AimsTo compare the novel 2D multi-velocity encoding (venc) and 4D flow acquisitions with the standard 2D flow acquisition for the assessment of paravalvular regurgitation (PVR) after transcatheter... Show moreAimsTo compare the novel 2D multi-velocity encoding (venc) and 4D flow acquisitions with the standard 2D flow acquisition for the assessment of paravalvular regurgitation (PVR) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived regurgitant fraction (RF).Methods and resultsIn this prospective study, patients underwent CMR 1 month after TAVR for the assessment of PVR, for which 2D multi-venc and 4D flow were used, in addition to standard 2D flow. Scatterplots and Bland–Altman plots were used to assess correlation and visualize agreement between techniques. Reproducibility of measurements was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients. The study included 21 patients (mean age ± SD 80 ± 5 years, 9 men). The mean RF was 11.7 ± 10.0% when standard 2D flow was used, 10.6 ± 7.0% when 2D multi-venc flow was used, and 9.6 ± 7.3% when 4D flow was used. There was a very strong correlation between the RFs assessed with 2D multi-venc and standard 2D flow (r = 0.88, P < 0.001), and a strong correlation between the RFs assessed with 4D flow and standard 2D flow (r = 0.74, P < 0.001). Bland–Altman plots revealed no substantial bias between the RFs (2D multi-venc: 1.3%; 4D flow: 0.3%). Intra-observer and inter-observer reproducibility for 2D multi-venc flow were 0.98 and 0.97, respectively, and 0.92 and 0.90 for 4D flow, respectively.ConclusionTwo-dimensional multi-venc and 4D flow produce an accurate quantification of PVR after TAVR. The fast acquisition of the 2D multi-venc sequence and the free-breathing acquisition with retrospective plane selection of the 4D flow sequence provide useful advantages in clinical practice, especially in the frail TAVR population. Show less
Aimo, A.; Teis, A.; Kasa, G.; Juncà, G.; Lupón, J.; Domingo, M.; ... ; Delgado, V. 2023
Background Age-specific and gender-specific reference values for left ventricular (LV) and right ventricle volumes are available. The prognostic implications of the ratio between these volumes in... Show moreBackground Age-specific and gender-specific reference values for left ventricular (LV) and right ventricle volumes are available. The prognostic implications of the ratio between these volumes in heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) have never been evaluated.Methods We examined all HFpEF outpatients undergoing a cardiac magnetic resonance from 2011 to 2021. The left-to-right ventricular volume ratio (LRVR) was defined as the ratio between the LV and right ventricle end-diastolic volume indexes (LVEDVi/RVEDVi).Results Among 159 patients [median age 58 years (interquartile range 49–69), 64% men, LV ejection fraction 60% (54–70%)] the median LRVR was 1.21 (1.07–1.40). Over 3.5 years (1.5–5.0), 23 patients (15%) experienced all-cause death or heart failure hospitalization, and 22 (14%) cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization. The risk of all-cause death or heart failure hospitalization increased with an LRVR less than 1.0 or at least 1.4. An LRVR less than 1.0 was associated with a higher risk of all-cause death or heart failure hospitalization [hazard ratio 5.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.67–21.28; P = 0.006] and cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization (hazard ratio 5.68, 95% CI 1.58–20.35; P = 0.008) as compared with LRVR 1.0–1.3. Furthermore, an LRVR at least 1.4 was associated with a higher risk of all-cause death or heart failure hospitalization (hazard ratio 4.10, 95% CI 1.58–10.61; P = 0.004) and cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization (hazard ratio 3.71, 95% CI 1.41–9.79; P = 0.008) as compared with LRVR 1.0–1.3. These results were confirmed in patients without dilation of either ventricle.Conclusion LRVR values less than 1.0 or at least 1.4 are associated with worse outcomes in HFpEF. LRVR may become a valuable tool for risk prediction in HFpEF. Show less
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disorder with unknown triggering factors, and complex pathophysiologic links which lead to fibrosis of skin and internal organs, including the heart... Show moreSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disorder with unknown triggering factors, and complex pathophysiologic links which lead to fibrosis of skin and internal organs, including the heart, lungs, and gut. However, more than 100 years after the first description of cardiac disease in SSc, sclerodermic cardiomyopathy (SScCmp) is an underrecognized, occult disease with important adverse long-term prognosis. Laboratory tests, electrocardiography (ECG) and cardiovascular multimodality imaging techniques (transthoracic 2D and 3D echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and novel imaging techniques, including myocardial deformation analysis) provide new insights into the cardiac abnormalities in patients with SSc. This state-of-the-art review aims to stratify all the cardiac investigations needed to diagnose and follow-up the SScCmp, and discusses the epidemiology, risk factors and pathophysiology of this important cause of morbidity of the SSc patient. Show less
The aim of this article is to review sex differences in aortic stenosis (AS) assessed with multimodality imaging. Echocardiography remains the mainstay imaging technique to diagnose AS and provides... Show moreThe aim of this article is to review sex differences in aortic stenosis (AS) assessed with multimodality imaging. Echocardiography remains the mainstay imaging technique to diagnose AS and provides important insights into the differences between men and women in relation to valve haemodynamic and left-ventricular response. However, echocardiography does not have adequate resolution to provide important insights into sex differences in the degenerative, calcific pathophysiological process of the aortic valve. CT shows that women with AS have more fibrotic changes of the aortic valve whereas men show more calcific deposits. Cardiac magnetic resonance shows that women have left ventricles that are less hypertrophic and smaller compared with those of men, while men have more replacement myocardial fibrosis. These differences may lead to different responses to aortic valve replacement because myocardial diffuse fibrosis but not replacement myocardial fibrosis may regress after the procedure. Sex differences in the pathophysiological process of AS can be assessed using multimodality imaging, assisting in decision -making in these patients. Show less
Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is at the forefront of noninvasive methods for the assessment of myocardial anatomy, function, and most importantly tissue characterization. The role of CMR is... Show moreCardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is at the forefront of noninvasive methods for the assessment of myocardial anatomy, function, and most importantly tissue characterization. The role of CMR is becoming even more significant with an increasing recognition that inflammation plays a major role for various myocardial diseases such as myocardial infarction, myocarditis, and takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (USPIO) are nanoparticles that are taken up by monocytes and macrophages accumulating at sites of inflammation. In this context, USPIO-enhanced CMR can provide valuable additional information regarding the cellular inflammatory component of myocardial and vascular diseases. Here, we will review the recent diagnostic applications of USPIO in terms of imaging myocardial and vascular inflammation, and highlight some of their future potential. Show less
Several studies have demonstrated that severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has a significant negative impact on morbidity and mortality. Nowadays, several therapeutic options to treat TR are... Show moreSeveral studies have demonstrated that severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has a significant negative impact on morbidity and mortality. Nowadays, several therapeutic options to treat TR are available and patients at high surgical risk can also be treated with transcatheter procedures. For the management of patients with TR, an accurate assessment of the tricuspid valve and its surrounding structures is therefore of crucial importance and has gained significant interest in the medical community. Different imaging modalities can provide detailed information on the tricuspid valve apparatus, right ventricle, right atrium, and coronary circulation which are fundamental to define the timing and anatomic suitability of surgical and percutaneous procedures. The present review illustrates the role of 2D and 3D echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and multidetector row computed tomography for the assessment of the tricuspid valve and right heart with a particular focus on the data needed for planning and guiding interventional procedures. Show less
Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a complex and still poorly recognized heart disease with a wide spectrum of possible clinical presentations. Despite its reversibility, it is associated with serious... Show moreTakotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a complex and still poorly recognized heart disease with a wide spectrum of possible clinical presentations. Despite its reversibility, it is associated with serious adverse in-hospital events and high complication rates during follow-up. Multimodality imaging is helpful for establishing the diagnosis, guiding therapy, and stratifying prognosis of TTS patients in both the acute and post-acute phase. Echocardiography plays a key role, particularly in the acute care setting, allowing for the assessment of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function and the identification of the typical apical-midventricular ballooning pattern, as well as the circumferential pattern of watt motion abnormalities. It is also useful in the early detection of complications (i.e. LV outflow tract obstruction, mitral regurgitation, right ventricular involvement, LV thrombi, and pericardial effusion) and monitoring of systolic function recovery. Left ventriculography allows the evaluation of LV function and morphology, identifying the typical US patterns when echocardiography is not available or wall motion abnormalities cannot be properly assessed with ultrasound. Cardiac magnetic resonance provides a more comprehensive depiction of cardiac morphology and function and tissue characterization and offers additional value to other imaging modalities for differential diagnosis (myocardial infarction and myocarditis). Coronary computed tomography angiography has a substantial role in the diagnostic workup of patients with acute chest pain and a doubtful US diagnosis to rule out other medical conditions. It can be considered as a non-invasive appropriate alternative to coronary angiography in several clinical scenarios. Although the rote of nuclear imaging in US has not yet been well established, the combination of perfusion and metabolic imaging may provide useful information on myocardial function in both the acute and post-acute phase. Show less
Everaars, H.; Hoeven, N.W. van der; Janssens, G.N.; Leeuwen, M.A. van; Loon, R.B. van; Schumacher, S.P.; ... ; Nijveldt, R. 2020
OBJECTIVES This study sought to determine the agreement between cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and invasive measurements of fractional flow reserve (FFR) in the evaluation of nonculprit... Show moreOBJECTIVES This study sought to determine the agreement between cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and invasive measurements of fractional flow reserve (FFR) in the evaluation of nonculprit lesions after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In addition, we investigated whether fully quantitative analysis of myocardial perfusion is superior to semiquantitative and visual analysis.BACKGROUND The agreement between CMR and FFR in the evaluation of nonculprit lesions in patients with STEMI with multivessel disease is unknown.METHODS Seventy-seven patients with STEMI with at least 1 intermediate (diameter stenosis 50% to 90%) nonculprit lesion underwent CMR and invasive coronary angiography in conjunction with FFR measurements at 1 month after primary intervention. The imaging protocol included stress and rest perfusion, cine imaging, and late gadolinium enhancement. Fully quantitative, semiquantitative, and visual analysis of myocardial perfusion were compared against a reference of FFR. Hemodynamically obstructive was defined as FFR <= 0.80.RESULTS Hemodynamically obstructive nonculprit lesions were present in 31 (40%) patients. Visual analysis displayed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.74 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62 to 0.83), with a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 70%. For semiquantitative analysis, the relative upslope of the stress signal intensity time curve and the relative upslope derived myocardial flow reserve had respective AUCs of 0.66 (95% CI: 0.54 to 0.77) and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.59 to 0.81). Fully quantitative analysis did not augment diagnostic performance (all p > 0.05). Stress myocardial blood flow displayed an AUC of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.64 to 0.85), with a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 77%. Similarly, MFR displayed an AUC of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.71 to 0.90), with a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 71%.CONCLUSIONS CMR and FFR have moderate-good agreement in the evaluation of nonculprit lesions in patients with STEMI with multivessel disease. Fully quantitative, semiquantitative, and visual analysis yield similar diagnostic performance. (C) 2020 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation. Show less
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has recently published new guidelines on the diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes (CCS). The 2019 guideline identified six common clinical... Show moreThe European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has recently published new guidelines on the diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes (CCS). The 2019 guideline identified six common clinical scenarios of CCS defined by the different evolutionary phases of coronary artery disease (CAD), excluding the situations in which an acute coronary event, often with coronary thrombus formation, dominates the clinical presentation. This review aims at providing a summary of novel or revised concepts in the guidelines together with the recent data underlying the major changes on the use of cardiac imaging in patients with suspected or known CCS.Based on data from contemporary cohorts of patients referred for diagnostic testing, the pre-test probabilities of CAD based on age, sex and symptoms have been adjusted substantially downward as compared with 2013 ESC guidelines. Further, the impact of various risk factors and modifiers on the pre-test probability was highlighted and a new concept of 'Clinical likelihood of CAD' was introduced. Recommendations regarding diagnostic tests to establish or rule-out obstructive CAD have been updated with recent data on their diagnostic performance in different patient groups and impact on patient outcome. As the initial strategy to diagnose CAD in symptomatic patients, non-invasive functional imaging for myocardial ischaemia, coronary computed tomography angiography or invasive coronary angiography combined with functional evaluation may be used, unless obstructive CAD can be excluded by clinical assessment alone. When available, imaging tests instead of the exercise electrocardiogram are recommended when following the non-invasive diagnostic strategy. Show less
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is defined by the presence of left ventricular or biventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction in the absence of abnormal loading conditions or coronary artery... Show moreDilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is defined by the presence of left ventricular or biventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction in the absence of abnormal loading conditions or coronary artery disease sufficient to explain these changes. This is a heterogeneous disease frequently having a genetic background. Imaging is important for the diagnosis, the prognostic assessment and for guiding therapy. A multimodality imaging approach provides a comprehensive evaluation of all the issues related to this disease. The present document aims to provide recommendations for the use of multimodality imaging according to the clinical question. Selection of one or another imaging technique should be based on the clinical condition and context. Techniques are presented with the aim to underscore what is 'clinically relevant' and what are the tools that 'can be used'. There remain some gaps in evidence on the impact of multimodality imaging on the management and the treatment of DCM patients where ongoing research is important. Show less
Forte, M.N.V.; Hussain, T.; Roest, A.; Gomez, G.; Jongbloed, M.; Simpson, J.; ... ; Valverde, I. 2019
