Myxoma Involving the Pulmonary Valve - A Case Report of an Atypical Cardiac Tumor, Treated Using an Unusual Approach.

Background: Atypical myxoma has been reported in various locations in the heart, however, myxoma involving the pulmonary valve is rare. Here we present a case of pulmonic valve myxoma which was resected via a percutaneous approach. Case Report: A 66-year-old female with known metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presented with acute onset shortness of breath for two days. The patient experienced respiratory arrest en-route to the hospital and required intubation. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the chest revealed a new 1.4 × 1.6 cm intracardiac mass along the pulmonary valve. Further evaluation with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed it to be a large vascular tumor on the ventricular side of the pulmonary valve, attached with a narrow stalk. Due to high surgical risk, the patient underwent transesophageal echocardiographic guided percutaneous removal of the mass. Pathology confirmed the mass to be a myxoma. Conclusion: Atypical myxoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of valvular masses. Percutaneous resection of valvular masses may be feasible in high-risk surgical patients. LEARNING POINTS: Pulmonary valve myxoma is a rare condition and the literature on the characteristics and treatment options for pulmonary valve myxoma is limited.Our patient was treated with a minimally invasive treatment approach: removal of a tumor with intra operative transesophageal echocardiographic guidance using AngioVac and Flow Triever catheters.Percutaneous resection of valvular masses may be feasible in high surgical risk patients.

Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Quantitative Coronary Plaque and Hemodynamic Analysis for Predicting Acute Coronary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: A lesion-level risk prediction for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) needs better characterization. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate the additive value of artificial intelligence-enabled quantitative coronary plaque and hemodynamic analysis (AI-QCPHA). METHODS: Among ACS patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) from 1 month to 3 years before the ACS event, culprit and nonculprit lesions on coronary CTA were adjudicated based on invasive coronary angiography. The primary endpoint was the predictability of the risk models for ACS culprit lesions. The reference model included the Coronary Artery Disease Reporting and Data System, a standardized classification for stenosis severity, and high-risk plaque, defined as lesions with ≥2 adverse plaque characteristics. The new prediction model was the reference model plus AI-QCPHA features, selected by hierarchical clustering and information gain in the derivation cohort. The model performance was assessed in the validation cohort. RESULTS: Among 351 patients (age: 65.9 ± 11.7 years) with 2,088 nonculprit and 363 culprit lesions, the median interval from coronary CTA to ACS event was 375 days (Q1-Q3: 95-645 days), and 223 patients (63.5%) presented with myocardial infarction. In the derivation cohort (n = 243), the best AI-QCPHA features were fractional flow reserve across the lesion, plaque burden, total plaque volume, low-attenuation plaque volume, and averaged percent total myocardial blood flow. The addition of AI-QCPHA features showed higher predictability than the reference model in the validation cohort (n = 108) (AUC: 0.84 vs 0.78; P < 0.001). The additive value of AI-QCPHA features was consistent across different timepoints from coronary CTA. CONCLUSIONS: AI-enabled plaque and hemodynamic quantification enhanced the predictability for ACS culprit lesions over the conventional coronary CTA analysis. (Exploring the Mechanism of Plaque Rupture in Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography and Computational Fluid Dynamics II [EMERALD-II]; NCT03591328).

Impact of magnetic resonance imaging on functional integrity of non-conditional cardiovascular implantable electronic devices.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have historically restricted the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to the potential clinical and configurational risks associated with electromagnetic interference. In this study, the authors investigated the impact of MRI on the functional integrity of non-conditional CIEDs and their clinical correlates. METHODS: In this prospective, observational single-center study, we enrolled patients undergoing MRI over a 5-year period. Prior to assessing the impact of MRI on CIEDs, we performed interrogations in sequential duplication to assess the intrinsic variability of devices. Subsequently, we performed interrogations immediately after MRI, and monitored changes in device parameters and clinical events. RESULTS: We completed 492 MRI studies, 58% in patients with permanent pacemakers (PPMs) and 42% with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). Subsequent MRI exposures occurred in 15% encounters. Accounting for intrinsic variability in CIED leads, there were no significant changes in RA, RV, or LV parameters after MRI, regardless of the region imaged (thoracic vs. non-thoracic), type of CIED (PPMs vs. ICDs) and among those with serial MRIs. When ranked for % change pre- to post-MRI, the majority of RA, RV, and LV metrics for thresholds, sensing, and impedance conformed to ≤20% change from baseline. No significant clinical adverse cardiac events or effect on device microcircuitry occurred during the study. CONCLUSION: Incorporating a novel reproducibility tactic, there were neither clinically meaningful device parameter changes nor adverse clinical events during or following MRIs, suggesting the effects of MRI on non-conditional CIED integrity are far less than previously perceived.

Where do we go from here? Beyond the MagnaSafe trial: A focus beyond a 'safety-first' notion. An MRI study in 500 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: In patients with conventional pacemakers or ICD's, MRI is infrequently performed due to safety concerns. Recent reports have allayed many of these concerns. However, the additive clinical value of scanning patients with cardiac implants has not been established. OBJECTIVE: Assessing the additive value of thoracic and non-thoracic MRI in patients with implantable cardiac devices. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospective data were analyzed in 500 patients with implanted cardiac devices that underwent MRI over a 12 year period at a single institution (Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA). A set of three questions were answered following scan interpretation by both the MRI technologist and interpreting MRI physician(s): 1) Did the primary diagnosis change? 2) Did MRI provide additional information to the existing diagnosis? 3) Did patient management change? If 'Yes' was answered to any of the above questions, it was considered that the MRI scan was of value to patient diagnosis and/or guiding therapy. Scans encountered were neurological/neurosurgical 354 (70.8%), cardiac 98 (19.6%) and orthopedic 48 (9.6%) in nature. In 431 (86%) MRI added additional information to the primary diagnosis and in 277 (55.4%) MRI changed the primary diagnosis. In 304 (60.8%) cases management changed, 265 (53%) due to a change in diagnosis and in 39 (7.8%) due to providing additional information. No safety issues were encountered and no adverse effects of MRI scan were noted. CONCLUSIONS: MRI in patients with implanted cardiac devices was of additive value to diagnosis and management thereby informing risk-benefit considerations. CONDENSED ABSTRACT: 500 patients with implanted cardiac devices who underwent a MRI examination over a 12 year period were followed prospectively. Imaging primarily focus on three anatomical regions (neurological/neurosurgical, cardiac and orthopedic) providing added information to the primary diagnosis in 431 (86%) cases and changing the primary diagnosis in 277 (55.4%) cases. In 304 (60.8%) cases management changed with 265 (53%) being due to a change of diagnosis and in 39 (7.8%) due to providing additional information. No safety issues were encountered using a defined protocol. CONCLUSIONS: MR imaging retains its diagnostic yield in patients with implanted devices.

Redefining the fluoroscopic landmarks for common femoral arterial puncture during cardiac catheterization: Femoral angiogram and computed tomography angiogram (FACT) study of common femoral artery anatomy.

BACKGROUND: The mid-femoral head (F50 ) is a common fluoroscopic target for common femoral artery (CFA) puncture during cardiac catheterization. Punctures above the inguinal ligament (marking the proximal end of CFA) increase the risk of retroperitoneal hemorrhage and are classified as high punctures. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 114 CT angiograms for the anatomic relationship of the inguinal ligament to the femoral head (FH) and inferior epigastric artery (IEA). We analyzed 114 CT angiograms and 500 femoral angiograms, for the relation of the mid-point of CFA to F50 and F75 (the junction of upper 3/4th and lower 1/4th of FH). RESULTS: The proximal third of femoral head (F33 ) (-1.4 mm) and IEA nadir (-2.9 mm) were closer approximations to the inguinal ligament than the IEA origin (-12.8 mm) or cranial end of FH (-15.2 mm). The inguinal ligament correlated better with the IEA nadir than F33 (R2 = 0.49 vs. 0.001). F75 was a closer approximation for the mid-point of the CFA than F50 (0.3 mm vs. -9.2 mm). Using F75 as the target for CFA puncture carried the lowest risk for non-CFA punctures (18.6%), while using F50 had a 41.2% risk for non-CFA punctures. F75 had an increased risk for low punctures (14.2%) but F50 had a far higher risk for high punctures (36.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The nadir of IEA is the best landmark for identifying the inguinal ligament (the proximal end of CFA) and defining high punctures. F75 is a more accurate target for successful CFA puncture than F50.

Echocardiography and cardiovascular MRI entwined within the imaging domain; uniting the two. A compendium for the echocardiographer.

A review of the unique and complementary roles echocardiography and cardiovascular MRI provide to the clinician. A focus on the physics of each modality as well as imaging of the left ventricle.

Cardio-hepatic risk assessment by CMR imaging in liver transplant candidates.

BACKGROUND: The preoperative workup of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) patients is practically complex given the need for multiple imaging modalities. We recently demonstrated in our proof-of-concept study the value of a one-stop-shop approach using cardiovascular MRI (CMR) to address this complex problem. However, this approach requires further validation in a larger cohort, as detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as well as cardiovascular risk assessment is critically important in these patients. We hypothesized that coronary risk assessment and HCC detectability is acceptable using the one-stop-shop CMR approach. METHODS: In this observational study, patients underwent CMRI evaluation including cardiac function, stress CMR, thoracoabdominal MRA, and abdominal MRI on a standard MRI scanner in one examination. RESULTS: Over 8 years, 252 OLT candidates underwent evaluation in the cardiac MRI suit. The completion rates for each segment of the CMR examination were 99% for function, 95% completed stress CMR, 93% completed LGE for viability, 85% for liver MRI, and 87% for MRA. A negative CMR stress examination had 100% CAD event-free survival at 12 months. A total of 63 (29%) patients proceeded to OLT. Explant pathology confirmed detection/exclusion of HCC. CONCLUSIONS: This study further defines the population suitable for the one-stop-shop CMR concept for preop evaluation of OLT candidates providing a road map for integrated testing in this complex patient population for evaluation of cardiac risk and detection of HCC lesions.

Type I Kounis syndrome variant: A case report and literature review.

Kounis syndrome defined as the occurrence of acute coronary syndrome in the setting of allergic reaction due to mast cells activation and inflammatory mediators release that induces coronary vasospasm, plaque erosion, or even stent thrombosis. A 25-year-old postpartum female with asthma and recurrent episodes of chest pain was admitted with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in the setting of coronary artery spasms. The patient was started on calcium channel blockers and nitrite-based medication with no improvement. She was noted to have eosinophilia and initiation of corticosteroid-based regimen lead to resolution of chest pain episodes and normalization of eosinophilia. Kounis syndrome should be considered in young patients with chest pain. Coronary vasodilators are considered as the first-line of treatment. The use of corticosteroids has been described in the literature in severe or refractory cases.

Diagnostic Value of MRI in Patients With Implanted Pacemakers and Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators Across a Cross Population: Does the Benefit Justify the Risk? A Proof of Concept Study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic usefulness of thoracic and nonthoracic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging in patients with implantable cardiac devices (permanent pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators [ICDs]) to determine if there was a substantial benefit to patients with regard to diagnosis and/or management. BACKGROUND: MRI is infrequently performed on patients with conventional pacemakers or ICDs. Multiple studies have documented the safety of MRI scans in patients with implanted devices, yet the diagnostic value of this approach has not been established. METHODS: Evaluation data were acquired in 136 patients with implanted cardiac devices who underwent MRIs during a 10-year period at a single institution. Specific criteria were followed for all patients to objectively define if the diagnosis by MRI enhanced patient care; 4 questions were answered after scan interpretation by both MRI technologists and MRI physicians who performed the scan. 1) Did the primary diagnosis change? 2) Did the MRI provide additional information to the existing diagnosis? 3) Was the pre-MRI (tentative) diagnosis confirmed? 4) Did patient management change? If "Yes" was answered to any of the preceding questions, the MRI scan was considered to be of value to patient diagnosis and/or therapy. RESULTS: In 97% (n = 132) of patients, MR added value to patient diagnosis and management. In 49% (n = 67) of patients, MRI added additional valuable information to the primary diagnosis, and in 30% (n = 41) of patients, MRI changed the principle diagnosis and subsequent management of the patient. No safety issues were encountered, and no adverse effects of undergoing the MRI scan were noted in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: MRI in patients with implanted pacemakers and defibrillators added value to patient diagnosis and management, which justified the risk of the procedure.

Does Late Gadolinium Enhancement still have Value? Right Ventricular Internal Mechanical Work, Ea/Emax and Late Gadolinium Enhancement as Prognostic Markers in Patients with Advanced Pulmonary Hypertension via Cardiac MRI.

OBJECTIVES: Investigate the impact of Right Ventricular (RV) Internal Work (IW), ratio of arterial to ventricular end-systolic elastance (Ea/Emax), and RV Insertion Point (IP) Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE) on outcome in Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) patients. BACKGROUND: LGE is well known to be present within the RVIPs and Inter Ventricular Septum (IVS) in PH patients, but its prognostic role remains complex and potentially overestimated via 2D qualitative relative to the 3D quantitative measures now available. However, Ea/Emax, a measure of ventricular-arterial coupling and IW, when added to external cardiac work i.e. the P-V loop area as correlates to the heart's energy demands, might fundamentally improve measures of prognosis as they interrogate physiology beyond just the RV. METHODS: Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) of 124 PH patients (age = 60±13, 85F) referred to a large tertiary PH center, was retrospectively examined for RV volumetric and functional indices and RVIP LGE%. Right Heart Catheterizations (RHC) performed within 1±2 months of the CMR were reviewed. Ea/Emax was derived as RV End-Systolic Volume (ESV/RVSV). IW was estimated as RVESV ×(RV end-systolic pressure-RV diastolic pressure). Patients were followed from date of CMR for up to 5 years for MACE (death, hospitalized RV failure, initiation of parenteral prostacyclin, sustained ventricular arrhythmia or referral for lung transplantation). RESULTS: MACE was high; 48/124 (39%) patients had MACE by 1.6±1.3 years. Neither RVIP nor IVS LGE using visual assessment or even 3D quantization predicted MACE. The strongest predictor of MACE was RVIW (OR=1.00013, p<0.002), vs. mPAP, RV mass, RV EF and IP LGE. CONCLUSIONS: Surprisingly, neither a single time-point RVIP nor whole IVS LGE% can predict outcome in the largest cohort of PH patients studied to date when compared with conventional or contemporary metrics of disease progression. CMR-LGE appears to lose its' prognostic value in PH patients in stark contradistinction to all other left and right-sided human myocardial pathologies.

Incidental left atrial blood cyst in a patient undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Blood cysts of the heart are benign cardiovascular tumors found incidentally in approximately 50% of infants who undergo autopsy at less than 2 months of age. These congenital cysts, frequently present on the atrioventricular valves of infants, are exceedingly rare in adults. Nonetheless, in adults, cardiac blood cysts have been found on the mitral valve, papillary muscles, right atrium, right ventricle, left ventricle, and aortic, pulmonic, and tricuspid valves. Reported complications include left ventricular outflow obstruction, occlusion of the coronary arteries, valvular stenosis or regurgitation, and embolic stroke. In high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis, transcatheter aortic valve replacement has emerged as an alternative to surgical replacement. Transesophageal echocardiography plays a fundamental role in evaluating the feasibility of intraprocedural transcatheter aortic valve replacement, in measuring aortic annular size, in guiding placement of the prosthetic device, and in looking for possible complications. The embolic risk of rapid pacing and transcatheter aortic valve replacement in a patient with an intracardiac blood cyst is unknown, and such a case has not, to our knowledge, been reported heretofore. We present the case of a 78-year-old woman with severe aortic stenosis, in whom a blood cyst was incidentally found in the left atrium upon transesophageal echocardiography. She underwent successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement without embolic complication.

Mid wall fibrosis on CMR with late gadolinium enhancement may predict prognosis for LVAD and transplantation risk in patients with newly diagnosed dilated cardiomyopathy-preliminary observations from a high-volume transplant centre.

BACKGROUND: Patients with newly diagnosed dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and advanced heart failure have a very high morbidity and mortality with an unpredictable clinical course. We investigated the role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in this cohort of high-risk patients. We hypothesized that LGE has high prognostic value in primary DCM patients referred for possible transplantation/left ventricular assist device (LVAD) consideration. METHODS: Over 49 consecutive months, 61 consecutives DCM patients were referred for standard CMR(1.5T, GE) to interrogate the LV pattern, distribution, and extent of LGE (MultiHance, Princeton, NJ). Inclusion criteria for a primary non-ischaemic DCM and EF <45% were met in 31 patients. DCM patients were categorized into: (i) presence of midwall LV stripe (+Stripe) and (ii) absence of midwall stripe (-Stripe) groups. Primary outcome was defined by the composite of death, need for LV assist device (LVAD), and urgent orthotopic cardiac transplantation (Tx) during a 12-month follow-up period. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted grouping patients by +Stripe and -Stripe. RESULTS: There were no differences between groups for demographics, blood pressure, labs, baseline LVEF, NYHA class, or invasive haemodynamics. There were 18 patients (58%) with +Stripe. Nine events occurred: seven patients required urgent Tx and/or LVAD implantation and two patients died. The +Stripe categorization strongly predicted the need for LVAD, urgent Tx surgery, and death (log-rank = 9, P = 0.002). All the events occurred in the +Stripe patients with no MACE experienced in the -Stripe group. The -Stripe group experienced marked signs of improvement in LVEF (P = 0.01) at follow-up. LVEDD was predictive of need for LVAD/Tx and death by univariate analysis. Otherwise, no common clinical metric such as LVEF, LVEDV, RVEF, RVEDV, or any invasive haemodynamic parameter predicted MACE. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of +Stripe on CMR is strongly predictive of LVAD, transplant need, and death during a 12-month follow-up period in DCM patients in this proof of concept study. All -Stripe patients survived without experiencing any events. Incorporating CMR imaging into routine clinical practice may have prognostic value in DCM patients; indicating conservative management in low-risk patients while expectantly managing high-risk patients.

Evaluation of cardiac valvular regurgitant lesions by cardiac MRI sequences: comparison of a four-valve semi-quantitative versus quantitative approach.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging generally allows a more accurate and valid quantification of cardiac function, mass and regurgitant volumes than echocardiography. Although recent technological advancements in CMR have made the evaluation of cardiac valves more reliable, no studies have yet been conducted to compare semi-quantitative grading (SQG) using CMR steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequences with quantitative grading (QG) based on stroke volumes and phase-velocity mapping (PVM). It is proposed that the SQG of cardiac valvular regurgitations based on CMR SSFP sequences is feasible, and highly correlative with standard CMR QG methods. METHODS: CMR data obtained between January 2007 and December 2011 was evaluated prospectively for valvular regurgitant lesions. Patients were included if they had right and left ventricular volumetrics based on CMR SSFP sequences and PVM across the aortic and pulmonic valves with reported regurgitant volumes and fractions. Patients were excluded if they had prosthetic valves, cardiac arrhythmias and intra-cardiac shunts. Regurgitant lesions were semi-quantitatively (visually) graded on a standard scale of 0 to 4 (trace, mild, moderate, moderate to severe, and severe) and compared with quantitative regurgitant fractions. Correlations were evaluated by Spearman's rho formula, and kappa for intra- and inter-observer variabilities were obtained on 30% of the study sample. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients (58 males, 39 females; average age 55 +/- 18 years) representing 134 valvular regurgitations [mitral (MR), aortic (AR), tricuspid (TR), and pulmonary (PR)] were analyzed by semiquantitative and quantitative methods. The regurgitant lesions included 44 mitral, 50 aortic, 29 tricuspid, and 11 pulmonary. The correlation between SQR versus QG yielded the following results: 0.67, p < 0.001 (MR, r = 0.66, p < 0.001; AR, r = 0.68, p < 0.002; TR, r = 0.68, p = 0.001; PR, r = 0.70, p = 0.017). The results for QG versus SQG accounting for clinically significant differences of +/- 1 grade for the group were as follows: 0.95, p < 0.001 (MR, r = 0.91, p < 0.001; AR, r = 0.96, p < 0.001; TR, r = 0.99, p < 0.001; PR, r = 0.93, p < 0.001). No discrepancy between surgical regurgitation was present (3+ versus 4+). Weighted kappa results were 0.67 and 0.61 for intra- and inter-observer variabilities. CONCLUSION: The visual assessment of cardiac regurgitant lesions is reliable, accurate and reproducible when compared to formal quantitative analysis via CMR. This confirms a robust role for CMR in assessing regurgitant lesions, particularly for surgical decision-making. These results were applicable to patients in sinus rhythm at the time of scanning.

Exploratory use of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in liver transplantation: a one-stop shop for preoperative cardiohepatic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative cardiovascular risk stratification in orthotopic liver transplantation candidates has proven challenging due to limitations of current noninvasive modalities. Additionally, the preoperative workup is logistically cumbersome and expensive given the need for separate cardiac, vascular, and abdominal imaging. We evaluated the feasibility of a "one-stop shop" in a magnetic resonance suite, performing assessment of cardiac structure, function, and viability, along with simultaneous evaluation of thoracoabdominal vasculature and liver anatomy. METHODS: In this pilot study, patients underwent steady-state free precession sequences and stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), thoracoabdominal magnetic resonance angiography, and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on a standard MRI scanner. Pharmacologic stress was performed using regadenoson, adenosine, or dobutamine. Viability was assessed using late gadolinium enhancement. RESULTS: Over 2 years, 51 of 77 liver transplant candidates (mean age, 56 years; 35% female; mean Model for End-stage Liver Disease score, 10.8; range, 6-40) underwent MRI. All referred patients completed standard dynamic CMR, 98% completed stress CMR, 82% completed late gadolinium enhancement for viability, 94% completed liver MRI, and 88% completed magnetic resonance angiography. The mean duration of the entire study was 72 min, and 45 patients were able to complete the entire examination. Among all 51 patients, 4 required follow-up coronary angiography (3 for evidence of ischemia on perfusion CMR and 1 for postoperative ischemia), and none had flow-limiting coronary disease. Nine proceeded to orthotopic liver transplantation (mean 74 days to transplantation after MRI). There were six ascertained mortalities in the nontransplant group and one death in the transplanted group. Explant pathology confirmed 100% detection/exclusion of hepatocellular carcinoma. No complications during CMR examination were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: In this proof-of-concept study, it appears feasible to perform a comprehensive, efficient, and safe preoperative liver transplant imaging in a CMR suite-a one-stop shop, even in seriously ill patients.

Mitral regurgitation recovery and atrial reverse remodeling following pulmonary vein isolation procedure in patients with atrial fibrillation: a clinical observation proof-of-concept cardiac MRI study.

BACKGROUND: Reverse remodeling of the left atrium (LA) following successful pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has been well documented. However, mitral regurgitation (MR) recovery after successful PVI has never been demonstrated systematically. The objective of our study was to retrospectively analyze the effectiveness of PVI in patients with AF on recovery of MR using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. METHODS: Prior to PVI, patients underwent a clinically indicated CMR imaging. Post-PVI (6 ± 2 months), patients underwent a follow-up MRI and were classified into two groups-responders (R) and non-responders (NR) to PVI-as assessed by cessation of AF at the end of the prespecified 6-month (14-day "P" sensitive event monitor defined) follow-up period. Furthermore, CMR was used to evaluate the severity of MR (0 to 4+) and to relate changes in MR to LA volumes as well as mitral apparatus geometry. Patients who had mild and higher MR (2+) on baseline CMR and had a post-PVI CMR were selected for final analysis. RESULTS: Out of the consecutive 122 patients with AF who underwent PVI, 74 patients that had mitral regurgitation on initial CMR were included in the study. Of these74 patients with AF with MR, 52 (70 %) were classified as R and 22 (30 %) were classified as NR. Baseline demographics were similar between the groups. In the subgroup with mild to severe MR, pre vs. post in the R group MR severity significantly improved (mean = 2.3, median = 2.0 vs. mean = 1.0, median = 1.0, p < 0.0001) and was matched by favorable reverse remodeling of the mitral apparatus geometry (annulus = 35 ± 4 vs. 33 ± 3 mm, p < 0.002; tenting area = 175 ± 56 vs.137 ± 37 mm(2), p < 0.003; tenting height = 8 ± 2 vs.7 ± 2 mm, p < 0.02; and tenting angle = 129 ± 10° vs. 131 ± 11°, p = 0.1). However, in the NR subgroup, MR failed to improve (mean = 2.2, median = 2.0 vs. mean = 1.5, median = 1.0, p = NS) and paralleled general failure of mitral geometry reverse remodeling (annulus = 35 ± 4 vs. 35 ± 4 mm, p = 0.2; tenting area = 153 ± 39 vs. 152 ± 34 mm(2), p = NS; tenting height = 7 ± 1 vs. 7.0 ± 2, p = 0.1; and tenting angle = 131 ± 11° vs. 133 ± 10°, p = NS). In those with lesser degrees of MR, favorable remodeling was predicated on responder status to PVI. Similarly, other cardiac dimensions pre- to post-PVI favorably improved in the R group, but not in the NR group. CONCLUSION: In those with durable maintenance of normal sinus rhythm (NSR), cardiac reverse remodeling demonstrated by 3D CMR occurs and is matched by marked improvements in MR and mitral apparatus, likely contributing to continued maintenance of NSR.

Pericardial effusion masquerading as an aortic dissection.

A 24-year-old woman with a history of recurrent syncope underwent an echocardiogram that was suspicious for an ascending aortic dissection. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed which showed no evidence of aortic dissection. However, it did demonstrate a pericardial effusion that extended to the aortic arch. This case shows how pericardial effusions can simulate the appearance of an aortic dissection because of its extension to the aortic arch.