Prognosis of incidental left bundle branch block.

AIMS: Incidental left bundle branch block (iLBBB) is a frequent cause for cardiology referrals. In such instances, there is uncertainty as to its prognosis. We sought to determine the utility of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in the risk stratification of patients with iLBBB. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical events were collected in patients with iLBBB who had CMR. Controls had no cardiac symptoms or cardiac disease, a normal CMR scan and electrocardiogram. Amongst patients with iLBBB [n = 193, aged 62.7 ± 12.6 years (mean ± SD)], 110/193 (56.9%) had an abnormal phenotype (iLBBBCMR+) and 83/110 (43.0%) had a normal phenotype (iLBBBCMR-). Over 3.75 years (median; inter-quartile range: 2.7-5.5), iLBBBCMR+ had a higher total mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 6.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.91-22.0] and total mortality or major adverse cardiac events (MACEs; aHR 9.15, 95% CI 2.56-32.6) than controls (n = 107). In contrast, iLBBBCMR- had a similar risk of total mortality compared with controls, but total mortality or MACEs was higher (aHR 4.24, 95% CI 1.17-15.4; P = 0.028). Amongst iLBBB patients, both myocardial fibrosis (aHR 5.15, 95% CI 1.53-17.4) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 50% (aHR 3.88, 95% CI 1.67-9.06) predicted total mortality. Myocardial fibrosis plus LVEF ≤50% was associated with the highest risk of total mortality (aHR: 9.87, 95% CI 2.99-32.6) and total mortality or MACEs (aHR 3.98, 95% CI 1.73-9.11). CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes in iLBBBCMR+ were poor whereas survival in iLBBBCMR- was comparable with controls. Myocardial fibrosis and LVEF <50% had an additive effect on the risk of clinical outcomes. A CMR scan is pivotal in risk-stratifying patients with iLBBB.

Variation in cardiovascular magnetic resonance myocardial contouring: Insights from an international survey.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5 Technical Efficacy Stage: 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:1336-1338.

The beta agonist lung injury trial prevention. A randomized controlled trial.

RATIONALE: Experimental studies suggest that pretreatment with ß-agonists might prevent acute lung injury (ALI). OBJECTIVES: To determine if in adult patients undergoing elective esophagectomy, perioperative treatment with inhaled ß-agonists effects the development of early ALI. METHODS: We conducted a randomized placebo-controlled trial in 12 UK centers (2008-2011). Adult patients undergoing elective esophagectomy were allocated to prerandomized, sequentially numbered treatment packs containing inhaled salmeterol (100 µg twice daily) or a matching placebo. Patients, clinicians, and researchers were masked to treatment allocation. The primary outcome was development of ALI within 72 hours of surgery. Secondary outcomes were ALI within 28 days, organ failure, adverse events, survival, and health-related quality of life. An exploratory substudy measured biomarkers of alveolar-capillary inflammation and injury. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 179 patients were randomized to salmeterol and 183 to placebo. Baseline characteristics were similar. Treatment with salmeterol did not prevent early lung injury (32 [19.2%] of 168 vs. 27 [16.0%] of 170; odds ratio [OR], 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-2.22). There was no difference in organ failure, survival, or health-related quality of life. Adverse events were less frequent in the salmeterol group (55 vs. 70; OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.39-0.99), predominantly because of a lower number of pneumonia (7 vs. 17; OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.16-0.96). Salmeterol reduced some biomarkers of alveolar inflammation and epithelial injury. CONCLUSION: Perioperative treatment with inhaled salmeterol was well tolerated but did not prevent ALI. Clinical trial registered with International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Register (ISRCTN47481946) and European Union database of randomized Controlled Trials (EudraCT 2007-004096-19).

Radiologist opinions regarding reporting incidental coronary and cardiac calcification on thoracic CT.

Objectives: Coronary and cardiac calcification are frequent incidental findings on non-gated thoracic computed tomography (CT). However, radiologist opinions and practices regarding the reporting of incidental calcification are poorly understood. Methods: UK radiologists were invited to complete this online survey, organised by the British Society of Cardiovascular Imaging (BSCI). Questions included anonymous information on subspecialty, level of training and reporting practices for incidental coronary artery, aortic valve, mitral and thoracic aorta calcification. Results: The survey was completed by 200 respondents: 10% trainees and 90% consultants. Calcification was not reported by 11% for the coronary arteries, 22% for the aortic valve, 35% for the mitral valve and 37% for the thoracic aorta. Those who did not subspecialise in cardiac imaging were less likely to report coronary artery calcification (p = 0.005), aortic valve calcification (p = 0.001) or mitral valve calcification (p = 0.008), but there was no difference in the reporting of thoracic aorta calcification. Those who did not subspecialise in cardiac imaging were also less likely to provide management recommendations for coronary artery calcification (p < 0.001) or recommend echocardiography for aortic valve calcification (p < 0.001), but there was no difference for mitral valve or thoracic aorta recommendations. Conclusion: Incidental coronary artery, valvular and aorta calcification are frequently not reported on thoracic CT and there are differences in reporting practices based on subspeciality. Advances in knowledge: On routine thoracic CT, 11% of radiologists do not report coronary artery calcification. Radiologist reporting practices vary depending on subspeciality but not level of training.

Thoracic CT findings in Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome manifests in the thorax as lung cysts. The purpose of this article is to describe the CT characteristics of cysts in patients with Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome and to note other thoracic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The thoracic CT examinations of 17 patients with Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome were reviewed retrospectively for the presence, anatomic distribution (upper lung predominant, lower lung predominant, or diffuse), extent (size, number), and morphology (shape, wall thickness) of cysts. Any additional thoracic findings were also noted. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 13 women (76%) and four men (24%) with a mean age of 50.2 ±15.2 years. Two patients (12%) had normal findings on CT. Fifteen patients had cystic lung disease, all of whom had more than one cyst. Most patients had bilateral (13/15, 87%) and lower lung-predominant cysts (13/15, 87%). The cysts varied in size from 0.2 to 7.8 cm. The largest cysts were located in the lower lobes of 14 of 15 patients (93%). Of the nine patients with large cysts, most had at least one multiseptated cyst (7/9, 78%). Five of 15 patients (33%) had more than 20 cysts. Cyst shape varied among the 15 patients and also within individual patients (10/15, 67%) ranging from round to oval, lentiform, and multiseptated. Cysts showed no central or peripheral predominance. CONCLUSION: Discrete thin-walled cysts in patients with Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome are more numerous and larger in the lower lobes and vary in size and shape. Large lung cysts are frequently multiseptated. These features may aid in differentiating Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome from other more common cystic lung diseases.

Downstream testing after CT coronary angiography: time for a rethink?

OBJECTIVE: We surveyed UK practice and compliance with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 'recent-onset chest pain' guidance (Clinical Guideline 95, 2016) as a service quality initiative. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility and efficacy of CT coronary angiography (CTCA), NICE-guided investigation compliance, invasive coronary angiography (ICA) use and revascularisation. METHODS: A prospective analysis was conducted in nine UK centres between January 2018 and March 2020. The reporter decided whether the CTCA was diagnostic. Coronary artery disease was recorded with the Coronary Artery Disease-Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS). Local electronic records and picture archiving/communication systems were used to collect data regarding functional testing, ICA and revascularisation. Duplication of coronary angiography without revascularisation was taken as a surrogate for ICA overuse. RESULTS: 5293 patients (mean age, 57±12 years; body mass index, 29±6 kg/m²; 50% men) underwent CTCA, with a 96% diagnostic scan rate. 618 (12%) underwent ICA, of which 48% (298/618) did not receive revascularisation. 3886 (73%) had CAD-RADS 0-2, with 1% (35/3886) undergoing ICA, of which 94% (33/35) received ICA as a second-line test. 547 (10%) had CAD-RADS 3, with 23% (125/547) undergoing ICA, of which 88% (110/125) chose ICA as a second-line test, with 26% (33/125) leading to revascularisation. For 552 (10%) CAD-RADS 4 and 91 (2%) CAD-RADS 5 patients, ICA revascularisation rates were 64% (221/345) and 74% (46/62), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: While CTCA for recent-onset chest pain assessment has been shown to be a robust test, which negates the need for further investigation in three-quarters of patients, subsequent ICA overuse remains with almost half of these procedures not leading to revascularisation.

Reporting incidental coronary, aortic valve and cardiac calcification on non-gated thoracic computed tomography, a consensus statement from the BSCI/BSCCT and BSTI.

Incidental coronary and cardiac calcification are frequent findings on non-gated thoracic CT. We recommend that the heart is reviewed on all CT scans where it is visualised. Coronary artery calcification is a marker of coronary artery disease and it is associated with an adverse prognosis on dedicated cardiac imaging and on non-gated thoracic CT performed for non-cardiac indications, both with and without contrast. We recommend that coronary artery calcification is reported on all non-gated thoracic CT using a simple patient-based score (none, mild, moderate, severe). Furthermore, we recommend that reports include recommendations for subsequent management, namely the assessment of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and, if the patient has chest pain, assessment as per standard guidelines. In most cases, this will not necessitate additional investigations. Incidental aortic valve calcification may also be identified on non-gated thoracic CT and should be reported, along with ancillary findings such as aortic root dilation. Calcification may occur in other parts of the heart including mitral valve/annulus, pericardium and myocardium, but in many cases these are an incidental finding without clinical significance.