Mulitmedia Library
Computed tomography imaging for subclinical leaflet thrombosis following surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Subclinical leaflet thrombosis (LT) may occur following surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Computed tomography (CT) has become an established imaging modality to diagnose subclinical LT following bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement. Even so, there is a limited (but growing) experience in utilizing CT imaging for this indication. This review emphasizes a systematic approach to acquiring and analysing CT imaging for subclinical LT, highlighting evidence surrounding clinical sequelae of subclinical LT and anti-thrombotic implications following diagnosis.Cardiac computed tomography in the contemporary evaluation of infective endocarditis
Increasing data have accumulated on the role of Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT) in infective endocarditis (IE) with high accuracy for large vegetations, perivalvular complications and for exclusion of coronary artery disease to avoid invasive angiography. CCT can further help to clarify the etiology of infective prosthetic valve dysfunction (e.g. malposition, abscess, leak, vegetation or mass). Structural interventions have increased the relevance of CCT in valvular heart disease and have amplified its use.CT assessment of the left atrial appendage post-transcatheter occlusion – A systematic review and meta analysis
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the standard imaging modality used to assess the left atrial appendage (LAA) after transcatheter device occlusion. Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) offers an alternative non-invasive modality in these patients. We aimed to conduct a comparison of the two modalities.Accelerating the future of cardiac CT: Social media as sine qua non?
The vision for the Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography's social media efforts is to amplify the impact of the Journal while driving engagement, increasing journal visibility and disseminating content to new audiences globally. Serving as “the front door” to the Journal, this digital evolution represents an important step forward for a field in which advancements in hardware, image processing and clinical evidence have evolved rapidly. However, is social media the panem et circenses of cardiovascular computed tomography (CT), that of superficial appeasement, or of sine qua non; an essential ingredient to the acceleration of the Journal and of the field of cardiovascular CT? This paper aims to present the initial impact of social media within a dedicated cardiovascular CT journal.Risk stratification of coronary plaques using physiologic characteristics by CCTA: Focus on shear stress
The identification of factors determining whether a lesion progresses, destabilizes or becomes quiescent remains a challenge. Wall or endothelial shear stress (WSS or ESS, respectively), the frictional force acting on the lumen wall, is strongly associated with changes in the natural history of lesions. Several clinical intravascular imaging studies have shown a clear link between disturbed flow, typically characterized by low WSS, and plaque growth. In support of these studies, in-vitro experiments of shear stress have identified several mechanisms promoting atherosclerosis.State-of-the-art-myocardial perfusion stress testing: Static CT perfusion
Large multicenter studies and meta-analysis have documented the diagnostic accuracy and the prognostic implications of stress echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance and, mainly, nuclear stress tests. However, none of them provides a comprehensive anatomical and functional evaluation within the same study as stress CT perfusion. Myocardial CT perfusion is the only non-invasive modality that allows to quantifying coronary stenosis and determining its functional relevance, constituting a potential “one-stop-shop” method for the diagnosis and global management of patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease.Virtual medicine: Utilization of the advanced cardiac imaging patient avatar for procedural planning and facilitation
Advances in imaging technology have led to a paradigm shift from planning of cardiovascular procedures and surgeries requiring the actual patient in a “brick and mortar” hospital to utilization of the digitalized patient in the virtual hospital. Cardiovascular computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) digitalized 3-D patient representation of individual patient anatomy and physiology serves as an avatar allowing for virtual delineation of the most optimal approaches to cardiovascular procedures and surgeries prior to actual hospitalization.Evaluation of valvular disease by cardiac computed tomography assessment
Cardiac multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography is emerging as a technique to evaluate cardiac valve structure and function. MDCT can provide insights into cardiac valve anatomy and pathologic states, including comparable efficacy in valve area and regurgitant orifice area assessment compared with echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. MDCT can also be useful when initial evaluation of valvular disease with echocardiography yields suboptimal images. MDCT provides concurrent visualization of coronary anatomy which may avoid the need for further invasive preoperative testing.Dual-source computed tomography angiography for diagnosis and assessment of coronary artery disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Development of an accurate test for noninvasive assessment of coronary arteries has been highly desirable.Outcomes Research in Cardiovascular Imaging: Report of a Workshop Sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
In July of 2008, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute convened experts in noninvasive cardiovascular imaging, outcomes research, statistics, and clinical trials to develop recommendations for future randomized controlled trials of the use of imaging in: 1) screening the asymptomatic patient for coronary artery disease; 2) assessment of patients with stable angina; 3) identification of acute coronary syndromes in the emergency room; and 4) assessment of heart failure patients with chronic coronary artery disease with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.
