A new Screening Tool for Detecting Early Atheroslerosis

In a study published in the current issue of the Journal of Geriatric Cardiology, Ang and co-investigators used the highresolution 64-slice CT coronary angiography to detect coronary lesions in a group of patients with atypical angina.1 The clinical data of these patients were also used to calculate their risk according the Framingham and PROCAM scoring system.2,3 As the cohort is composed with a majority of low risk patients with atypical angina, only a small minority of the patients were classified as having medium and high risk. The results showed that MDCT uncovered 18% either significant lesions (＞50% stenosis) or calcifications (＞400Agatston units)in the low risk patients and 33% in the medium and high risk subgroups.……     

A new Screening Tool for Detecting Early Atheroslerosis

In a study published in the current issue of the Journal of Geriatric Cardiology, Ang and co-investigators used the high-resolution 64-slice CT coronary angiography to detect coronary lesions in a group of patients with atypical angina. The clinical data of these patients were also used to calculate their risk according the Framingham and PROCAM scoring system. As the cohort is composed with a majority of low risk pa-     

Depression and anxiety before and after percutaneous coronary intervention and their relationship to age

Background and Objective Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is becoming a common practice in the treatment of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) of all age. Depression is considered to be a risk factor for the development of CHD and deteriorates the outcome after cardiac rehabilitation efforts. The aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of clinically relevant anxiety and depression in patients before and after PCI. Additionally we evaluated their relationship to age because of the increasing number of elderly patients undergoing PCI. Methods One hundred and twelve consecutive patients in three Sanatoria for Retired Cadres in Beijing who underwent PCI were asked to fill in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to measure depression and anxiety scores two days before and ten days after PCI. Differences between these pre- and post-surgical scores were then calculated as means for changes, and the amount of elevated scores was appraised. In order to investigate the relationship between age and anxiety and depression, respectively, Spearman correlations between age and the difference scores were calculated. In addition, ANOVA procedures with the factor “age group” and McNemar tests were calculated. Results 25.8% of the patients were clinically depressed before and 17.5% after PCI; 34.0% of the patients were clinically anxious before and 24.7% after PCI. This overall change is not significant. We found a significant negative correlation between age and the difference between the two time points for anxiety (Spearman rho = -.218, P = 0.03), but not for depression (Spearman rho = -.128, P = 0.21). ANOVA and McNemar tests revealed that anxiety scores and the number of patients high in anxiety declined statistically meaningful only in the youngest patient group. Such a relationship could not be found for depression. Conclusions Our data show a relationship between age and anxiety. Younger patients are more anxious before PCI than older ones and show a decline in symptoms while elderly patients show hardly any change.     

Feasibility and accuracy of coronary imaging in elderly patients using the 64-row multi-detector computed tomography: a correlation study with conventional coronary angiography

Background Elderly patients generally have higher occurrence of coronary calcification, increased heart rate and difficulty with prolonged breath-holding. The aim of our study was to investigate the feasibility and accuracy of using 64-row multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) in the assessment of coronary artery stenoses in elderly patients. Methods One hundred and fifty two patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease were divided into 4 groups according to their age (Group A: 40-49 years, n=34; Group B: 50-59 years, n=57; Group C: 60-69 years, n=48; Group D: 70 years and above; n=13). Coronary CT angiography (CTA) using a 64-row MDCT was performed and the findings were compared with that of conventional coronary angiography (CCA). Using axial images, multi-planar reconstructions (MPR) and maximum intensity projections (MIP), coronary segments of lumen diameter = 1.5mm were analyzed for the presence of significant stenosis (= 50% ). Results Percentages of poor image quality from coronary CTA preventing reliable correlations with CCA were 21%, 14%, 19% and 62% in Groups A to D respectively. Patients in Group D had significantly higher calcium scores compared with the other groups (P<0.001). In patients where CTA images were of acceptable quality, percentages of accurate correlations with CCA were 89.8%, 93.4%, 86.6% and 78.0% for Groups A to D respectively. There were no significant difference in serum creatinine, heart rate and contrast volume between the 4 groups. Conclusions The 64-row MDCT coronary angiography was less accurate and feasible for patients aged 70 years or above due to heavy coronary calcification and inability to perform a satisfactory breath-hold. However, a high diagnostic accuracy with the MDCT is possible in patients aged less than 70 years.(J Geriatric Cardiol 2006;3(1):9-14)     

Use of coronary CT angiography in the diagnosis of patients with suspected coronary artery disease: findings and clinical indications

Objective To investigate the clinical applications of coronary CT angiography in patients with suspected coronary artery disease and identify factors that affect CT findings. Methods Medical records of patients suspected of coronary artery disease over a period of 12 months from a tertiary teaching hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Patient age, sex (male/female), duration of symptoms and abnormal rates of coronary CT angiography scans were analysed to investigate the relationship among these parameters. The patients by age were characterized into five groups: under 36 years, 36–45 years, 46–55 years, 56–65 years and more than 66 years, respectively; while the duration of symptoms was also classified into five groups: less than one week, one week to one month, one to three months, three to six months and more than six months. Results Of the 880 patient records reviewed, 800 met the above study criteria. Five hundred and forty nine patients demonstrated abnormal CT findings (68.6%). There was no significant difference in the percentage of abnormal CT findings based on patient sex and the duration of symptoms (P = 0.14). The abnormal rates of coronary CT angiography, however, increased significantly with increasing age (P < 0.001); with patients over 65 years of age 2.5 times more likely to have an abnormal CT scan relative to a patient under 45 years. A significant difference was found between abnormal coronary CT angiography and the duration of symptoms (P = 0.012). Conclusions Our results indicate coronary CT angiography findings are significantly related to the patient age group and duration of symptoms. Clinical referral for coronary CT angiography of patients with suspected coronary artery disease needs to be justified with regard to the judicious use of this imaging modality.     

Routinely available biomarkers improve prediction of long-term mortality in stable coronary artery diseasethe Vienna and Ludwigshafen coronary artery disease(VILCAD)risk score

Aims Previous risk assessment scores for patients with coronary artery disease(CAD)have focused on primary prevention and patients with acute coronary syndrome.However,especially in stable CAD patients improved long-term risk prediction is crucial to efficiently apply measures of secondary prevention.We aimed to create a clinically applicable mortality prediction score for stable CAD patients based on routinely determined laboratory biomarkers and clinical determinants of secondary prevention.Methods and Results We prospectively included 547 patients with stable CAD and a median follow-up of 11.3 years.Independent risk factors were selected using bootstrapping based on Cox regression analysis.Age,left ventricular function,serum cholinesterase,creatinine,heart rate,and HbA1c were selected as significant mortality predictors for the final multivariable model.The Vienna and Ludwigshafen Coronary Artery Disease(VILCAD)risk score based on the aforementioned variables demonstrated an excellent discriminatory power for 10year survival with a C-statistic of 0.77(P < 0.001),which was significantly better than an established risk score based on conventional cardiovascular risk factors(C-statistic = 0.61,P < 0.001).Net reclassification confirmed a significant improvement in individual risk prediction by 34.8%(95% confidence interval21.7-48.0%)compared with the conventional risk score(P < 0.001).External validation of the risk score in 1275 participants of the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health study(median follow-up of 9.8 years)achieved similar results(C-statistic = 0.73,P < 0.001).Conclusion The VILCAD score based on a routinely available set of risk factors,measures of cardiac function,and comorbidities outperforms established risk prediction algorithms and might improve the identification of high-risk patients for a more intensive treatment.     

First-line endoscopic treatment with over-the-scope clips significantly improves the primary failure and rebleeding rates in high-risk gastrointestinal bleeding: A single-center experience with 100 cases

AIM To evaluate rebleeding, primary failure(PF) and mortality of patients in whom over-the-scope clips(OTSCs) were used as first-line and second-line endoscopic treatment(FLET, SLET) of upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding(UGIB, LGIB).METHODS A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database identified all patients with UGIB and LGIB in a tertiary endoscopic referral center of the University of Freiburg, Germany, from 04-2012 to 05-2016(n= 93) who underwent FLET and SLET with OTSCs. The complete Rockall risk scores were calculated from patients with UGIB. The scores were categorized as or ≥ 7 and were compared with the original Rockall data. Differences between FLET and SLET were calculated. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to evaluate the factors that influenced rebleeding after OTSC placement.RESULTS Primary hemostasis and clinical success of bleeding lesions(without rebleeding) was achieved in 88/100(88%) and 78/100(78%), respectively. PF was significantly lower when OTSCs were applied as FLET compared to SLET(4.9% vs 23%, P = 0.008). In multivariate analysis, patients who had OTSC placement as SLET had a significantly higher rebleeding risk compared to those who had FLET(OR 5.3; P = 0.008). Patients with Rockall risk scores ≥ 7 had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality compared to those with scores 7(35% vs 10%, P = 0.034). No significant differences were observed in patients with scores or ≥ 7 in rebleeding and rebleeding-associated mortality.CONCLUSION Our data show for the first time that FLET with OTSC might be the best predictor to successfully prevent rebleeding of gastrointestinal bleeding compared to SLET. The type of treatment determines the success of primary hemostasis or primary failure.     

64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像与心血管疾病危险分层的相关性

Objective To investigate the relationship between the risk stratification of cardiovascular diseases and the outcome of 64-slice helical computed tomography (MSCT) coronary angiography. Methods A total of 470 cases suspected to have coronary heart disease were enrolled.They all received 64-slice MSCT coronary angiography, and they were divided into groups according to the range of disease, degree of calcium scoring, degree of stenosis and characteristic of plaque. Among them, 80 patients underwent both MSCT and selective coronary angiography (CAG) at one time, and they were grouped according to the range of disease and degree of stenosis. All the 470 cases were classified as five levels according to the risk stratification of cardiovascular diseases. The lesions of coronary artery in different risk stratifications were observed, and the correlations were analyzed.Results In the 80 patients who underwent both MSCT and selective CAG, there were no significant differences in the range of coronary artery diseases(χ2=3.631, P=0.067) and coronary arterystenosis (χ2=1.639, P=0.200) between MSCT and CAG. Along with the increased level of the risk stratification, there were the more ranges of the coronary artery diseases (λvery high risk. multi-vessel disease=1.09,λhigh risk. double-vessel disease=0.91, λlow-risk. single-vessel disease=1.07)and the more degrees of coronary artery stenosis(λvery high risk. severe stenosis=0.96,λhigh risk. moderate stenosis=1.03,λlow-risk. mild stenosis=0.78). The degrees of calcium scoring in different risk stratifications of cardiovascular diseases showed significantly differences (F=256.20,123.76,62.50, 98. 24,52.36,P＜0.01). There was the highest percentage of soft plaque in very high risk patients.Higher percentages of fiber plaque, calcified plaque and mixed plaque were found in moderate risk and low risk patients(λvery high risk. soft plaque=1.01,λlow-risk. calcium plaques=1.17). Conclusions The 64-slice MSCT coronary angiography could provide a basis for assessing risk stratification of cardiovascular diseases. The complicated coronary artery disease, moderate-severe calcification, more severe stenosis, higher percentage of soft plaque are found in the very high risk patients. The lower level of the risk stratification is found in patients with the less range of the coronary artery disease and less severe degree of the coronary artery calcification and stenosis. The calcified plaque and mixed plaque are found in moderate risk and low risk patients.     

64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像与心血管疾病危险分层的相关性

Objective To investigate the relationship between the risk stratification of cardiovascular diseases and the outcome of 64-slice helical computed tomography (MSCT) coronary angiography. Methods A total of 470 cases suspected to have coronary heart disease were enrolled.They all received 64-slice MSCT coronary angiography, and they were divided into groups according to the range of disease, degree of calcium scoring, degree of stenosis and characteristic of plaque. Among them, 80 patients underwent both MSCT and selective coronary angiography (CAG) at one time, and they were grouped according to the range of disease and degree of stenosis. All the 470 cases were classified as five levels according to the risk stratification of cardiovascular diseases. The lesions of coronary artery in different risk stratifications were observed, and the correlations were analyzed.Results In the 80 patients who underwent both MSCT and selective CAG, there were no significant differences in the range of coronary artery diseases(χ2=3.631, P=0.067) and coronary arterystenosis (χ2=1.639, P=0.200) between MSCT and CAG. Along with the increased level of the risk stratification, there were the more ranges of the coronary artery diseases (λvery high risk. multi-vessel disease=1.09,λhigh risk. double-vessel disease=0.91, λlow-risk. single-vessel disease=1.07)and the more degrees of coronary artery stenosis(λvery high risk. severe stenosis=0.96,λhigh risk. moderate stenosis=1.03,λlow-risk. mild stenosis=0.78). The degrees of calcium scoring in different risk stratifications of cardiovascular diseases showed significantly differences (F=256.20,123.76,62.50, 98. 24,52.36,P＜0.01). There was the highest percentage of soft plaque in very high risk patients.Higher percentages of fiber plaque, calcified plaque and mixed plaque were found in moderate risk and low risk patients(λvery high risk. soft plaque=1.01,λlow-risk. calcium plaques=1.17). Conclusions The 64-slice MSCT coronary angiography could provide a basis for assessing risk stratification of cardiovascular diseases. The complicated coronary artery disease, moderate-severe calcification, more severe stenosis, higher percentage of soft plaque are found in the very high risk patients. The lower level of the risk stratification is found in patients with the less range of the coronary artery disease and less severe degree of the coronary artery calcification and stenosis. The calcified plaque and mixed plaque are found in moderate risk and low risk patients.     

Predictive validation of existing bleeding and thromboembolic scores in elderly patients with comorbid atrial fibrillation and acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND The validation of various risk scores in elderly patients with comorbid atrial fibrillation(AF) and acute coronary syndrome(ACS) has not been reported. The present study compared the predictive performance of existing risk scores in these patients.METHODS A total of 1252 elderly patients with AF and ACS comorbidities(≥ 65 years old) were consecutively enrolled from January 2015 to December 2019. All patients were followed up for one year. The predictive performance of risk scores in p...     

Global cardiovascular risk in patients with HIV infection: concordance and differences in estimates according to three risk equations (Framingham, SCORE, and PROCAM)

To compare cardiovascular risk stratification according to Framingham, PROCAM (Prospective Cardiovascular Münster), and SCORE (Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation) equations in patients with HIV infection, a cross-sectional study of a well-characterized cohort of 760 HIV-infected adults managed at the outpatient Infectious Disease Unit in 2003 was conducted. Cardiovascular risk score was examined and patients were classified as having low, moderate, or high risk using Framingham and PROCAM (<10%, 10%-20%, and <20%, respectively) and SCORE (<3%, 3%-4%, and >/=5%, respectively) equations. The prevalence of patients with low, moderate and high cardiovascular risk was 76.6%, 15.1%, and 8.3% by the Framingham, respectively, 90.1%, 4.9%, and 5% by the PROCAM, respectively, and 88.6%, 3%, and 8.4% by SCORE, respectively. Concordance between these three risk functions was significant, but globally moderate (Framingham and PROCAM, kappa 0.36, p < 0.0001; Framingham and SCORE, kappa 0.32, p < 0.0001; PROCAM and SCORE, kappa 0.46, p < 0.0001). The Framingham equation categorized a higher proportion of HIV-infected male patients with moderate cardiovascular risk and a lower proportion of those with low risk (p < 0.0001) compared with PROCAM and SCORE. The present study showed a high prevalence of HIV-infected patients at low cardiovascular risk regardless of the assessed coronary risk system used. However, compared with PROCAM and SCORE, Framingham risk equation in HIV-infected patients identified a higher number of male patients with moderate cardiovascular risk.     

前瞻性心电触发轴位扫描技术在64层螺旋CT中的应用

目的探讨在64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像中采用前瞻性心电触发轴位扫描技术的图像质量和辐射剂量。方法选择采用前瞻性心电触发轴位扫描技术进行64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像的患者160例作为前瞻组。将相同扫描参数输入回顾性心电门控螺旋扫描程序,获得扫描剂量数据作为回顾组。由2名放射科医师分别进行图像重建和图像质量评价。冠状动脉图像质量分级采用4级评分法。结果 2名放射科医师在图像重建和图像质量评价方面均有良好的一致性。160例患者除8例图像有严重血管错层伪影、2例冠状动脉严重钙化,共显示1449个冠状动脉节段。1～3分以上的1431个节段(98.76%)具有较好的图像质量,可以满足临床诊断要求。前瞻组与回顾组的平均有效剂量差异有统计学意义[(3.17±1.17)mSv vs (22.09±6.72)mSv,P0.01]。结论在64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像中采用前瞻性心电触发轴位扫描技术可在保证图像质量的同时显著降低辐射剂量。     

ECG-edit function in multidetector-row computed tomography coronary arteriography for patients with arrhythmias

BACKGROUND: ECG-gating is necessary for cardiac computed tomography, but is not suitable for arrhythmias, so the aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the ECG-edit function for this purpose. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 1,221 patients undergoing 64-row multidetector-row computed tomography coronary angiography (coronary MDCT), 123 patients (28 atrial fibrillation (Af), 39 premature atrial contractions (PAC), 42 premature ventricular contractions (PVC), 3 PAC + PVC, 10 sinus arrhythmias (SA), and a second-degree atrioventricular block (2 degrees AVB)) had arrhythmias necessitating the ECG-edit function. Short R-R interval was deleted and mid-diastolic phases were selected from the long R-R intervals using the "R+absolute time" method. In the present study, the reconstructed images were evaluated using a triple-grade scale A-C, representing excellent, acceptable, and unacceptable image quality. Image quality, categorized as A, B and C, respectively, was 50%, 36% and 14% for the 28 patients with Af; 56%, 36% and 8% for the 39 PAC patients, and 65%, 33% and 2% in the 42 PVC patients. None of the scans of the PAC + PVC, SA, and 2 degrees AVB patients was ranked as C. CONCLUSIONS: The ECG-edit function is useful for reconstructing coronary MDCT images in many arrhythmias, and provides clinically acceptable images in most cases.     

Detection of vein graft disease using 4-row computed tomography. Evaluation of coronary bypass graft patency and correlation with the Ca-score

BACKGROUND: Multi-row computed tomography (MDCT) is a promising non-invasive technique and capable of rapid imaging of cardiac structures, including coronary arteries and bypass grafts during a single held breath. In this study, we evaluated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patency by comparing 4-slice computed tomography with conventional contrast angiography. One disadvantage of MDCT is the limited diagnostic accuracy with + increased calcification of the grafts. Therefore, the correlation between Ca-grading and diagnostic accuracy was examined. METHODS: We examined 30 patients with 104 bypass grafts with a 4-row MDCT scanner. On the basis of the Ca-score, patients were divided into 3 groups. RESULTS: It was possible to assess the exact degree of stenosis in 25 of 32 > 50% stenoses with 4-row MDCT, 7 stenoses were underestimated. All occlusions in 21 patients were identified correctly, 33 graft segments were underestimated in MDCT, of which 28 were in the group with a Ca-score of > 800. CONCLUSIONS: MDCT allows non-invasive angiographic evaluation of coronary bypass grafts with a high diagnostic accuracy. However, the method strongly depends on the degree of vascular calcification and underrates the degree of stenosis subject to the Ca-score. This is a distinct limitation in distal vascular segments of small calibre which cannot be validly displayed. In patients with low or moderate Ca-score values, MDCT coronary angiography is promising new technique with a high diagnostic accuracy for the detection of graft stenosis or occlusions.     

Is the Framingham risk function valid for northern European populations? A comparison of methods for estimating absolute coronary risk in high risk men

OBJECTIVE: To examine the validity of estimates of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk by the Framingham risk function, for European populations. DESIGN: Comparison of CHD risk estimates for individuals derived from the Framingham, prospective cardiovascular Münster (PROCAM), Dundee, and British regional heart (BRHS) risk functions. SETTING: Sheffield Hypertension Clinic. Patients-206 consecutive hypertensive men aged 35-75 years without preexisting vascular disease. RESULTS: There was close agreement among the Framingham, PROCAM, and Dundee risk functions for average CHD risk. For individuals the best correlation was between Framingham and PROCAM, both of which use high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. When Framingham was used to target a CHD event rate > 3% per year, it identified men with mean CHD risk by PROCAM of 4.6% per year and all had CHD event risks > 1.5% per year. Men at lower risk by Framingham had a mean CHD risk by PROCAM of 1.5% per year, with 16% having a CHD event risk > 3.0% per year. BRHS risk function estimates of CHD risk were fourfold lower than those for the other three risk functions, but with moderate correlations, suggesting an important systematic error. CONCLUSION: There is close agreement between the Framingham, PROCAM, and Dundee risk functions as regards average CHD risk, and moderate agreement for estimates within individuals. Taking PROCAM as the external standard, the Framingham function separates high and low CHD risk groups and is acceptably accurate for northern European populations, at least in men.     

Utility of myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with low-risk treadmill scores

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a previously validated clinical score (CS) could identify patients with a low-risk Duke treadmill score who had a higher risk of adverse events and, therefore, in whom myocardial perfusion imaging would be valuable for risk stratification. BACKGROUND: Current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines recommend using a standard exercise test without imaging as the initial test in patients who have an interpretable electrocardiogram and are able to exercise. METHOD: We studied 1,461 symptomatic patients with low-risk Duke treadmill scores (> or =5) who underwent myocardial perfusion imaging. The CS was derived by assigning one point to each of the following variables: typical angina, history of myocardial infarction, diabetes, insulin use, male gender, and each decade of age over 40 years. A CS cutoff > or =5 or <5 was used to categorize patients as high risk (n = 303 [21%]) or low risk (n = 1,158 [79%]). Perfusion scans were categorized as low, intermediate, or high risk on the basis of the global stress score (GSS). RESULTS: High-risk scans were more common in patients with a high-risk CS (26.4% vs. 9.5%, p < 0.0001). The CS and GSS were significant independent predictors of cardiac death. However, in patients with a low CS, seven-year cardiac survival was excellent, regardless of the GSS (99% for normal scans, 99% for mildly abnormal scans, and 99% for severely abnormal scans). In contrast, patients with a high CS had a lower seven-year survival rate (92%), which varied with GSS (94% for normal scans, 94% for mildly abnormal scans, and 84% for severely abnormal scans; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In symptomatic patients with low-risk Duke treadmill scores and low clinical risk, myocardial perfusion imaging is of limited prognostic value. In patients with low-risk Duke treadmill scores and high clinical risk, annual cardiac mortality (>1%) is not low, and myocardial perfusion imaging has independent prognostic value.     

Comparison of 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography coronary angiography between asymptomatic, type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance patients

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the most frequent cause of death and disability for diabetic patients, and patients with diabetes are more likely to have silent ischemia. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) allows non-invasive assessment of coronary artery stenosis and plaque properties. In this study, we investigated whether 64-slice MDCT can non-invasively identify significant coronary artery stenosis in asymptomatic, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population consisted of 154 consecutive asymptomatic patients [IGT (n=93), T2DM (n=61)]. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced 64-slice MDCT. The number of diseased coronary segments was classified as showing obstructive (>/=50% luminal narrowing) disease or not. Significant coronary stenosis was detected in 43 (27.9%) of 154 enrolled patients. Patients with T2DM showed significantly more coronary stenosis than patients with IGT (41% vs. 19.4%; p<0.01). Twenty-three patients [14.9%; IGT (n=9), T2DM (n=14)] underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for severe stenosis. Patients with T2DM showed significantly more calcified plaque than IGT (47.5% vs. 29%; p<0.05), but not significantly more soft plaque (19.7% vs. 15.1%; ns), or significantly different remodeling index (1.05+/-0.18 vs. 1.04+/-0.21; ns), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: 64-Slice MDCT can non-invasively identify significant coronary artery stenosis in asymptomatic, T2DM and IGT patients.     

Assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction: comparison of two dimensional echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and 64-row multi-detector computed tomography

Objectives To compare left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) determined from 64-row multi-detector computed tomography (64-row MDCT) with those determined from two dimensional echocardiography (2D echo) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Methods Thirty-two patients with coronary artery disease underwent trans-thoracic 2D echo, CMR and contrast-enhanced 64-row MDCT for assessment of LVEF within 48 hours of each other. 64-row MDCT LVEF was derived using the Syngo Circulation software; CMR LVEF was by Area Length Ejection Fraction (ALEF) and Simpson method and 2D echo LVEF by Simpson method. Results The LVEF was 49.13±15.91 % by 2D echo, 50.72±16.55% (ALEF method) and 47.65±16.58%(Simpson method) by CMR and 50.00±15.93% by 64-row MDCT. LVEF measurements by 64-row MDCT correlated well with LVEF measured with CMR using either the ALEF method (Pearson correlation r = 0.94, P <0.01) or Simpson method (r = 0.92, P<0.01). It also correlated well with LVEF measured using 2D echo (r = 0.80, P < 0.01). Conclusion LVEF measurements by 64-row MDCT correlated well with LVEF measured by CMR and 2D echo. The correlation between 64-row MDCT and CMR was better than the correlation between 2D echo with CMR. Standard data set from a 64-row MDCT coronary study can be reliably used to calculate the LVEF. (J Geriatr Cardiol 2006;3(1): 2-8)