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Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2020 Jul 14;13(7):e009495. Epub 2020 Jul 14.

Minneapolis Heart Institute and Foundation, MN (J.C.J., S.W., M.D.M.).

Background: Obesity is associated with higher risk for coronary artery calcium (CAC), but the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and mortality is complex and frequently paradoxical.

Methods: We analyzed BMI, CAC, and subsequent mortality using data from the CAC Consortium, a multi-centered cohort of individuals free of established cardiovascular disease (CVD) who underwent CAC testing. Mortality was assessed through linkage to the Social Security Death Index and cause of death from the National Death Index. Read More

Minerva Cardioangiol 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Biomedicine Department, CNR, Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy -

Background: Stroke volume response during stress is a major determinant of functional status in heart failure and can be measured by two-dimensional (2-D) volumetric stress echocardiography (SE). The present study hypothesis is that SE may identify mechanisms underlying the change in stroke volume by measuring preload reserve through end-diastolic volume (EDV) and left ventricular contractile reserve (LVCR) with systolic blood pressure and end-systolic volume (ESV).

Methods: We enrolled 4,735 patients (age 63. Read More

SAGE Open Med 2020 2;8:2050312120938233. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Department of Radiology and Molecular Imaging, Centro Médico ABC (The American British Cowdray Medical Center), Mexico City, Mexico.

Objectives: To establish tailored preventive treatment, we studied the ability of coronary artery calcium scoring to reclassify patients with intermediate cardiovascular risk and its association with additional risk factors in our Mexican preventive care center.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed 520 asymptomatic patients from a Mexican primary prevention population between 2014 and 2018. Coronary artery calcium scoring, laboratory results, and anthropometric measurements (abdominal circumference and body mass index) were assessed. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2020 Jun 14. Epub 2020 Jun 14.

CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD, USA. Electronic address:

Atherosclerotic lesion progression is associated with intimal calcification. The earliest lesion that shows calcification is pathologic intimal thickening in which calcifications appear as microcalcifications that vary in size from <0.5 to 15 μm. Read More

JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2020 Jun 17. Epub 2020 Jun 17.

Soter Center for Women's Cardiovascular Research, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York. Electronic address:

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of myocarditis among patients presenting with myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) in relation to the angiographic severity of nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).

Background: MINOCA represents about 6% of all cases of acute myocardial infarction. Myocarditis is a diagnosis that may be identified by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in patients with a provisional diagnosis of MINOCA. Read More

J Clin Med 2020 Jul 8;9(7). Epub 2020 Jul 8.

Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, 20138 Milan, Italy.

Stress computed tomography perfusion (Stress-CTP) and computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) are functional techniques that can be added to coronary computed tomography angiography (cCTA) to improve the management of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). This retrospective analysis from the PERFECTION study aims to assess the impact of their availability on the management of patients with suspected CAD scheduled for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and invasive FFR. The management plan was defined as optimal medical therapy (OMT) or revascularization and was recorded for the following strategies: cCTA alone, cCTA+FFR, cCTA+Stress-CTP and cCTA+FFR+Stress-CTP. Read More

Curr Opin Cardiol 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine.

Purpose Of Review: Noninvasive testing is often the first step in the evaluation of stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Stress cardiac MRI (CMR) is an established modality with high diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value. This review will focus on the recent advances in understanding how stress CMR can help guide patient care. Read More

Curr Opin Cardiol 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Division of Cardiology, Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada.

Purpose Of Review: Coronary artery disease affecting bifurcations poses a challenge for percutaneous intervention. Several techniques and strategies for percutaneous management of bifurcation lesions have been described in the literature with variable data available for outcomes. In this review, we provide an overview of the strategies and techniques used for percutaneous intervention of bifurcation lesions with an update of recent technical developments and clinical evidence. Read More

Curr Cardiol Rep 2020 Jul 9;22(9):90. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, 25 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.

Purpose Of Review: To summarize current artificial intelligence (AI)-based applications for coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) and their potential clinical impact.

Recent Findings: Recent evolution of AI-based technologies in medical imaging has accelerated progress in CACS performed in diverse types of CT examinations, providing promising results for future clinical application in this field. CACS plays a key role in risk stratification of coronary artery disease (CAD) and patient management. Read More

Circ Cardiovasc Interv 2020 Jul 10;13(7):e008768. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences, ON, Canada (N.P.-E., S.R.M., J.W., H.N., B.M., T.S.).

Background: Complete revascularization with routine percutaneous coronary intervention of nonculprit lesions after primary percutaneous coronary intervention improves outcomes in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Whether this benefit is associated with nonculprit lesion vulnerability is unknown.

Methods: In a prospective substudy of the COMPLETEs trial (Complete vs Culprit-Only Revascularization to Treat Multi-Vessel Disease After Early PCI for STEMI), we performed optical coherence tomography of at least 2 coronary arteries before nonculprit lesion percutaneous coronary intervention in 93 patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel disease; and the ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction culprit vessel if there was unstented segment amenable to imaging. Read More

J Thorac Dis 2020 Jun;12(6):3227-3237

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, School Medicine, Nanjing 210002, China.

3D printing in adult cardiac and vascular surgery has been evaluated over the last 10 years, and all of the available literature reports benefits from the use of 3D models. In the present study, we analyzed the current applications of 3D printing for adult cardiovascular disease treated with surgical or catheter-based interventions, including the clinical medical simulation of physiological or pathology conducted with 3D printing in this field. A search of PubMed and MEDLINE databases were supplemented by searching through bibliographies of key articles. Read More

Eur Heart J 2020 Jul 8. Epub 2020 Jul 8.

Newham University Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK.

Eur J Radiol Open 2020 25;7:100235. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Department of Radiology, Charité University Hospital, Chariteplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.

Purpose: In this methodology paper we describe the development of a lung nodule management algorithm specifically for patients undergoing cardiac CT.

Methods: We modified the Lung-RADS algorithm specifically to manage lung nodules incidentally detected on cardiac CT (Lung-RADS for cardiac CT). We will evaluate the modified algorithm as part of the DISCHARGE trial (www. Read More

Ultrasound Med Biol 2020 Jul 4. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address:

Coronary calcification represents a challenge in the treatment of coronary artery disease by stent placement. It negatively affects stent expansion and has been related to future adverse cardiac events. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is known for its high sensitivity in detecting coronary calcification. Read More

Ther Umsch 2020 ;77(2):47-52

Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Universitätsspital Zürich.

Non-invasive Imaging of Chronic Coronary Syndromes - CT Coronary Angiography and Stress Perfusion Cardiac MRI Coronary artery disease (CAD) is amongst the leading causes of death worldwide. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has recently published new guidelines on diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes. These guidelines emphasize the use of non-invasive imaging tests to assess CAD. Read More

Herz 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

I. Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim (UMM), Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Deutschland.

Routine determination of troponin levels is recommended for all patients with acute ischemic stroke. In 20-55% of these patients the troponin levels are elevated, which may be caused by ischemic as well as non-ischemic myocardial damage and particularly neurocardiogenic myocardial damage. In patients with acute ischemic stroke, the prevalence of previously unknown coronary heart disease is reported to be up to 27% and is prognostically relevant for these patients; however, relevant coronary stenoses are less frequently detected in stroke patients with troponin elevation compared to patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. Read More

Herz 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical School, 165 Cambridge St Suite 400, 02114, Boston, MA, USA.

In the above-mentioned article, in the section "Other randomized controlled studies, meta-analyses, and registry data" two subheadings were swapped by mistake. The sections concerned must instead be headed as …. Read More

Curr Cardiol Rep 2020 Jul 6;22(8):76. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Division of Cardiology, Cook County Health, 1901 W. Harrison St. Suite 3620, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.

Purpose Of Review: To examine the utility and methods of coronary artery disease (CAD) assessment in patients with new-onset heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) of unclear etiology. Moreover, we sought to review the role and techniques of assessing myocardial viability to guide coronary revascularization in patients with established ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Recent Findings: Data indicates that surgical coronary revascularization in patients with HFrEF due to ischemic cardiomyopathy leads to lower long-term all-cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalizations. Read More

Hellenic J Cardiol 2020 Jul 3. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, London, UK; Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.

Despite significant advances in preventive, medical, and interventional management, coronary artery disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. We now know that in the majority of acute coronary syndromes, a thrombotic event is triggered either by the rupture or erosion of the so-called high-risk or 'vulnerable' plaque. However, accurately identifying the individual who is at significant risk of acute event remains the holy grail of preventive cardiology. Read More

Anatol J Cardiol 2020 Jul;24(1):2-6

Department of Cardiology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU); Erlangen-Germany.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is highly prevalent and constitutes the single most common cause of death worldwide. However, the diagnosis of CAD remains challenging. There are two ways to approach the diagnosis of CAD, namely (1) by a functional non-invasive stress test to detect ischemia (stress echocardiography, stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance, single-photon emission computed tomography, positron emission tomography) or (2) by imaging for stenosis visualization (coronary computed tomography angiography or invasive coronary angiography). Read More

Curr Probl Cardiol 2020 Jun 3:100642. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) serves as a very important tool in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) and provides information for further intervention. Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) at the time of ICA is the gold standard to analyze the hemodynamic and physiologic significance of moderate coronary stenosis. The dawn of coronary CT angiography (CTA) has helped in visualizing the anatomy of coronary arteries. Read More

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020 Jul 4. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Heart & Vascular Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Ashley River Tower, 25 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425-2260, USA.

Cardiac CT using non-enhanced coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) and coronary CT angiography (cCTA) has been proven to provide excellent evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD) combining anatomical and morphological assessment of CAD for cardiovascular risk stratification and therapeutic decision-making, in addition to providing prognostic value for the occurrence of adverse cardiac outcome. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) and, in particular, the application of machine learning (ML) algorithms, have been promoted in cardiovascular CT imaging for improved decision pathways, risk stratification, and outcome prediction in a more objective, reproducible, and rational manner. AI is based on computer science and mathematics that are based on big data, high performance computational infrastructure, and applied algorithms. Read More

Comput Med Imaging Graph 2020 Jun 25;84:101749. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Digital Services, Digital Technology & Innovation, Siemens Healthineers, 755 College Road, Princeton, 08540 NJ, USA.

Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) is the gold standard in Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) imaging. Detection of the end-diastolic frame (EDF) and, in general, cardiac phase detection on each temporal frame of a coronary angiography acquisition is of significant importance for the anatomical and non-invasive functional assessment of CAD. This task is generally performed via manual frame selection or semi-automated selection based on simultaneously acquired ECG signals - thus introducing the requirement of simultaneous ECG recordings. Read More

J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy.

Background: Myocardial scar burden impacts prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease who have experienced a myocardial infarction (MI). This has been demonstrated by late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance. Clinical experience with echocardiography suggests that the reflected ultrasound signal is enhanced in infarcted myocardial segments. Read More

Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2020 Jul 4. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St George's Hospital, London, UK.

We describe the first long-term follow-up of a young patient with active Takayasu arteritis who presented with an acute coronary syndrome, treated endovascularly with percutaneous coronary intervention without stenting. A drug-coated balloon was used with high-resolution coronary imaging guidance in the form of optical coherence tomography on a critical ostial left anterior descending coronary artery lesion. A repeat procedure was undertaken after 4 months confirming a durable coronary angioplasty result and the patient remained symptom-free beyond 3 years. Read More

Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2020 May;49(1):76-81

Department of Cardiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, China.

Objective: To investigate the prognosis of patients with vulnerable plaque indicated by coronary CT angiography (CCTA).

Methods: Totally 1963 patients underwent CCTA from February 2nd 2015 to September 13th 2015, and 2728 coronary borderline lesions (stenosis of 50%-70%) were detected. Among them 804 patients had vulnerable plaques and 1159 patients had stable plaques. Read More

Herz 2020 Jul 3. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.

The ISCHEMIA trial investigated two major principles in the therapy of coronary artery disease (CAD), i.e., symptom relief and improvement of prognosis. Read More

Eur Heart J 2020 Jul 4. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

Department of Paediatric Cardiology and Adult Congenital Heart Disease, Mitera Hospital, Erythrou Stavrou, Marousi 15123, Athens, Greece.

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020 Jul 2. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Department of Internal Medicine of the University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology "George Emil Palade", Gheorghe Marinescu Street, no. 38, 540139, Târgu Mureș, Mureș County, Romania.

The recent technological developments in the field of cardiac imaging have established coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) as a first-line diagnostic tool in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). CCTA offers robust information on the overall coronary circulation and luminal stenosis, also providing the ability to assess the composition, morphology, and vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaques. In addition, the perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) has recently emerged as a marker of increased cardiovascular risk. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2020 Jun 3;4(3):1-7. Epub 2020 May 3.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.

Background: Gadolinium-based contrast agents have been used as an alternative to iodinated contrast agents for simple percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease. Their use has been limited in complex PCI due to poor image quality with gadolinium contrast. Significant dilution of gadolinium is required in an effort to avoid malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Read More

Ultrasound Med Biol 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Bioengineering Graduate Program, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA; Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Joseph P. Whitehead Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Structural Heart Research and Innovation Laboratory, Carlyle Fraser Heart Center at Emory University Hospital Midtown, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Risk stratification in coronary artery disease is an ongoing challenge for which few tools are available for quantifying physiology within coronary arteries. Recently, anatomy-driven computational fluid dynamic modeling has enabled the mapping of local flow dynamics in coronary stenoses, with derived parameters such as WSS exhibiting a strong capability for predicting adverse clinical events on a patient-specific basis. As cardiac catheterization is common in patients with coronary artery disease, minimally invasive technologies capable of identifying pathologic flow in situ in real time could have a significant impact on clinical decision- making. Read More

Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao 2020 Jun;42(3):354-358

Department of CT,the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology,Tangshan,Hebei 063000,China.

To explore the correlation between the transluminal attenuation gradient with corrected contrast opacification(TAG-CCO)and the severity of atherosclerotic stenosis in the anterior segment of myocrardial bridge(MB). The imaging data of 200 patients diagnosed with left anterior descending branch(LAD)single MB and coronary atherosclerosis in the anterior segment of MB were retrospectively analyzed.According to MB types,the patients were divided into two groups:incomplete and complete. Read More

Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2020 Jun 24;35(2):260-271. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea.

It is well known that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality from atherosclerotic cardiovascular (CV) complications. Previously, the concept that diabetes mellitus (DM) is a "coronary artery disease (CAD) risk equivalent" was widely accepted, implying that all DM patients should receive intensive management. However, considerable evidence exist for wide heterogeneity in the risk of CV events among T2DM patients and the concept of a "CAD risk equivalent" has changed. Read More

J Nucl Cardiol 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Background: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)-based transluminal attenuation gradient (TAG) was suggested to determine the functional significance of a stenosis. However, evidence that TAG acquired by wide-volume scanners can assess the hemodynamic significance of stenosis assessed by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is lacking. Moreover, coronary cross-sectional area may influence TAG. Read More

Heart Vessels 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine and Medical Research Laboratories, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens, Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark.

Turner syndrome (TS) is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), an important cause of premature death in TS. However, the determinants of CAD in women with TS remain unknown. In a cross-sectional study design, 168 women without clinical evidence of CAD (115 with TS and 53 without TS) were assessed for the presence and volume of subclinical CAD using coronary CT angiography. Read More

Eur Cardiol 2020 Feb 15;15:e50. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Institute of Experimental and Translational Cardiovascular Imaging, German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Centre for Cardiovascular Imaging, Partner Site Rhein-Main, University Hospital Frankfurt Frankfurt, Germany.

Chronic coronary artery disease remains an unconquered clinical problem, affecting an increasing number of people worldwide. Despite the improved understanding of the disease development, the implementation of the many advances in diagnosis and therapy is lacking. Many clinicians continue to rely on patient's symptoms and diagnostic methods, which do not enable optimal clinical decisions. Read More

Front Physiol 2020 16;11:679. Epub 2020 Jun 16.

Department of Interventional Therapy, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Aims: The impact of different left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) assessed by echocardiography (EC) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) on clinical diagnosis and management that could be critical in clinical practice remains unclear. This study investigated this impact for patients who underwent both exams in a real-world clinical practice.

Methods: 500 patients who underwent CMR and two-dimensional EC were retrospectively included in present study. Read More

BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2020 Jul 1;20(1):314. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Cardiology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.

Background: Coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) is a potential cause of infarction. During the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), home isolation and activity reduction can lead to hypercoagulability. Here, we report a case of sudden acute myocardial infarction caused by large CAA during the home isolation. Read More

Stroke 2020 Jul 2:STROKEAHA120030010. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Department of Neurology and Comprehensive Stroke Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA. (D.S.L., L.S., M.N., S.S., N.R., M.B.H., J.L.S.).

Background And Purpose: We aimed to delineate the determinants of the initial speed of infarct progression and the association of speed of infarct progression (SIP) with procedural and functional outcomes.

Methods: From a prospectively maintained stroke center registry, consecutive anterior circulation ischemic stroke patients with large artery occlusion, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score ≥4, and multimodal vessel, ischemic core, and tissue-at-risk imaging within 24 hours of onset were included. Initial SIP was calculated as ischemic core volume at first imaging divided by the time from stroke onset to imaging. Read More

Ann Nucl Med 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Objective: We introduced a method to measure the extent of myocardial ischemia and steal with SPECT MBF quantitation.

Methods: Eighty-seven patients who received rest/Dipyridamole-stress Tc-Sestamibi (MIBI) dynamic SPECT scans and coronary angiography were included. Dynamic SPECT images were reconstructed with full physical corrections. Read More

Surg Case Rep 2020 Jun 30;6(1):155. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Gastrointestinal Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8603, Japan.

Background: Pyogenic spondylodiscitis is an extremely rare complication of esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Case Presentation: A 70-year-old Japanese man, with a previous medical history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and laryngeal cancer, received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction for advanced esophageal cancer. Cervical esophagogastrostomy with circular-stapled end-to-side anastomosis was performed. Read More

Clin Ophthalmol 2020 17;14:1641-1650. Epub 2020 Jun 17.

Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic, Siyami Ersek Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

Objective: In this study, it aims to investigate the effect of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis on peripapillary and subfoveal choroid thickness using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography.

Patients And Methods: While investigating for coronary artery disease, 76 patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis and 35 patients with normal carotid artery (total = 111) were evaluated. Patients according to the degree of stenosis were divided into four categories as non-stenosis (n = 35), mild (n = 26), moderate (n = 27) and severe stenosis (n = 23). Read More

Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2020 May-Jun;23(3):265-269. Epub 2020 Jun 5.

Comprehensive Stroke Care Program, Department of Neurology, Sree ChitraTirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.

Background And Aims: Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is common in the Asian population, but less studied in South Asians compared to East Asians. We compared risk factors, treatments, and outcomes among consecutive patients with symptomatic ICAD from India with a mixed-ethnic cohort from Chicago, Illinois.

Methods: Consecutive patients with symptomatic ICAD were enrolled at 2 academic medical centers in Kerala, India and Chicago, United States. Read More

Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2020 Jul 1;13(7):e010473. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA (P.B.S., A.M., W.T.O., H.M.K., L.S.S.).

J Nucl Cardiol 2020 Jun 29. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.

Background: We evaluated if risk scores commonly used to predict the absence of significant stenosis at coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography are useful to predict a normal stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) study.

Methods: Our cohort included a total of 1422 consecutive patients with zero coronary artery calcium score (ZCS) who underwent Rb PET/CT for evaluation of suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Predictive models were constructed as reported by Genders et al. Read More

Health Qual Life Outcomes 2020 06 29;18(1):205. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Institute of Public Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporatemember of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and BerlinInstitute of Health, Berlin, Germany.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article. Read More

BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2020 Jun 29;20(1):309. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Clinical Physiology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.

Background: Atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPD) reflects longitudinal left ventricular (LV) systolic function, and wall thickening (WT) regional radial LV function. The temporal evolution of these measures after STEMI with CMR has not been evaluated. We aimed to investigate how AVPD and WT are affected globally and regionally from the sub-acute to the chronic phase after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Read More

Cardiol Res 2020 Aug 3;11(4):233-238. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Vascular Risk Foundation (Varifo), Olten, Switzerland.

Background: There are only few data about the predictive value of atherosclerosis imaging beyond traditional risk calculators in younger subjects.

Methods: We assessed cardiovascular risk prediction with the PROCAM (the Prospective Cardiovascular Munster Study) risk equation and with carotid plaque imaging (determination of total plaque area (TPA) and the maximum plaque thickness with ultrasound) in subjects without known cardiovascular diseases. The follow-up was generated during follow-up examinations as part of preventive medical examinations or by telephone calls. Read More

Clin Med Insights Cardiol 2020 15;14:1179546820918903. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, JR Hiroshima Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan.

Many causes of noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) have been studied and gastroesophageal reflux disease is considered to be the major cause. However, studies have reported that treatment with a proton pump inhibitor does not effectively provide relief for NCCP-related symptoms, and these symptoms frequently recur. These findings suggest that patients with cardiac disease may be excluded completely from the NCCP group. Read More