Survival and acute exacerbation for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or non-IPF idiopathic interstitial pneumonias: 5-year follow-up analysis of a prospective multi-institutional patient registry.

OBJECTIVE: Few prospective cohort studies with relatively large numbers of patients with non-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (non-IPF) of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) have been described. We aimed to assess disease progression and cause of death for patients with non-IPF IIPs or IPF under real-life conditions. METHODS: Data were analysed for a prospective multi-institutional cohort of 528 IIP patients enrolled in Japan between September 2013 and April 2016. Diagnosis of IPF versus non-IPF IIPs was based on central multidisciplinary discussion, and follow-up surveillance was performed for up to 5 years after patient registration. Survival and acute exacerbation (AE) were assessed. RESULTS: IPF was the most common diagnosis (58.0%), followed by unclassifiable IIPs (35.8%) and others (6.2%). The 5-year survival rate for non-IPF IIP and IPF groups was 72.8% and 53.7%, respectively, with chronic respiratory failure being the primary cause of death in both groups. AE was the second most common cause of death for both non-IPF IIP (24.1%) and IPF (23.5%) patients. The cumulative incidence of AE did not differ significantly between the two groups (p=0.36), with a 1-year incidence rate of 7.4% and 9.0% in non-IPF IIP and IPF patients, respectively. We found that 30.2% and 39.4% of non-IPF IIP and IPF patients, respectively, who experienced AE died within 3 months after an AE event, whereas 55.8% and 66.7% of such patients, respectively, died within 5 years after registration. CONCLUSION: Closer monitoring of disease progression and palliative care interventions after AE are important for non-IPF IIP patients as well as for IPF patients.

An optical coherence tomography and endothelial shear stress study of a novel bioresorbable bypass graft.

Endothelial shear stress (ESS) plays a key role in the clinical outcomes in native and stented segments; however, their implications in bypass grafts and especially in a synthetic biorestorative coronary artery bypass graft are yet unclear. This report aims to examine the interplay between ESS and the morphological alterations of a biorestorative coronary bypass graft in an animal model. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation derived from the fusion of angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging was used to reconstruct data on the luminal anatomy of a bioresorbable coronary bypass graft with an endoluminal "flap" identified during OCT acquisition. The "flap" compromised the smooth lumen surface and considerably disturbed the local flow, leading to abnormally low ESS and high oscillatory shear stress (OSI) in the vicinity of the "flap". In the presence of the catheter, the flow is more stable (median OSI 0.02384 versus 0.02635, p < 0.0001; maximum OSI 0.4612 versus 0.4837). Conversely, OSI increased as the catheter was withdrawn which can potentially cause back-and-forth motions of the "flap", triggering tissue fatigue failure. CFD analysis in this report provided sophisticated physiological information that complements the anatomic assessment from imaging enabling a complete understanding of biorestorative graft pathophysiology.

One-year performance of biorestorative polymeric coronary bypass grafts in an ovine model: correlation between early biomechanics and late serial Quantitative Flow Ratio.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the impact of mechanical factors at baseline on the patency of a restorative conduit for coronary bypass grafts in an ovine model at serial follow-up up to 1 year. METHODS: The analyses of 4 mechanical factors [i.e. bending angle, superficial wall strain and minimum and maximum endothelial shear stress (ESS)] were performed in 3D graft models reconstructed on baseline (1-month) angiograms frame by frame by a core laboratory blinded for the late follow-up. The late patency was documented by Quantitative Flow Ratio (QFR®) that reflects the physiological status of the graft. The correlation between 4 mechanical factors and segmental QFR (△QFR) were analysed on 10 equal-length segments of each graft. RESULTS: A total of 69 graft geometries of 7 animals were performed in the study. The highest △QFR at 12 months was colocalized in segments of the grafts with the largest bending angles at baseline. Higher △QFR at 3 months were both at the anastomotic ends and were colocalized with the highest superficial wall strain at baseline. High baseline ESS was topographically associated with higher △QFR at the latest follow-up. Correlations of minimum and maximum ESS with △QFR at 3 months were the strongest among these parameters (ρ = 0.30, 95% CI [-0.05 to 0.56] and ρ = 0.27, 95% CI [-0.05 to 0.54], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limited number of grafts, this study suggests an association between early abnormal mechanical factors and late flow metrics of the grafts. The understanding of the mechanical characteristics could help to improve this novel conduit.

Use of quantitative cardiovascular magnetic resonance myocardial perfusion mapping for characterization of ischemia in patients with left internal mammary coronary artery bypass grafts.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative myocardial perfusion mapping using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is validated for myocardial blood flow (MBF) estimation in native vessel coronary artery disease (CAD). Following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, perfusion defects are often detected in territories supplied by the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft, but their interpretation and subsequent clinical management is variable. METHODS: We assessed myocardial perfusion using quantitative CMR perfusion mapping in 38 patients with prior CABG surgery, all with angiographically-proven patent LIMA grafts to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and no prior infarction in the LAD territory. Factors potentially determining MBF in the LIMA-LAD myocardial territory, including the impact of delayed contrast arrival through the LIMA graft were evaluated. RESULTS: Perfusion defects were reported on blinded visual analysis in the LIMA-LAD territory in 27 (71%) cases, despite LIMA graft patency and no LAD infarction. Native LAD chronic total occlusion (CTO) was a strong independent predictor of stress MBF (B = - 0.41, p = 0.014) and myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) (B = - 0.56, p = 0.005), and was associated with reduced stress MBF in the basal (1.47 vs 2.07 ml/g/min; p = 0.002) but not the apical myocardial segments (1.52 vs 1.87 ml/g/min; p = 0.057). Extending the maximum arterial time delay incorporated in the quantitative perfusion algorithm, resulted only in a small increase (3.4%) of estimated stress MBF. CONCLUSIONS: Perfusion defects are frequently detected in LIMA-LAD subtended territories post CABG despite LIMA patency. Although delayed contrast arrival through LIMA grafts causes a small underestimation of MBF, perfusion defects are likely to reflect true reductions in myocardial blood flow, largely due to proximal native LAD disease.

Two Secreted Proteoglycans, Activators of Urothelial Cell-Cell Adhesion, Negatively Contribute to Bladder Cancer Initiation and Progression.

Osteomodulin (OMD) and proline/arginine-rich end leucine repeat protein (PRELP) are secreted extracellular matrix proteins belonging to the small leucine-rich proteoglycans family. We found that OMD and PRELP were specifically expressed in umbrella cells in bladder epithelia, and their expression levels were dramatically downregulated in all bladder cancers from very early stages and various epithelial cancers. Our in vitro studies including gene expression profiling using bladder cancer cell lines revealed that OMD or PRELP application suppressed the cancer progression by inhibiting TGF-ß and EGF pathways, which reversed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), activated cell-cell adhesion, and inhibited various oncogenic pathways. Furthermore, the overexpression of OMD in bladder cancer cells strongly inhibited the anchorage-independent growth and tumorigenicity in mouse xenograft studies. On the other hand, we found that in the bladder epithelia, the knockout mice of OMD and/or PRELP gene caused partial EMT and a loss of tight junctions of the umbrella cells and resulted in formation of a bladder carcinoma in situ-like structure by spontaneous breakdowns of the umbrella cell layer. Furthermore, the ontological analysis of the expression profiling of an OMD knockout mouse bladder demonstrated very high similarity with those obtained from human bladder cancers. Our data indicate that OMD and PRELP are endogenous inhibitors of cancer initiation and progression by controlling EMT. OMD and/or PRELP may have potential for the treatment of bladder cancer.

Computerised Methodologies for Non-Invasive Angiography-Derived Fractional Flow Reserve Assessment: A Critical Review.

Fractional flow reserve is the gold standard for assessing the haemodynamic significance of intermediate coronary artery stenoses. Cumulative evidence has shown that FFR-guided revascularisation reduces stent implantations and improves patient outcomes. However, despite the wealth of evidence and guideline recommendations, its use in clinical practice remains minimal. Patient and technical limitations of FFR as well as the need for intracoronary instrumentation, use of adenosine, and increased costs have limited FFR's applicability in clinical practice. Over the last decade, several angiography-derived FFR software packages have been developed which do not require intracoronary pressure assessment with a guidewire or need for administration of hyperaemic agents. At present, there are 3 commercially available software packages and several other non-commercial technologies that have been described in the literature. These technologies have been validated against invasive FFR showing good accuracy and correlation. However, the methodology behind these solutions is different-some algorithms are based on solving the governing equations of fluid dynamics such as the Navier-Stokes equation while others have opted for a more simplified mathematical formula approach. The aim of this review is to critically appraise the methodology behind all the known angiography-derived FFR technologies highlighting the key differences and limitations.

Association between Telomere-Related Polymorphisms and the Risk of IPF and COPD as a Precursor Lesion of Lung Cancer: Findings from the Fukuoka Tobacco-Related Lung Disease (FOLD) Registry.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer coexisting with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can lead to poor prognosis.  Telomere-related polymorphisms may be implicated in the pathogenesis of these three lung diseases.  As to elucidate the mechanism of lung cancer via IPF or COPD may enable early detection and early treatment of the disease, we firstly examined the association between telomere-related polymorphisms and the risk of IPF and COPD in a case-control study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 572 patients with IPF (n = 155) or COPD (n = 417), who were derived from our on-going cohort study, and controls (n = 379), who were derived from our previous case-control study, were included in this study.  Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) rs2736100, telomere RNA component (TERC) rs1881984, and oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding fold containing1 (OBFC1) rs11191865 were genotyped with real-time PCR using TaqMan fluorescent probes. Unconditional logistic regression was used to assess the adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: TERT rs2736100 was significantly associated with the risk of IPF; increases in the number of this risk allele increased the risk of IPF (Ptrend = 0.008).  Similarly, TERT rs2736100 was associated with the risk of COPD.  In regard to the combined action of the three loci, increasing numbers of "at-risk" genotypes increased the risk of IPF in a dose-dependent manner (P trend=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: TERT rs2736100 was associated with the risks of both IPF and COPD in a Japanese population. A combination of the "at-risk" genotypes might be important to identify the population at risk for IPF more clearly.

Dynamic Characterisation of Fibre-Optic Temperature Sensors for Physiological Monitoring.

Fast, miniature temperature sensors are required for various biomedical applications. Fibre-optics are particularly suited to minimally invasive procedures, and many types of fibre-optic temperature sensors have been demonstrated. In applications where rapidly varying temperatures are present, a fast and well-known response time is important; however, in many cases, the dynamic behaviour of the sensor is not well-known. In this article, we investigate the dynamic response of a polymer-based interferometric temperature sensor, using both an experimental technique employing optical heating with a pulsed laser, and a computational heat transfer model based on the finite element method. Our results show that the sensor has a time constant on the order of milliseconds and a -6 dB bandwidth of up to 178 Hz, indicating its suitability for applications such as flow measurement by thermal techniques, photothermal spectroscopy, and monitoring of thermal treatments.

Pulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus Infection with Reactive AA Amyloidosis: A Case Report and Brief Review of the Literature.

We herein report a case involving a 64-year-old Japanese woman with a pulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus infection complicated by reactive AA amyloidosis, which, to our knowledge, has not been reported to date. The patient underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy for diarrhea during the treatment of pulmonary M. abscessus infection and was diagnosed with AA amyloidosis according to the histopathological findings from the endoscopic specimen. She died four months later. The prognosis of AA amyloidosis associated with pulmonary M. abscessus infection may be very poor, and physicians should pay attention to this rare condition when difficult-to-treat diarrhea occurs in patients with pulmonary M. abscessus infection.

[Efficacy and Safety of Carboplatin/Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel Combination Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer or Recurrent Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Following Surgery].

OBJECTIVE: A retrospective analysis on carboplatin(CBDCA)/nanoparticle albumin-boundpaclitaxel(nab-PTX)combination chemotherapy was conducted in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC)to evaluate both the efficacy and toxicity based on age, treatment line, histology, and underlying diseases. SUBJECTS: A total of 27 patients with advanced or recurrent NSCLC following surgery who receivedCBDCA /nab-PTX as first- andsecond -line combination chemotherapy, respectively, were investigatedfrom March 2013 to December 2015. RESULTS: The overall response rate, median progressionfree survival, andmed ian overall survival of all patients were 37.0%, 5.5 months, and 11.4 months, respectively. With regard to toxicity, 3.7%and 14.8%of all patients had peripheral disorder and interstitial lung disease(ILD), respectively. Treatmentrelatedd eaths were not observed. No difference in the efficacy basedon age, treatment line, histology, andund erlying diseases was observed. CONCLUSION: CBDCA/nab-PTX combination chemotherapy was safe for elderly patients and those with ILD. However, the occurrence of new interstitial lung lesions should be carefully considered.

Aortic root dynamism, geometry, and function after the remodeling operation: Clinical relevance.

OBJECTIVES: Valve-conserving operations for aneurysms of the ascending aorta and root offer many advantages, and their use is steadily increasing. Optimizing the results of these operations depends on providing the best conditions for normal function and durability of the new root. METHODS: Multimodality imaging including 2-dimensional echocardiography, multislice computed tomography, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance combined with image processing and computational fluid dynamics were used to define geometry, dynamism and aortic root function, before and after the remodeling operation. This was compared with 4 age-matched controls. RESULTS: The size and shape of the ascending aorta, aortic root, and its component parts showed considerable changes postoperatively, with preservation of dynamism. The postoperative size of the aortic annulus was reduced without the use of external bands or foreign material. Importantly, the elliptical shape of the annulus was maintained and changed during the cardiac cycle (Δ ellipticity index was 15% and 28% in patients 1 and 2, respectively). The "cyclic" area of the annulus changed in size (Δarea: 11.3% in patient 1 and 13.1% in patient 2). Functional analysis showed preserved reservoir function of the aortic root, and computational fluid dynamics demonstrated normalized pattern of flow in the ascending aorta, sinuses of Valsalva, and distal aorta. CONCLUSIONS: The remodeling operation results in near-normal geometry of the aortic root while maintaining dynamism of the aortic root and its components. This could have very important functional implications; the influence of these effects on both early- and long-term outcomes needs to be studied further.

Pleurisy Caused by Mycobacterium abscessus in a Young Patient with Dermatomyositis: A Case Report and Brief Review of the Literature.

M. abscessus is a rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) and is the most common cause of pulmonary RGM infection. M. abscessus pleurisy is extremely rare. We herein report the case of a young patient with M. abscessus pleurisy without any lung lesions. A laboratory analysis of the pleural effusion revealed lymphocyte predominance and increased adenosine deaminase, similar to the findings observed in tuberculous pleurisy. The patient was initially treated for tuberculous pleurisy, which resulted in the partial improvement of the patient's symptoms and pleural effusion. M. abscessus pleurisy should be considered, especially in immunocompromised individuals, even in the absence of pulmonary involvement.

Neointima and neoatherosclerotic characteristics in bare metal and first- and second-generation drug-eluting stents in patients admitted with cardiovascular events attributed to stent failure: an optical coherence tomography study.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess neoatherosclerotic plaque morphology in bare metal (BMS) and first- and second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) in patients presenting with an event attributed to stent failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-five patients (11 implanted with BMS, 13 with a first-generation and 11 with a second-generation DES) admitted with an event due to stent failure who had neoatherosclerotic lesions on optical coherence tomography were included in the analysis. The lumen and stent borders were detected and the lipid and calcific tissue were identified in the neointima and their burden was estimated. The neointima attenuation and backscatter indices were computed and compared between the different stent types. Although there were no differences in the neointima burden, the BMS group exhibited thinner fibrous caps (p<0.001), and a numerically increased incidence of lipid-rich plaques (p=0.052) and macrophage accumulation (p=0.012). Neointima discontinuities (p=0.009) and thrombus (p=0.032) were seen more often in first-generation DES. In all stent types, neoatherosclerosis had focal manifestations. In neoatherosclerotic lesions the attenuation and backscatter indices were increased in BMS (p=0.031 and p=0.018, respectively) compared to DES; however, there were no differences between stents in the attenuation indices in subsegments located distally to neoatherosclerotic lesions which had low values in all stent types. CONCLUSIONS: Although there are differences in lipid burden and neointima characteristics in different stent types, in all stents neoatherosclerosis has focal manifestations indicating that, irrespective of the stent type, focal triggers are involved in the generation of vulnerable neolesions.

Midterm results of the Ross procedure in children: an appraisal of the subannular implantation with interrupted sutures technique.

OBJECTIVES: The support of the pulmonary autograft root by the fibromuscular left ventricular outflow tract is emphasized to address the concern related to the dilatation of the pulmonary autograft structures in the paediatric population. METHODS: This retrospective study analyses the outcomes of 75 children who were operated between 1998 and 2012 with the subannular interrupted sutures technique at a median age of 10.2 years (range, 5.3 months-18.0 years). Median follow-up time was 5.2 years (range, 3 days-13.2 years). RESULTS: There were no deaths, but there were 3 reinterventions on the autograft for regurgitation and 2 resections of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. There was no significant autograft stenosis, and freedom from moderate-to-severe regurgitation was 95% (95% confidence interval: 89-100) and 88% (95% confidence interval: 77-99) at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Median z-scores at the latest follow-up examination were, at the annulus, 0.31 [interquartile range (IQR) = -0.81 to 1.2]; at the sinus of Valsalva, 2.7 (IQR = 1.5-3.5); and at the sinotubular junction, 3.1 (IQR = 1.7-4.2). The correlation between z-scores and time after the operation was negative at the level of the annulus (r = -0.29, P = 0.034) but positive at the level of the sinus (r = +0.37, P = 0.005) and the sinotubular junction (r = +0.26, P = 0.068). The median rate of change in the z-score at the annulus was low, 0.065 z-score/year (IQR = -0.13 to 0.43). CONCLUSIONS: The subannular interrupted sutures implantation technique is associated with acceptable risks and, in the midterm, delivers limited annular dilatation, autograft regurgitation and delayed need for autograft reintervention.

Smoking Status and a Pulmonary Function Test in Patients with Rotator Cuff Tears.

Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects one in several smokers, only a few patients are correctly diagnosed compared to the estimated number of patients. Several recent reports indicate that the development of rotator cuff tears is related to smoking. In this study, we investigated smoking status in patients with rotator cuff tears and evaluated the possibility of undiagnosed COPD by a pulmonary function test. The subjects were 150 consecutive patients over 40 years old, who had been diagnosed with rotator cuff tears and had been examined by a pulmonary function test before surgery in our orthopedic department between April 2011 and June 2015. They consisted of 96 men and 54 women, which included 59 non-smokers (39.3%), 62 ex-smokers (41.3%), and 29 smokers (19.3%). The smoking rate of the subjects was the same as that of the general Japanese population. However, the ever-smokers who smoked more than 21 cigarettes per day were 31.9%, which was high compared to the Japanese ever-smokers population, i.e. 15.2% of men and 5.5% of women. Twenty-five subjects (16.7%) showed airflow limitation, and they consisted of 7 cases of COPD, 3 cases of bronchial asthma, one case of bronchiectasis, and 14 undiagnosed cases. The undiagnosed cases consisted of 7 non-smokers, 5 ex-smokers, and 2 smokers. Their stages of COPD were stage 1 in 11 cases and stage 2 in 3 cases. The prevalence of airflow limitation increased with increasing age: 0% for 40's, 8.3% for 50's, 20.7% for 60's, and 25.6% for over 70's. From these results, we recognized that paying attention to the numbers of cigarettes smoked per day are important in addition to the smoking history, for the patients with rotator cuff tears. Also, sharing the data of a pulmonary function test before surgery can contribute to the early diagnosis of COPD.

Adrenal Insufficiency Associated with Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review.

A 78-year-old Japanese man with fatigue, appetite loss, skin hyperpigmentation, hypotension and hypoglycemia, visited our hospital to evaluate an abnormal chest X-ray and adrenal gland swelling in echography in February 2015. Chest computed tomography showed a mass lesion in the right lower lobe and bilateral adrenal swellings, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with bilateral adrenal metastasis was diagnosed after bronchoscopy. According to low levels of serum cortisol, elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and rapid ACTH test, the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency associated with SCLC was made. Treatment with hydrocortisone (20 mg/day) was started in addition to systemic chemotherapy with carboplatin and etoposide. The patient's symptoms were slightly improved, however, systemic chemotherapy was discontinued according to the patient's request after 1 course of chemotherapy. Thereafter, he received only supportive care, and his general condition gradually worsened and he ultimately died in August 2015. Adrenal insufficiency associated with SCLC, which is caused by tissue destruction more than 90% of the adrenal glands, is rare although adrenal metastasis is not rare in patients with lung cancer. The findings such as general fatigue, appetite loss, hypotension, and hyponatremia are often got follow up as findings of advanced cancer, but appropriate therapy for adrenal insufficiency, supplement of the adrenal corticosteroid hormone, may lead to a significant improvement in the symptoms and quality of life in clinical practice of lung cancer. Therefore, physicians must consider potential adrenal insufficiency in lung cancer patients with bilateral adrenal metastasis.

Possible familial case of Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome complicated with lung cancer: A possible link between these two disease entities.

A 65-year-old Japanese woman was introduced to our hospital for an examination of multiple pulmonary cystic lesions and a pulmonary nodule in the left lower lobe. She had a smoking history of 25 pack-years, and her two younger brothers had suffered from pneumothorax; one of them additionally had lung cancer with pulmonary multiple cystic lesions. A surgical biopsy specimen obtained from her left lower lobe revealed adenocarcinoma surrounded by a single epithelial layer that was covered with collagen fibers. The pathological features were compatible with the findings of the cystic lesions in the patients with Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHDS). A diagnosis of BHDS was eventually made according to the detection of a folliculin gene mutation. This is the first report of a possible familial case of BHDS complicated with primary lung cancer. We herein reviewed the previously reported cases of BHDS with lung cancer and other tumors and discussed a potential mechanism of tumorigenesis and carcinogenesis in the lung in the patients with BHDS.

A Technical Review of Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Replacements.

Mitral regurgitation is one of the most common forms of heart valve disorder, which may result in heart failure. Due to the rapid ageing of the population, surgical repair and replacement treatments, which have represented an effective treatment in the past, are now unsuitable for about half of symptomatic patients, who are judged high-risk. Encouraged by the positive experience with transcatheter aortic valves and percutaneous reconstructive mitral treatments, a number of research groups are currently engaged in the development of minimally invasive approaches for the functional replacement of the mitral valve. The first experiences have clearly demonstrated that the approach is feasible and promising, though significant progress is still required in the prostheses design and implantation procedures before the treatment can establish as a safe and effective solution. This review analyses the devices currently at a most advanced stage of development, describing their main features and the technical solutions that they adopt in order to respond to the functional requirements of the most challenging of the heart valves.

Integrated morphologic and functional assessment of the aortic root after different tissue valve root replacement procedures.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to explore aspects of the hemodynamic function of different biologic tissue aortic valve root replacements. We set out to image and display the spatiotemporal distributions of axially directed blood velocity through the aortic root. METHODS: The flow velocities through a plane transecting the aortic root were measured by 2-dimensional cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance velocity mapping in 44 subjects: 29 patients who had undergone aortic root replacement approximately 10 years previously (13 autografts, 10 stentless xenografts, and 6 homografts) and 15 healthy control subjects. With cine as well as velocity images, aortic sinus dimensions, effective orifice area, and several velocity parameters were measured. Color-coded plots of velocity relative to the sinus cross sections and velocity-time plots were used to compare spatiotemporal distributions of velocity. RESULTS: Peak flow velocity was similar between the autografts (102 ± 28.0 cm/s) and control valves (119 ± 20.0 cm/s) but was higher in xenografts (167 ± 36.0 cm/s) and homografts (206 ± 91.0 cm/s). These measurements showed an inverse relationship with the effective orifice area (7.27 ± 0.20, 4.24 ± 0.81, 3.37 ± 0.32, and 3.28 ± 0.87 cm(2), respectively). Autograft peak flow velocity showed no significant difference from control valve peak flow velocity, despite larger root dimensions (P < .001). The graphic displays provided further spatiotemporal information. CONCLUSIONS: Peak velocities and spatiotemporal flow patterns depend on the type of valve substitute. In the parameters measured, autograft replacements differed least from normal aortic valves.