Comparison of aortic valve annulus diameter determination through 3-dimensional transesophageal echo with cardiac MDCT and assessment of predictors for annulus sizing.

OBJECTIVES: The long-term success of CoreValve stent prosthesis (Medtronic) implantation for severe aortic valve stenosis is limited in determination of correct aortic valve annulus. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated preinterventional cardiac 256-slice computed tomography (cardiac CT) scans and 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE) for assessment of aortic valve annulus to (i) compare both methods as well as (ii) to define predictors for annulus sizing. RESULTS: We investigated 200 consecutive patients with a mean aortic valve annulus (AA) of 24mm and a mean age of 81 years. Primarily we defined mean diameters of AA individually and grouped the different patients according to age, gender, body weight, length, surface area and body mass index. Thereby, we found statistical significant different annulus diameter in age (larger diameter when < 80 years of age), gender (male > femal), and body length (larger diameter when length > 165cm). Secondly, the multivariate analysis demonstrated that the age, the gender and the body length were additionally independent predictors for annulus size. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate the feasibility of cardiac CT and 3D TEE with no difference in the quality of the aortic valve annulus diameter determination. We describe predictors for annulus size in age, gender and body length. Conclusive, we support patient dependent parameters as age, gender and body length as predictors that must go into selection of CoreValve stent prosthesis size individually prior to implantation procedure.

Non-invasive and invasive predictors of paravalvular regurgitation post CoreValve® stent prosthesis implantation in aortic valves.

OBJECTIVES: The long-term success of CoreValve® stent prosthesis (Medtronic) implantation for severe aortic valve stenosis is limited by postprocedural paravalvular regurgitation (PVR). METHODS: We have retrospectively investigated preinterventional cardiac 256-slice computed tomography (CT) scans and aortography to define predictors for mild, moderate, or severe PVR, in a blinded fashion. RESULTS: We investigated 100 consecutive patients with a mean aortic valve area (AVA) of 0.69 cm(2) and a mean age of 79.4 years. PVR was defined by echocardiography as mild (63), moderate (18), or severe (19). We found no differences according to AVA, left ventricular function, deployed stent size, calcification rate of the aortic valve, and stent position. Anatomically, the annular size and the angle between the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) and the ascending aorta demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) differences in the severity of the PVR: an LVOT: ascending aorta angle >12.6°, annulus area >8.9 cm(2) , and annulus diameter difference >3.9 mm. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that deviation angle, difference of aortic annulus (longitudinal-orthogonal), and CoreValve size were independent predictors of PVR. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate the feasibility of cardiac CT to evaluate predictors of PVR post-CoreValve placement. We support the aortic annulus (the area as well as the diameter differences) and the deviation of the linear slope from LVOT to ascending aorta as predictors of severe paravalvular regurgitations poststent implantation.

Ectopic atrial tachycardias with early activation at His site: radiofrequency ablation through a retrograde approach.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a retrograde approach for radiofrequency (RF) ablation of ectopic atrial tachycardias (EATs) with an early atrial activation at the His site. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study included 12 patients with EAT. During tachycardia, earliest atrial activation was recorded at the His site at a standard catheter setting. Activation mapping was performed in the right atrium and along the mitral annulus and at the aortic root after retrograde insertion of the ablation catheter over the ascending aorta. In five patients, earliest atrial activation was recorded at the mitral annulus (in two patients at the superior-lateral annulus and in three patients at the inferior-medial annulus). In four of these patients, EAT could be successfully treated by RF ablation through the retrograde approach, whereas in one patient, a transseptal puncture was performed in order to achieve a stable catheter position. In seven patients, RF ablation at the non-coronary aortic sinus eliminated the tachycardia. During a follow-up period of 14 +/- 8 months, there was no tachycardia recurrence. CONCLUSION: In patients with EATs and early atrial activation at the His site, tachycardia may arise in the non-coronary aortic sinus or from the mitral annulus. Radiofrequency energy ablation can be performed through a retrograde approach in the majority of these patients and is safe and effective in eliminating this type of tachycardia.

A 25-year-old woman with a gastric GIST and a PET-positive epicardial tumor.

BACKGROUND: A 25-year-old woman presented with a history of abdominal pain. Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract revealed a tumor that protruded into the prepyloric antrum. After resection, a 'high-risk' gastrointestinal stromal tumor was histologically confirmed. INVESTIGATIONS: Endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, hemigastrectomy, [(18)F]-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-PET/CT scan, histological examination, immunohistochemistry, cardiac MRI, high-resolution CT with electrocardiogram gating, CT angiography, and cardiac surgery. DIAGNOSIS: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor, epicardial paraganglioma, and Carney's syndrome. MANAGEMENT: Abdominal ultrasound and endoscopy combined with endoscopic ultrasound, annual FDG-PET/CT scan.

Prognostic role of myocardial tumor necrosis factor-alpha and terminal complement complex expression in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: In patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), elevated plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are associated with poor prognosis. The terminal complement complex (C5b-9) stimulates myocardial TNF-alpha expression. AIMS: To investigate whether myocardial TNF-alpha and C5b-9 expression correlate with clinical outcome in DCM. METHODS AND RESULTS: 71 patients with DCM underwent myocardial biopsy. Biopsies were analyzed for TNF-alpha, C5b-9, markers of inflammation and for viral genome. Patients were divided into three groups according to biopsy results: group A: no TNF-alpha and no C5b-9; group B: TNF-alpha or C5b-9; and group C: TNF-alpha and C5b-9. NYHA classification, ECG and echocardiography were documented. Patients received conventional treatment of heart failure and, in a few cases, additional treatment with interferon beta(1b) (virus positive) or prednisolone (inflammatory DCM). There were 13 patients (18%) in group A, 19 patients (27%) in group B, and 39 patients (55%) in group C. All groups had a similar and significant improvement in NYHA classification and echocardiographic parameters. TNF-alpha and C5b-9 did not significantly correlate with the presence of viral genome or with markers of inflammation. CONCLUSION: TNF-alpha and C5b-9 are widely distributed in the myocardium of DCM patients. Neither of the antigens correlates with clinical outcome. Myocardial TNF-alpha may not be a useful prognostic marker in DCM.

Pioglitazone reduces neointima volume after coronary stent implantation: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in nondiabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Restenosis requiring reintervention limits the long-term success after coronary stent implantation. Thiazolidinediones, like pioglitazone or rosiglitazone, are oral antidiabetic drugs with additional antirestenotic properties. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, we examined the effect of 6-month pioglitazone therapy on neointima volume after coronary stenting in nondiabetic coronary artery disease patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty nondiabetic patients after coronary stent implantation were randomly assigned to pioglitazone (30 mg daily; pio) or placebo (control) treatment in addition to standard therapy, and neointima volume was assessed by intravascular ultrasound at the 6-month follow-up. Both groups were comparable with regard to baseline characteristics, angiographic lesion morphology, target vessel, and length of the stented segment. In addition, there were no statistical differences in minimal lumen diameter before and after intervention, as well as reference diameter after stent implantation. In this study population of nondiabetic patients, pio treatment did not significantly change fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, or glycosylated hemoglobin levels, as well as lipid parameters. In contrast, pio treatment significantly reduced neointima volume within the stented segment, with 2.3+/-1.1 mm3/mm in the pio group versus 3.1+/-1.6 mm3/mm in controls (P=0.04). Total plaque volume (adventitia-lumen area) was significantly lower at follow-up in the pio group (11.2+/-3.2 mm3/mm) compared with controls (13.2+/-4.2 mm3/mm; P=0.04). Moreover, the binary restenosis rate was 3.4% in the pio group versus 32.3% in controls (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, 6-month treatment with pio significantly reduced neointima volume after coronary stent implantation in nondiabetic patients. These data bolster the hypothesis that antidiabetic thiazolidinediones, in addition to their metabolic effects, exhibit direct antirestenotic effects in the vasculature.

Common RAPD pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from patients and tap water in a medical intensive care unit.

The epidemiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections and colonizations was studied prospectively on a 12-bed medical intensive care unit. Patients were monitored for P. aeruginosa colonization by performing throat swabs or tracheal aspirates on admission and weekly thereafter over a period of 6 months. Cultures of possibly infected sites were taken as clinically indicated. Water samples from all patient care-related tap water outlets were collected in 2-weekly intervals and examined for the presence of P. aeruginosa. Strains isolated from patients and water samples were analysed by serotyping and random amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) typing. During the 6-month period, 60 of 143 (42%) water samples contained P. aeruginosa at various levels ranging from 1 to >100 colony-forming units per 100ml sample. Genotypically, water samples contained 8 different clonotypes. Nine patients had infections due to P. aeruginosa and 7 patients were colonized. Isolates from patients showed a similar distribution of genotypes as did tap water isolates, and strains of identical genotype as patient strains had been isolated previously from tap water outlets in 8 out of 16 (50%) infection or colonization episodes. However, patients also harboured strains not previously isolated from tap water. Thus, in addition to tap water, other environmental or unknown reservoirs appeared to play a role for the epidemiology of P. aeruginosa infections on this ward. However, because tap water played a significant role for strain transmissions, we conclude that intensified water site care is justified.

Repeat intracoronary beta-brachytherapy using a rhenium-188-filled balloon catheter for recurrent restenosis in patients who failed intracoronary radiation therapy.

BACKGROUND: Conventional percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in restenotic lesions after brachytherapy failure is associated with a high recurrence rate of restenoses and revascularizations. Intracoronary brachytherapy using a liquid rhenium-188-filled balloon in de novo or restenotic lesions safely and effectively reduced restenosis rates. We report clinical and angiographic data regarding the safety and efficacy of rhenium-188 brachytherapy in restenoses after brachytherapy failure. METHODS: Fourteen patients with restenosis after brachytherapy failure received rhenium-188 beta-brachytherapy. Follow-up was performed angiographically after 6 months and clinically after 12 months. Primary clinical endpoint was the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as any death, myocardial infarction or repeat revascularization in the target vessel within 12 months. Secondary angiographic endpoints were the binary restenosis rate and late loss in the total segment including edge effects at 6 months. RESULTS: The prescribed dose of 22.5 Gy (n=12) or 30 Gy (n=2) was successfully delivered in all patients. In two lesions, a bare-metal stent was implanted. The mean length of the irradiated segment was 40.0+/-15.7 mm. The mean diameter of the irradiation balloon was 2.96+/-0.37 mm. Angiographic follow-up was done in 13 of 14 patients. There was no edge stenosis or coronary aneurysm. Within the total segment, late loss was 0.39+/-0.64 mm and late loss index was 0.18+/-0.40 with a binary restenosis rate of 23%. Twelve months' clinical follow-up was available in all patients, which showed a MACE rate of 7% due to one target lesion revascularization (TLR). CONCLUSIONS: Intracoronary beta-brachytherapy with a liquid rhenium-188-filled balloon in restenoses after intracoronary radiation therapy failure including 12 months combined antiplatelet therapy is safe with respect to vessel thrombosis, late coronary occlusion or aneurysm formation. With limited use of stenting, angiographic and clinical follow-up for repeat brachytherapy were favorable and it is associated with low restenosis and target vessel revascularization rate.

First results and follow-up of a second-generation circular mapping and ablation catheter.

PURPOSE: Pulmonary vein isolation with radiofrequency energy is widely used as a strategy for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Anatomically designed catheters have been developed to increase the efficiency of AF ablation procedures. The second-generation circular ablation catheter, PVAC GOLD, was re-designed to improve energy delivery and mitigate emboli. We investigated the procedural efficiency, biophysics, and chronic efficacy of PVAC GOLD in patients with AF. METHODS: We consecutively enrolled 40 patients (60 ± 11 years) with highly symptomatic, drug refractory AF. The first 20 patients were treated with the first-generation PVAC. The subsequent 20 patients were treated with the second-generation PVAC GOLD catheter. All patients were followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: All 164 targeted PVs were successfully isolated. Ablations performed with PVAC GOLD showed a significant reduction in total number of ablations needed for PVI, fluoroscopy, and procedure times compared to PVAC (34.7 ± 7.0 vs. 27.0 ± 6.5; p = 0.009), fluoroscopy (29.5 ± 9.5 vs. 23.4 ± 7.0; p = 0.026), and procedure time (93.8 ± 18.9 vs. 83.1 ± 10.6; p = 0.033). PVAC GOLD showed improved biophysics including a reduction of low power ablations and an increase in mean effective energy delivery. At 12 months follow-up, AF recurrence rates were comparable in the two groups (35 vs. 30 %; p = 0.735). There were no adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The redesigned PVAC GOLD catheter demonstrates a reduction in radiofrequency ablation and procedure time and improved biophysics while maintaining chronic efficacy compared to the first-generation PVAC.

Intracoronary beta-irradiation with a rhenium-188-filled balloon catheter: a randomized trial in patients with de novo and restenotic lesions.

BACKGROUND: Restenosis requiring reintervention is the main limitation of coronary angioplasty. Intracoronary irradiation reduces neointimal proliferation. We studied the efficacy of a self-centering liquid rhenium-188-filled balloon catheter for coronary beta-brachytherapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: After successful coronary angioplasty with or without stenting, 225 patients (71% de novo lesions) were randomly assigned to receive 22.5 Gy intravascular beta-irradiation in 0.5-mm tissue depth (n=113) or to receive no additional intervention (n=112). Clinical and procedural data did not differ between the groups except a higher rate of stenting in the control group (63%) compared with the rhenium-188 group (45%, P<0.02). After 6 months of follow-up, late loss was significantly lower in the irradiated group compared with the control group, both of the target lesion (0.11+/-0.54 versus 0.69+/-0.81 mm, P<0.0001) and of the total segment (0.22+/-0.67 versus 0.70+/-0.82 mm, P<0.0001). This was also evident in the subgroup of patients with de novo lesions and independent from stenting. Binary restenosis rates were significantly lower at the target lesion (6.3% versus 27.5%, P<0.0001) and of the total segment (12.6% versus 28.6%, P<0.007) after rhenium-188 brachytherapy compared with the control group. Target vessel revascularization rate was significantly lower in the rhenium-188 (6.3%) compared with the control group (19.8%, P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Intracoronary beta-brachytherapy with a rhenium-188 liquid-filled balloon is safe and efficiently reduces restenosis and revascularization rates after coronary angioplasty.

Reduction of major adverse cardiac events with intracoronary compared with intravenous bolus application of abciximab in patients with acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina undergoing coronary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: In patients with acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina undergoing coronary angioplasty, abciximab reduces major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Clinical trials have studied intravenous administration only. Intracoronary bolus application of abciximab causes very high local drug concentrations and may be more effective. We studied whether intracoronary bolus administration of abciximab is associated with a reduced MACE rate compared with the standard intravenous bolus application. METHODS AND RESULTS: We stratified 403 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina undergoing coronary angioplasty according to the type of application of abciximab. A 20-mg bolus of abciximab was given intravenously in 109 patients and intracoronarily in 294 patients. There were no differences between the groups with regard to diabetes mellitus, cardiogenic shock, successful intervention, or preprocedural and postprocedural TIMI flow. At 30 days, the incidence of MACE (death, myocardial infarction, urgent revascularization) was significantly lower in the patients with intracoronary compared with intravenous administration of abciximab (10.2% versus 20.2%; P<0.008), which was independent from stenting in multivariate analysis. The effect was most pronounced in patients with preprocedural TIMI 0/1 flow (MACE: intracoronary 11.8% versus intravenous 27.5%, P<0.002; n=273). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina undergoing emergency coronary angioplasty, intracoronary bolus application of abciximab is associated with a reduction of MACE compared with the standard intravenous bolus application of abciximab. Prospective, randomized trials are warranted to further assess intracoronary application of abciximab.

Myocardial biopsy based classification and treatment in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether myocardial biopsy analysis for inflammation and viruses correlates with outcome in dilated cardiomyopathy. METHODS: Myocardial biopsies of 82 patients were analyzed for HLAI, HLAII, CD54, CD2, CD68 and entero-/adenovirus. Ejection fraction was determined by left ventriculography. NYHA classification, electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiography were analyzed at first admission and for follow up. Patients were attributed to three groups: (A) no inflammation/no virus (B) inflammation/no virus (C) virus with/without inflammation. Patients not responding to conventional treatment of heart failure received interferon beta1b (group C) or prednisolone (group B). Median follow up was 7 months (group A), 11 months (group B) and 14.5 months (group C). RESULTS: Thirty nine patients (48%) belonged to group A, 33 patients (40%) to group B, 10 patients (12%) to group C. Only enterovirus was detected. Ejection fraction at admission was worse for group B compared to group A (p=0.003). Groups A and B improved for echocardiography and NYHA (p< or =0.001). Group C improved for echocardiography only (p=0.031). Group B showed a better outcome for echocardiography (p=0.014) and NYHA (p=0.023) than group A. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory cardiomyopathy shows the best outcome. Antiinflammatory or antiviral treatment may be an option in patients not responding to conventional therapy.

Re-angioplasty of in-stent restenosis versus balloon restenoses--a matched pair comparison.

BACKGROUND: Despite different biological mechanisms involved in the restenotic process of in-stent restenosis and restenosis after balloon angioplasty alone, the occurrence of a second restenosis has been reported in the same range. There are no data available comparing the outcome after re-angioplasty of such lesions. We analyzed in a matched pair comparison the clinical outcome and angiographic long-term result of patients with balloon angioplasty of a first in-stent restenosis versus patients with balloon re-angioplasty of a first balloon restenosis. METHODS: Both groups consisted of 74 lesions matched by treated vessel, lesion location differentiated in proximal and non-proximal, and angiographic appearance of coronary artery disease differentiated in singular stenosis, diffuse or mixed pattern. Clinical follow-up was 100%. Angiographic follow-up was 78.4% after median 174 days. RESULTS: Angiographic restenosis rate in matched pairs of patients (n=46/74) was significantly higher in the balloon restenosis group (41.3%, n=19/46) compared to the in-stent restenosis group (21.7%, n=10/46, p<0.042). There was no death or myocardial infarction. After clinical follow-up, target lesion revascularization rate was significantly lower in the in-stent restenosis group compared to the balloon restenosis group (12.1%, n=9/74 versus 27.0%, n=20/74; difference between groups 14.9%, 95% confidence interval 2.0-27.3%, p<0.023). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed as predictors for a second restenosis unstable angina pectoris, non-proximal lesion, restenosis after balloon angioplasty and the occurrence of the first restenosis within 90 days after initial intervention. CONCLUSION: Clinical and angiographic outcome after balloon angioplasty of a first in-stent restenosis was significantly better compared with balloon re-angioplasty of a first balloon restenosis.

No effect of highly dosed nitric oxide donor molsidomine on the angiographic restenosis rate after percutaneous coronary angioplasty: a randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) counteracts several mechanisms involved in the restenotic process after coronary angioplasty. NO mediates an antiproliferative effect on smooth muscle cells, inhibition of leukocyte-vessel wall interactions, and platelet aggregation and adhesion. Because these effects are mainly dose dependent, NO-releasing drugs have to be applied at a high dose to have an effect on restenotic mechanisms. OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of the NO donor molsidomine at a high dose of 8 mg tid on angiographic restenosis rate in a randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty-six patients with de novo stenosis were randomly assigned to molsidomine or placebo treatment for six months (83 patients each). The primary end point was the angiographic restenosis rate at six months. The secondary end points were major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including death, myocardial infarction and revascularization. Analyses were performed by intention to treat. RESULTS: There were no differences in clinical, procedural and angiographic data, including minimum lumen diameter and reference diameter. Provisional stenting was performed in 28% of patients receiving molsidomine and 25% of patients treated with placebo. All other patients were treated with standard balloon angioplasty. Reangiography rate was 89.3% (molsidomine 90 lesions, placebo 97 lesions). Restenosis rate (greater than 50% diameter stenosis) was not significantly different (molsidomine 25.6% and placebo 29.9%). Patients receiving molsidomine improved significantly more in their anginal class than patients receiving placebo (P<0.026). Occurrence of MACE did not significantly differ between both groups (molsidomine 26.8% and placebo 34.9%, P=0.26). CONCLUSION: Treatment with the NO donor molsidomine at a high dose of 8 mg tid for six months after coronary angioplasty has no effect on the angiographic restenosis rate. Due to the vasodilating effect of NO, the anginal status improves slightly more in patients receiving molsidomine.

Quantification of mitral regurgitation by the proximal flow convergence method--comparison of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: No dataexist to indicate whether transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are of comparable value for the detection and quantification of mitral regurgitation using the proximal flow convergence method. HYPOTHESIS: The study was performed to compare the value of TTE and TEE for the detection and quantification of mitral regurgitation using this method. METHODS: The study included 57 patients with and 11 patients without mitral regurgitation. In all patients, the proximal flow convergence region was imaged by transthoracic and transesophageal color Doppler echocardiography, and proximal isovelocity surface area radii were determined. In 19 patients, monoplane TEE and in 49 patients multiplane TEE was performed. Thirty-one patients with mitral regurgitation underwent cardiac catheterization. RESULTS: Both methods had a comparable sensitivity for the detection of mitral regurgitation. Proximal isovelocity surface area radii derived from TTE and TEE agreed moderately (mean difference -0.5 +/- 1.3 mm). TTE and TEE correlated significantly with the angiographic grade (rank correlation coefficients 0.83 and 0.81), and both differentiated mild to moderate from severe mitral regurgitation with an accuracy of 90%. Regurgitant volumes derived from both echocardiographic techniques and cardiac catheterization correlated moderately (correlation coefficients between 0.67 and 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: TTE and TEE were of comparable value for the detection and quantification of mitral regurgitation using the proximal flow convergence method.

Non-invasive and invasive evaluation of aortic valve area in 100 patients with severe aortic valve stenosis: comparison of cardiac computed tomography with ECHO (transesophageal/transthoracic) and catheter examination.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines place emphasis on the determination of aortic valve area (AVA) for defining an appropriate treatment strategy. Invasive and non-invasive modalities are used to perform planimetric [transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and cardiac multidetector computed tomography (MDCT)] and calculated [catheter examination (CE), transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)] AVA measurements. PURPOSE AND METHODS: We investigated 100 patients admitted to evaluate the AVA using cardiac MDCT (CT), TEE/TTE as well as invasive CE. RESULTS: In all 100 patients we calculated a mean AVA of 0.79±0.29cm(2) (female 50/100, 0.70±0.19cm(2), male 0.9±0.21cm(2)) determined by all investigated examinations (mean±SEM). AVA measurements determined by CT were significantly greater (0.86±0.25cm(2)) than those determined by CE: 0.75±0.18cm(2), p=0.01. Echocardiographically determined AVA was comparable to CE (statistically not significant). Similar results were seen in all patients regardless of gender, presence of atrial fibrillation, and heart rate. We calculated a mean AVA for each patient and evaluated the variance of the AVA determined through investigated specific examinations as the bias. Overall, we found for CT 0.13±0.1cm(2), CE 0.13±0.11cm(2), TEE 0.16±0.09cm(2), and for TTE 0.16±0.08cm(2) a specific statistical non-significant variance. On subgroups: sinus rhythm, atrial fibrillation, females, males or combination, we found no further significant relevance for the specific variance. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest the feasibility of cardiac MDCT to evaluate the correct AVA regardless of rhythm, heart rate, and sex. The planimetric concept to determine the AVA with CT displaces the "gold-standard" CE with respect to elucidating the potencies for complications, i.e. cerebral stroke. Regardless of CT's accessing of AVA measurement the TTE examination should remain the primary method of screening for aortic valve pathologies.

Abortion of myocardial infarction by primary angioplasty mainly depends on preprocedural TIMI flow.

AIMS: To define frequency and predictors of aborted myocardial infarctions (MI) after primary angioplasty. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed 196 consecutive patients with the clinical diagnosis of ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (ST-ACS) admitted for primary angioplasty to one interventional facility between October 2005 and September 2006. Aborted MI was defined as a creatine increase of less than two times the upper limit of normal, combined with typical evolutionary electrocardiographic changes. Masquerading MI was diagnosed if evolutionary changes were missing or could be attributed to other causes. Thirty-four patients (17,3%) had an aborted and nine (4,6%) a masquerading MI. The main predictor of abortion was Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow 2 or 3 prior to procedure. The in-hospital mortality of aborted MI was 0%, the one year mortality 2.9%. Sixteen patients without prior or inter-current myocardial infarction had a preserved ejection fraction on cardiac MR at 12 months; in six patients even without any detection of late enhancement. CONCLUSIONS: There is a substantial proportion of aborted myocardial infarction after primary angioplasty, corresponding to a small or even non detectable scar formation in terms of late enhancement on cardiac MR. Preprocedural TIMI flow 2 or 3 is the main predictor of aborted MI.

Impact of pioglitazone on coronary endothelial function in non-diabetic patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: Pioglitazone has been shown to exert multiple antiatherosclerotic actions independent from its glycemic effects. We studied the hypothesis that pioglitazone improves coronary endothelial dysfunction in non-diabetic patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. METHODS: Fifty non-diabetic patients with CAD were randomized to 6 months treatment with pioglitazone 30 mg daily or placebo. Coronary endothelial function was tested at baseline and after 6 months with intracoronary infusion of adenosine, acetylcholine (0.072; 0.72; 7.2, and 36 microg/min), glyceroltrinitrate, and cold pressor test (CPT). The primary endpoint was the mean effect of treatment compared with placebo on acetylcholine-induced coronary vascular response for all acetylcholine dosages, based on percent change in luminal area measured by quantitative coronary angiography. RESULTS: There was no difference in baseline coronary endothelial function. The primary endpoint was significantly different between the groups with a 1.8% +/- 2.0% increase in luminal area between baseline and follow-up with pioglitazone and a 7.6% +/- 2.4% decrease in the placebo group (P < 0.008). At follow-up, there was a trend for a difference in CPT (P = 0.057). No difference was observed regarding intracoronary glyceroltrinitrate or adenosine. CONCLUSIONS: Pioglitazone treatment in non-diabetic patients with CAD was associated with a significantly better coronary endothelial function compared to placebo.

Magnetic resonance imaging to assess acute changes in atrial and ventricular parameters after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects.

PURPOSE: To evaluate acute changes in atrial and ventricular parameters by the use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with percutaneous transcatheter atrial septal defects (ASD) closure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 14 patients (six males and eight females, 45 +/- 18 years) with congenital ASD. Cardiac MRI (1.5T Philips Intera CV) was performed before and within 24 hours after transcatheter ASD closure. Right atrial (RA) and left atrial (LA) dimensions, as well as right (RV) and left (LV) ventricular end-diastolic (ED) volumes were determined. Atrial size was assessed by planimetry of the maximum RA and LA areas in a standard four-chamber view, and ventricular volumes were calculated according to a modified Simpson's rule in short-axis views. RESULTS: The mean RA decreased significantly from 27.6 +/- 6.4 cm(2) before closure to 24.4 +/- 5.6 cm(2) after the procedure (P = 0.0018), whereas the LA area did not change (24.1 +/- 4.7 cm(2) vs. 23.8 +/- 5.2 cm(2), P = 0.76). The RV volumes, volume index, and ejection fraction (EF) decreased significantly from 229 +/- 64 mL to 181 +/- 43 mL (P < 0.001, average reduction = 19% +/- 15%), from 126.0 +/- 37.2 mL/m(2) to 96.6 +/- 28.6 mL/m(2) (P < 0.0001) and from 64 +/- 5% to 58% +/- 7% (P = 0.01), respectively. The LV volumes and volume index remained unchanged (114 +/- 25 mL vs. 118 +/- 22 mL, P = 0.18, 63.5 +/- 13.5 mL/m(2) vs. 63.0 +/- 17.4 mL/m(2), P = 0.83). Left-right shunting decreased from 40% +/- 15% to 9% +/- 15% (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Cardiac MRI can reveal detailed information on acute changes in shunt fraction and ventricular dimensions after ASD closure. ASD closure by percutaneous transcatheter device implantation results within 24 hours in a significant reduction of shunt fraction, RA and RV sizes, and RV function, whereas LA and LV dimensions remain unchanged.