short-term follow-up. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02387697.

Myocardial CT perfusion imaging for the detection of obstructive coronary artery disease: multisegment reconstruction does not improve diagnostic performance.

BACKGROUND: Multisegment reconstruction (MSR) was introduced to shorten the temporal reconstruction window of computed tomography (CT) and thereby reduce motion artefacts. We investigated whether MSR of myocardial CT perfusion (CTP) can improve diagnostic performance in detecting obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) compared with halfscan reconstruction (HSR). METHODS: A total of 134 patients (median age 65.7 years) with clinical indication for invasive coronary angiography and without cardiac surgery prospectively underwent static CTP. In 93 patients with multisegment acquisition, we retrospectively performed both MSR and HSR and searched both reconstructions for perfusion defects. Subgroups with known (n = 68) or suspected CAD (n = 25) and high heart rate (n = 30) were analysed. The area under the curve (AUC) was compared applying DeLong approach using ≥ 50% stenosis on invasive coronary angiography as reference standard. RESULTS: Per-patient analysis revealed the overall AUC of MSR (0.65 [95% confidence interval 0.53, 0.78]) to be inferior to that of HSR (0.79 [0.69, 0.88]; p = 0.011). AUCs of MSR and HSR were similar in all subgroups analysed (known CAD 0.62 [0.45, 0.79] versus 0.72 [0.57, 0.86]; p = 0.157; suspected CAD 0.80 [0.63, 0.97] versus 0.89 [0.77, 1.00]; p = 0.243; high heart rate 0.46 [0.19, 0.73] versus 0.55 [0.33, 0.77]; p = 0.389). Median stress radiation dose was higher for MSR than for HSR (6.67 mSv versus 3.64 mSv, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: MSR did not improve diagnostic performance of myocardial CTP imaging while increasing radiation dose compared with HSR. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CORE320: clinicaltrials.gov NCT00934037, CARS-320: NCT00967876.

Impact of inferior caval valve implantation on severity of tricuspid regurgitation and right heart function.

AIMS: Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a common finding in heart failure patients and associated with increased mortality. New interventional therapeutic options are needed as many heart failure patients are unfit for surgery. The TRICAVAL study compared valve implantation into the inferior vena cava (CAVI) with optimal medical therapy (OMT) in patients with severe TR. Here, we report details on the impact of CAVI on TR severity as well as right heart function and morphology. METHODS AND RESULTS: We randomized 28 patients with severe TR to CAVI (n = 14) with transfemoral implantation of an Edwards Sapien XT valve into the inferior vena cava or OMT (n = 14). Inclusion and exclusion criteria were based on anatomical and clinical parameters. Echocardiographic measurements were performed at baseline, at the first postoperative day and one, three, and twelve months after randomization. As proof of concept of an effective sealing of the inferior vena cava, we detected a significant decrease in systolic hepatic vein reflux volume (11.0 [6.2-21.9] mL vs 3.5 [0.6-8.5] mL, P = .016) and hepatic vein diameter (11.5 [10.0-14.8] mm vs 10.0 [9.3-11.8] mm, P = .034) at thirty-day follow-up. However, CAVI had no significant impact on TR, cardiac function, and morphology. CONCLUSIONS: Caval valve implantation significantly reduced systolic reflux into the hepatic veins but was not associated with an improvement in cardiac function, morphology, or TR severity.

Treatment of Severe TRIcuspid Regurgitation in Patients with Advanced Heart Failure with CAval Vein Implantation of the Edwards Sapien XT VALve (TRICAVAL): a randomised controlled trial.

AIMS: The aim of our study was to compare the impact of implantation of a balloon-expandable transcatheter valve into the inferior vena cava (CAVI) on exercise capacity with optimal medical therapy (OMT) in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and high surgical risk. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were randomised to OMT (n=14) or CAVI (n=14). The primary endpoint was maximal oxygen uptake at the three-month follow-up. Secondary endpoints included six-minute walk test, NYHA class, NT-proBNP levels, right heart function, unscheduled heart failure hospitalisation, and quality of life as assessed by the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). Patients underwent follow-up examinations one, three, six, and twelve months after randomisation. Maximal oxygen uptake did not change significantly in either group after three months and there was no difference between the OMT and CAVI groups (-0.1±1.8 ml∙kg-1∙min-1 vs -1.0±1.6 ml∙kg-1∙min-1, p=0.4995). Compared to baseline, CAVI improved NYHA class, dyspnoea, and quality of life after three months. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the secondary endpoints between the groups. Four periprocedural complications occurred after CAVI, resulting in open heart surgery. Four patients in the OMT group and eight patients (including four after conversion to surgery) in the CAVI group died from right heart failure, sepsis or haemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: CAVI did not result in a superior functional outcome compared to OMT. Due to an unexpectedly high rate of valve dislocations, the study was stopped for safety reasons.

Valve in valve implantation of the CoreValve Evolut R in degenerated surgical aortic valves.

BACKGROUND: The new CoreValve Evolut R has an improved design to minimize paravalvular leak-age and allows repositioning of the valve. For patients with degenerated bioprosthetic aortic valves, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) represents a less invasive option. Herein reported are valve-in-valve (ViV) implantations of this new valve. METHODS: A total of 26 patients (mean age 79.4 ± 6.1 years, 17 males and 9 females) were treated for severe prosthesis stenosis (n = 9), severe regurgitation (n = 8) or severe combination of stenosis and regurgitation (n = 9). All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography before and after ViV implantation. RESULTS: Valve-in-valve implantation of a CoreValve Evolut R was performed successfully in all pa-tients. The mean transaortic gradient for stenotic valves determined by transthoracic echocardiography was reduced significantly from 37.5 ± 15.3 mmHg in patients with prosthesis stenosis to 16.3 ± 8.2 mmHg (p < 0.001). In all cases with severe prosthesis regurgitation, regurgitation was reduced to none or mild. All-cause mortality after 30 days was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that CoreValve Evolut R is well suited for ViV implantation.

Interventional Treatment of Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation: Early Clinical Experience in a Multicenter, Observational, First-in-Man Study.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter caval valve implantation is under evaluation as a treatment option for inoperable patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). The procedure involves the catheter-based implantation of bioprosthetic valves in the inferior vena cava and superior vena cava to treat symptoms associated with TR. This study is the first to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of this interventional concept. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (mean age, 73.9±7.6 years; women, 52.0%) with severe symptomatic TR despite optimal medical treatment deemed unsuitable for surgery were treated with caval valve implantation under a compassionate clinical use program. Technical feasibility defined as procedural success, hemodynamic effect defined as venous pressure reduction, and safety defined as periprocedural adverse events were evaluated, with clinical follow-up at discharge and up to 12 months. The functional impact was evaluated by assessment of New York Heart Association class at the time of hospital discharge. The total number of valves implanted in the caval position was 31. Patients were treated with single (inferior vena cava-only; n=19; 76.0%) or bicaval valve implantation (inferior vena cava+superior vena cava; n=6; 24.0%). Either balloon-expandable valves (Sapien XT/3: n=18; 72.0%) or self-expandable valves (TricValve: n=6; 24.0%; Directflow: n=1; 4.0%) were used. Procedural success was achieved in 96% (n=24). Early and late valve migration requiring surgical intervention occurred in 1 patient each. Thirty-day and in-hospital mortality were 8% (2 of 25) and 16% (4 of 25). Causes of in-hospital mortality included respiratory (n=1) or multiple organ failure (n=3) and were not linked to the procedure. Mean overall survival in the study cohort was 316±453 days (14-1540 days). CONCLUSIONS: Caval valve implantation for the treatment of severe TR and advanced right ventricular failure is associated with a high procedural success rate and seems safe and feasible in an excessive-risk cohort. The study demonstrates hemodynamic efficacy with consistent elimination of TR-associated venous backflow and initial clinical improvement. These results encourage further trials to determine which patients benefit most from this interventional approach.

Coronary Artery Disease: Analysis of Diagnostic Performance of CT Perfusion and MR Perfusion Imaging in Comparison with Quantitative Coronary Angiography and SPECT-Multicenter Prospective Trial.

Purpose To compare the diagnostic performance of stress myocardial computed tomography (CT) perfusion with that of stress myocardial magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion imaging in the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD). Materials and Methods All patients gave written informed consent prior to inclusion in this institutional review board-approved study. This two-center substudy of the prospective Combined Noninvasive Coronary Angiography and Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Using 320-Detector Row Computed Tomography (CORE320) multicenter trial included 92 patients (mean age, 63.1 years ± 8.1 [standard deviation]; 73% male). All patients underwent perfusion CT and perfusion MR imaging with either adenosine or regadenoson stress. The predefined reference standards were combined quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and single-photon emission CT (SPECT) or QCA alone. Results from coronary CT angiography were not included, and diagnostic performance was evaluated with the Mantel-Haenszel test stratified by disease status. Results The prevalence of CAD was 39% (36 of 92) according to QCA and SPECT and 64% (59 of 92) according to QCA alone. When compared with QCA and SPECT, per-patient diagnostic accuracy of perfusion CT and perfusion MR imaging was 63% (58 of 92) and 75% (69 of 92), respectively (P = .11); sensitivity was 92% (33 of 36) and 83% (30 of 36), respectively (P = .45); and specificity was 45% (25 of 56) and 70% (39 of 56), respectively (P < .01). When compared with QCA alone, diagnostic accuracy of CT perfusion and MR perfusion imaging was 82% (75 of 92) and 74% (68 of 92), respectively (P = .27); sensitivity was 90% (53 of 59) and 69% (41 of 59), respectively (P < .01); and specificity was 67% (22 of 33) and 82% (27 of 33), respectively (P = .27). Conclusion This multicenter study shows that the diagnostic performance of perfusion CT is similar to that of perfusion MR imaging in the detection of CAD. © RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Are Sutureless Aortic Valves Suitable for Severe High-Risk Patients Suffering from Active Infective Aortic Valve Endocarditis?

BACKGROUND Sutureless aortic valves were introduced to facilitate minimally invasive aortic valve surgery. Since sutureless aortic valves are a feasible procedure, we evaluated if any benefits could be identified in severe high-risk patients with active infective endocarditis of the aortic valve. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between April 2014 and April 2015, a total of 42 patients received a sutureless Perceval® aortic valve (Sorin Biomedica Cardio Srl, Saluggia, Italy) for different indications. Nine of these patients (median age 71 years, range 47-83 years) suffered from active infective endocarditis, including four patients with prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis. Five patients underwent prior cardiac surgery, including transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The median EuroSCORE II was 29.5% (range 16.8-87.7%). Post-operatively, data regarding mortality, operative results, and early operative morbidity were collected. RESULTS There were no cases of 30-day mortality. Four patients needed abscess closure with pericardium. Three patients underwent left atrial appendix closure: one left ventricular thrombectomy, one bypass grafting, and one arch replacement. Median aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass time was 35 minutes (range 26-88 minutes) and 52 minutes (range 40-133 minutes), respectively. The median intubation time was 14 hours (range 1-9 hours). In these high-risk patients, no postoperative morbidity was found except for one re-intubation due to extensive delirium and one re-exploration. No pacemaker implantation was needed. Echocardiographic evaluation showed no central or para-valvular regurgitation, and a median discharge mean gradient of 5.5 mm Hg (range 2.5-10.0 mm Hg). CONCLUSIONS Sutureless aortic valve replacement in very high-risk patients suffering from active infection endocarditis seems to be an option with limited morbidity and appropriate echocardiographic results, however, further studies are needed.

Low permanent pacemaker rates following Lotus device implantation for transcatheter aortic valve replacement due to modified implantation protocol.

BACKGROUND: Conduction disturbances requiring permanent pacemaker implantation following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are a common problem. Pacemaker implantation rates after TAVR appear to be higher compared to conventional aortic valve replacement. The aim of this study was to analyze whether a high annulus implantation conveys the benefit of a decreased rate of permanent pacemaker implantation while being safe and successful according to Valve Academic Research Consortium 2 (VARC2)-criteria. METHODS: A total of 23 patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis, an aortic annulus of 19-27 mm and at high risk for surgery were treated with the Lotus valve. In all patients the valve was implanted in a high annulus position via femoral access. The primary device performance endpoint was VARC2-defined device success after 30 days and the primary safety endpoint was the need for permanent pacemaker implantation. RESULTS: The mean age was 73.23 ± 7.65 years, 46% were female, 38% were New York Heart Association class III/IV at baseline. Thirty-day follow-up data were available for all patients. The VARC2-defined device success rate after 30 days was 22/23 (96%). 2/21 (10%) patients required a newly implanted pacemaker due to 3rd degree atrioventricular block. 25% of the patients developed a new left bundle branch block after valvuloplasty or device implantation. 21 of the 23 patients (96%) had no other signs of conduction disturbances after 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: The approach of the modified implantation technique of Lotus TAVR device was safe and effective. The incidence of need for a permanent pacemaker following TAVR could be significantly reduced due to adopted implantation protocol.

Redo procedures for degenerated stentless aortic xenografts and the role of valve-in-valve transcatheter techniques.

Objectives: This study evaluates reinterventions for degenerated stentless aortic xenografts. Methods: Between 2010 and 2015, 52 consecutive patients (age 72.3 ± 9.7 years, EuroSCORE II 11.1 ± 8.9%) underwent reintervention for failed stentless aortic valves (60% porcine, 40% pericardial, 87% sub-coronary, 81% isolated/combined regurgitation). Results: Based on age, EuroSCORE II, the presence of pulmonary hypertension, renal failure, a patent internal mammary artery graft and required concomitant procedures, the heart team assigned 25 patients to reoperation and 27 to valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation (ViV-TAVI). Valve implantation was successful in all surgical (24% root replacement) and in 24 transcatheter cases (93% trans-femoral, 56% balloon-expandable). Procedural complications were aortic dissection ( n = 1) during reoperation and coronary obstruction ( n = 4), device malpositioning ( n = 3), deployment of >1 valve ( n = 2) and vascular access site complications ( n = 2) during ViV-TAVI. Thirty-day mortality (10%, three ViV-TAVI patients, two surgical patients, P = 1.0) was associated with preoperative renal failure, >1 concomitant procedure, life-threatening bleeding, coronary obstruction and necessity for prolonged circulatory support. ViV-TAVI was beneficial regarding ventilation time, transfusion requirements and the incidence of sepsis. Overall, functional (94% New York Heart Association Class I/II) and echocardiographic results (indexed effective orifice area 0.95 ± 0.27 cm 2 /m 2 , mean transvalvular gradient 14 ± 6.8 mmHg) were favourable. After ViV-TAVI, aortic regurgitation was mild and moderate in two and three patients. One-year survival was 82.3 ± 5.4% and similar after surgery (83.1 ± 7.7%) and ViV-TAVI (81.5 ± 7.5%, P = 0.76). Conclusions: Reinterventions for degenerated stentless aortic valves are challenging. Although ViV-TAVI is appropriate in high-risk patients, limitations and potential complications must be considered. Redo surgery has its place in low-risk patients and if concomitant procedures are required.

Sutureless Aortic Valve Replacement in a Patient with Transfemoral Aortic Valve Replacement and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.

Background Transarterial valve intervention (TAVI) is valuable in high-risk patients, however, in case of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction, conventional surgery, including partial myectomy, is indicated. Case Description An 84-year-old female patient presented with increasing fatigue after TAVI in 2012, demonstrated a narrowed LVOT. Conventional surgery was performed, including removal of the transcathether valve, partial septal myectomy, and implantation of a sutureless valve. The postoperative course was uncomplicated. Conclusion Aortic valve stenosis combined with severe left-ventricular hypertrophy is not ideal for TAVI. Conventional surgery, performing partial septal myectomy and implantation of sutureless aortic prosthesis, seems more appropriate.

Transcatheter Therapies for Treating Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Tricuspid valve (TV) disease has been relatively neglected, despite the known association between severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and mortality. Few patients undergo isolated tricuspid surgery, which remains associated with high in-hospital mortality rates, particularly in patients with prior left-sided valve surgery. Patients with severe TR are often managed medically for years before TV repair or replacement. Current guidelines recommend TV repair in the presence of a dilated tricuspid annulus at the time of a left-sided valve surgical intervention, even if regurgitation is mild. This proposed algorithm aims to prevent the inevitable progression to severe TR and the need for a second surgical intervention. Recently, novel transcatheter treatment options were developed for treating patients with severe TR and right heart failure with prohibitive surgical risk. Here we describe currently available transcatheter treatment options for severe TR implanted at different levels: the junction between vena cavae and right atrium; the tricuspid annulus; or between TV leaflets, improving coaptation.

Staged Catheter-Based Valve Treatment of Severe Carcinoid Heart Disease.

PURPOSE: Carcinoid heart disease (CHD) with severe valve destruction represents the major cause of high morbidity and mortality in patients with carcinoid syndrome. In this paper, we present a novel interventional treatment approach and report the first clinical result achieved in a patient with extensive CHD. METHODS AND RESULTS: A woman with an ileal neuroendocrine tumour (G2, Ki67: 5%) presented with severe CHD (NYHA IV) affecting both the pulmonary and the tricuspid valve. First, a balloon-expandable 23-mm Edwards SAPIEN™ was successfully implanted percutaneously into the pulmonary valve. Since no catheter-based techniques were available for the replacement of the native tricuspid valve, we implanted an Edwards SAPIEN 26-mm valve into the vena cava inferior between the right atrium and the ostium of the hepatic veins to reduce abdominal congestion. The implantation was technically successful and completely prevented regurgitation into the vena cava inferior and abdominal veins. After this procedure, the patient's clinical condition improved significantly, and she achieved near-normal exercise tolerance (VO2 max: 24.4 ml O2/kg/min, NYHA II). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that percutaneous valve implantation may offer a novel, minimally invasive option in high-risk patients with severe CHD.

Acceptance of Combined Coronary CT Angiography and Myocardial CT Perfusion versus Conventional Coronary Angiography in Patients with Coronary Stents--Intraindividual Comparison.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate how well patients with coronary stents accept combined coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and myocardial CT perfusion (CTP) compared with conventional coronary angiography (CCA). BACKGROUND: While combined CTA and CTP may improve diagnostic accuracy compared with CTA alone, patient acceptance of CTA/CTP remains to be defined. METHODS: A total of 90 patients with coronary stents prospectively underwent CTA/CTP (both with contrast agent, CTP with adenosine) and CCA as part of the CARS-320 study. In this group, an intraindividual comparison of patient acceptance of CTA, CTP, and CCA was performed. RESULTS: CTP was experienced to be significantly more painful than CTA (p<0.001) and was associated with a higher frequency of dyspnea (p<0.001). Comparison of CTA/CTP with CCA revealed no significant differences in terms of pain (p = 0.141) and comfort (p = 0.377). Concern before CTA/CTP and CCA and overall satisfaction were likewise not significantly different (p = 0.097 and p = 0.123, respectively). Nevertheless, about two thirds (n = 60, 68%) preferred CTA/CTP to CCA (p<0.001). Moreover, patients felt less helpless during CTA/CTP than during CCA (p = 0.026). Lack of invasiveness and absence of pain were the most frequently mentioned advantages of CTA/CTP over CCA in our patient population. CONCLUSIONS: CCA and combined CTA/CTP are equally well accepted by patients; however, more patients prefer CTA/CTP. CTP was associated with more intense pain than CTA and more frequently caused dyspnea than CTA alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00967876.

Computed tomography angiography and myocardial computed tomography perfusion in patients with coronary stents: prospective intraindividual comparison with conventional coronary angiography.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine whether adding myocardial computed tomography perfusion (CTP) to computed tomography angiography (CTA) improves diagnostic performance for coronary stents. BACKGROUND: CTA of coronary stents has been limited by nondiagnostic studies caused by metallic stent material and coronary motion. METHODS: CTA and CTP were performed in 91 consecutive patients with stents before quantitative coronary angiography, the reference standard for obstructive stenosis (≥50%). If a coronary stent or vessel was nondiagnostic on CTA, adenosine stress CTP in the corresponding myocardial territory was read for combined CTA/CTP. RESULTS: Patients had an average of 2.5 ± 1.8 coronary stents (1 to 10), with a diameter of 3.0 ± 0.5 mm. Significantly more patients were nondiagnostic for stent assessment by CTA (22%; mainly due to metal artifacts [75%] or motion [25%]) versus CTP (1%; p < 0.001; severe angina precluded CTP in 1 case). The per-patient diagnostic accuracy of CTA/CTP for stents (87%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 78% to 93%) was significantly higher than that of CTA alone (71%, 95% CI: 61% to 80%; p < 0.001), mainly because nondiagnostic examinations were significantly reduced (p < 0.001). In the analysis of any coronary artery disease, diagnostic accuracy and nondiagnostic rate were also significantly improved by the addition of CTP (p < 0.001). CTA/CTP (7.9 ± 2.8 mSv) had a significantly lower effective radiation dose than angiography (9.5 ± 5.1 mSv; p = 0.005). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for CTA/CTP (0.82, 95% CI: 0.69 to 0.95) was superior to that for CTA (0.69, 95% CI: 0.57 to 0.82; p < 0.001) in identifying patients requiring stent revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: Combined coronary CTA and myocardial CTP improves diagnosis of CAD and in-stent restenosis in patients with stents compared with CTA alone. (Coronary Artery Stent Evaluation With 320-Slice Computed Tomography-The CArS 320 Study [CARS-320]; NCT00967876).

Surgical-transcatheter approach for endocarditis of a calcified aortic homograft.

Repeat aortic valve replacement (AVR) after freestanding homograft root replacement with reimplantation of the coronary arteries is challenging and risky, especially in patients with major homograft wall calcifications. Although new transcatheter techniques for AVR may offer an alternative in structurally degenerated homografts, they are not suitable to treat endocarditis. Here, the case is reported of successful treatment of bacterial endocarditis within a totally calcified homograft after aortic root replacement by combining conventional surgery and transcatheter techniques.

DNA double-strand breaks as potential indicators for the biological effects of ionising radiation exposure from cardiac CT and conventional coronary angiography: a randomised, controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively compare induced DNA double-strand breaks by cardiac computed tomography (CT) and conventional coronary angiography (CCA). METHODS: 56 patients with suspected coronary artery disease were randomised to undergo either CCA or cardiac CT. DNA double-strand breaks were assessed in fluorescence microscopy of blood lymphocytes as indicators of the biological effects of radiation exposure. Radiation doses were estimated using dose-length product (DLP) and dose-area product (DAP) with conversion factors for CT and CCA, respectively. RESULTS: On average there were 0.12 ± 0.06 induced double-strand breaks per lymphocyte for CT and 0.29 ± 0.18 for diagnostic CCA (P < 0.001). This relative biological effect of ionising radiation from CCA was 1.9 times higher (P < 0.001) than the effective dose estimated by conversion factors would have suggested. The correlation between the biological effects and the estimated radiation doses was excellent for CT (r = 0.951, P < 0.001) and moderate to good for CCA (r = 0.862, P < 0.001). One day after radiation, a complete repair of double-strand breaks to background levels was found in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Conversion factors may underestimate the relative biological effects of ionising radiation from CCA. DNA double-strand break assessment may provide a strategy for individualised assessments of radiation. KEY POINTS: • Radiation dose causes concern for both conventional coronary angiography and cardiac CT. • Estimations of the biological effects of ionising radiation may become feasible. • Fewer DNA double-strand breaks are induced by cardiac CT than CCA. • Conversion factors may underestimate the relative effects of ionising radiation from CCA.

Acute regional improvement of myocardial function after interventional transfemoral aortic valve replacement in aortic stenosis: a speckle tracking echocardiography study.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a promising therapy for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and high perioperative risk. New echocardiographic methods, including 2D Strain analysis, allow the more accurate measurement of left ventricular (LV) systolic function. The goal of this study was to describe the course of LV reverse remodelling immediately after TAVI in a broad spectrum of patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis. METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients with symptomatic aortic valve stenosis and preserved LVEF underwent transfemoral aortic valve implantation. We performed echocardiography at baseline and one week after TAVI. Echocardiography included standard 2D and Doppler analysis of global systolic and diastolic function as well as 2D Strain measurements of longitudinal, radial and circumferential LV motion and Tissue Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: The baseline biplane LVEF was 57 ± 8.2%, the mean pressure gradient was 46.8 ± 17.2 mmHg and the mean valve area was 0.73 ± 0.27 cm(2). The average global longitudinal 2D strain of the left ventricle improved significantly from -15.1 (± 3.0) to -17.5 (± 2.4) % (p < .001). This was reflected mainly in improvement in the basal and medial segments while strain in the apex did not change significantly [-11.6 (± 5.2) % to -15.1 (± 5.5) % (p < .001), -13.9 (± 5.1) % to -16.8 (± 5.6) % (p < .001) and -19.2 (± 7.0) % to -20.0 (± 7.2) % (p = .481) respectively]. While circumferential strain [-18.1 (± 5.1) % vs. -18.9 (± 4.2) %, p = .607], radial strain [36.5 (± 13.7) % vs. 39.7 (± 17.2) %, p = .458] and the LVEF remained unchanged after one week [57.0 (± 8.2) % vs. 59.1 (± 8.1) %, p = .116]. CONCLUSION: There is an acute improvement of myocardial longitudinal systolic function of the basal and medial segments measured by 2D Strain analysis immediately after TAVI. The radial, circumferential strain and LVEF does not change significantly in all patients acutely after TAVI. These data suggest that sensitive new echo methods can reliably detect early regional changes of myocardial function after TAVI before benefits in LVEF are detectable.

Coronary MR angiography using citrate-coated very small superparamagnetic iron oxide particles as blood-pool contrast agent: initial experience in humans.

PURPOSE: To evaluate very small superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (VSOP-C184) as blood-pool contrast agent for coronary MR angiography (CMRA) in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six healthy volunteers and 14 patients with suspected coronary artery disease underwent CMRA after administration of VSOP-C184 at the following doses: 20 µmol Fe/kg (4 patients), 40 µmol Fe/kg (5 patients), 45 µmol Fe/kg (6 healthy volunteers), and 60 µmol Fe/kg (5 patients). In healthy volunteers, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and vessel edge definition (VED) of contrast-enhanced CMRA were compared with non-contrast-enhanced CMRA. In patients, a per-segment intention-to-diagnose evaluation of contrast-enhanced CMRA for detection of significant coronary stenosis (≥50%) was performed. RESULTS: Three healthy volunteers (45 µmol Fe/kg VSOP-C184) and two patients (60 µmol Fe/kg VSOP-C184) had adverse events of mild or moderate intensity. VSOP-C184 significantly increased CNR (15.1 ± 4.6 versus 6.9 ± 1.9; P = 0.010), SNR (21.7 ± 5.3 versus 15.4 ± 1.6; P = 0.048), and VED (2.3 ± 0.6 versus 1.2 ± 0.2; P < 0.001) compared with non-contrast-enhanced CMRA. In patients, contrast-enhanced CMRA yielded sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy for detection of significant coronary stenosis of 86.7%, 71.0%, 73.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: CMRA using VSOP-C184 was feasible and yielded moderate diagnostic accuracy for detection of significant coronary stenosis within this proof-of-concept setting.

Noninvasive coronary angiography by 320-row computed tomography with lower radiation exposure and maintained diagnostic accuracy: comparison of results with cardiac catheterization in a head-to-head pilot investigation.

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive coronary angiography with the use of multislice computed tomography (CT) scanners is feasible with high sensitivity and negative predictive value; however, the radiation exposure associated with this technique is rather high. We evaluated coronary angiography using whole-heart 320-row CT, which avoids exposure-intensive overscanning and overranging. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 30 consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease referred for clinically indicated conventional coronary angiography (CCA) were included in this prospective intention-to-diagnose study. CT was performed with the use of up to 320 simultaneous detector rows before same-day CCA, which, together with quantitative analysis, served as the reference standard. The per-patient sensitivity and specificity for CT compared with CCA were 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 72 to 100) and 94% (95% CI, 73 to 100), respectively. Per-vessel versus per-segment sensitivity and specificity were 89% (95% CI, 62 to 98) and 96% (95% CI, 90 to 99) versus 78% (95% CI, 56 to 91) and 98% (95% CI, 96 to 99), respectively. Interobserver agreement between the 2 readers was significantly better for CCA (97% of 121 coronary arteries) than for CT (90%; P=0.04). Percent diameter stenosis determined with the use of CT showed good correlation with CCA (P<0.001, R=0.81) without significant underestimation or overestimation (-3.1+/-24.4%; P=0.08). Intraindividual comparison of CT with CCA revealed a significantly smaller effective radiation dose (median, 4.2 versus 8.5 mSv; P<0.05) and amount of contrast agent required (median, 80 versus 111 mL; P<0.001) for 320-row CT. The majority of patients (87%) indicated that they would prefer CT over CCA for future diagnostic imaging (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CT with the use of emerging technology has the potential to significantly reduce the radiation dose and amount of contrast agent required compared with CCA while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy.