| 1. |
- Ricci, Fabrizio, et al.
(author)
-
Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Stress Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Known or Suspected Coronary Artery Disease : A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- 2023
-
In: JAMA Cardiology. - 2380-6583 .- 2380-6591. ; 8:7
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- IMPORTANCE: The clinical utility of stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in stable chest pain is still debated, and the low-risk period for adverse cardiovascular (CV) events after a negative test result is unknown.OBJECTIVE: To provide contemporary quantitative data synthesis of the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of stress CMR in stable chest pain.DATA SOURCES: PubMed and Embase databases, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PROSPERO, and the ClinicalTrials.gov registry were searched for potentially relevant articles from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2021.STUDY SELECTION: Selected studies evaluated CMR and reported estimates of diagnostic accuracy and/or raw data of adverse CV events for participants with either positive or negative stress CMR results. Prespecified combinations of keywords related to the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of stress CMR were used. A total of 3144 records were evaluated for title and abstract; of those, 235 articles were included in the full-text assessment of eligibility. After exclusions, 64 studies (74 470 total patients) published from October 29, 2002, through October 19, 2021, were included.DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Diagnostic odds ratios (DORs), sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), odds ratio (OR), and annualized event rate (AER) for all-cause death, CV death, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) defined as the composite of myocardial infarction and CV death.RESULTS: A total of 33 diagnostic studies pooling 7814 individuals and 31 prognostic studies pooling 67 080 individuals (mean [SD] follow-up, 3.5 [2.1] years; range, 0.9-8.8 years; 381 357 person-years) were identified. Stress CMR yielded a DOR of 26.4 (95% CI, 10.6-65.9), a sensitivity of 81% (95% CI, 68%-89%), a specificity of 86% (95% CI, 75%-93%), and an AUROC of 0.84 (95% CI, 0.77-0.89) for the detection of functionally obstructive coronary artery disease. In the subgroup analysis, stress CMR yielded higher diagnostic accuracy in the setting of suspected coronary artery disease (DOR, 53.4; 95% CI, 27.7-103.0) or when using 3-T imaging (DOR, 33.2; 95% CI, 19.9-55.4). The presence of stress-inducible ischemia was associated with higher all-cause mortality (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.69-2.31), CV mortality (OR, 6.40; 95% CI, 4.48-9.14), and MACEs (OR, 5.33; 95% CI, 4.04-7.04). The presence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was associated with higher all-cause mortality (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.99-2.47), CV mortality (OR, 6.03; 95% CI, 2.76-13.13), and increased risk of MACEs (OR, 5.42; 95% CI, 3.42-8.60). After a negative test result, pooled AERs for CV death were less than 1.0%.CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: In this study, stress CMR yielded high diagnostic accuracy and delivered robust prognostication, particularly when 3-T scanners were used. While inducible myocardial ischemia and LGE were associated with higher mortality and risk of MACEs, normal stress CMR results were associated with a lower risk of MACEs for at least 3.5 years.
|
|
| 2. |
- Ricci, Fabrizio, et al.
(author)
-
The role of multimodality cardiovascular imaging in peripartum cardiomyopathy
- 2020
-
In: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2297-055X. ; 7
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The burden of pregnancy-related heart disease has dramatically increased over the last decades due to the increasing age at first pregnancy and higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Pregnancy is associated with physiological changes in the cardiovascular system, including hemodynamic, metabolic, and hormonal adaptations to meet the increased metabolic demands of the mother and fetus. It has been postulated that pregnancy may act as a cardiovascular stress test to identify women at high risk for heart disease, where the inability to adequately adapt to the physiologic stress of pregnancy may reveal the presence of genetic susceptibility to cardiovascular disease or accelerate the phenotypic expression of both inherited and acquired heart diseases, such as peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). PPCM is arare and incompletely understood clinical condition. Despite recent advances in the understanding of its pathogenesis, PPCM is not attributable to a well-defined pathological mechanism, and therefore, its diagnosis still relies on the exclusion of overlapping dilated phenotypes. Cardiac imaging plays a key role in any peripartum woman with signs and symptoms of heart failure in establishing the diagnosis, ruling out life-threatening complications, guiding therapy and conveying prognostic information. Echocardiography represents the first-line imaging technique, given its robust diagnostic yield and its favorable cost-effectiveness. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance is a biologically safe high-throughput modality that allows accurate morpho-functional assessment of the cardiovascular system in addition to the unique asset of myocardial tissue characterization as a pivotal piece of information in the pathophysiological puzzle of PPCM. In this review, we will highlight current evidence on the role of multimodality imaging in the differential diagnosis, prognostic assessment, and understanding of the pathophysiological basis of PPCM.
|
|
| 3. |
- Arata, Allegra, et al.
(author)
-
Sex Differences in Heart Failure : What Do We Know?
- 2023
-
In: Journal of cardiovascular development and disease. - 2308-3425. ; 10:7
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Highlights: Women predominantly exhibit HFpEF compared to men. Factors exclusive to women, such as adverse pregnancy outcomes and premature menopause, elevate the risk of HF. The establishment of sex-specific optimal drug dosages and concrete guidelines for device therapy is essential. Concerted multidisciplinary initiatives are crucial to bridge the existing sex disparities in HF management. Heart failure (HF) remains an important global health issue, substantially contributing to morbidity and mortality. According to epidemiological studies, men and women face nearly equivalent lifetime risks for HF. However, their experiences diverge significantly when it comes to HF subtypes: men tend to develop HF with reduced ejection fraction more frequently, whereas women are predominantly affected by HF with preserved ejection fraction. This divergence underlines the presence of numerous sex-based disparities across various facets of HF, encompassing aspects such as risk factors, clinical presentation, underlying pathophysiology, and response to therapy. Despite these apparent discrepancies, our understanding of them is far from complete, with key knowledge gaps still existing. Current guidelines from various professional societies acknowledge the existence of sex-based differences in HF management, yet they are lacking in providing explicit, actionable recommendations tailored to these differences. In this comprehensive review, we delve deeper into these sex-specific differences within the context of HF, critically examining associated definitions, risk factors, and therapeutic strategies. We provide a specific emphasis on aspects exclusive to women, such as the impact of pregnancy-induced hypertension and premature menopause, as these unique factors warrant greater attention in the broader HF discussion. Additionally, we aim to clarify ongoing controversies and knowledge gaps pertaining to the pharmacological treatment of HF and the sex-specific indications for cardiac implantable electronic devices. By shining a light on these issues, we hope to stimulate a more nuanced understanding and promote the development of more sex-responsive approaches in HF management.
|
|
| 4. |
- Bisaccia, Giandomenico, et al.
(author)
-
Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality Related to Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease : a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- 2023
-
In: Current Problems in Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0146-2806 .- 1535-6280. ; 48:6
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Whether non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a cardiovascular (CV) risk factor is debated. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the CV morbidity and mortality related to NAFLD in the general population, and to determine whether CV risk is comparable between lean and non-lean NAFLD phenotypes.METHODS AND RESULTS: We searched multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, for observational studies published through 2022 that reported the risk of CV events and mortality. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause mortality, CV mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF), and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were assessed through random-effect meta-analysis. We identified 33 studies and a total study population of 10,592,851 individuals (mean age 53±8; male sex 50%; NAFLD 2,9%). Mean follow-up was 10±6 years. Pooled ORs for all-cause and CV mortality were respectively 1.14 (95%CI 0.78-1.67) and 1.13 (95%CI 0.57-2.23), indicating no significant association between NAFLD and mortality. NAFLD was associated with increased risk of MI (OR 1.6; 95%CI 1.5-1.7), stroke (OR 1.6; 95%CI 1.2-2.1), atrial fibrillation (OR 1.7; 95%CI 1.2-2.3) and MACCE (OR 2.3; 95%CI 1.3-4.2). Compared with non-lean NAFLD, lean NAFLD was associated with increased CV mortality (OR 1.50; 95%CI 1.1-2.0), but similar all-cause mortality and risk of MACCE.CONCLUSIONS: While NAFLD may not be a risk factor for total and CV mortality, it is associated with excess risk of non-fatal CV events. Lean and non-lean NAFLD phenotypes exhibit distinct prognostic profiles and should receive equitable clinical care.
|
|
| 5. |
- Ceriello, Laura, et al.
(author)
-
Massive necrotizing myocarditis in a young patient with idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome
- 2022
-
In: IMAGING. - : Akademiai Kiado Zrt.. - 2732-0960. ; 14:1, s. 66-69
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A 27-years-old female with multiple autoimmune disorders presented to our cardiology unit for acute chest pain and worsening dyspnoea. Admission blood tests revealed increased serum levels of high-sensitive cardiac troponin, eosinophilic count and C-reactive protein. Laboratory findings, low QRS voltages by ECG, mildly reduced left ventricular systolic function in the context of pseudohypertrophy, mild and diffuse late gadolinium enhancement associated with markedly increased native T1 and T2 mapping levels assessed by echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, raised the suspicion of massive eosinophilic myocarditis, subsequently confirmed by histological examination of endomyocardial biopsy. Prompt initiation of immunosuppressive treatment allowed swift regression of myocardial inflammation and full recovery of left ventricular systolic function within one month. After ruling-out clonal myeloid disorder, lymphocyte-variant and reactive hypereosinophilia, the young lady was eventually diagnosed with idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome. This case report turns the spotlight on the role and importance of advanced multi-modality cardiovascular imaging for raising clinical suspicion of acute eosinophilic myocarditis, guiding diagnostic work-up and monitoring response to treatment.
|
|
| 6. |
|
|
| 7. |
- Mantini, Cesare, et al.
(author)
-
A highly-detailed anatomical study of left atrial auricle as revealed by in-vivo computed tomography
- 2023
-
In: Heliyon. - 2405-8440. ; 9:10
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The left atrial auricle (LAA) is the main source of intracardiac thrombi, which contribute significantly to the total number of stroke cases. It is also considered a major site of origin for atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing ablation procedures. The LAA is known to have a high degree of morphological variability, with shape and structure identified as important contributors to thrombus formation. A detailed understanding of LAA form, dimension, and function is crucial for radiologists, cardiologists, and cardiac surgeons. This review describes the normal anatomy of the LAA as visualized through multiple imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and echocardiography. Special emphasis is devoted to a discussion on how the morphological characteristics of the LAA are closely related to the likelihood of developing LAA thrombi, including insights into LAA embryology.
|
|
| 8. |
|
|
| 9. |
- Mantini, Cesare, et al.
(author)
-
Aliased Flow Signal Planimetry by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Grading Aortic Stenosis Severity : A Prospective Pilot Study
- 2021
-
In: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2297-055X. ; 8
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the standard technique for assessing aortic stenosis (AS), with effective orifice area (EOA) recommended for grading severity. EOA is operator-dependent, influenced by a number of pitfalls and requires multiple measurements introducing independent and random sources of error. We tested the diagnostic accuracy and precision of aliased orifice area planimetry (AOAcmr ), a new, simple, non-invasive technique for grading of AS severity by low-VENC phase-contrast cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Methods: Twenty-two consecutive patients with mild, moderate, or severe AS and six age-and sex-matched healthy controls had TTE and CMR examinations on the same day. We performed analysis of agreement and correlation among (i) AOAcmr; (ii) geometric orifice area (GOAcmr ) by direct CMR planimetry; (iii) EOAecho by TTE-continuity equation; and (iv) the “gold standard” multimodality EOA (EOAhybrid ) obtained by substituting CMR LVOT area into Doppler continuity equation. Results: There was excellent pairwise positive linear correlation among AOAcmr, EOAhybrid, GOAcmr, and EOAecho (p < 0.001); AOAcmr had the highest correlation with EOAhybrid (R2 = 0.985, p < 0.001). There was good agreement between methods, with the lowest bias (0.019) for the comparison between AOAcmr and EOAhybrid . AOAcmr yielded excellent intra-and inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.997 and 0.998, respectively). Conclusions: Aliased orifice area planimetry by 2D phase contrast imaging is a simple, reproducible, accurate “one-stop shop” CMR method for grading AS, potentially useful when echocardiographic severity assessment is inconclusive or discordant. Larger studies are warranted to confirm and validate these promising preliminary results.
|
|
| 10. |
- Mantini, Cesare, et al.
(author)
-
Influence of image reconstruction parameters on cardiovascular risk reclassification by Computed Tomography Coronary Artery Calcium Score
- 2018
-
In: European Journal of Radiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0720-048X. ; 101, s. 1-7
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To investigate the influence of different CT reconstruction parameters on coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) values and reclassification of predicted cardiovascular (CV) risk. Methods: CACS was evaluated in 113 patients undergoing ECG-gated 64-slice CT. Reference CACS protocol included standard kernel filter (B35f) with slice thickness/increment of 3/1.5 mm, and field-of-view (FOV) of 150–180 mm. Influence of different image reconstruction algorithms (reconstructed slice thickness/increment 2.0/1.0–1.5/0.8–3.0/2.0–3.0/3.0 mm; slice kernel B30f-B45f; FOV 200–250 mm) on Agatston score was assessed by Bland-Altman plots and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) analysis. Classification of CV risk was based on the Mayo Clinic classification. Results: Different CACS reconstruction parameters showed overall good accuracy and precision when compared with reference protocol. Protocols with larger FOV, thinner slices and sharper kernels were associated with significant CV risk reclassification. Use of kernel B45f showed a moderate positive correlation with reference CACS protocol (Agatston CCC = 0.67), and yielded significantly higher CACS values (p <.05). Reconstruction parameters using B30f or B45f kernels, 250 mm FOV, or slice thickness/increment of 2.0/1.0 mm or 1.5/0.8 mm, were associated with significant reclassification of CV risk (p <.05). Conclusions: Kernel, FOV, slice thickness and increment are major determinants of accuracy and precision of CACS measurement. Despite high agreement and overall good correlation of different reconstruction protocols, thinner slices thickness and increment, and sharper kernels were associated with significant upward reclassification of CV risk. Larger FOV determined both upward and downward reclassification of CV risk.
|
|
