Dual versus single energy cardiac CT to measure extra cellular volume in cardiac amyloidosis: Correlations with cardiac MRI.

Rationale and objectives: Determine in cardiac amyloid (CA) patients, whether cardiac CT derived extracellular volume (ECV) correlates with that obtained by MRI. Perform this correlation with single (SECT) versus dual energy (DECT) CT and evaluate whether a single sample volume ECV-measure was as reliable as a global (16 segment) assessment. Materials and methods: CA patients who had undergone a clinical cardiac MRI (CMR) were recruited prospectively. SECT and DECT cardiac scans were performed. Three ECG-triggered prospective SECT scans were acquired: non-contrast, arterial-phase contrast and 5-minute delayed images. A DECT scan was performed at 7 min. Post processing was used to determine ECV. Analyses of SECT or DECT global ECV versus CMR were performed using the Pearson correlation coefficient, Bland Altman analysis and Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Similar analyses were performed to examine the performance of single-segment sampling by SECT or DECT versus CMR. Results: 25 patients were recruited, mean age was 80.0 ± 7.1 years, 80 % were male, 21 patients had transthyretin- CA, 4 had light chain- CA. Correlations were close with both SECT or DECT global ECV versus CMR (r = 0.79 and 0.88 respectively, p < 0.001 for both). Reliability of both SECT and DECT to assess global ECV in comparison to CMR was good: ICC for SECT was 0.88 (95 % CI 0.73-0.95) and 0.93 (95 % CI 0.82-0.97) for DECT. For single volume sampling techniques: correlations were close with both SECT or DECT versus CMR (r = 0.60 and 0.72 respectively, p < 0.01 for both) There was no difference in ICC for SECT (0.74, 95 %CI 0.41-0.88) versus DECT (0.84, 95 % CI 0.63-0.93). Wider confidence intervals were noted for ICC with single versus global CT derived ECV assessment. Mean effective radiation dose was for SECT was 5.49 ± 8.04 mSv and 6.90 ± 3.01 mSv for DECT dual energy CT (p = 0.75). Conclusions: Global ECV values derived by both DECT or SECT correlated with those obtained by CMR and demonstrated good reliability by ICC in a population of CA patients. DECT and SECT single sampling derived ECV values also demonstrated close correlation and good reliability but the ICCs for single sampling had wider confidence intervals than global ECV assessment.

Diverging levels of COVID-19 governmental response satisfaction across middle eastern Arab countries: a multinational study.

BACKGROUND: Public acceptance of governmental measures are key to controlling the spread of infectious diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a significant burden on healthcare systems for high-income countries as well as low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The ability of LMICs to respond to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic has been limited and may have affected the impact of governmental strategies to control the spread of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate and compare public opinion on the governmental COVID-19 response of high and LMICs in the Middle East and benchmark it to international countries. METHODS: An online, self-administered questionnaire was distributed among different Middle Eastern Arab countries. Participants' demographics and level of satisfaction with governmental responses to COVID-19 were analyzed and reported. Scores were benchmarked against 19 international values. RESULTS: A total of 7395 responses were included. Bahrain scored highest for satisfaction with the governmental response with 38.29 ± 2.93 on a scale of 40, followed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (37.13 ± 3.27), United Arab Emirates (36.56 ± 3.44), Kuwait (35.74 ± 4.85), Jordan (23.08 ± 6.41), and Lebanon (15.39 ± 5.28). Participants' country of residence was a significant predictor of the satisfaction score (P < 0.001), and participants who suffered income reduction due to the pandemic, had a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and held higher educational degrees had significantly lower satisfaction scores (P < 0.001). When benchmarked with other international publics, countries from the Gulf Cooperation Council had the highest satisfaction level, Jordan had an average score, and Lebanon had one of the lowest satisfaction scores. CONCLUSION: The political crisis in Lebanon merged with the existing corruption were associated with the lowest public satisfaction score whereas the economical instability of Jordan placed the country just before the lowest position. On the other hand, the solid economy plus good planning and public trust in the government placed the other countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council on top of the scale. Further investigation is necessary to find out how the governments of other low-income countries may have handled the situation wisely and gained the trust of their publics. This may help convey a clearer picture to Arab governments that have suffered during the pandemic.

Effectiveness of point-of-care oral ivabradine for cardiac computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is increasing seen as a first line investigation in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Heart-rate control improves the image quality and diagnostic accuracy of CCTA. Typically, beta-blockers are administered to induce sinus bradycardia. Sinus bradycardia may also be induced by ivabradine. We hypothesized that in a real-world population ivabradine would be an effective alternative to metoprolol at heart rate lowering for CCTA. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who were exposed to an ivabradine-based (IB) versus a metoprolol-only (MO) protocol to achieve a target heart rate 65 and received heart-rate lowering medication: 1958 patients had MO, and 718 received IB protocol. Target heart rate of

COVID-19 Prevalence, Risk Perceptions, and Preventive Behavior in Asymptomatic Latino Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aims To determine the prevalence, level of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk perception attitude and preventive behavior implemented by the Latino population in the United States of America (USA). Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between July 25 and August 25, 2020, and included asymptomatic Latino participants (n=410) with no current/previous COVID-19 within a religious community in Maryland. Participants answered a questionnaire consisting of three components: patient demographics/socioeconomic status, COVID-19 risk perception, and precautionary behavior. Additionally, a focused history taking and physical examination were performed, and nasal swabs for COVID-19 testing were obtained. Results Around 80% of our study population was 35 years and older, considerably healthy, with only about a third reporting history of chronic disease (~80%); most were females (~66%). Of our participants, 90% lived under poverty; only ~6% had made it to college. When asked about the likelihood of acquiring COVID-19, 97.3% stated they have a low risk of getting infected. However, as we asked about the risk of individuals living in their neighborhood, state, and country, the rates changed to moderate to high (78.4%, 86.3%, and 86.6%, respectively). When asked about preventive behavior, 71.2% stated they never wear masks and 85.4% mentioned they never keep social distance. Additionally, 76 (18.5%) tested positive for COVID-19, whereas 64 (84.2%) developed symptoms at follow-up, 57 (75%) were hospitalized, and 4 (5.2%) died. Conclusions Our study identified inadequate COVID-19 threat perception and lack of engagement in preventive behavior among a group of Latinos living in the USA. We believe that Latino communities across the USA are at markedly high risk of acquiring, spreading, and dying of COVID-19.

Early LV remodelling patterns in overweight and obesity: Feasibility of cardiac CT to detect early geometric left ventricular changes.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an in independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. GOAL: To describe the early LV remodelling pattern in patients with overweight and obesity and structurally normal hearts. METHODS: Consecutive patients (n = 2374), with structurally normal hearts and BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m2, undergoing prospective mid-diastolic ECG gated CTCA were selected. Left ventricular mass (LVM) and Left ventricular mid-diastolic volume (LVMDV) were measured. The concentricity index (LVM/LVMDV) were calculated. According to the definitions of the World Health Organization (WHO), the patients were divided into weight categories. RESULTS: The mean LVM ±â€¯Std. deviation in the subgroups according to WHO classification was 101.68 ±â€¯28.99 g (normal weight), 115.79 ±â€¯29.14 g (overweight), 123.8 ±â€¯33.44 g (class I obesity), 125.85 ±â€¯32.89 g (class II obesity) and 132.45 ±â€¯37.85 g (class III obesity). (p < 0.001) The mean LVMDV progressed with increasing WHO weight category from 112.37 ±â€¯36.46 in patients with normal BMI to 140.26 ±â€¯43.78 in patients with class III obesity. (p < 0.001) The concentricity index was 0.935 ±â€¯0.216 g/ml in patients with normal BMI, 0.979 ±â€¯0.253 g/ml, 1.058 ±â€¯0.635 g/ml, 0.996 ±â€¯0.284 g/ml and 0.9768 ±â€¯0.244 g/ml in patients with BMI categories 25-29.99, 30-34.99, 35-39.99 and ≥40 kg/m2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates a non-linear (inverse U-shape) relationship between increasing BMI class and concentricity index, reaching its maximum at a BMI of 30-34.99 kg/m2. Further increase in BMI results in LV dilation.