Breast Arterial Calcifications on Mammography: Awareness and Reporting Preferences Amongst Referring Physicians in Canada.

Purpose: Breast arterial calcifications (BAC) on mammography have been correlated with increased cardiovascular risk. The Canadian Society of Breast Imaging released a position statement on BAC reporting in January 2023. This study evaluates the awareness of the clinical significance of BAC and reporting preferences of referring physicians in Canada. Methods: A 15-question survey was distributed to Canadian physicians who may review mammography results via regional and subspecialty associations and on social media following local institutional ethical approval. Responses were collected over 10 weeks from February to April 2023. Results: Seventy-two complete responses were obtained. We are unable to determine the response rate, given the means of distribution. Only 17% (12/72) of responding physicians were previously aware of the association between BAC and increased cardiovascular risk, and 51% (37/72) preferred the inclusion of BAC in the mammography report. Fifty-six percent (40/72) indicated that BAC reporting would prompt further investigation, and 63% (45/72) would inform patients that their mammogram showed evidence of BAC. Sixty-nine percent (50/72) would find grading of BAC beneficial and 71% (51/72) agreed that there is a need for national guidelines. Conclusion: Less than a quarter of responding Canadian referring physicians were previously aware of the association between BAC and cardiovascular risk, although half of respondents indicated a preference for BAC reporting on mammography. Most participating physicians would inform their patients of the presence of BAC and consider further cardiovascular risk management. There was consensus that a national BAC grading system and clinical management guidelines would be beneficial.

Canadian Association of Radiologists Cardiovascular Imaging Referral Guideline.

The Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) Cardiovascular Expert Panel is made up of physicians from the disciplines of radiology, cardiology, and emergency medicine, a patient advisor, and an epidemiologist/guideline methodologist. After developing a list of 30 clinical/diagnostic scenarios, a rapid scoping review was undertaken to identify systematically produced referral guidelines that provide recommendations for one or more of these clinical/diagnostic scenarios. Recommendations from 48 guidelines and contextualization criteria in the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) for guidelines framework were used to develop 125 recommendation statements across the 30 scenarios (27 unique scenarios as 2 scenarios point to the CAR Thoracic Diagnostic Imaging Referral Guideline and the acute pericarditis subscenario is included under 2 main scenarios). This guideline presents the methods of development and the referral recommendations for acute chest pain syndromes, chronic chest pain, cardiovascular screening and risk stratification, pericardial syndromes, intracardiac/pericardial mass, suspected valvular disease cardiomyopathy, aorta, venous thrombosis, and peripheral vascular disease.

CAR and CSTR Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT) Practice Guidelines: Part 2-Non-Coronary Imaging.

The cardiac computed tomography (CT) practice guidelines provide an updated review of the technological improvements since the publication of the first Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) cardiac CT practice guidelines in 2009. An overview of the current evidence supporting the use of cardiac CT in the most common clinical scenarios, standards of practice to optimize patient preparation and safety as well as image quality are described. Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is the focus of Part I. In Part II, an overview of cardiac CT for non-coronary indications that include valvular and pericardial imaging, tumour and mass evaluation, pulmonary vein imaging, and imaging of congenital heart disease for diagnosis and treatment monitoring are discussed. The guidelines are intended to be relevant for community hospitals and large academic centres with established cardiac CT imaging programs.

CAR and CSTR Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT) Practice Guidelines: Part 1 Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA).

Imaging the heart is one of the most technically challenging applications of Computed Tomography (CT) due to the presence of cardiac motion limiting optimal visualization of small structures such as the coronary arteries. Electrocardiographic gating during CT data acquisition facilitates motion free imaging of the coronary arteries. Since publishing the first version of the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) cardiac CT guidelines, many technological advances in CT hardware and software have emerged necessitating an update. The goal of these cardiac CT practice guidelines is to present an overview of the current evidence supporting the use of cardiac CT in various clinical scenarios and to outline standards of practice for patient safety and quality of care when establishing a cardiac CT program in Canada.

Competency based curriculum for cardiovascular magnetic resonance: A position statement of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.

This position statement guides cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging program directors and learners on the key competencies required for Level II and III CMR practitioners, whether trainees come from a radiology or cardiology background. This document is built upon existing curricula and was created and vetted by an international panel of cardiologists and radiologists on behalf of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR).

Approach to Imaging of Patients Presenting With Acute Coronary Syndrome With No Culprit Lesion Identified at Angiography.

Chest pain is a common chief complaint among patients presenting to the emergency department. However, in the scenario where the clinical presentation is consistent with acute coronary syndrome and no culprit lesions are identified on angiography, clinicians and cardiac imagers should be informed of the differential diagnosis and appropriate imaging modalities used to investigate the potential causes. This review describes an imaging-based algorithm that highlights the diagnostic possibilities, their differentiating imaging features, and the important role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging for narrowing the differential diagnosis.

Promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Medicine: A Comprehensive Toolkit for Change in Radiology.

This toolkit presents a comprehensive framework for a toolkit intended to increase equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within the medical field and recommendations. We advocate for clear, comprehensive definitions and interpretations of fundamental EDI terms, laying the groundwork necessary for initiating and maintaining EDI initiatives. Furthermore, we offer a systematic approach to establishing EDI committees within medical departments, accentuating the pivotal role these committees play as they drive and steer EDI strategies. This toolkit also explores strategies tailored for the recruitment of a diverse workforce. This includes integral aspects such as developing inclusive job advertisements, implementing balanced search methods for candidates, conducting unbiased appraisals of applications, and structuring diverse hiring committees. The emphasis on these strategies not only augments the diversity within medical institutions but also sets the stage for a more holistic approach to healthcare delivery. Therefore, by adopting the recommended strategies and guidelines outlined in this framework, medical institutions and specifically radiology departments can foster an environment that embodies inclusivity and equity, thereby enhancing the quality of patient care and overall health outcomes.

Core and Advanced Thoracic Imaging Curricula to Guide Residency and Fellowship Training: A Framework From the Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology.

RATIONALE: A well-defined curriculum with goals and objectives is an inherent part of every radiology training program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following a needs assessment, the Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology Education Committee developed a thoracic imaging curriculum using a mixed- method approach, complimentary to the cardiac curriculum published as a separate document. RESULTS: The Thoracic Imaging Curriculum consists of two separate yet complimentary parts: a Core Curriculum, aimed at residents in-training, with the main goal of building a strong foundational knowledge, and an Advanced Curriculum, designed to build upon the core knowledge and guide a more in-depth subspecialty training. CONCLUSION: The curricular frameworks aim to enhance the educational experience of residents and fellows and provide an educational framework for clinical supervisors and residency and fellowship program directors. SUMMARY STATEMENT: The Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology championed the creation of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Imaging curricula encompassing clinical knowledge and technical, communication, and decision-making skills with the goal of providing direction to a strong foundational knowledge for residents and to guide specialty training for fellowship programs.

Chronic Ventricular Septal Defect and Retained Bullet After Gunshot: Best Not to Reopen Old Wounds.

Penetrating cardiac trauma from gunshots is usually fatal. We describe the case of a 62-year-old male presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. A retained bullet embedded into the left ventricle was identified incidentally along with a ventricular septal defect from a gunshot wound decades prior. The ventricular septal defect and retained bullet were managed conservatively. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

National Core and Advanced Cardiac Imaging Curricula: A Framework From the Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology Education Committee.

RATIONALE: Well-defined curriculum with goals and objectives is an inherent part of every radiology residency program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following a needs assessment, the Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology education committee developed a cardiac imaging curriculum using a mixed method collaborative approach. RESULTS: The Cardiovascular Imaging Curricula consist each of two separate yet complimentary granular parts: a Core Curriculum, aimed at residents in-training, with the main goal of building a strong foundational knowledge and an Advanced Curriculum, designed to build upon the core knowledge and guide a more in-depth fellowship subspecialty training. CONCLUSION: The curricular frameworks aim to enhance the educational experience of trainees (residents and fellows) and provide an educational framework for clinical supervisors and residency and fellowship program directors. SUMMARY STATEMENT: The Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology (CSTR) championed the creation of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Imaging curricula encompassing clinical knowledge and technical, communication, and decision-making skills with the goal of providing direction to a strong foundational knowledge for residents and to guide specialty training for fellowship programs.

Correlation Between Breast Arterial Calcifications and Higher Cardiovascular Risk: Awareness and Attitudes Amongst Canadian Radiologists Who Report Mammography.

Background: Breast arterial calcification (BAC) on mammography correlates with increased cardiovascular risk. Reporting BAC is not standard practice. Our study evaluates the awareness of Canadian radiologists who report mammography of the clinical significance of BAC and their attitudes towards reporting BAC compared to their European and American counterparts. Methods: Following local institutional ethics approval, a 25 question survey (SurveyMonkey) was disseminated to Canadian radiologists via provincial and national society email lists. Responses were collected over 5 weeks (April-June 2022). Results: One hundred and eighty-six complete responses were collected. Sixty percent (112/186) were aware of the association between BAC and cardiovascular risk and 16% (29/186) document its presence in mammogram reports. Thirty five percent (65/186) occasionally document BAC if severe or in a young patient. Four percent (7/186) had local departmental guidelines on BAC reporting and 82% (153/186) agreed there is a need for national BAC reporting guidelines. Fewer Canadian radiologists were aware of the association between BAC and cardiovascular risk compared to European radiologists (60% vs 81%), report the presence of BAC compared to both European (15% vs 62%) and American (15% vs 35%) radiologists, and inform the patient of the presence of BAC compared to European radiologists (1% vs 46%). Conclusion: Canadian radiologists who report mammography were less aware of the association between BAC and cardiovascular risk than their European and American counterparts and were less likely to document the presence of BAC. Given the correlation of BAC with increased cardiovascular event risk, there is increased need for awareness as well as national BAC reporting guidelines.

Cardiac Investigation Trends Among Primary Care Physicians: A Paradigm Shift.

OBJECTIVE: While numerous recent guidelines support coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) as a first-line test for stable chest pain, it remains underutilized by primary care physicians (PCPs). We aimed to evaluate cardiac investigation ordering practices following education sessions, as well as the total number of downstream tests and time to diagnosis for patients presenting with stable chest pain. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was completed for eligible patients assessed at the Women's College Hospital Family Practice Health Centre between 2017 and 2019 following the education sessions. The outcome measures were first-choice cardiac investigation, additional downstream testing, time from presentation to first investigation, and time to final diagnosis. RESULTS: 419 patients were included in the final analysis (74.70% female; mean age 61 ± 11 years). Coronary CTA requests by PCPs increased between 2017 and 2019 (18 vs 72 tests; P < .0001). When coronary CTA was the first-line test, patients were less likely to receive additional downstream testing when compared to those receiving other first-line investigations (P < .0001). Coronary CTA was associated with longer time to diagnosis than stress echocardiography (47 ± 45 vs 27 ± 36 days; P = .0068) due to limited availability of coronary CTA appointment times. There was no significant difference in time to final diagnosis among the cardiac imaging modalities observed in the cohort (P = .0623). CONCLUSION: Utilization of coronary CTA as the first-line test for stable chest pain increased following our education sessions targeting PCPs. Coronary CTA was associated with less downstream testing compared to other non-invasive cardiac investigations.

Canadian Association of Radiologists/Canadian Association for Interventional Radiology/Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology Guidelines on Thoracic Interventions.

Thoracic interventions are frequently performed by radiologists, but guidelines on appropriateness criteria and technical considerations to ensure patient safety regarding such interventions is lacking. These guidelines, developed by the Canadian Association of Radiologists, Canadian Association for Interventional Radiology and Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology focus on the interventions commonly performed by thoracic radiologists. They provide evidence-based recommendations and expert consensus informed best practices for patient preparation; biopsies of the lung, mediastinum, pleura and chest wall; thoracentesis; pre-operative lung nodule localization; and potential complications and their management.

Cardiac Link: a retrospective cohort study evaluating a clinical pathway for expedited cardiology referral.

BACKGROUND: Outpatients presenting with chest pain often face long wait times for cardiology consultation and subsequent investigation for obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), during which adverse cardiovascular events may occur. Our objective was to describe the design of Cardiac Link, a coronary computed tomography angiogram (CCTA)-guided rapid-access program, and evaluate its effect on cardiology consultation wait times in patients who present to primary care physicians with stable chest pain. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, between 2017 and 2020 involving eligible patients from the Family Practice Health Centre who underwent CCTA after presenting with stable chest pain or equivalent symptoms. Referring primary care physicians decided on a patient-by-patient basis to opt into the Cardiac Link program when requesting CCTA. Our primary outcome was measure of time from CCTA to cardiology consultation, and our secondary outcomes were measures of time to diagnosis from primary care consultation and CCTA booking time. RESULTS: Our analysis included 148 patients (Cardiac Link n = 98, non-Cardiac Link n = 50). Mean age of the patients was 58.4 (SD 11.2) years and 72% (107/148) were women. We found that the Cardiac Link group had a shorter time from CCTA to cardiology consultation (median 7 [interquartile range {IQR} 6-20] d v. median 100 [IQR 40-138] d; p = 0.01), shorter time to diagnosis (median 33 [IQR 22-55] d v. median 86 [IQR 40-112] d; p < 0.001) and shorter CCTA booking time (median 18 [IQR 11-31] d v. median 65 [IQR 24-92] d; p < 0.001) compared with the non-Cardiac Link group. INTERPRETATION: We determined that the Cardiac Link program reduced cardiology consultation wait times for symptomatic patients who were suspected of having CAD. Our study shows the viability of CCTA-guided rapid-access programs to expedite specialist consultation and reduce unnecessary referral for patients presenting to primary care physicians with stable chest pain.

Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Importance of Left Ventricular Apical Aneurysms in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular (LV) apical aneurysms in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are a recognized risk marker for adverse cardiovascular events. There is variable practice among clinicians and discordance between international guidelines regarding treatment recommendations and prognostication for this important phenotype. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to describe the morphology, clinical course, and risk of adverse events in a large single-center cohort of HCM patients with LV apical aneurysms. METHODS: This study analyzed 160 HCM patients with an LV apical aneurysm who were evaluated in our dedicated HCM clinic between January 1997 and April 2021. RESULTS: Mean age was 59.1 ± 13.6 years, and 71% of these patients were male. Mean aneurysm size was 1.77 ± 1.04 cm. Over 6.2 ± 4.8 years, 14 (9%) patients had a sudden cardiac death (SCD) event, including appropriate therapy from an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or resuscitation from cardiac arrest (annualized event rate 1.77%/y), 39 (24%) had either a thromboembolic stroke or apical thrombus formation (2.9%/y), and 14 (9%) developed LV systolic dysfunction with an ejection fraction (EF) <50% (1.28%/y). HRs for SCD, stroke or thrombus, and EF <50% per 1-cm increase in aneurysm size were 1.69 (P = 0.007), 1.60 (P = 0.0002), and 1.63 (P = 0.01), respectively. Aneurysm size ≥2 cm was associated with a 5-year SCD rate of 9.7%, compared with 2.9% for aneurysm size <2 cm (log-rank P = 0.037). This subgroup also had higher risk of stroke/thrombus formation (HR: 2.20; P = 0.002), with an annualized event rate of 2.7%/year. A total of 39 (24%) patients reached the combined end point of SCD, stroke, or LV dysfunction (2.12%/y) with an HR of 1.47/cm increase in aneurysm size (P = 0.003) and an HR of 2.22 for patients with aneurysm size ≥2 cm (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing aneurysm size confers poorer prognosis. Aneurysm size ≥2 cm should alert potential consideration for prophylactic anticoagulation and primary prevention ICDs.

Visual Ordinal Scoring of Coronary Artery Calcium on Contrast-Enhanced and Noncontrast Chest CT: A Retrospective Study of Diagnostic Performance and Prognostic Utility.

BACKGROUND. Current guidelines recommend visual evaluation of coronary artery calcium (CAC) on all nongated noncontrast chest CT examinations. However, chest CT examinations are often performed with contrast material administration. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of our study was to evaluate diagnostic performance, prognostic utility, and interobserver agreement of visual CAC assessment on chest CT performed for other indications. METHODS. This retrospective study included 260 patients (158 men, 102 women; mean age, 60 ± 11 [SD] years) who underwent both nongated chest CT (contrast-enhanced in 116 patients; noncontrast in 144 patients) and cardiac calcium score CT within a 12-month interval. A cardiothoracic radiologist visually assessed CAC on chest CT using an ordinal scale (absent, mild, moderate, or severe). Cardiac CT Agatston calcium scores were quantified according to established guidelines and were categorized as CAC absent (0), mild CAC (1-99), moderate CAC (100-299), or severe CAC (≥ 300). The diagnostic performance of chest CT for the presence of CAC was assessed using cardiac CT as the reference standard. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were assessed as a composite of cardiovascular death and myocardial infarction and were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models. A second cardiothoracic radiologist performed visual CAC assessments in a random subset of 50 chest CT examinations to assess interob-server agreement. RESULTS. For the presence of any CAC on cardiac CT, contrast-enhanced and non-contrast chest CT had sensitivity of 83% (62/75) and 89% (85/95) (p = .20) and specificity of 100% (41/41) and 100% (49/49) (p = .99). CAC present on cardiac CT was misclassified as absent on 13 contrast-enhanced and 10 noncontrast chest CT examinations; Agatston score was less than 30 in all such patients, and none experienced any MACE. The visual ordinal CAC score was associated with MACE for contrast-enhanced chest CT (hazard ratio [HR] = 4.5 [95% CI, 1.2-16.4], p = .02) and noncontrast chest CT (HR = 3.4 [95% CI, 1.5-7.8], p = .003). Interobserver agreement was excellent for contrast-enhanced (κ = 0.89) and noncontrast (κ = 0.95) chest CT. CONCLUSION. Visual ordinal CAC assessment on both contrast-enhanced and non-contrast chest CT has high diagnostic performance, prognostic utility, and interobserver agreement. CLINICAL IMPACT. Routine reporting of CAC on all chest CT examinations regardless of clinical indication and contrast material administration could identify a large number of patients with previously unknown CAC who might benefit from preventive treatment.

Management of Patients With Single-Ventricle Physiology Across the Lifespan: Contributions From Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Imaging.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and cardiac computed tomography (CCT) are robust cross-sectional imaging modalities that are increasingly being used to guide the diagnosis and management of those born with single-ventricle physiology. The purpose of this review is to acquaint the reader with the wide range of cross-sectional imaging applications that can be applied in this population. Illustrative examples of information provided by CMR and CCT are included, such as delineation of cardiac anatomy, measurement of ventricular volumetry, interrogation of vascular anatomy and flows, evaluation of myocardial viability, and exclusion of thromboembolic disease. Focus is placed on the appropriate selection and timing of advanced cardiac imaging modalities, and differentiations are made between established indications for imaging and emerging applications (such as 4-dimensional [4D] flow assessment and parametric imaging for identification of diffuse fibrosis using CMR). Potential CMR and CCT contributions in the selection of interventional strategies in the child and for surveillance of postoperative complications in the adult are highlighted. Furthermore, the importance of extracardiac cross-sectional imaging in the single-ventricle population is emphasized given the recognition that complications post-Fontan palliation are not limited to the cardiovascular system but will often include extracardiac manifestations of disease (such as hepatic disease or lymphatic abnormalities), While the value of CMR and CCT for contemporary clinical care of individuals born with single-ventricle physiology appears to be well-established, further research will be necessary to explore the impact of risk stratification using imaging biomarkers on clinical outcomes following Fontan palliation.