Position paper on stress cardiac MRI in chronic coronary syndrome: Endorsed by the Société Française de Radiologie (SFR) the Société Française d’Imagerie CardioVasculaire (SFICV) and the Société Française de Cardiologie (SFC)

This position paper was intended to update the former consensus between the French Societies of Radiology and Cardiology about the use of stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in chronic coronary syndrome published in 2009. The Delphi method was used to build the present consensus. This expert panel consensus includes recommendations for indications, procedure with patient preparation, stress inducing drugs, acquisition protocol, interpretation and risk stratification by stress MRI.     

Investigation of the Optimal Parameters of Median Nerve Stimulation Using a Variety of Stimulation Methods and Its Effects on Heart Rate Variability: A Systematic Review

ObjectivesThere is a wealth of literature supporting the use of median nerve stimulation (MNS) for modulating autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction such as in hypoxia, recovery after heart valve replacement, ischemia, and cardiac contractibility. Heart rate variability (HRV) is considered a gold standard for measuring autonomic modulation and dynamic nonlinear ANS processes through the use of an electrocardiogram (ECG). Although the use of MNS on HRV in animals and humans has been documented, optimal stimulation parameters are yet to be outlined.Materials and MethodsThis review aims to synthesize findings of neurostimulation using MNS on animals and humans while observing HRV using an ECG. Using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines with search parameters of “Median nerve stimulation,” “Neiguan,” “PC-6,” “HRV,” “Heart rate variability,” and “Heart-rate variability” observing on animals and human subjects, we found a total of 17 eligible articles.ResultsIn this review, changing two parameters, that is, stimulation frequency and side of stimulation, appears to be the most influential in effecting frequency-domain ECG analysis of HRV. However, it is evident from this review that to perform an effective comparison of the effects of MNS on HRV, more detailed reports of the studies are required.ConclusionsFinding the optimal stimulation parameters for MNS is crucial for improving HRV. This will in turn contribute to normalizing ANS function impaired in numerous clinical conditions, such as epilepsy or diabetes.     

Arterial endofibrosis in endurance athletes: Prospective comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography and computed tomography angiography

PurposeTo prospectively compare the diagnostic capabilities of computed tomography angiography (CTA) to those of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in endurance athletes with suspicion of arterial endofibrosis.Materials and methodsForty-five athletes (39 men, 6 women; median age: 30 years, interquartile range: 23–42 years) prospectively underwent DSA and CTA without (n = 5) or with (n = 40) electrocardiogram gating. DSA was interpreted by a single expert (experience of 15 years). CTA was independently interpreted by three other readers (experience of 5–8 years). Readers assessed the presence and degree of stenoses on iliac and femoral arteries and the overall diagnosis (negative, uncertain, positive) of endofibrosis at the limb level. Sensitivities and specificities of DSA and CTA were estimated at the limb level using histological findings and long-term follow-up as reference, and compared using the McNemar test.ResultsFor diagnosing and quantifying stenoses, concordance between DSA and CTA was moderate-to-good for common and external iliac arteries, moderate for lateral circumflex arteries and poor-to-moderate for the other branches of the deep femoral artery. It was good for all readers for the overall diagnosis of endofibrosis. After long-term follow-up (median, 95 months; interquartile range: 7–109 months), DSA sensitivity and specificity were respectively 88.6% (39/44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 76–95%) and 75% (24/32; 95% CI: 57.9–86.7%); CTA sensitivity and specificity were respectively 88.6% (39/44; 95% CI: 76–95%; P > 0.99) and 84.4% (27/32; 95% CI: 68.2–93.1%; P = 0.51), 86.3% (38/44; 95% CI: 73.3–93.6%; P > 0.99) and 75% (24/32; 95% CI: 57.9–86.7%; P > 0.99), and 84.1% (37/44; 95% CI: 70.6–92.1%; P = 0.68) and 75% (24/32; 95% CI: 57.9–86.7%; P > 0.99) for the three readers.ConclusionCTA shows performances similar to those of DSA in predicting the long-term diagnosis of endofibrosis in endurance athletes with suggestive symptoms.     

An unusual ECG pattern in restrictive cardimyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy is the least common type of primary cardiomyopathies. Electrocardiographic recording is abnormal in 99% of patients with RCM. Biatrial enlargement, obliquely elevated ST segment with notched or biphasic late peaking T waves are considered characteristic ECG finding. Significant ST depression with T inversion mimicking subendocardial ischemia has also been reported in patients with RCM and is even suggested as a predictor of sudden cardiac death. We noted a similar ECG pattern in a 16 yr girl with Idiopathic restrictive cardiomyopathy. Coronaries were normal, stress perfusion imaging did not show any perfusion defect. This diffuse resting ST depression with T inversion in precordial & inferior leads along with ST elevation in aVR was persistent for more than six months.     

Differentiating wide complex tachycardias: A historical perspective

One of the most critical and challenging skills is the distinction of wide complex tachycardias into ventricular tachycardia or supraventricular wide complex tachycardia. Prompt and accurate differentiation of wide complex tachycardias naturally influences short- and long-term management decisions and may directly affect patient outcomes. Currently, there are many useful electrocardiographic criteria and algorithms designed to distinguish ventricular tachycardia and supraventricular wide complex tachycardia accurately; however, no single approach guarantees diagnostic certainty. In this review, we offer an in-depth analysis of available methods to differentiate wide complex tachycardias by retrospectively examining its rich literature base – one that spans several decades.     

心电图诊断不典型心肌梗死的临床价值

〔摘 要〕 目的：探究心电图诊断不典型心肌梗死的临床价值。方法：纳入南阳市第二人民医院 2019 年 1 月至 2020 年 12 月收治的 65 例不典型心肌梗死患者作为观察组，以及同期收治的 65 例典型心肌梗死患者作为对照组，均进行心电图检查， 比较两组患者首发症状（无痛、不典型疼痛、典型胸背部＋上腹部疼痛），以冠状动脉造影为金标准，计算心电图诊断符合率。 结果：观察组 8 例无痛，占 12.31 %；50 例不典型疼痛，占 76.92 %，其中 29 例剑突下痛、15 例不规则胸闷隐痛、10 例下颌痛、 7 例肩痛、4 例腹部不适、2 例典型胸背部＋上腹部疼痛、58 例心电图不典型。对照组 65 例均为典型胸背部＋上腹部疼痛、 5 例心电图不典型。两组患者无痛、不典型疼痛、典型胸背部＋上腹部疼痛、心电图不典型比较，差异均具有统计学意义 （P ＜ 0.05）。观察组均经冠状动脉造影检查确诊，心电图确诊 63 例，占 96.92 %。经冠状动脉造影与心电图检查结果比较， 差异无统计学意义（P ＞ 0.05）。结论：心电图在诊断不典型心梗中的准确性较高，且操作方便。     

心电图与心脏超声诊断高血压性心脏病的效果比较

目的:分析心电图与心脏超声在诊断高血压性心脏病方面的效果差异。方法:选择2018年1月至2018年12月期间我院所收治的70例高血压性心脏病患者,对其心电图和心脏彩超的临床资料进行回顾性分析。分别使用心电图和心脏超声进行诊断,总结分析两者在诊断方面的作用。结果:本次研究结果显示,患者通过心脏彩超进行检查后,其阳性率远远高于用心电图进行检查,同时能够明确高血压性心脏病患者的早期心脏表现与变化情况。结论:心脏彩超在高血压性心脏病的诊断方面更加具备敏感性与特异性,与心电图进行结合使用可以更加直观、稳定地对疾病特征进行明确,为临床工作提供参考。     

The use of cardiac computed tomography angiography in the assessment of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure – Review and experts recommendations endorsed by the Société française d’imagerie cardiaque et vasculaire diagnostique et interventionnelle

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cause of arrhythmia which is responsible for over 15% of ischemic strokes, most of these being secondary to migration of a left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus. In patient with contraindication to anticoagulant therapy, percutaneous closure system placement may be indicated. Cardiac computed tomography (CT) angiography plays a central role in the initial assessment as well as in the follow-up. The purpose of the pre-implantation cardiac CT angiography is to evaluate the anatomy of the LAA in order to select the most suitable prosthesis and check for any contraindication to device implantation. Image analysis is divided into four steps that include analysis of the approach; search for a thrombus in the LAA; investigation of the anatomy of the LAA (morphology of the LAA, dimensions of the LAA and choice of device) and cardiac and thoracic assessments. Follow-up involves CT examination to check for correct placement of the device and to detect any complications. On the basis of the results of currently available published research, a panel of experts has issued recommendations regarding cardiac CT angiography prior to percutaneous LAA closure device placement, which were further endorsed by the Société française d’imagerie cardiaque et vasculaire diagnostique et interventionnelle (SFICV).