Exercise-induced desaturation during a six-minute walk test is associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is an established exercise test for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), affording insight into both exercise intolerance and overall prognosis. Despite the widespread application of the 6MWT, the prognostic implications of exercise-induced desaturation (EID) during this test has been inadequately studied in PAH patients. Thus, we evaluated the occurrence of EID and its prognostic significance in PAH patients. METHODS: We analyzed PAH patients in a single-center cohort from April 2016 to March 2021. EID was defined as a reduction in oxygen saturation exceeding 4% from the baseline or to below 90% at any point during the test. RESULTS: We analyzed 20 PAH patients in this cohort, primarily consisting of 16 females with an average age of 48.4 ± 13.3 years. Among them, ten exhibited EID. Baseline characteristics, echocardiographic data and right heart catheterization data were similar between the two groups. However, total distance (354.3 ± 124.4 m vs. 485.4 ± 41.4 m, P = 0.019) and peak oxygen uptake (12.9 ± 3.2 mL/kg⋅min vs. 16.4 ± 3.6 mL/kg⋅min, P = 0.019) were significantly lower in the EID group. During the total follow-up duration of 51.9 ± 25.7 months, 17 patients had at least one adverse clinical event (2 deaths, 1 lung transplantation, and 13 hospital admissions). The presence of EID was associated with poor clinical outcome (hazard ratio = 6.099, 95% confidence interval = 1.783-20.869, P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: During the 6MWT, EID was observed in a half of PAH patients and emerged as a significant prognostic marker for adverse clinical events.

[Primary Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor of the Pulmonary Vein: A Case Report]. / íì •ë§¥ì˜ 원발성 ì• ì„± ë§ì´ˆì‹ ê²½ì´ˆì¢ : 증례 ë³´ê³ .

Primary masses rarely originate from the heart and great vessels, and a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is extremely rare. A 76-year-old male with pleural effusion underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography, which revealed a hypoattenuating mass involving the right pulmonary vein and left atrium. Ultrasonography showed that the mass originated from the right pulmonary vein. Surgical resection confirmed an MPNST that originated from the pulmonary vein. We report the first Korean case of a primary MPNST originating from the pulmonary vein. We have also described the radiologic findings suggestive of a pulmonary vein mass.

Body Mass Index, Muscle Mass, and All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Acute Heart Failure: The Obesity Paradox Revisited.

Background and Objectives: Lower body mass index (BMI) is considered a poor prognostic factor in patients with heart failure (HF). We aimed to investigate the clinical impact of BMI on the risk of mortality in patients with acute HF (AHF) across various phenotypes. Methods: We retrospectively identified 4,146 registry patients with AHF and BMI data. The study population was categorized according to the WHO Asia-Pacific BMI classification: BMI <18.5 kg/m2 (underweight; n=418), BMI 18.5-23 kg/m2 (ideal; n=1,620), BMI 23-25 kg/m2 (overweight; n=828), BMI 25-30 kg/m2 (obesity I; n=1,047), and BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (obesity II; n=233). The risk of all-cause mortality was compared between these 5 groups. Results: During a median follow-up of 32 months, 1,732 patients (41.8%) died. Compared to patients with obesity II, those with overweight, ideal BMI or underweight status had a higher risk of mortality (overweight: hazard ratio [HR], 1.606; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.016-2.539; p=0.042) (ideal BMI: HR, 1.744; 95% CI, 1.112-2.734; p=0.015) (underweight: HR, 2.729; 95% CI, 1.686-4.417; p<0.001). Higher risk of mortality among patients with lower BMI was observed regardless of age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and HF phenotype. Furthermore, low muscle index (total muscle mass/height2), calculated using serum cystatin C data in a subset of 579 patients, was associated with higher mortality risk. Conclusions: A lower BMI is associated with a higher risk of mortality in patients with AHF. This obesity paradox is observed in AHF regardless of comorbidities and HF phenotype.

Sox17 Deficiency Promotes Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension via HGF/c-Met Signaling.

BACKGROUND: In large-scale genomic studies, Sox17, an endothelial-specific transcription factor, has been suggested as a putative causal gene of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); however, its role and molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. We investigated the functional impacts and acting mechanisms of impaired Sox17 (SRY-related HMG-box17) pathway in PAH and explored its potential as a therapeutic target. METHODS: In adult mice, Sox17 deletion in pulmonary endothelial cells (ECs) induced PAH under hypoxia with high penetrance and severity, but not under normoxia. RESULTS: Key features of PAH, such as hypermuscularization, EC hyperplasia, and inflammation in lung arterioles, right ventricular hypertrophy, and elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, persisted even after long rest in normoxia. Mechanistically, transcriptomic profiling predicted that the combination of Sox17 deficiency and hypoxia activated c-Met signaling in lung ECs. HGF (hepatocyte grow factor), a ligand of c-Met, was upregulated in Sox17-deficient lung ECs. Pharmacologic inhibition of HGF/c-Met signaling attenuated and reversed the features of PAH in both preventive and therapeutic settings. Similar to findings in animal models, Sox17 levels in lung ECs were repressed in 26.7% of PAH patients (4 of 15), while those were robust in all 14 non-PAH controls. HGF levels in pulmonary arterioles were increased in 86.7% of patients with PAH (13 of 15), but none of the controls showed that pattern. CONCLUSIONS: The downregulation of Sox17 levels in pulmonary arterioles increases the susceptibility to PAH, particularly when exposed to hypoxia. Our findings suggest the reactive upregulation of HGF/c-Met signaling as a novel druggable target for PAH treatment.

Prognostic Impact of Left Atrial Strain After Mitral Valve Repair Surgery in Patients With Severe Mitral Regurgitation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prognostic value of left atrial (LA) function in terms of long-term clinical outcomes after mitral regurgitation (MR) surgery remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the impact of preoperative LA global longitudinal strain (LAGLS) on the long-term postoperative clinical outcomes in chronic severe MR patients who underwent mitral valve (MV) repair surgery. METHODS: From January 2012 to December 2017, we analyzed 338 patients (mean age, 51.9±12.5 years; 218 males [64.5%]) treated with MV repair surgery for severe MR. The primary outcome was cardiovascular events, defined as the composite of all-cause death, newly developed atrial fibrillation (AF), and re-hospitalization for cardiovascular causes. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 45 months (interquartile range, 26-65), 30 (8.9%) cardiovascular events, 5 (1.5%) all-cause death, 8 (2.4%) newly developed AF, and 26 (7.7%) re-hospitalizations occurred. On multivariable analysis, baseline LAGLS was an independent predictor of cardiovascular events (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.91; 95% confidential interval [CI], 0.85-0.97; p=0.004) and re-hospitalization (adjusted HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.86-1.00; p=0.037). According to the optimal cutoff value of LAGLS, patients with low LAGLS (<23.6%) had a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular events (adjusted HR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.04-7.00; p=0.041) than those with high LAGLS (≥23.6%). In a subgroup analysis, patients with high LAGLS had better clinical outcomes regardless of whether the patient had a LA volume index <60 mL/m². CONCLUSIONS: In patients with chronic severe MR who received successful MV repair surgery, preoperative LAGLS is an independent predictor of long-term postoperative outcomes.

Mass Lesions That Almost Fill the Ascending Aorta: When to Operate?

Although anticoagulation can be an option for the resolution of thrombus, surgical removal is a definite treatment for removing mass lesions, especially in patients with unknown pathology. The present case report demonstrates the surgical removal of a sarcoma of the ascending aorta after the failure of anticoagulation. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.

ABSTRACT: Dasatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), induces pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, information on other TKIs is limited.We retrospectively analyzed PH prevalence by reviewing transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) findings in a population of Korean CML patients treated with TKI at a single hospital between 2003 and 2020. PH was defined as a high PH probability according to the European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society (ESC/ERS) guidelines.Of the 189 patients treated with TKI(s) during the study period, 112 (59.3%) underwent TTE. Among the 112 patients treated with a TKI for a median of 40.4 months (range: 1.1-167.2 months), PH was found in 12 (10.7%), most frequently in those treated with dasatinib (ie, in 3 [7.5%] of 40 of those treated with imatinib, 1 [3.1%] of 32 of those treated with nilotinib, and 8 [21.6%] of 37 of those treated with dasatinib). PH resolved in 4 (50.0%) of the 8 dasatinib-treated patients after discontinuation of the agent. One nilotinib-treated and all three imatinib-treated patients recovered from PH. In multivariate analyses, age >60 years, dasatinib treatment, and positive cardiopulmonary symptoms/signs at the time of transthoracic echocardiography were statistically significant risk factors for developing PH.These results show that PH is induced not only by dasatinib, but also by imatinib and nilotinib. Careful screening for PH during any TKI treatment may thus be warranted in patients with CML.

Comparison of two digital PCR methods for EGFR DNA and SARS-CoV-2 RNA quantification.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute SARS-CoV-2 virus has undeniably highlighted the importance of reliable nucleic acid quantification. Digital PCR (dPCR) is capable of the absolute quantification of nucleic acids. METHOD: By using the droplet dPCR (QX200) and the digital real-time PCR (LOAA), the copy numbers were compared via multiple assays for three distinct targerts; EGFR DNA, SARS-CoV-2 and HIV-1 RNA. RESULTS: The droplet dPCR and digital real-time PCR showed similar copy numbers for both DNA and RNA quantification. When the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of each method were estimated for DNA and RNA targets, the digital real-time PCR showed a higher sensitivity and precision especially with low copy number targets. CONCLUSION: The breath of nucleic acid testing in diagnostic applications continues to expand. In this study we applied common diagnostic targets to a novel digital real-time PCR methodology. It performed comparably to the established dPCR method with distinctive advantages and disadvantages for implementing in laboratories. These rapidly developing dPCR systems can be applied to benefit the accurate and sensitive nucleic acid testing for various clinical areas.

Radial Plus Ipsilateral Femoral Approach is Feasible in Percutaneous Interventions for Iliac Artery Chronic Total Occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Compared with conventional bilateral femoral (BF) approach, radial plus ipsilateral femoral (RF) approach may be feasible in the percutaneous intervention for iliac artery chronic total occlusion (CTO). METHODS: We included patients who underwent iliac CTO intervention between August 2009 and July 2018 in a tertiary referral center in Korea. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients were enrolled in this study. Of them, 51 and 32 patients were categorized into RF and BF initial access groups, respectively. The overall success rates were 98.0% and 96.7% in RF and BF group, respectively, and the techniques were also similar including use of bilateral wiring, stent type and profile, and post balloon but longer procedure time in the BF group. Additional contralateral femoral access was needed in 6 patients for the treatment of contralateral lesions, distal embolization, and due to tortuous right subclavian artery. Periprocedural complications including vascular injury, iliac perforation, and distal embolization occurred similarly in both groups with numerically lower rate of periprocedural bleeding in the RF group (9.8%) than in the BF group (21.9%). Clinical follow-up at 6 months showed there were no difference in the rates of death, cardiovascular death, target-limb reintervention, and unplanned target limb amputation in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: RF approach for iliac CTO intervention was related to similar technical success rate with acceptable periprocedural safety outcomes compared with conventional BF approach.

Effect of Ticagrelor on Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (HEALING-AMI).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel on left ventricular (LV) remodeling after reperfusion of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in humans. BACKGROUND: Animal studies have demonstrated that ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel better protects myocardium against reperfusion injury and improves remodeling after myocardial infarction. METHODS: In this investigator-initiated, randomized, open-label, assessor-blinded trial performed at 10 centers in Korea, patients were enrolled if they had naive STEMI successfully treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and at least 6-month planned duration of dual-antiplatelet treatment. The coprimary endpoints were LV remodeling index (LVRI) (a relative change of LV end-diastolic volume) measured on 3-dimensional echocardiography and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level at 6 months. RESULTS: Among initially enrolled patients with STEMI (n = 336), 139 in each group completed the study. LVRI at 6 months was numerically lower with ticagrelor versus clopidogrel (0.6 ± 18.6% vs. 4.5 ± 16.5%; p = 0.095). Ticagrelor significantly reduced the 6-month level of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (173 ± 141 pg/ml vs. 289 ± 585 pg/ml; p = 0.028). These differences were prominent in patients with pre-PCI TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) flow grade 0. By multivariate analysis, ticagrelor versus clopidogrel reduced the risk for positive LV remodeling (LVRI >0%) (odds ratio: 0.56; 95% confidence interval: 0.33 to 0.95; p = 0.030). The LV end-diastolic volume index remained unchanged during ticagrelor treatment (from 54.7 ± 12.2 to 54.2 ± 12.2 ml/m2; p = 0.629), but this value increased over time during clopidogrel treatment (from 54.6 ± 11.3 to 56.4 ± 13.9 ml/m2; p = 0.056) (difference -2.3 ml/m2; 95% confidence interval: -4.8 to 0.2 ml/m2; p = 0.073). Ticagrelor reduced LV end-systolic volume index (from 27.0 ± 8.5 to 24.7 ± 8.4 ml/m2; p < 0.001), whereas no reduction was seen with clopidogrel (from 26.2 ± 8.9 to 25.6 ± 11.0 ml/m2; p = 0.366) (difference -1.8 ml/m2; 95% confidence interval: -3.5 to -0.1 ml/m2; p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: Ticagrelor was superior to clopidogrel for LV remodeling after reperfusion of STEMI with primary PCI. (High Platelet Inhibition With Ticagrelor to Improve Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients With ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction [HEALING-AMI]; NCT02224534).

Comparison of Clinical and Echocardiographic Characteristics between Cardiac Myxomas and Masses Mimicking Myxoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cardiac myxoma is the most frequent benign cardiac tumor that can result in cardiac and systemic symptoms. We investigated clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of patients with cardiac masses suggesting myxoma. METHODS: We investigated 265 consecutive patients with an echocardiographic diagnosis of cardiac myxomas in 4 teaching hospitals in Korea. RESULTS: The mean age was 61±16 years and 169 patients (63.8%) were female. The most frequent referral reason for echocardiography was an evaluation of cardiac symptoms (43.4%). Tumors were incidentally detected in 82 patients (30.9%). Left atrium (LA) was the most frequently involved site (84.5%) and 19 patients (7.2%) had non-atrial tumors. The mean tumor size was 38.7×26.0 mm (range, 4-96 mm). Of 186 patients (70.2%) who had pathological diagnosis, 174 (93.5%) were confirmed with myxoma, 8 (4.3%) with other tumors and 4 (2.2%) with thrombi. Compared to myxoma, smaller size (20.4×12.6 mm vs. 41.4×27.6 mm, p<0.01) and non-LA location (87.5% vs. 10.5%, p<0.001) were associated with non-myxoma tumors, and more frequent atrial fibrillation (AF, 75.0% vs. 7.0%, p<0.001) and larger LA diameter (55.0±14.6 mm vs. 41.3±7.7 mm, p=0.001) were related to thrombi. CONCLUSIONS: Of 265 patients with an echocardiographic diagnosis with cardiac myxomas, 174 (65.7%) were surgically confirmed with myxomas. Compared with cardiac myxoma, other tumors were smaller and more frequently found in non-atrial sites. Thrombi were associated with AF and larger LA diameter.

Left Atrial Strain as a Predictor of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Heart Failure.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to identify whether left atrial strain can predict new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) in patients with heart failure (HF) and sinus rhythm. BACKGROUND: Both HF and atrial fibrillation have common risk factors, and HF is a risk factor for the development of atrial fibrillation and vice versa. METHODS: Among 4,312 consecutive patients with acute HF from 3 tertiary hospitals, 2,461 patients with sinus rhythm and peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) were included in the study. Reduced PALS was defined as PALS ≤18%, and the primary endpoint was 5-year NOAF. RESULTS: During a 5-year follow-up, 397 (16.1%) patients developed NOAF. Patients with reduced PALS had higher NOAF than their counterparts (18.2% vs. 12.7%; p < 0.001). After adjustment for significant covariates, we identified 6 independent predictors of NOAF, including age >70 years (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12 to 2.00), hypertension (HR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.91), left atrial volume index ≥40 ml/m2 (HR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.48 to 2.77), PALS <18% (HR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.18 to 2.17), HF with preserved ejection fraction (HR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.95), and no beta-blocker prescription at discharge (HR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.92). A weighted score based on these variables was used to create a composite score, HAS-BAP (H = hypertension; A = age; S = PALS; B = no beta-blocker prescription at discharge; A = atrial volume index; P = HF with preserved ejection fraction [range 0 to 6] with a median of 3 [interquartile range: 2 to 4]). The probability of NOAF increased with HAS-BAP score. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with HF and sinus rhythm, 16.1% developed NOAF, and PALS could be used to predict the risk for NOAF. The HAS-BAP score allows determination of the risk of NOAF. (Strain for Risk Assessment and Therapeutic Strategies in Patients With Acute Heart Failure [STRATS-AHF] Registry; NCT03513653).

Clinical profiles of patients with surgically resected pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) are catecholamine-producing tumors that can cause blood pressure (BP) elevation and cardiovascular complications. Clinical presentation of these tumors may be changed through widespread use of imaging studies, which enables detection of PPGLs before onset of symptoms. We investigated clinical profiles of patients with surgically resected PPGLs. METHODS: From 2005 to 2017, 111 consecutive patients with surgically resected PPGLs in two tertiary hospitals in Korea were studied. RESULTS: Mean age was 52 ± 16 years, 57 patients (51.4%) were male and 54 (48.6%) were hypertensive. Twenty-nine PPGLs (26.1%) were extra-adrenal paragangliomas. Sixteen (14.4%) and seven patients (6.3%) (Group 1, n = 23) were diagnosed during work-up of hypertension and transient cardiomyopathy respectively, and the remainder (Group 2, n = 88) were incidentalomas detected during routine abdominal imaging. Patients in the Group 1 were younger and more frequently symptomatic, and had higher BPs, heart rates and levels of urinary catecholamines than those in the Group 2. Paragangliomas were less frequent and secretion of epinephrine and metanephrine was more predominant in the Group 1 than in Group 2. After the surgical resections, 18.2% of patients still needed antihypertensive medications. CONCLUSION: Out of 111 patients with surgically resected PPGLs, 88 (79.3%) were diagnosed as incidentalomas. Seven patients presented with transient cardiomyopathy and 16 with hypertension. Tumor location and secretion of catecholamine may vary depending on the presence of symptoms.

University athletes and changes in cardiac geometry: insight from the 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade.

AIMS: There is a paucity of data regarding the changes of cardiac geometry in highly trained international and multiracial university athletes. We aimed to investigate the incidence of structural cardiac abnormalities and changes of cardiac geometry in highly trained university athletes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Comprehensive echocardiographic studies were performed in 1185 university athletes through the Check-up Your Heart Program during the 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade. Participants were divided into two groups: normal vs. abnormal left ventricular (LV) geometry (concentric remodelling, concentric hypertrophy, or eccentric hypertrophy). Structural heart diseases associated with sudden cardiac death were not identified, but minor structural cardiac abnormalities were common in university athletes. One hundred and fifty-six athletes (13.2%) had abnormal LV geometry; concentric remodelling (n = 73, 6.2%), concentric hypertrophy (n = 25, 2.1%), and eccentric hypertrophy (n = 58, 4.9%). Abnormal LV geometry was significantly more common in athletes of African descent and in endurance, mixed, or power disciplines. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, athletes of African descent [odds ratio (OR) 2.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.34-3.46; P = 0.001], endurance disciplines (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.26-2.54; P = 0.001), and training time (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02; P = 0.045) were independent predictors of abnormal LV geometry. CONCLUSION: A large scale cardiovascular screening programme of the 2015 Summer Universiade demonstrated that abnormal LV geometry is not uncommon (13.2%) and concentric remodelling is the most common pattern of LV geometric change in young trained university athletes. Race, type of sport, and training time are significant predictors of abnormal LV geometry. Structural cardiac abnormalities are common in university athletes even though they are minor abnormalities.

Preparation of Octadecylamine-Graphene/MgCl2-Supported Ziegler-Natta Catalyst and Its Application in Ethylene Polymerization.

A facile coagglomeration method for preparing a long alkyl chain modified graphene oxide (MGO)/MgCl2-supported Ti-based Ziegler-Natta catalyst was reported. The effects of MGO on the catalyst morphology and activity for ethylene polymerization were examined. The resultant polyethylene (PE)/MGO nanocomposites exhibited a layered morphology, with the MGO fillers being well dispersed and exhibiting strong interfacial adhesion to the PE matrix. The thermal stability and mechanical properties of the PE were significantly enhanced with the introduction of a small amount of the MGO filler. Thus, this work provides a facile approach to the production of high-performance PE.

A 76-year-old woman with anaemia and cardiomegaly.

A 76-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to further evaluation of anaemia. During the past 3 years, she had been treated for multiple spinal compression fractures with vertebroplasty. Her blood pressure was 90/50 mm Hg, heart rate 75 beats/min, body temperature 37.7°C and respiratory rate 20/min at admission.On blood sampling, her haemoglobin level was 5.2 g/dL and white cell count and platelet count 3.7 and 22×103/ µL, respectively. She was diagnosed with multiple myeloma after serial diagnostic workups. Because her chest radiography showed cardiomegaly and left-sided pleural effusion with small atelectasis, transthoracic echocardiography and contrast enhanced chest CT were performed (figure 1, see online supplementary video). DC1SP110.1136/heartjnl-2017-312087.supp1Supplementary video heartjnl;103/24/2009/F1F1F1Figure 1(A) Apical four-chamber view by transthoracic echocardiography and (B) the coronal image of contrast-enhanced  chest CT. QUESTION: Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis of the cystic lesion?AscitesPericardial cystPericardial effusionBronchogenic cystPleural effusion.

Feasibility of low-concentration iodinated contrast medium with lower-tube-voltage dual-source CT aortography using iterative reconstruction: comparison with automatic exposure control CT aortography.

To evaluate the feasibility of low-concentration contrast medium (CM) for vascular enhancement, image quality, and radiation dose on computed tomography aortography (CTA) using a combined low-tube-voltage and iterative reconstruction (IR) technique. Ninety subjects underwent dual-source CT (DSCT) operating in dual-source, high-pitch mode. DSCT scans were performed using both high-concentration CM (Group A, n = 50; Iomeprol 400) and low-concentration CM (Group B, n = 40; Iodixanol 270). Group A was scanned using a reference tube potential of 120 kVp and 120 reference mAs under automatic exposure control with IR. Group B was scanned using low-tube-voltage (80 or 100 kVp if body mass index ≥25 kg/m(2)) at a fixed current of 150 mAs, along with IR. Images of the two groups were compared regarding attenuation, image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), iodine load, and radiation dose in various locations of the CTA. In comparison between Group A and Group B, the average mean attenuation (454.73 ± 86.66 vs. 515.96 ± 101.55 HU), SNR (25.28 ± 4.34 vs. 31.29 ± 4.58), and CNR (21.83 ± 4.20 vs. 27.55 ± 4.81) on CTA in Group B showed significantly greater values and significantly lower image noise values (18.76 ± 2.19 vs. 17.48 ± 3.34) than those in Group A (all Ps < 0.05). Homogeneous contrast enhancement from the ascending thoracic aorta to the infrarenal abdominal aorta was significantly superior in Group B (P < 0.05). Low-concentration CM and a low-tube-voltage combination technique using IR is a feasible method, showing sufficient contrast enhancement and image quality.

Pulmonary artery angiosarcoma confused with acute pulmonary thromboembolism: focusing on clinical and echocardiographic features in the differentiation of two categories.

Although pulmonary artery angiosarcoma is rare, it can be misdiagnosed as pulmonary embolism because of its similar clinical and diagnostic features. The diagnosis is often delayed and the misdiagnosis brings unnecessary treatment. Because we made a wrong diagnosis of pulmonary artery angiosarcoma as an acute pulmonary embolism, we did thrombolytic therapy which could be dangerous to the patient. In this case report, we focused on the clinical and echocardiographic features of pulmonary artery angiosarcoma which can be used in differentiating the diagnosis from pulmonary embolism.

Intracardiac echocardiography to guide biopsy for two cases of intracardiac masses.

Pathologic diagnosis of a cardiac mass is vital in determining the proper treatment modality. Open heart surgery or transesophageal echocardiography guided biopsy can be feasible methods to confirm the pathology. However, the former is highly invasive and both methods require general anesthesia. The introduction of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) can provide good anatomic information of heart and does not require general anesthesia. In this report, we present two cases of cardiac tumors which were confirmed by percutaneous biopsy under the guidance of an ICE. The patients underwent cardiac biopsy without any complications.