Cardiac magnetic resonance findings in cardiac amyloidosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to highlight the increasing importance of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in diagnosing and managing cardiac amyloidosis, especially given the recent advancements in treatment options. RECENT FINDINGS: This review emphasizes the crucial role of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) with phase-sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) techniques in both diagnosing and predicting patient outcomes in cardiac amyloidosis. The review also explores promising new techniques for diagnosing early-stage disease, such as native T1 mapping and ECV quantification. Additionally, it delves into experimental techniques like diffusion tensor imaging, MR elastography, and spectroscopy. SUMMARY: This review underscores CMR as a powerful tool for diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis, assessing risk factors, and monitoring treatment response. While LGE imaging remains the current best practice for diagnosis, emerging techniques such as T1 mapping and ECV quantification offer promise for improved detection, particularly in early stages of the disease. This has significant implications for patient management as newer therapeutic options become available for cardiac amyloidosis.

Assessing Regurgitation Severity, Adverse Remodeling, and Fibrosis with CMR in Primary Mitral Regurgitation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review offers an evidence-based analysis of established and emerging cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) techniques used to assess the severity of primary mitral regurgitation (MR), identify adverse cardiac remodeling and its prognostic effect. The aim is to provide different insights regarding clinical decision-making and enhance the clinical outcomes of patients with MR. RECENT FINDINGS: Cardiac remodeling and myocardial replacement fibrosis are observed frequently in the presence of substantial LV volume overload, particularly in cases with severe primary MR. CMR serves as a useful diagnostic imaging modality in assessing mitral regurgitation severity, early detection of cardiac remodeling, myocardial dysfunction, and myocardial fibrosis, enabling timely intervention before irreversible damage ensues. Incorporating myocardial remodeling in terms of left ventricular (LV) dilatation and myocardial fibrosis with quantitative MR severity assessment by CMR may assist in defining optimal timing of intervention.

Assessing Regurgitation Severity, Adverse Remodeling, and Fibrosis with CMR in Aortic Regurgitation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is emerging as a valuable imaging modality for the assessment of aortic regurgitation (AR). In this review, we discuss the assessment of AR severity, left ventricular (LV) remodeling, and tissue characterization by CMR while highlighting the latest studies and addressing future research needs. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have further established CMR-based thresholds of AR severity and LV remodeling that are associated with adverse clinical outcomes, and lower than current guideline criteria. In addition, tissue profiling with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and extracellular volume (ECV) quantification can reliably assess adverse myocardial tissue remodeling which is also associated with adverse outcomes. The strengths and reproducibility of CMR in evaluating ventricular volumes, tissue characteristics, and regurgitation severity position it as an excellent modality in evaluating and following AR patients. Advanced CMR techniques for the detection of tissue remodeling have shown significant potential and merit further investigation.

Fixation of clavicle alone in floating shoulder injury : functional and radiological outcome.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of fixation of clavicle alone in floating shoulder injury. From 2007to 2011 thirteen patients with floating shoulder injury (ipsilateral clavicle and scapular neck fracture ) were treated by isolated fixation of the clavicle by plate osteosynthesis. Assessment of the shoulder function was performed using the university of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder rating scale .The mean duration of follow up period was 24.3 months .All the fractures were united , fractures of the clavicle united from 11to 16 weeks after surgery and that of scapula from 12to16 weeks . The overall UCLA shoulder rating scale was 32.3 (range from 30-34) . Isolated plate fixation of clavicle fracture in floating shoulder injuries results in high rates of both clavicular and scapular fracture healing provided the integrity of coracocla-vicular ligament and involvement of the coracoids process with the distal scapular fragment .

Complete spatiotemporal quantification of cardiac motion in mice through enhanced acquisition and super-resolution reconstruction.

The quantification of cardiac motion using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has shown promise as an early-stage marker for cardiovascular diseases. Despite the growing popularity of CMR-based myocardial strain calculations, measures of complete spatiotemporal strains (i.e., three-dimensional strains over the cardiac cycle) remain elusive. Complete spatiotemporal strain calculations are primarily hampered by poor spatial resolution, with the rapid motion of the cardiac wall also challenging the reproducibility of such strains. We hypothesize that a super-resolution reconstruction (SRR) framework that leverages combined image acquisitions at multiple orientations will enhance the reproducibility of complete spatiotemporal strain estimation. Two sets of CMR acquisitions were obtained for five wild-type mice, combining short-axis scans with radial and orthogonal long-axis scans. Super-resolution reconstruction, integrated with tissue classification, was performed to generate full four-dimensional (4D) images. The resulting enhanced and full 4D images enabled complete quantification of the motion in terms of 4D myocardial strains. Additionally, the effects of SRR in improving accurate strain measurements were evaluated using an in-silico heart phantom. The SRR framework revealed near isotropic spatial resolution, high structural similarity, and minimal loss of contrast, which led to overall improvements in strain accuracy. In essence, a comprehensive methodology was generated to quantify complete and reproducible myocardial deformation, aiding in the much-needed standardization of complete spatiotemporal strain calculations.

Atypical Left Ventricular False Chordae Tendineae.

An 81-year-old female patient with a history of severe secondary mitral regurgitation, hypertension, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was seen by the valve team to determine candidacy for transcatheter edge-to-edge repair of the mitral valve. Two-dimensional biplane imaging showed a transverse basal left ventricle false tendon attached to papillary muscles. The position was concerning for interference during deployment of the mitral clip.

Utilization of Two- and Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography in Successfully Guiding Transcatheter Mitral Valve in Bioprosthetic Mitral Valve/Mitral Ring Implantation without Complications in Patients with Thrombus in Left Atrium/Left Atrial Appendage.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to describe, for the first time to our knowledge, the utilization of both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in successfully performing transcatheter mitral valve (MV) in bioprosthetic MV/MV annulopasty ring implantation using the apical approach in 12 patients (pts) with co-existing left atrial appendage (LAA) and/or LA (left atrium) body thrombus, which is considered a contraindication for this procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS: All pts were severely symptomatic with severe bioprosthetic MV stenosis/regurgitation except one with a previous MV annuloplasty ring and severe native MV stenosis. Thrombus in LAA and/or LA body was noted in all by 2D and 3DTEE. All were at high/prohibitive risk for redo operation and all refused surgery. Utilizing both 2D and 3DTEE, especially 3DTEE, guidewires and the prosthesis deployment system could be manipulated under direct vision into the LA avoiding any contact with the thrombus. The procedure was successful in all with amelioration of symptoms and no embolic or other complications over a mean follow-up of 21 months. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates the feasibility of successfully performing this procedure in pts with thrombus in LAA and/or LA body without any complications.

The Clinical and Radiological Outcome of Stages 1 and 2 Enneking Benign Bone Lesions with Pathological Fracture.

BACKGROUND: Presentation of benign lesions with a pathological fracture may be confusing to general orthopedic surgeons regarding missing a fracture in a pathological bone, the need for special care for these lesions, and the potential for healing of these fractures. The objective of this work was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of the treatment of patients with stages 1 and 2 Enneking benign bone-tumors presented with pathological fractures. METHODS: This retrospective study included 66 patients who presented with a pathological fracture through stage 1 or 2 Enneking benign bone lesions and were received at the emergency unit of the orthopedic department between 2014 and 2018. Demographic data and patient's evaluation were collected. Lesion-size (length, width, and depth) was calculated from the X-ray. Surgical intervention was planned in 28 patients. The indication for surgery was either fracture fixation or curettage of the lesion with or without augmentation. There were no repeated surgeries or local recurrences. The filling of the cavity was classified according to modified Neer's classification. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients, 45 males, and 21 females were included. Forty-two affections were right while 24 were left. The mean age was 14.9 ± 8.6 (range, 3-40) years. The most common radiological diagnoses were simple bone-cysts 43.9% (n = 29), followed by non-ossifying fibroma 27.3% (n =18). The mean length of the lesions was 4.4 ± 2.6 (range, 1 - 12) cm, width was 1.6 ± 0.8 (range, 0.3- 4.5) cm, and depth was 1.8 ± 0.9 (range, 0.3 - 5) cm. The mean follow-up was 24.15 ± 18.7 months. Minor complications occurred in 7 patients (10.6%). Fifty-four out of 65 lesions (83%) showed either almost complete or partial filling of the lesions. There was no significant difference regarding the filling of the lesions according to the modified Neer's classification between those who were treated conservatively and those who underwent surgical intervention P-value = 0.783. CONCLUSION: Careful diagnosis of a pathological fracture through stages 1 and 2 Enneking benign bone tumors is essential before initiating treatment. These fractures have good potential for bone healing and a low incidence of complications even with conservative treatment. Special surgical care of the lesion is not mandatory in all situations and should be individualized. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective.

Ureteral stricture after ureteroscopy for stones: A prospective study for the incidence and risk factors.

CONTEXT: A ureteral stricture is a serious complication of ureteroscopy (URS) that was reported in the literature in highly variable rates from 0.2% to 24%. AIMS: Our aims are to estimate the incidence and to detect the risk factors of ureteral stricture after URS. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a prospective, case-series study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the period from May 2015 to August 2016, 251 adult patients underwent 263 URS for the treatment of 304 ureteral stones. Postoperative regular follow-up was done for 12 months by ultrasound. Computed tomography urography and diuretic renogram were performed for the cases developed hydronephrosis to confirm and detect the level of the stricture. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 19.0, Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. used for data analysis. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare between qualitative variables. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare between two quantitative variables in case of nonparametric data. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done to measure the risk factors. P value was considered statistically significant when <0.05. RESULTS: The mean age was 43.5 years (standard deviation [SD]: ±13.6), and the mean body mass index was 28.39 (±3.96). The mean total stone burden was 12.8 mm (SD: ±5.9). Bilateral URS was performed in 12 cases. The mean operative time was 54.8 min (SD: ±22.68). Initial and final stone-free rates were 83.3% and 100%, respectively. The overall complications rate was 28.1%. Stricture occurred in four cases (1.5%). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, the incidence of post-URS ureteral stricture is low. The impacted stone is the most common cause of URS complications and hence stricture formation.

Profile of non-communicable disease risk factors among employees at a Saudi university.

BACKGROUND: There is paucity of studies defining the prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors in Saudi Arabia despite the surging epidemic of obesity, change in dietary habits and sedentary lifestyle. OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of NCDs risk factors among employees at King Faisal University in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia and to determine the possible correlates for clustering of NCDs risk factors among them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All employees were invited to participate; the World Health Organization STEPwise approach was used for data collection which consisted of a personal interview to collect socio-demographic characteristics, NCD history, tobacco use, vegetables and fruit consumption, and physical activity (PA), followed by anthropometric measurements namely weight, height and waist circumference and blood pressure measurements, subjects were finally subjected to biochemical tests with determination of fasting plasma glucose, serum triglycerides, cholesterol and high density lipoproteins. RESULTS: Of the surveyed employees (n=691), daily current smokers accounted for 22.7%. 94.9%, 95.1% and 86% consumed < 5 servings per day of vegetables, fruits and both fruits and vegetables respectively, 73% were physically inactive, 64% were overweight or obese, 22.1% had hypertension, and 21.5% were diabetics. Elevated cholesterol levels were found in 36.6%, low high density lipoproteins in 36.8%, and elevated triglycerides in 36.1%. Only 3% had no NCD risk factors, and 57.6% had ≥3 factors. Multivariate logistic regression showed that gender (being male, adjusted odds ratio 'aOR'=1.51), aged ≥ 50 years (aOR=3.06), < college education (aOR=1.75), current smokers (aOR=2.37), being obese (aOR=6.96) and having a low PA level (aOR=4.59) were the significant positive predictors for clustering of NCD risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Over fifty percent of the studied university's employees had multiple (≥3) NCD risk factors. Screening and health promotion initiatives should be launched at least targeting the modifiable factors to avert the excessive risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and several types of cancers.

Study of respiratory disorders in endoscopically negative and positive gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The relation between respiratory disorders and reflux symptoms has been debated since the beginning of the last century and the interest in this question has increased during the last few decades. This study aims to investigate the relation between specified respiratory disorders and reflux symptoms and examine the correlations between respiratory disorders and endoscopic findings in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 515 patients evaluated for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by patient self-report symptom questionnaire; modified four grade Likert scale and endoscopic assessment using endoscopic Los Angeles Classification. All participants were asked about various respiratory symptoms experienced during the past six months and exposed to measuring body mass index (BMI), medical history, pulmonary physical examination, chest X-ray, respiratory function tests and available sleep studies. RESULTS: A total number of 515 patients were categorized according to endoscopic findings into two groups; (group1) subjects with normal endoscopic studies (NERD) 118 (22.9%) patients and (group2) subjects with abnormal endoscopic studies (ERD) 397 (77.1%). The proportion of females was significantly higher in ERD group (80.1%) as compared with NERD group (62.7%) ( P < 0.02). Duration of reflux symptoms found to be significantly prolonged in ERD group ( P < 0.03). The cases of ERD group were more likely to be overweight (BMI>25) P < 0.02. History of pulmonary symptoms preceding GERD symptoms was found in 15% of patients. There were 294 patients (57.1%) with different pulmonary manifestations. These manifestations were significantly higher among female group ( P < 0.01) and among obese, above 40 years old ( P < 0.001, 0.05 respectively). Among all patients with respiratory manifestations the commonest disorders diagnosed were chronic pharyngitis (50.3%), chronic bronchitis (15.8%), bronchial asthma (12.6%) and recurrent pneumonia (3.3%). Obstructive sleep apnea and recurrent hemoptysis were present in 2.7% and 1.5% of the studied patients respectively. There were three cases of chronic lung abscess. There was a significant difference between ERD and NERD groups in their relations to respiratory disorders ( P < 0.001). There were statistically significant differences in FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC ( P < 0.02, P < 0.05 and P < 0.05) respectively in ERD group as compared with NERD group. CONCLUSION: The study confirms the strong link between gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and various respiratory disorders. Endoscopy of the upper digestive tract remains an important exam in the evaluation of GERD. Respiratory symptoms are more prevalent among erosive esophagitis patients with a positive correlation with degree of severity. There is direct relationship between the severity of airways obstruction as detected by FEV1 and FEV1/FVC and GER symptoms.