Combination of computed tomography angiography with coronary artery calcium score for improved diagnosis of coronary artery disease: a collaborative meta-analysis of stable chest pain patients referred for invasive coronary angiography.

OBJECTIVES: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has higher diagnostic accuracy than coronary artery calcium (CAC) score for detecting obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with stable chest pain, while the added diagnostic value of combining CCTA with CAC is unknown. We investigated whether combining coronary CCTA with CAC score can improve the diagnosis of obstructive CAD compared with CCTA alone. METHODS: A total of 2315 patients (858 women, 37%) aged 61.1 ± 10.2 from 29 original studies were included to build two CAD prediction models based on either CCTA alone or CCTA combined with the CAC score. CAD was defined as at least 50% coronary diameter stenosis on invasive coronary angiography. Models were built by using generalized linear mixed-effects models with a random intercept set for the original study. The two CAD prediction models were compared by the likelihood ratio test, while their diagnostic performance was compared using the area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve (AUC). Net benefit (benefit of true positive versus harm of false positive) was assessed by decision curve analysis. RESULTS: CAD prevalence was 43.5% (1007/2315). Combining CCTA with CAC improved CAD diagnosis compared with CCTA alone (AUC: 87% [95% CI: 86 to 89%] vs. 80% [95% CI: 78 to 82%]; p < 0.001), likelihood ratio test 236.3, df: 1, p < 0.001, showing a higher net benefit across almost all threshold probabilities. CONCLUSION: Adding the CAC score to CCTA findings in patients with stable chest pain improves the diagnostic performance in detecting CAD and the net benefit compared with CCTA alone. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: CAC scoring CT performed before coronary CTA and included in the diagnostic model can improve obstructive CAD diagnosis, especially when CCTA is non-diagnostic. KEY POINTS: • The combination of coronary artery calcium with coronary computed tomography angiography showed significantly higher AUC (87%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 86 to 89%) for diagnosis of coronary artery disease compared to coronary computed tomography angiography alone (80%, 95% CI: 78 to 82%, p < 0.001). • Diagnostic improvement was mostly seen in patients with non-diagnostic C. • The improvement in diagnostic performance and the net benefit was consistent across age groups, chest pain types, and genders.

Management of life-threatening deformation of obstructive transcatheter mitral valve replacement bioprosthesis with balloon inflation in left ventricular outflow tract: a case report.

Background: Left ventricular outflow track (LVOT) obstruction (LVOTO) is a severe complication of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) procedures, with an uncertain prognosis and only few strategies available to prevent its occurrence. TMVR is thus contraindicated in some patients because of a high risk of LVOTO onset. We demonstrate how LVOTO can be managed with a balloon inflation in the LVOT and a D-shaped deformation of the bioprosthetic valve. Case summary: A 64-year-old female presented with acute pulmonary oedema 2 weeks following aortic valve replacement and aorto-coronary bypass surgeries. A concomitant mitral stenosis, secondary to significant calcifications of the mitral annulus, was not treated during the procedure. After surgery, the mitral valvulopathy caused an acute heart failure and TMVR was performed by the heart team. The procedure was complicated by a cardiac arrest secondary to the onset of LVOTO which was managed by a balloon inflation in the LVOT and an alcohol septal ablation. Two-year follow-up shows a favourable outcome of the patient and good function of the prosthetic valve despite its deformation. Discussion: This case highlights the successful management of a LVOTO following valve-in-mitral annular calcification TMVR by balloon inflation in the LVOT. It is strongly recommended to place a 'rescue' guidewire in transaortic position during TMVR in order to manage the potential onset of acute LVOTO.

Computed tomography angiography versus Agatston score for diagnosis of coronary artery disease in patients with stable chest pain: individual patient data meta-analysis of the international COME-CCT Consortium.

OBJECTIVES: There is conflicting evidence about the comparative diagnostic accuracy of the Agatston score versus computed tomography angiography (CTA) in patients with suspected obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). PURPOSE: To determine whether CTA is superior to the Agatston score in the diagnosis of CAD. METHODS: In total 2452 patients with stable chest pain and a clinical indication for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) for suspected CAD were included by the Collaborative Meta-analysis of Cardiac CT (COME-CCT) Consortium. An Agatston score of > 400 was considered positive, and obstructive CAD defined as at least 50% coronary diameter stenosis on ICA was used as the reference standard. RESULTS: Obstructive CAD was diagnosed in 44.9% of patients (1100/2452). The median Agatston score was 74. Diagnostic accuracy of CTA for the detection of obstructive CAD (81.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 77.5 to 84.1%) was significantly higher than that of the Agatston score (68.8%, 95% CI: 64.2 to 73.1%, p < 0.001). Among patients with an Agatston score of zero, 17% (101/600) had obstructive CAD. Diagnostic accuracy of CTA was not significantly different in patients with low to intermediate (1 to < 100, 100-400) versus moderate to high Agatston scores (401-1000, > 1000). CONCLUSIONS: Results in our international cohort show CTA to have significantly higher diagnostic accuracy than the Agatston score in patients with stable chest pain, suspected CAD, and a clinical indication for ICA. Diagnostic performance of CTA is not affected by a higher Agatston score while an Agatston score of zero does not reliably exclude obstructive CAD. KEY POINTS: • CTA showed significantly higher diagnostic accuracy (81.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 77.5 to 84.1%) for diagnosis of coronary artery disease when compared to the Agatston score (68.8%, 95% CI: 64.2 to 73.1%, p < 0.001). • Diagnostic performance of CTA was not affected by increased amount of calcium and was not significantly different in patients with low to intermediate (1 to <100, 100-400) versus moderate to high Agatston scores (401-1000, > 1000). • Seventeen percent of patients with an Agatston score of zero showed obstructive coronary artery disease by invasive angiography showing absence of coronary artery calcium cannot reliably exclude coronary artery disease.

Single-source dual energy CT to assess myocardial extracellular volume fraction in aortic stenosis before transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

PURPOSE: To assess myocardial extracellular volume fraction (ECV) measurement provided by a single-source dual-energy computed tomography (SSDE-CT) acquisition added at the end of a routine CT examination before transcatether aortic valve implantation (TAVI) compared to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients (10 men, 11 women; mean age, 86±4.9 years [SD]; age range: 71-92 years) with severe aortic stenosis underwent standard pre-TAVI CT with additional cardiac SSDE-CT acquisition 7minutes after intravenous administration of iodinated contrast material and myocardial MRI including pre- and post-contrast T1-maps. Myocardial ECV and standard deviation (σECV) were calculated in the 16-segments model. ECV provided by SSDE-CT was compared to ECV provided by MRI, which served as the reference. Analyses were performed on a per-segment basis and on a per-patient involving the mean value of the 16-segments. RESULTS: ECV was slightly overestimated by SSDE-CT (29.9±4.6 [SD] %; range: 20.9%-48.3%) compared to MRI (29.1±3.9 [SD] %; range: 22.0%-50.7%) (P<0.0001) with a bias and limits of agreement of +2.3% (95%CI: -16.1%-+20.6%) and +2.5% (95%CI: -2.1%-+7.1%) for per-segment and per-patient-analyses, respectively. Good (r=0.81 for per-segment-analysis) to excellent (r=0.97 for per-patient-analysis) linear relationships (both P<0.0001) were obtained. The σECV was significantly higher at SSDE-CT (P<0.0001). Additional radiation dose from CT was 1.89±0.38 (SD) mSv (range: 1.48-2.47 mSv). CONCLUSION: A single additional SSDE-CT acquisition added at the end of a standard pre-TAVI CT protocol can provide ECV measurement with good to excellent linear relationship with MRI.

Impact of bi-planar localization of the tricuspid valve on the evaluation of right ventricular functional parameters in the short axis plane.

Primary objective was to evaluate by cardiac MRI the accuracy of right ventricular stroke volume (RVSV) measurement in the short-axis (SA) plane with cross-referencing of the tricuspid plane. 2D phase-contrast measurement at the main pulmonary artery (PSV) was the reference. Secondary objective was to analyze the reproducibility of RV functional parameters. In this single-center retrospective study, 41 patients (mean age 40 ± 18 years; age range 16-71 years; M/F sex ratio 51%) referred for various acquired and congenital cardiopathies underwent CMR including SA balanced steady state free precession imaging (b-SSFP). Right ventricular vertical long-axis and four chamber views were used for cross-referenced localization of the tricuspid valve. Right ventricular functional parameters were measured on three occasions by two observers using Syngo Via® (Siemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany). The Student t-test and Bland Altman plot were used to test for differences between RV stroke volumes derived from cine b-SSFP (RVSV) or 2D PC (PSV). Bland Altman plots, coefficient of variation (COV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to evaluate intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of RVSV, RVED and RVES volumes, and RV ejection fraction. There was high correlation (r = 0.94) and no significant difference between RVSV and PSV (83 ± 20 mL vs. 81 ± 21 mL p > 0.05). Intra- (ICC: 0.95; COV: 6.2) and inter-observer reliability (ICC: 0.91; COV: 8.9) of RVSV measurements were excellent. Finally, intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was excellent for RVEF, RVEDV and RVESV. Right ventricular stroke volumes can be routinely derived from SA analysis using cross-referenced localization of the atrioventricular plane. Moreover, all right ventricular systolic function parameters are highly reproducible when using this technique.

Joint Position Paper of the Working Group of Pacing and Electrophysiology of the French Society of Cardiology and the French Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiac and Vascular Imaging on magnetic resonance imaging in patients with cardiac electronic implantable devices.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the reference imaging technique for the management of a large number of diseases. The number of MRI examinations increases every year, simultaneously with the number of patients receiving a cardiac electronic implantable device (CEID). The presence of a CEID was considered an absolute contraindication for MRI for many years. The progressive replacement of conventional pacemakers and defibrillators by "magnetic resonance (MR)-conditional" CEIDs and recent data on the safety of MRI in patients with "MR-non-conditional" CEIDs have gradually increased the demand for MRI in patients with a CEID. However, some risks are associated with MRI in CEID carriers, even with MR-conditional devices, because these devices are not "MR safe". Specific programming of the device in "MR mode" and monitoring patients during MRI remain mandatory for all patients with a CEID. A standardized patient workflow based on an institutional protocol should be established in each institution performing such examinations. This joint position paper of the Working Group of Pacing and Electrophysiology of the French Society of Cardiology and the French Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiac and Vascular Imaging describes the effect of and risks associated with MRI in CEID carriers. We propose recommendations for patient workflow and monitoring and CEID programming in MR-conditional, "MR-conditional non-guaranteed" and MR-non-conditional devices.

MDCT planning of trans catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI): determination of optimal c-arm angulation.

A fluoroscopic view perpendicular to the aortic valve annulus is required during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for obtaining an optimal deployment of the bioprosthesis. By predicting c-arm angulation, pre-procedural MDCT could decrease the number of aortograms, shorten the time of the procedure and reduce the amount of intra-arterial contrast agent. The aim of our study was to assess the accuracy of MDCT in predicting c-arm angulation at the cath. lab. In this single center study, we investigated MDCT prediction of c-arm angulation in patients having undergone a TAVI procedure using SAPIEN 3® (Edwards Lifesciences, USA). Prior to the procedure, an experienced radiologist had reported the angulation using dedicated software (CTreport). After the procedure, a blinded experienced radiologist retrospectively measured the angles using the same method (CTstudy). Interobserver variability was drawn from the comparison between CTreport and CTstudy. Then, the mean angular difference between the predicted MDCT angles (CTstudy) was compared to the working view recorded at the cath. lab. Seventy-nine patients (M/F = 0.65; mean age: 85.2 years ± 5.3) were included. Interobserver variability was 5.9 ± 6.1°. The mean absolute difference between MDCT and fluoroscopy was 8.8 ± 7.1°. The present study showed that MDCT could predict the coplanar fluoroscopic angles prior to TAVI using a balloon-expandable bioprosthesis Sapien 3® placed via a transfemoral approach with a mean angular difference of 8.8 ± 7.1°. Reproducibility was considered good as the mean difference between two independent measures was 5.9 ± 6.1°.

Ultrasound biomechanical anatomy of the soft structures in relation to the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel of the elbow.

BACKGROUND: Chronic ulnar nerve entrapment worsened by elbow flexion is the most common injury, but rare painful conditions may also be related to ulnar nerve instability. The posterior bundle of the medial collateral ligament (pMCL) and the retinaculum, respectively form a soft floor and a ceiling for the cubital tunnel. The aim of our study was to dynamically assess these soft structures of the cubital tunnel focusing on those involved in the biomechanics of the ulnar nerve. METHODS: Forty healthy volunteers had a bilateral ultrasonography of the cubital tunnel. Elbows were scanned in full extension, 45° and 90°, and maximal passive flexion. Morphological changes of the nerve and related structures were dynamically assessed on transverse views. RESULTS: Both the pMCL and the retinaculum tightened with flexion. During elbow flexion, the tightening of the pMCL superficially moved the ulnar nerve remote from the osseous floor of the retroepicondylar groove. A retinaculum was visible in all 69 tunnels with stable nerves (86.3%), tightened in flexion, but absent in 11 tunnels with unstable nerves (13.7%). The retinaculum was fibrous in 60 elbows and muscular in nine, the nine muscular variants did not significantly influence the biomechanics of stable nerves. Stable nerves flattened in late flexion between the tightened pMCL and retinaculum, whereas unstable nerves transiently flattened when translating against the anterior osseous edge of the groove. CONCLUSION: The retinaculum and the pMCL are key structures in the biomechanics of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel of the elbow.

Head-to-head comparison of the diagnostic performance of coronary computed tomography angiography and dobutamine-stress echocardiography in the evaluation of acute chest pain with normal ECG findings and negative troponin tests: A prospective multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a head-to-head comparison of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and dobutamine-stress echocardiography (DSE) in patients presenting recent chest pain when troponin and ECG are negative. METHODS: Two hundred seventeen patients with recent chest pain, normal ECG findings, and negative troponin were prospectively included in this multicenter study and were scheduled for CCTA and DSE. Invasive coronary angiography (ICA), was performed in patients when either DSE or CCTA was considered positive or when both were non-contributive or in case of recurrent chest pain during 6month follow-up. The presence of coronary artery stenosis was defined as a luminal obstruction >50% diameter in any coronary segment at ICA. RESULTS: ICA was performed in 75 (34.6%) patients. Coronary artery stenosis was identified in 37 (17%) patients. For CCTA, the sensitivity was 96.9% (95% CI 83.4-99.9), specificity 48.3% (29.4-67.5), positive likelihood ratio 2.06 (95% CI 1.36-3.11), and negative likelihood ratio 0.07 (95% CI 0.01-0.52). The sensitivity of DSE was 51.6% (95% CI 33.1-69.9), specificity 46.7% (28.3-65.7), positive likelihood ratio 1.03 (95% CI 0.62-1.72), and negative likelihood ratio 1.10 (95% CI 0.63-1.93). The CCTA: DSE ratio of true-positive and false-positive rates was 1.70 (95% CI 1.65-1.75) and 1.00 (95% CI 0.91-1.09), respectively, when non-contributive CCTA and DSE were both considered positive. Only one missed acute coronary syndrome was observed at six months. CONCLUSIONS: CCTA has higher diagnostic performance than DSE in the evaluation of patients with recent chest pain, normal ECG findings, and negative troponine to exclude coronary artery disease.

Single-source dual-energy CT angiography with reduced iodine load in patients referred for aortoiliofemoral evaluation before transcatheter aortic valve implantation: impact on image quality and radiation dose.

OBJECTIVES: To compare image quality and radiation dose of pre-transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) aortoiliofemoral CT angiography (AICTA) provided by standard vs. dual-energy mode with reduced iodine load protocols. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-one patients underwent a two-step CTA protocol before TAVI including cardiac CTA with injection of 65 mL of iodinated contrast agent (ICA), immediately followed by AICTA. From this second acquisition, the following three different patient groups were identified: Group 1: 52 patients with standard AICTA (60 mL ICA, 100 kVp, mA automodulation); Group 2: 48 patients with dual-energy AICTA with 50 % iodine load reduction (30 mL ICA, fast kVp switching, 600 mA); Group 3: 61 patients with an identical protocol to Group 2, but exposed to 375 mA. The qualitative/subjective image quality (13-point score) and quantitative/objective image quality (contrast attenuation and image noise) were evaluated. The radiation dose was recorded. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in non-diagnostic images between the three protocols. Contrast attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio were significantly higher, whereas noise was significantly lower in the standard protocol (all P < 0.05). The radiation dose was lower in the dual-energy protocol at 375 mA (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dual-energy AICTA before TAVI results in a reduction of iodine load while maintaining sufficient diagnostic information despite increased noise. KEY POINTS: • Dual-energy AICTA before TAVI results in a 50 % reduction of iodine load. •The reduction of iodine load maintains sufficient image quality despite increased noise. • Using 375 mA in dual-energy mode results in a reduction of radiation dose. • A high tube current setting (600 mA) should be used in overweight patients.

Effect of the ellipsoid shape of the left ventricular outflow tract on the echocardiographic assessment of aortic valve area in aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies showed discrepancies between echocardiographic and multidector row CT (MDCT) measurements of aortic valve area (AVA). OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the effect of the ellipsoid shape of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), as shown and measured by MDCT, on the assessment of AVA by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in patients with severe aortic stenosis. METHODS: This retrospective single-center study involved 49 patients with severe aortic stenosis referred before transcatheter aortic valve implantation. The AVA was deduced from the continuity equation on TTE and from planimetry on cardiac MDCT. Area of the LVOT was calculated as follows: on TTE, from the measurement of LVOT diameter on parasternal long-axis view; on MDCT, from manual planimetry by using multiplanar reconstruction perpendicular to LVOT. RESULTS: At baseline, correlation of TTE vs MDCT AVA measurements was moderate (R = 0.622; P < .001). TTE underestimated AVA compared with MDCT (0.66 ± 0.15 cm2 vs. 0.87 ± 0.15 cm2; P < .001). After correcting the continuity equation with the LVOT area as measured by MDCT, mean AVA drawn from TTE did not differ from MDCT (0.86 ± 0.2 cm2) and correlation between TTE and MDCT measurements increased (R = 0.704; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Assuming that LVOT area is circular with TTE results in constant underestimation of the AVA with the continuity equation compared with MDCT planimetry. The elliptical not circular shape of LVOT largely explains these discrepancies.