Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Lipids Health Dis 2020 Jul 2;19(1):157. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.

Background: Dyslipidemia is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recently, atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) has been proposed as a novel predictive marker for CVD, and few cross sectional studies have demonstrated a relationship between AIP and coronary artery disease. The present study investigated the association between AIP and the progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in Korean adults without CVD. Read More

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020 Jun 13. Epub 2020 Jun 13.

Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, #600, Yishan Rd, Shanghai, China.

To investigate the correlation of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) characteristics and high-risk plaque features characterized by coronary CT angiography (CCTA) for identifying the presence of thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA). Patients who underwent both CCTA and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) within 4 weeks were retrospectively included. CT-derived quantitative and qualitative parameters, including diameter stenosis, low attenuation plaque (LAP), napkin-ring sign (NRS), positive remodeling and spotty calcification, were recorded. Read More

Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020 Jun 13. Epub 2020 Jun 13.

Department of Radiology, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine, 413 E 69th Street, Suite 108, New York, NY 10021, USA.

Aims: High-risk plaque (HRP) and non-obstructive coronary artery disease independently predict adverse events, but their importance to future culprit lesions has not been resolved. We sought to determine in patients prior to confirmed acute coronary syndrome (ACS) the association between lesion percent diameter stenosis (%DS), and the absolute number and prevalence of HRP. The secondary objective was to examine the relative importance of non-obstructive HRP in future culprit lesions. Read More

J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2020 May 12. Epub 2020 May 12.

University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Radiology, Groningen, the Netherlands. Electronic address:

Background: To determine the effect of low-dose, high-pitch non-electrocardiographic (ECG)-triggered chest CT on coronary artery calcium (CAC) detection, quantification and risk stratification, compared to ECG-triggered cardiac CT.

Methods: We selected 1,000 participants from the ImaLife study, 50% with coronary calcification on cardiac CT. All participants underwent non-contrast cardiac CT followed by chest CT using third-generation dual-source technology. Read More

Bone Rep 2020 Jun 13;12:100280. Epub 2020 May 13.

Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.

Background: Generalised arterial calcification of infancy (GACI) is a rare disorder characterised by the deposition of hydroxyapatite crystals within the vessel walls. It is associated with a high mortality rate. Bisphosphonates have been used with some success in the treatment of GACI. Read More

J Clin Med 2020 May 28;9(6). Epub 2020 May 28.

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) shares many risk factors with atrial fibrillation (AF). Obtaining computed tomography images of the pulmonary veins (CTPV) before AF ablation procedures is common and can incidentally detect coronary artery calcification (CAC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of CAC on pre-ablation CTPV, the frequency of CAC reporting on CTPV reports, and its impact on statin therapy among patients hospitalized for AF procedures. Read More

Blood Press 2020 May 28:1-13. Epub 2020 May 28.

Department of Hypertension and Diabetology, Medical University of Gdansk, Faculty of Medicine, Gdansk, Poland.

We have summarized key studies regarding the assessment of subclinical macroangiopathic target organ damage (TOD) in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Although chronic complications resulting from hyperglycemia, in particular macroangiopathies, are still the first cause of death in T1DM, there has been growing recognition of the role of hypoglycemia in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Subclinical TOD diagnosis ensures early implementation of the complex management aiming at either partial reversal of these complications or at least its downturn. Read More

J Clin Med 2020 May 21;9(5). Epub 2020 May 21.

Department of Internal Medicine, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon 24253, Korea.

Vascular calcification is a major contributor to mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. In this study, we investigated whether there was a correlation between the coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and the vascular calcification score (VCS), and whether higher VCS increased the incidence of interventions and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). ECG-gated CT, including vascular access and the coronary vessel, was taken. Read More

Clin Imaging 2020 Apr 18;66:57-63. Epub 2020 Apr 18.

Morphomic Analysis Group, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Screening of cardiovascular risk is essential in preventing cardiac events and quantifying asymptomatic risk. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores are a well-established in predicting cardiovascular risk, but require specialized computed tomography (CT) scans. Given the relationship of aortic calcification with cardiovascular risk, we sought to determine whether aortic calcification measures from incidental CT scans may approximate CAC. Read More

Heart Vessels 2020 May 22. Epub 2020 May 22.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama, Japan.

The coronary artery calcium data and reporting system (CAC-DRS) is a novel reporting system based on CAC severity. Lung cancer patients have a high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), for which CAC severity may provide additional prognostic information. Using non-gated, non-contrast computed tomography (CT), we evaluated the CAC-DRS for predicting CVD and all-cause death in patients with potentially curable resected lung cancer. Read More

Clin Epidemiol 2020 6;12:447-455. Epub 2020 May 6.

Elitary Research Centre of Individualised Medicine in Arterial Disease (CIMA), Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Odense, Odense, Denmark.

Purpose: Cardiovascular mortality remains high among patients with diabetes compared with the general population. The primary aim was to evaluate the interest in and demand for advanced cardiovascular screening in patients with diabetes; the secondary aim was to explore its efficiency in detecting unprotected subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Patients And Methods: In a cross-sectional design, randomly selected 40-60-year-old men and women with diabetes were invited to the screening trial. Read More

J Nucl Cardiol 2020 Jun 14;27(3):921-930. Epub 2020 May 14.

Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Lyons Harrison Research Building 306, 1900 University BLVD, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.

In 2019, the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology published excellent articles pertaining to imaging in patients with cardiovascular disease. In this review we will summarize a selection of these articles to provide a concise review of the main advancements that have recently occurred in the field and provide the reader with an opportunity to review a wide selection of articles. In this first article of this 2-part series we will focus on publications dealing with positron emission tomography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance. Read More

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 2020 May;100(18):1390-1395

Department of Cardiac Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550001, China.

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of on-pump total arterial revascularization with bilateral radial artery (BRA) and left internal mammary artery (LIMA) as conduits in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). All the perioperative medical records and follow-up results of coronary artery disease patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 40% undergoing CABG from 24 heart centers of 15 provinces and autonomous regions in China between July 2015 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 87 consecutive patients (55 males and 32 females) underwent on-pump CABG with BRA and LIMA, with a mean age of (57. Read More

Cardiol Young 2020 Jun 8;30(6):785-789. Epub 2020 May 8.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan.

We report two females with coronary artery occlusion caused by presumed Kawasaki disease that delivered children without any special treatment. After a 58-year-old female had ventricular tachycardia, a giant coronary artery aneurysm with calcification at the bifurcation of the left coronary artery and segmental stenosis of the right coronary artery were pointed out by CT angiography. She had an episode of sepsis when 3 years old. Read More

JACC Basic Transl Sci 2020 Apr 27;5(4):398-412. Epub 2020 Apr 27.

Division of Cardiology, Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, North Carolina.

Cardiovascular (CV) disease remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although clustering of traditional risk factors with CKD is well recognized, kidney-specific mechanisms are believed to drive the disproportionate burden of CV disease. One perturbation that is frequently observed at high rates in patients with CKD is vascular calcification, which may be a central mediator for an array of CV sequelae. Read More

Indian J Nucl Med 2020 Apr-Jun;35(2):136-142. Epub 2020 Mar 12.

Department of Radiology Nuclear Medicine /PET/CT and Cardiovascular Imaging, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabai, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) can be visually estimated on computed tomography (CT) attenuation correction (CTAC) of positron emission tomography (PET). The visual estimation of CAC from CTAC scans performed for PET/CT is comparable to the standard CAC score scan. Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with single-photon emission CT (SPECT) is commonly performed for risk stratification before oncologic surgery. Read More

BMC Complement Med Ther 2020 Apr 29;20(1):132. Epub 2020 Apr 29.

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Transplantation, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, SE-221 85, Lund, Sweden.

Background: One of the most serious secondary manifestations of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is coronary atherosclerosis. This study aimed to evaluate whether aged garlic extract (AGE) can influence coronary artery calcification (CAC) and to predict the individual effect of AGE using a standard process for data mining (CRISP-DM).

Method: This was a single-center parallel randomized controlled study in a university hospital in Europe. Read More

AJR Am J Roentgenol 2020 Apr 29:1-7. Epub 2020 Apr 29.

Gill Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Kentucky, 900 S. Limestone St, CTW 326, Lexington, KY 40536.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for stroke. The CHADSVASc score is used to risk stratify patients, and the score includes known coronary artery disease (CAD) as a variable. The aim of this study was to assess if the presence of incidental coronary artery calcification (CAC), without known CAD, is associated with stroke independent of CHADS-VASc variables. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2020 Sep 13;314:20-24. Epub 2020 Apr 13.

Division of Scienze Radiologiche, Department of Medicine and Surgery (DiMeC), University of Parma, Parma, Italy. Electronic address:

Background: To determine if an increased epicardial fat volume (EFV) is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) in individuals with symptoms of cardiovascular (CV) disease.

Methods: Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA), demographic and clinical variables of 1344 individuals were retrieved: semi-automated measurements for EFV and coronary artery calcifications (CAC) were obtained. Individuals were grouped into three categories according to the presence of CAD, resulting in absent (CAD), non-obstructive (CAD) or obstructive (CAD) disease-groups. Read More

Echocardiography 2020 May 21;37(5):678-687. Epub 2020 Apr 21.

Baker Heart and Diabetes Research Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

Objective: Epicardial atherosclerosis and heart failure while distinct clinical entities share common pathophysiological features including endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. Presence of subclinical disease could lead to early diagnosis and intervention in the other. The aim of our study was to assess the association between coronary calcium score (CCS), conventional cardiovascular risk factors, and echocardiographic markers of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction (S-LVD). Read More

Circulation 2020 Apr 20;141(16):1338-1350. Epub 2020 Apr 20.

Department of Physiology (V.L.A., T.M.H.E.), Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Physical activity and exercise training are effective strategies for reducing the risk of cardiovascular events, but multiple studies have reported an increased prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis, usually measured as coronary artery calcification, among athletes who are middle-aged and older. Our review of the medical literature demonstrates that the prevalence of coronary artery calcification and atherosclerotic plaques, which are strong predictors for future cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, was higher in athletes compared with controls, and was higher in the most active athletes compared with less active athletes. However, analysis of plaque morphology revealed fewer mixed plaques and more often only calcified plaques among athletes, suggesting a more benign composition of atherosclerotic plaques. Read More

Am J Cardiol 2020 Jun 5;125(11):1732-1737. Epub 2020 Mar 5.

Gill Heart and Vascular Institute, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.

Cardiovascular complications are reported in up to 30% of sepsis survivors. Currently, there is limited evidence to guide cardiovascular risk stratification of septic patients. We propose the use of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and coronary artery calcification (CAC) on nongated computed tomography (CT) scans to identify septic patients at highest risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Read More

J Thorac Dis 2020 Mar;12(3):223-231

Division of Cardiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.

Background: Thoracic irradiation (TIR) is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and coronary-related death. Lung cancer patients receive considerable doses of TIR, making them a high-risk population that may benefit from post-therapy surveillance. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a known biomarker of CAD development and may serve as a useful indicator of disease progression in this population. Read More

Quant Imaging Med Surg 2020 Mar;10(3):668-677

Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China.

Background: To investigate the diagnostic performance of quantified plaque analysis and high-risk plaque characterization by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for identifying thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA).

Methods: Patients who underwent both CCTA and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) within 4 weeks were retrospectively included. CT-derived quantitative and qualitative parameters, including diameter stenosis, minimal lumen area (MLA), low attenuation plaque (LAP) volume napkin-ring sign (NRS), positive remodeling (PR) and spotty calcification, were recorded. Read More

Osteoporos Int 2020 Apr 3. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.

The receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL)/RANK/osteoprotegerin system is dysregulated in hyperparathyroid bone diseases. The introduction of denosumab preceding elective surgery as an alternative option when surgery is not possible immediately.

Introduction: The effects of denosumab on vascular calcification in patients with chronic renal failure and low bone mass have been a subject of interest. Read More

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2020 Feb 19. Epub 2020 Feb 19.

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Ga. Electronic address:

Objective: In this study, a 2-dimensional (2D) index relying on preprocedural computed tomography (CT) data was developed to evaluate the risk of coronary obstruction during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures.

Methods: Anatomic measurements from pre-TAVR CT scans were collected in 28 patients among 600 who were flagged as high risk (defined as meeting coronary artery height, h, <14 mm and/or sinus of Valsalva diameter, SOVd, <30 mm) for coronary obstruction. A geometric model derived from these anatomic measurements was used to predict the post-TAVR native cusp apposition relative to the coronary ostium. Read More

Heart Vessels 2020 Aug 5;35(8):1037-1043. Epub 2020 Mar 5.

Cardiovascular Center, Steel Memorial Yawata Hospital, 1-1-1 Haruno-machi, Yahatahigashi-ku, Kitakyushu, 805-8508, Japan.

Almost all institutions routinely perform cardiac computed tomography (CT) before radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) to evaluate the cardiac anatomy. The ideal timing of the CT image acquisition is different between for RFCA of AF and for evaluation of coronary artery lesions (CALs). Thus, the aim of this study was to assess whether 64- or 320-line routine cardiac CT scans before RFCA of AF could evaluate both coronary artery lesions and pulmonary veins (LA-PVs) anatomy at the timing of the image acquisition of the LA-PVs in patients with AF who underwent RFCA of AF. Read More

Ann Cardiol Angeiol (Paris) 2020 Apr 29;69(2):81-85. Epub 2020 Feb 29.

Service de réanimation anesthésient, premier centre médico-chirurgical, Agadir, Maroc; Faculté de médecine et pharmacie Ibn Zohr, Agadir, Maroc.

Background: Although progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) has been established as an important marker for cardiovascular morbidity, very few studies have studied it in end-stage renal disease patients. Thus we examined and evaluate risk factors of calcification changes in dialysis patients.

Method: Among 28 hemodialysis (HD) patients, CAC was measured in Agatston units at baseline and after five years using the 64 multi-slice ultra-fast CT. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2020 03 17;297:127-135. Epub 2020 Feb 17.

Division of Cardiology and Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, 11220, 83rd Avenue, Suite 5A9-014, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Molecular imaging with Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and F-sodium-fluoride (NaF) captures arterial inflammation and micro-calcification and can reveal potentially unstable atherosclerotic plaques.

Methods: We performed FDG and NaF PET/CT imaging in two clinically similar cohorts of patients living with HIV (PLWH) with no symptomatic cardiovascular disease. The prevalence and intensity of coronary artery uptake of each tracer, measured as target-to-background ratio (TBR), were assessed in patients at low and high cardiovascular risk. Read More

Eur Radiol 2020 Jul 25;30(7):3960-3967. Epub 2020 Feb 25.

Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.

Objectives: In the ascending aorta, calcification density was independently and inversely associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction. Until now, the density of thoracic aorta calcium (TAC) was estimated as the Agatston score divided by the calcium area (D). We thought to analyze TAC density in a full Hounsfield unit (HU) range and to study its association with TAC volume, traditional risk factors, and CVD events. Read More

Rom J Intern Med 2020 Jun;58(2):81-91

Cardiovascular Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the foremost cause of death in the most developed societies. Plaque formation in epicardial coronary arteries and ensuing inflammation are a known pathophysiologic factor of CAD.

Objectives: We aimed to separately and simultaneously evaluate the correlation between pericardial fat pad volume and overall peri-coronary epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness with coronary calcium score (CCS) to improve risk stratification of CAD. Read More

Eur Radiol 2020 Jun 19;30(6):3346-3355. Epub 2020 Feb 19.

Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2240, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Objective: To assess the dose reduction potential of a calcium-aware reconstruction technique, which aims at tube voltage-independent computed tomography (CT) numbers for calcium.

Methods And Materials: A cardiothoracic phantom, mimicking three different patient sizes, was scanned with two calcium inserts (named D100 and CCI), containing calcifications varying in size and density. Tube voltage was varied both manually (range 70-150 and Sn100 kVp) and automatically. Read More

JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2020 Feb 12. Epub 2020 Feb 12.

Department of Radiology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the prognostic value of stress dynamic computed tomography (CT) perfusion (CTP) with CT delayed enhancement (CTDE) in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD) and in subgroups of patients with stent, heavy calcification, or stenosis.

Background: The prognostic value of stress dynamic CTP with CTDE is unknown.

Methods: Participants were 540 patients with suspected or known CAD. Read More

Br J Radiol 2020 May 28;93(1109):20190462. Epub 2020 Feb 28.

Department of Medicine/Cardiology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1000 W Carson St, Torrance, CA 90509, United States.

Objectives: To evaluate coronary artery calcification (CAC) on routine CT chest in hospitalised HIV patients and to assess individual risk factors.

Methods: Routine CT chests, May 2010-November 2015, of 143 hospitalised HIV-positive patients were reviewed for qualitative assessment of calcification in major coronary arteries by two radiologists. Presence, location and burden of calcification were evaluated on 3 mm axial images of CT chest. Read More

Radiology 2020 Apr 11;295(1):66-79. Epub 2020 Feb 11.

From the Image Sciences Institute (S.G.M.v.V., N.L., M.A.V., I.I.), Departments of Radiology (B.K.V., T.L., P.A.d.J., W.B.V.), Experimental Cardiology (I.E.M.B.), and Radiotherapy (D.H.J.G.v.d.B.), and Imaging Division (H.M.V.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (N.L.); Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Physics (S.G.M.v.V., I.I.) and Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (I.I.), and Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences (I.I.), Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (N.L.); Department of Cardiology, Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, the Netherlands (I.E.M.B.); Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Miss (A.C.); and Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn (J.G.T., J.J.C.).

Background Although several deep learning (DL) calcium scoring methods have achieved excellent performance for specific CT protocols, their performance in a range of CT examination types is unknown. Purpose To evaluate the performance of a DL method for automatic calcium scoring across a wide range of CT examination types and to investigate whether the method can adapt to different types of CT examinations when representative images are added to the existing training data set. Materials and Methods The study included 7240 participants who underwent various types of nonenhanced CT examinations that included the heart: coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring CT, diagnostic CT of the chest, PET attenuation correction CT, radiation therapy treatment planning CT, CAC screening CT, and low-dose CT of the chest. Read More

Cardiovasc Diabetol 2020 Feb 10;19(1):16. Epub 2020 Feb 10.

Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Niels Steensens Vej 2, 2820, Gentofte, Denmark.

Background: Cardiac adipose tissue may have local paracrine effects on epicardial arteries and the underlying myocardium, promoting calcification and affecting myocardial microcirculation. We explored whether the total amount of cardiac adipose tissue was associated with coronary artery calcium score (CAC) and myocardial flow reserve in persons with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and healthy controls.

Methods: We studied three groups: (1) 30 controls, (2) 60 persons with type 1 diabetes and (3) 60 persons with type 2 diabetes. Read More

Eur Radiol 2020 May 10;30(5):2658-2668. Epub 2020 Feb 10.

Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.

Objectives: To evaluate risk factors for prevalence and progression of aortic valve calcification (AVC) in lung cancer screening participants and also to assess the sensitivity and reliability of visual AVCs on low-dose CT (LDCT) for predicting aortic stenosis (AS) in high-risk smokers.

Methods: We reviewed 1225 consecutive participants in annual LDCT screening for lung cancer at the Mount Sinai Hospital between 2010 and 2017. Sensitivity and specificity of moderate/severe AVC score on LDCT to identify AS on echocardiogram were calculated for 126 participants who had both within 12 months. Read More

Exp Ther Med 2020 Feb 27;19(2):1457-1461. Epub 2019 Dec 27.

Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA.

Several previous studies have demonstrated that aged garlic extract (AGE) inhibits the progression of coronary artery calcification and non-calcified plaque (NCP) in the general population. However, its effects on plaque progression in patients with diabetes have not yet been investigated, at least to the best of our knowledge. This study investigated whether AGE reduces the coronary plaque volume measured by cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Read More

J Assoc Physicians India 2020 Feb;68(2):23-26

Postgraduate Resident, Department of Medicine, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus has assumed the status of an epidemic in the last century. High prevalence of diabetes in South Asian population and presence of other cardiovascular risk factors in this region, make up the relationship between coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes more pronounced. Keeping in view the high susceptibility of diabetic patients for CAD, these patients are recognized as a high risk group . Read More

Mol Biol Rep 2020 Mar 30;47(3):1809-1820. Epub 2020 Jan 30.

Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, PO-Box: 6714869914, Kermanshah, Iran.

Fetuin-A (AHSG) is a multifunctional secretory protein and acts as an ectopic valve and artery calcification inhibitor. We assessed the correlation between serum levels of Fetuin-A and both exon 6 (248 C/T) and exon 7 (256 C/G) mutations in patients with coronary artery calcification (CAC), mitral annular calcification (MAC), and aortic valve calcification (AVC). 184 patients and 184 healthy individuals as control group were included. Read More

J Clin Lipidol 2020 Mar - Apr;14(2):186-188. Epub 2020 Jan 2.

Division of Cardiology, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA. Electronic address:

We present 2 patients with elevated levels of lipoprotein (a) and significant coronary artery disease despite having little coronary artery calcification. Clinicians should be aware that patients with elevated lipoprotein (a) may have important coronary artery disease with low coronary artery calcification scores. Read More

Clin Nephrol 2020 Mar;93(3):123-129

Purpose: Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) can be assessed easily using a plain radiograph. We investigated the relationship between AAC assessed by plain radiography and coronary artery calcification (CAC) assessed by computed tomography (CT).

Materials And Methods: 62 hemodialysis patients who underwent lumbar lateral radiography and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) were included in this study. Read More

Am J Cardiol 2020 03 28;125(6):835-839. Epub 2019 Dec 28.

Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Health Policy, Quality & Informatics Program, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center Health Services Research and Development Center for Innovations, Houston, Texas; Section of Cardiology, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Section of Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. Electronic address:

The prognostic utility of coronary artery calcium (CAC) for individuals taking statins is unclear. We hypothesized that CAC remains associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events in individuals using statins at baseline or among those started on statin at follow-up. The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis is a prospective cohort study of 6,814 participants who were enrolled between 2000 and 2002 and were free of clinical ASCVD at baseline. Read More

Cardiovasc Revasc Med 2020 Jan 15. Epub 2020 Jan 15.

Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA; Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Tallahassee, FL, USA; Southern Medical Group, Tallahassee, FL, USA; Tallahassee Research Institute, Tallahassee, FL, USA.

Objectives: To determine the incidence, prognosis, and predictors of major Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC-2) vascular complications (VCs) and percutaneous vascular closure device failure (PCDF) following contemporary percutaneous transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TF-TAVR).

Background: Limited data exists on the incidence and predictors of VCs and PCDFs following percutaneous TF-TAVR using contemporary 14-16 French (F) sheaths.

Methods: We recorded clinical and procedural characteristics, computer tomography (CT) angiographic data, 30-day VCs, mortality, and length of stay (LOS) in all consecutive percutaneous TF-TAVRs at a single center from June 2016 to October 2018. Read More

Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2019 07;2019:6243-6246

Known for its high morbidity and mortality rates, lung cancer poses a significant threat to human health and well-being. However, the same population is also at high risk for other deadly diseases, such as cardiovascular disease. Since Low-Dose CT (LDCT) has been shown to significantly improve the lung cancer diagnosis accuracy, it will be very useful for clinical practice to predict the all-cause mortality for lung cancer patients to take corresponding actions. Read More

J Am Coll Radiol 2020 May 10;17(5):613-619. Epub 2020 Jan 10.

Department of Radiology and Radiologic Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of appropriate follow-up for clinically significant incidental findings (IFs) detected with low-dose CT during lung cancer screening.

Methods: Charts of 1,458 prospectively enrolled lung screening patients from January 1, 2015, to October 31, 2018, were reviewed. IFs, other than coronary artery calcification and emphysema, were identified. Read More

Am Heart J 2020 03 27;221:148-154. Epub 2019 Nov 27.

The Lambe Institute for Translational Medicine and Curam, National University of Ireland, Galway and Saolta University Healthcare Group, Ireland. Electronic address:

Background: Results of clinical trials are often criticized by low inclusion rate and potential sampling bias in patient recruitment. The aim of this validation registry is to evaluate how far an all-comers design in the context of clinical research can ensure the representation of the true all-comers population.

Methods: This validation registry is a prospective international multicentre registry, conducted at 10 out of the total 21 centers, participating in TARGET-AC (registered under NCT02520180). Read More

Front Neurol 2019 20;10:1278. Epub 2019 Dec 20.

Department of Neurology and Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.

Intracranial carotid artery calcification (ICAC) on computed tomography (CT) is a marker of atherosclerosis and an independent predictor of vascular events including stroke. While vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are used to prevent embolic stroke, they have been shown to increase levels of both coronary and extracoronary artery calcification. This has not been studied for (intracranial) carotid arteries. Read More

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020 Apr 6;36(4):723-730. Epub 2020 Jan 6.

Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, #600, Yishan Rd, Shanghai, 200233, China.

The present study aimed to investigate the association between perivascular fat attenuation index (FAI), high-risk plaque features and serum level of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Consecutive patients with intermediate pre-test probability of CAD, who were referred for coronary CT angiography (CCTA), were included. High-risk plaque features were assessed by CCTA and included low attenuation plaque (LAP), positive remodeling (PR), napkin-ring sign (NRS) and spotty calcification. Read More