Mulitmedia Library
Coronary CTA plaque volume severity stages according to invasive coronary angiography and FFR
Atherosclerotic plaque characterization by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) enables quantification of coronary artery disease (CAD) burden and type, which has been demonstrated as the strongest discriminant of future risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). To date, there are no clinically useful thresholds to assist with understanding a patient's disease burden and guide diagnosis and management, as there exists with coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring. The purpose of this manuscript is to establish clinically relevant plaque stages and thresholds based on evidence from invasive angiographic stenosis (ICA) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) data.Prospective evaluation of the learning curve and diagnostic accuracy for Pre-TAVI cardiac computed tomography analysis by cardiologists in training: The LEARN-CT study
To investigate the learning curve and the minimum number of cases required for a cardiologist in training to acquire the skills to an accurate pre-TAVI cardiac CT (CCT) analysis using a semi-automatic software.Diagnostic concordance and discordance between angiography-based quantitative flow ratio and fractional flow reserve derived from computed tomography in complex coronary artery disease
Both quantitative flow ratio (QFR) and fractional flow reserve derived from computed tomography (FFRCT) have shown significant correlations with invasive wire-based fractional flow reserve. However, the correlation between QFR and FFRCT is not fully investigated in patients with complex coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation and agreement between QFR and FFRCT in patients with de novo three-vessel disease and/or left main CAD.Live integration of comprehensive cardiac CT with electroanatomical mapping in patients with refractory ventricular tachycardia
Aim of the present study was to verify the feasibility and accuracy of live integration of myocardial fibrosis evaluated at CCT with EAM (electro-anatomical mapping).Comparison of coronary atherosclerotic plaque progression in East Asians and Caucasians by serial coronary computed tomographic angiography: A PARADIGM substudy
To investigate potential differences in plaque progression (PP) between in East Asians and Caucasians as well as to determine clinical predictors of PP in East Asians.Coronary and total thoracic calcium scores predict mortality and provides pathophysiologic insights in COVID-19 patients
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide determining dramatic impacts on healthcare systems. Early identification of high-risk parameters is required in order to provide the best therapeutic approach. Coronary, thoracic aorta and aortic valve calcium can be measured from a non-gated chest computer tomography (CT) and are validated predictors of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. However, their prognostic role in acute systemic inflammatory diseases, such as COVID-19, has not been investigated.Percent atheroma volume: Optimal variable to report whole-heart atherosclerotic plaque burden with coronary CTA, the PARADIGM study
Different methodologies to report whole-heart atherosclerotic plaque on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) have been utilized. We examined which of the three commonly used plaque burden definitions was least affected by differences in body surface area (BSA) and sex.Coronary atherosclerosis scoring with semiquantitative CCTA risk scores for prediction of major adverse cardiac events: Propensity score-based analysis of diabetic and non-diabetic patients
We aimed to compare semiquantitative coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) risk scores – which score presence, extent, composition, stenosis and/or location of coronary artery disease (CAD) – and their prognostic value between patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). Risk scores derived from general chest-pain populations are often challenging to apply in DM patients, because of numerous confounders.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.Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with aortic valve calcification: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Aortic valve calcification (AVC) is an active process that involves inflammation, disorganization of matrix disposition, lipid accumulation and lamellar bone formation. AVC without hemodynamic changes has been associated with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and increased risk of coronary and CV events. Nowadays, echocardiography is the standard imaging technique to evaluate aortic valve pathologies. However, cardiac computed tomography (CT) allows high accuracy and reproducible measurement of AVC, without exposing the patients to excessive radiation or contrast administration.A cross-sectional survey of coronary plaque composition in individuals on non-statin lipid lowering drug therapies and undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography
Non-statin therapy (NST) is used as second-line treatment when statin monotherapy is inadequate or poorly tolerated.Submillisievert CT angiography for carotid arteries using wide array CT scanner and latest iterative reconstruction algorithm in comparison with previous generations technologies: Feasibility and diagnostic accuracy
To assess evaluability and diagnostic accuracy of a low dose CT angiography (CTA) protocol for carotid arteries using latest Iterative Reconstruction (IR) algorithm in comparison with standard 100 kVp protocol using previous generation CT and IR.Left atrial appendage closure guided by 3D computed tomography printing technology: A case control study
We sought to evaluate the additional value of left atrial appendage (LAA) 3D printing derived from computed tomography (CCT) in determining the size for LAA occlusion (LAAO) devices as compared to standard measurement by using occurrence of LAA leak as endpoint.Left-dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy diagnosed at cardiac CT
A 71 years-old man was referred to our Center after detection of a non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) at ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring. His previous cardiological history was negative. Rest ECG showed negative T-waves on V4 V6 leads (Panel A). Blood examination was normal including high-sensitive troponin-I and C-reactive protein. Transthoracic echocardiography showed normal biventricular wall kinesis and function. Cardiac CT (CCT) ruled out coronary artery disease but showed a hypodense region (−80 HU), consistent with a fibro-adipose tissue infiltration, in left ventricular (LV) lateral wall with sub-epicardial distribution (Panel B and C, red arrows).
