bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of non-gated dynamic fetal cardiac MRI for identification of fetal cardiovascular anatomy
Authors: Geiger J , Tuura R , Callaghan FM , Burkhardt BUE , Payette K , Jakab A , Kellenberger CJ , Valsangiacomo ER 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Purpose
We sought to retrospectively evaluate the feasibility of identifying the fetal cardiac and thoracic vascular structures with non-gated dynamic balanced steady-state free precession MRI sequences.

Methods
We retrospectively assessed the visibility of cardiovascular anatomy in 66 fetuses without suspicion of congenital heart defect (mean gestational age 27+/- 4, range 21-38 weeks). Non-gated dynamic balanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequences were acquired in three planes (axial, coronal and sagittal) of the fetal thorax (slice thickness 4-5mm, FOV 400, FA 60°, matrix 256x256). The images were analysed following a segmental approach in consensus reading by an experienced paediatric cardiologist and radiologist. An imaging score was defined by giving one point to each visualized structure. Basic diagnostic structures included the atria, ventricles, systemic veins, right and left ventricular outflow tracts (RVOT/LVOT), aortic arch, descending aorta (DAO), ductus arteriosus and thymus (12 points); advanced diagnostic features included the atrioventricular (AV) valves, pulmonary arteries and veins, supraaortic arteries and trachea, yielding a maximum score of 21 points. Image quality was rated from 0 (poor) to 2 (good). The influence of gestational age (GA), field strength, placenta position, and maternal panniculus on image quality and imaging score were tested.

Results
34 scans were performed at 1.5 T, 32 at 3 T. Heart position, atria and ventricles could be seen in all 66 fetuses. Basic diagnosis (&gt;12 points) was achieved in 60 (90%) cases, with visualization of the IVC and SVC in 65 (98%) and 63 (95%), RVOT in 62 (94%), LVOT in 61 (92%), aortic arch in 60 (91%), DAO in 64 (97%), ductus arteriosus in 59 (89%) and thymus in 50 (76%) fetuses. The AV valves were recognised in 55 (83%), the pulmonary arteries in 35 (53%), at least one pulmonary vein in 46 (70%), the supraaortic arteries in 42 (64%), and the trachea in 59 (89%) fetuses. The mean imaging score was 16.8 +/- 3.7. Maternal panniculus (r -0.3; p 0.01) and gestational age (r 0.6; p &lt; 0.001) correlated with imaging score. Field strength influenced image quality, with 1.5 T being better than 3T images (p 0.04), but not the total imaging score. Imaging score or quality were independent from placenta position.

Conclusions
Fetal heart MRI with a non-gated SSFP sequence in multiple planes enables recognition of basic cardiovascular anatomy. Advanced diagnostics may be limited by thick maternal panniculus, lower GA and higher field strength.
Unilateral branch pulmonary artery stenting in tetralogy of fallot improves ventricular function
Authors: Bissell MM , Mills L , Cave DGW , Foley R , Greenwood JP , Plein S , Thomson JDR , Bentham JR 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): NIHR

Background
Pulmonary artery stenosis (PAS) occurs commonly in patients with tetralogy of fallot (ToF). Cardiac function and especially left ventricular longitudinal strain has been identified as an important prognostic factor for long term survival in ToF. The clinical relevance of unilateral PAS to long-term bi-ventricular function is poorly understood.

Purpose
We sought to evaluate the effect of resolving unilateral pulmonary artery obstruction on right and left ventricular performance.

Methods
We prospectively included 40 patients with TOF between 2016 and 2020, 20 who underwent unilateral PAS stenting and as comparison 20 who underwent surgical pulmonary valve replacement (PVR). MRI data was acquired during routine clinical care before and around 6-12 months after the procedure. 4 PAS patients attended additional research scans acquiring ventricular 4D flow MRI data. 4D flow MRI data was compared to the average kinetic energy curve of 10 age-matched healthy volunteers.

Results
Of the 20 patients undergoing PAS, 2 also underwent percutaneous PVR and were excluded from the comparison analysis. All patients in the PAs group showed an improvement in branch PA flow differential post procedure. Patients undergoing PAS were younger than those undergoing PVR (median 12 vs 19 years, p &lt; 0.001). Other baseline anatomical and functional parameters including right ventricular (RV) volume indexed to body surface are (RVEDV/BSA) were comparable (pre PAS median 151 [122,170] vs pre PVR 162 [140,191]; p = 0.217). While in the PVR group the right ventricular volumes reduced in both end-diastole and end-systole, in the PAS group RV function improved due to reduced end-systolic volume with largely stable end-diastolic volumes.
Changes in the left ventricle (LV) were even more interesting. In the PVR group ejection fraction improved due to an increase in end-diastolic volume with no improvement in ventricular longitudinal strain. In contrast, in the PAS group LV ejection fraction improved by a reduction in end-systolic volume and the PAS group showed a small but significant improvement in LV longitudinal strain. In addition, ¾ patients undergoing 4D flow MRI assessment showed LV kinetic energy curve more similar to the healthy volunteer averaged LV kinetic energy curve after PAS. The 4th patient already had a near normal LV kinetic energy curve prior to PAS.

Conclusion
Unilateral PAS does not alter RV end-diastolic volumes but improves RV function. LV ejection fraction improvement is similar to that seen after PVR, but importantly PAS also improved LV longitudinal strain. This suggests that PAS might positively influence long term morbidity and mortality risk in ToF patients, but a larger multi-centre long term follow-up study is needed to confirm this.
usefulness of the electrocardiogram and cardiac magnetic resonance to differentiate tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy from dilated cardiomyopathy in patients admitted for heart failure
Authors: Vera Sainz A , Cecconi A , Martinez-Vives P , Olivera MJ , Hernandez S , Tejelo J , Lopez Melgar B , Rojas Gonzalez A , Diez-Villanueva P , Salamanca J , Caballero P , Alfonso F , Jimenez-Borreguero LJ 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
In patients admitted for heart failure (HF) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and a concomitant high-rate supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVT) it is challenging to predict LVEF recovery after heart rate control and distinguish tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC) from dilated cardiomyopathy (DC). The role of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and the electrocardiogram (ECG) in this setting remains unsettled.

Methods
Forty-three consecutive patients admitted for HF due to high-rate SVT and LVEF &lt;50% undergoing CMR in the acute phase were retrospectively included. Those who had LVEF &gt;50% at follow up were classified as TIC and those with LVEF &lt;50% were classified as DC. Clinical, laboratory, CMR and ECG findings were analyzed to predict LVEF recovery.

Results
Twenty-five (58%) patients were classified as TIC. Patients with DC had wider QRS (121.2 ± 26 vs 97.7 ± 17.35 ms; p = 0.003). On CRM the TIC group presented with higher LVEF (33.4 ± 11 vs 26.9 ± 6.4% p = 0.019) whereas late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was more frequent in DC group (61 vs 16% p = 0.004). On multivariate analysis, QRS duration ≥100 ms (p = 0.027), LVEF &lt; 40% on CMR (p = 0.047) and presence of LGE (p = 0.03) were identified as independent predictors of lack of LVEF recovery. Furthermore, during clinical follow-up (median 60 months) DC patients were admitted more frequently for HF (44% vs 0%; p &lt; 0.001) than TIC patients (Figure 1).

Conclusion
In patients with reduced LVEF admitted for HF due to high-rate SVT, QRS duration ≥100 ms, LVEF &lt;40% on CMR and presence of LGE are independently associated with lack of LVEF recovery and worse clinical outcome.
Sex and age differences in patients with a working diagnosis of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA): presentation and outcome
Authors: Williams MGL , Dastidar A , Liang K , Johnson TW , Baritussio A , Strange JW , Joshi N , Dorman S , Dr Garate E , Spagnoli L , Fiori E , Lawton CB , Biglino G , Plein S , Bucciarelli-Ducci C 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Rosetrees Trust James Tudor Foundation
Background Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is an increasingly recognised working diagnosis. Sex and age differences in MINOCA are not well understood.
Purpose This study aims to evaluate the impact of sex and age in patients with MINOCA due to ischaemic and non-ischaemic causes on clinical presentation and outcome.
Methods and Results Consecutive patients with a working diagnosis of MINOCA (n = 719) from a single tertiary centre who underwent comprehensive cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) were followed prospectively. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. CMR was performed at a median time of 30 days after presentation and identified a diagnosis in 74% of patients. Men were more likely to have a non-ischaemic cause on CMR (55% v. 41%, p &lt; 0.001) and less likely to have a normal/non-specific scan (21% v. 32%, p = 0.001, figure 1). All-cause mortality was 9.5% over a median follow up of 4.9 years, with no significant difference between sexes (8.7% versus 10.1% p = 0.456). Age group (HR 1.61, p &lt; 0.001) and LVEF (HR 0.98, p = 0.020) were independent predictors of mortality. Men aged &gt;60 years with a non-ischaemic aetiology on their CMR were at higher risk of death than women with non-ischaemic causes &gt;60 years (p = 0.003, figure 2).
Conclusions There is no difference in all-cause mortality between sexes in MINOCA but increasing age is the most important predictor of mortality in both sexes.
Impact of concomitant impairments of the left and right ventricular myocardial strain on the prognoses of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Wei LAI , Ge HENG , Pu JUN 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): the National Key Research and Development Program of China

OnBehalf
Renji Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Shanghai Jiaotong University

Background
The impact of concomitant impairments of left and right ventricular (LV and RV) strain on the long-term prognosis of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not clear.

Methods
We analyzed CMR images and followed up 420 first STEMI patients from the EARLY Assessment of MYOcardial Tissue Characteristics by CMR in STEMI (EARLY-MYO-CMR) registry (NCT03768453). These patients received timely primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 12h and CMR examination within 1 week (median,5 days; range, 2-7 days) after infarction. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain (GRS), and global circumferential strain (GCS) of both ventricles were measured based on CMR cine images. Conventional CMR indexes were also assessed. Primary clinical outcome was composite major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) including cardiovascular death, re-infarction, re-hospitalization for heart failure and stroke.

Results
During follow-up (median: 52 months, interquartile range: 29–78 months), 80 patients experienced major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) including cardiovascular death, re-infarction, heart failure, and stroke. LV-GCS &gt; -11.20% was an independent predictor of MACCEs (P &lt; 0.001). The impairment of RV strain was found in 177 patients (42.14%), including 37.8% of patients with left anterior descending occlusions, 37.5% with left circumflex occlusions, and 51.5% with right coronary artery occlusions. Although none of the three individual RV strain measurements, the RV-GLS, RV-GRC and RV-GCS, was independently associated with the risk of MACCEs, patients who had RV-GRS ≤ 38.79% in addition to an impaired LV-GCS however were more likely to experience MACCEs than patients with decreased LV-GCS alone (log rank P = 0.010). Moreover, the addition of RV-GRS to LV-GCS improved the predictive power for MACCEs compared to the predictive power of LV-GCS alone (continuous NRI: 0.327; 95% CI: 0.095 - 0.558; P = 0.006). Finally, Tobacco use (P = 0.003), right coronary artery involvement (P = 0.002), and LV-GCS &gt; -11.20% (P = 0.012) were found to be independent risk factors of RV-GRS impairment.

Conclusions
Impairment of the RV strain is prevalent in infarctions occurring at all cardiac locations. While LV-GCS is an independent predictor of long-term MACCEs, the concomitant impairment of RV-GRS results in a worsened prognosis. Combination assessment of both LV and RV strain indexes could improve risk stratification of STEMI patients.
Could we use cardiac MRIfor diagnosis of infective endocarditis
Authors: Elagha AE , Beniamin YB , El-Aroussy WE , Meshaal MM 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction
Echocardiography is a reliable imaging tool in diagnosing infective endocarditis (IE) according to "modified Dukes criteria"; however, it lacks tissue characterization of cardiac masses, and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) has low sensitivity in detection of vegetations. Moreover, transesophageal echo (TEE) is considered semi-invasive and intolerable in some situations .On the other hand, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a powerful true 3D imaging tool with wide field of view, and superior capability of tissue characterization of cardiac masses; however, modest information is available about utility of CMR in diagnosing IE.

Purpose
To assess the feasibility of CMR to identify vegetations and complications of IE, and compare obtained findings with those obtained from echocardiography regarding: presence, number, size of vegetations, and detection of cardiac complications (e.g. aortic root abscess, periannular abscess, and shunts).

Materials and Methods
Eighty consecutive patients with suspected IE were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent TTE; only those with left-sided lesions underwent TEE. When clinical situation allowed, CMR examination using 1.5 Tesla magnet were performed using the following sequences: Steady-state free precession (SSFP), T1W (± fat suppression) and T2W, first-pass perfusion, and delayed hyperenhancement. Moreover, chest and abdominal survey was done.

Results
Sixty-one patients (45 males and 16 females) were able to undergo and complete CMR study. Affection of tricuspid valve was seen in 39.3%, mitral 31.1%, aortic 24.6%, and pulmonary 4.9% of cases. All vegetations visualized by echocardiography were also clearly detected and confirmed by CMR. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and Kappa agreement of CMR with echocardiography in depicting &gt;0.5cm vegetations were all 100%. By tissue characterization, vegetations resemble features of thrombi (with variation in signal intensity according to age of vegetation). However, in some cases, masses have a unique pattern that is different from vegetations of IE, and subsequently other diagnoses were suggested (e.g. fibroelastoma, Libman-Saks endocarditis). In 22 patients, CMR provided more information than echocardiography, and in 6 patients, CMR made a paradigm shift of diagnosis.

Conclusion
Cardiac MRI is a powerful imaging tool in diagnosis of IE and its complications. In comparison with echocardiography, CMR can identify the presence, numbers, and size of vegetations accurately. Moreover, with its unique ability of tissue characterization, CMR helps distinguish vegetations from other masses; therefore changes the diagnosis of IE and subsequent management in some patients.
Wall shear stress angle determines aortic growth in patients with bicuspid aortic valves
Authors: Minderhoud SCS , Roos-Hesselink JW , Chelu RG , Bons LR , Van Den Hoven AT , Korteland SA , Van Den Bosch AE , Budde RPJ , Wentzel JJ , Hirsch A 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): The Dutch Heart Foundation

Background
Patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) have altered flow velocity patterns with different wall shear stress (WSS) distributions in the ascending aorta compared to patients with tricuspid aortic valves. These WSS distributions are associated with aortic dilatation in cross sectional studies, however, longitudinal data demonstrating a potential causative role is missing.

Purpose
The aim of this study was to assess the differences in WSS distributions between BAV patients and healthy subjects and to determine the predictive value of WSS for aortic growth in patients with a BAV.

Methods
Forty patients with a BAV and 32 healthy matched subjects were prospectively studied by 4D-flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Peak velocity, pulse wave velocity, aortic distensibility, peak systolic WSS (magnitude), the different WSS components (axial and circumferential), and WSS angle were assessed in the proximal ascending aorta. WSS angle was defined as the angle between the WSSmagnitude and WSSaxial component. In the BAV patients, aortic volumetric growth over three years was determined in the proximal ascending aorta (first 5cm) based on CT angiography. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of aortic volumetric growth.

Results
Of the BAV patients, 21 (53%) had a left-right fusion pattern and eight patients had Turner syndrome. WSSaxial was significantly lower in BAV patients compared to healthy subjects (p = 0.008) and WSScircumferential and WSS angle were significantly higher (both p &lt; 0.001, see Figure). WSSmagnitude, pulse wave velocity, and aorta distensibility were not statistically significant different. WSSmagnitude (0.69 N/m² [0.51-0.81] vs 1.08 N/m² [0.89-1.24], p = 0.005), WSSaxial (0.50 N/m² [0.39-0.61] vs 0.72 N/m² [0.54-0.94], p = 0.015) and WSScircumferential (0.34 N/m² [0.32-0.46] vs 0.64 N/m² [0.47-0.81], p = 0.008) were significantly lower in BAV Turner patients compared to BAV non-Turner patients, while WSS angle (40° [34-41] vs 40° [32-48], p = 0.607) was not statistically significant different. During a follow-up of three years, there was a significant growth of the proximal ascending aorta in the BAV patients (1.2 cm3 [-0.2-2.5], p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis corrected for baseline aortic volume and diastolic blood pressure, WSS angle was the only independent predictor for proximal aortic volume growth (β=0.108, p = 0.030).

Conclusions
Increased WSScircumferential and especially WSS angle are present in patients with BAV. WSS angle was the only independent predictor of aortic growth. These findings highlight the potential role of WSS measurements in patients with BAV to stratify patients at risk for aortic dilation.
Cardio-renal benefits of sodium–glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: mechanisms and clinical evidence
Authors: Aguilar-Gallardo Jose S , Correa Ashish , Contreras Johanna P 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The heart and the kidneys are closely interconnected, and disease in one organ system can lead to disease in the other. This interdependence is illustrated in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), where worsening heart failure (HF) can lead to renal dysfunction and vice versa. Further complicating this situation is the fact that drugs that serve as guideline-directed medical therapy for HFrEF can affect renal function. Sodium–glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of medication with an evolving role in HF and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Initially found to have benefits in diabetic patients, new research established potential cardiovascular and renal benefits in patients with HF independent of their diabetic status and in populations with CKD. This has been established by landmark trials such as EMPEROR-Reduced (Empagliflozin Outcome Trial in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure and a Reduced Ejection Fraction), EMPA-TROPISM (Are the ‘Cardiac Benefits’ of Empagliflozin Independent of Its Hypoglycemic Activity), CREDENCE (Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes with Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation), DAPA-CKD (Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease), DAPA-HF (Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure), and DEFINE-HF (Dapagliflozin Effects on Biomarkers, Symptoms and Functional Status in Patients with HF with Reduced Ejection Fraction). Multiple mechanisms responsible for these benefits have been suggested by clinical and non-clinical studies, and involve cardiac and renal energetic efficiency, cardiac remodelling, preservation of renal function, immunomodulation, changes in haematocrit, and control of risk factors. As such, SGLT2 inhibitors have tremendous potential to improve outcomes in populations with HF and CKD. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current evidence and underlying mechanisms for the cardio-renal benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with HFrEF.
Comprehensive analysis of haemodynamics in patients with physiologically curved prostheses of the ascending aorta
Authors: Sieren Malte Maria , Balks Maren Friederike , Schlueter Jennifer Kristina , Wegner Franz , Huellebrand Markus , Scharfschwerdt Michael , Barkhausen Jörg , Frydrychowicz Alex , Gabbert Dominik Daniel , Oechtering Thekla Helene 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This is a comprehensive analysis of haemodynamics after valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSARR) with anatomically curved prosthesis (CP) compared to straight prosthesis (SP) and age-matched volunteers (VOL) using 4D flow MRI (time-resolved three-dimensional magnetic resonance phase-contrast imaging).

METHODS
Nine patients with 90° CP, nine patients with SP, and twelve VOL were examined with 4D flow MRI. Analyses included various characteristic anatomical, qualitative and quantitative haemodynamic parameters.

RESULTS
Grading of secondary flow patterns was lower in CP patients than in SP patients (P = 0.09) and more comparable to VOL, albeit not reaching statistical significance. However, it was easy to differentiate between VSARR patients and healthy volunteers: Patients more often had angular aortic arches (CP: 89%, SP: 100%; VOL: 17%; P ≤ 0.002), increased average curvature (CP: 0.17/cm [0.15, 0.18]; SP: 0.15/cm [0.14, 0.16]; VOL: 0.14/cm [0.13, 0.16]; P ≤ 0.007; values given as median [interquartile range]), and more secondary flow patterns (CP: 3 [2, 4] SP: 3 [2, 3] VOL: 2 [1, 2]; P &lt; 0.01). Maximum circulation (CP: 142.7 cm2/s [116.1, 187.3]; SP: 101.8 cm2/s [77.7, 132.5]; VOL: 42.8cm2/s [39.3, 65.6]; P ≤ 0.002), maximum helicity density (CP: 9.6 m/s2 [9.3, 23.9]; SP: 9.7 m/s2 [8.6, 12.5]; VOL 4.9 m/s2 [4.2, 7.7]; P ≤ 0.007), and wall shear stress gradient (e.g., proximal ascending aorta CP: 0.97 N/m2 [0.54, 1.07]; SP: 1.08 N/m2 [0.74, 1.24]; VOL: 0.41 N/m2 [0.32, 0.60]; P ≤ 0.01) were increased in patients. One CP patient had a round aortic arch with physiological haemodynamic parameters.

CONCLUSIONS
The restoration of physiological aortic configuration and haemodynamics was not fully achieved with the curved prostheses in our study cohort. However, there was a tendency towards improved haemodynamic conditions in the patients with curved prostheses overall but without statistical significance. A single patient with a CP and near-physiological configuration of the thoracic aorta underlines the importance of optimizing postoperative geometric conditions for allowing for physiological haemodynamics and cardiovascular energetics after VSARR.