Coronary computed tomography and triple rule out CT in patients with acute chest pain and an intermediate cardiac risk profile. Part 1: Impact on patient management

Objective

To evaluate the impact of coronary CT angiography (coronary CTA) or “triple-rule-out” CT angiography (TRO-CTA) on patient management in the work-up of patients with acute chest pain and an intermediate cardiac risk profile.

Materials and methods

100 patients with acute chest pain and an intermediate cardiac risk for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) underwent coronary CTA or TRO-CTA for the evaluation of chest pain. Patients with a high and low cardiac risk profile were not included in this study. All patients with significant coronary stenosis >50% on coronary CTA underwent invasive coronary catheterization (ICC). Important other pathological findings were recorded. All patients had a 90-day follow-up period for major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

Results

Based on a negative coronary CTA 60 of 100 patients were discharged on the same day. None of the discharged patients showed MACE during the 90-day follow-up. Coronary CTA revealed a coronary stenosis >50% in 19 of 100 patients. ICC confirmed significant coronary stenosis in 17/19 patients. Among the 17 true positive patients, 9 underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation, 7 were received intensified medical therapy, and 1 patient underwent coronary artery bypass surgery.A TRO-CTA protocol was performed in 36/100 patients due to elevated d-dimer levels. Pulmonary embolism was present in 5 patients, pleural effusion of unknown etiology in 3 patients, severe right ventricular dysfunction with pericardial effusion in 1 patient, and an incidental bronchial carcinoma was diagnosed in 1 patient.

Conclusion

Coronary CTA and TRO-CTA allow a rapid and safe discharge in the majority of patients presenting with acute chest pain and an intermediate risk for ACS while at the same time identifies those with significant coronary artery stenosis.     

用64层CT血管成像探讨冠状静脉系统的解剖特征

目的 研究64层螺旋CT在冠状静脉系统成像中的价值及冠状静脉窦(CS)及其属支的CT影像特征.方法 利用64层螺旋CT进行300例受检者的冠状静脉成像,观测CS及其属支的形态、数目、直径、角度及相邻冠状动脉的伴行关系.以年龄、性别及有无冠心病作为可能的影响因素对各冠状静脉主要分支的直径进行析因设计的方差分析.结果 所有受检者均可见CS、心大静脉(GCV)及心中静脉(MCV),273例受检者(91.0%)可见1～3支PVLV,心小静脉(SCV)及左房斜静脉分别显示56例(18.7%)、24例(8.0%).3例显示永存左上腔静脉畸形引流,1例显示CS憩室.后降支(PDA)与MCV伴行189例(63.0%),相交96例(32.0%).左旋支(LCX)与CS伴行122例(40.7%),与MCV相交15例(5.0%),LCX与PVLV相交104例(34.7%).CS口(CSO)、MCV、PVLV 3项指标,不存在年龄、性别及有无冠心病之间的交互作用,不同年龄、性别或有无冠状动脉疾患组的CSO前后径、MCV及PVLV值差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).男性与女性的CSO上下径差异有统计学意义(F=6.67,P＜0.05).结论 冠状静脉系统解剖变异较大,64层螺旋CT可以作为显示CS及其属支的无创检查方法,可为心脏电生理治疗提供有用信息.     

3.0 T MR对比增强全心冠状血管成像对冠状静脉系统的解剖学研究

目的 探讨3.0 T MR对比增强全心冠状血管成像(CE CMRA)对冠状静脉解剖的研究价值.方法 43例受试者行3.0 T CE CMRA,采用自由呼吸导航门控、心电触发和非选择性反转恢复(IR)准备脉冲的3D扰相位梯度回波(FLASH)序列.采用32通道体部相控阵线圈进行数据获取.冠状静脉的图像质量由4分法进行评价.连续变量表达为(-x)±s,用配对t检验评价CS窦口前后径及上下径的差异.结果 40例受试者成功完成3.0 T CE CMRA检查,其中38例(95.0%)受试者的图像能够进行评价.左心室后静脉(PVLV)及左边缘静脉(LMV)距冠状窦(CS)窦口的距离分别为(3.34±0.90)及(6.12±1.02)cm.CS、后室间静脉(PIV)、PVLV、LMV及前室间静脉(AIV)的平均图像质量得分分别为(4.0±0.0)、(3.4±0.5)、(3.4±0.5)、(3.0±0.8)及(3.3±0.5)分.CS窦口的上下径[(1.10±0.26)cm]大于前后径[(0.83±0.19)cm],差异有统计学意义(t=-4.31,P<0.05).结论 3.0 T MR CE CMRA能够清晰地评价冠状静脉解剖.     

Differences in coronary artery disease by CT angiography between patients developing unstable angina pectoris vs. major adverse cardiac events

Objective

CT angiography (CTA) has prognostic value in patients. But it is unknown whether differences in atherosclerosis by CTA predict the development of unstable angina pectoris (UAP) vs. major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

Methods

We followed patients undergoing CTA as part of their acute chest pain work-up. Primary outcome was the development of UAP or MACE (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, revascularization) during a minimum follow-up of 12-months. CTAs were assessed for extent and composition of coronary plaque and stenosis. Ordinal regression with a 3-level outcome (no events, UAP, MACE) was applied.

Results

Among 315 patients, 22 developed UAP and 31 MACE. While UAP patients had higher atherosclerosis burden with respect to all assessed features compared to patients with no events (p ≤ 0.02), only mixed plaque extent was significantly different between UAP and MACE patients (p = 0.02). The odds ratio was 4.55 for being in a higher disease-level comparing patients with low extent to those with no mixed plaque, and 3.02 comparing patients with high to those with low. These findings remained after adjustments for potential confounders.

Conclusion

The extent of mixed coronary plaque is different between patients who develop UAP vs. MACE, supporting the hypothesis that it is a more culprit morphology.     

Uncommon congenital extracardiac vascular anomalies detected on MSCT (Multi-Slice Computed Tomography) aortic angiography with 64-multislice technology

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of CT angiography in different encountered congenital vascular anomalies of pediatric age groups using 64 multislice CT scanner.

Subjective and methods

Through one year, a total of 15 patients having congenital extracardiac anomalies were encountered from those attending big trauma and emergency center and were studied in this work. Each patient’s parent was thoroughly asked about the detailed clinical history after reviewing the referring imaging request and laboratory findings. Exclusion criteria for CT were as follows: previous allergic reactions to iodine contrast media and severe renal insufficiency. CT examination was performed using 64 multislice CT machine.

Results

CTA examination was performed in a total of 15 patients. The age of the patients was ranging from 2 days to 14 yrs and 5 cases were females. Four cases came with cyanosis; one case came with follow up after operation for transposition of great arteries, while the remaining cases were suffering from medical problems such as respiratory distress or hypertension. Aortic arch hypoplasia, right sided aortic arch with mirror image or with aberrant left subclavian artery, hypoplastic left pulmonary artery with left sided aortic arch and aberrant right subclavian artery, hypoplastic left heart chambers, retrotracheal left pulmonary artery with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), right superior partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (PAPVD) with ASD sinus venosum, postoperative assessment of transposition of great arteries (TGA), fibromuscular dysplasia involving the renal and common iliac arteries, and bilateral double renal arteries with ectopic right kidney were the different extracardiac vascular anomalies encountered in this work.

Conclusion

CTA provides an excellent means to detect a number of extracardiac vascular anomalies and allows accurate and fast noninvasive characterization of extracardiac vascular anatomy. It is a helpful tool in establishing the primary diagnosis, defining anatomic landmarks and relationships, identifying vascular anomalies and helping in postoperative follow-up.     

Local thrombolysis for patients of severe cerebral venous sinus thrombosis during puerperium

Objective

To explore and evaluate the efficacy of intrasinus thrombolysis (IST) in patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) during postpartum period.

Methods

11 patients during postpartum period with CVST who received IST during July 2007–November 2011 were included. Urokinase was infused into the sinuses via a microcatheter. Magnetic resonance venography (MRV) was performed to assess the recanalization of venous sinuses.

Results

Before discharge, the intracranial pressure in 11 patients was under 200 mmH₂O. MRV confirmed that venous sinus of 9 patients were smooth. The cortex venous and deep venous recovered to normal. Venous sinus of 2 patients recanalized partly, and cortex venous and deep venous had compensation. 9 patients had good outcome and 2 patients had only mild deficits.

Conclusion

Intrasinus thrombolysis is safe and effective in patients with severe cerebral venous sinus thrombosis during postpartum period.     

Myocardial bridging as evaluated by 16 row MDCT

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to find out the prevalence, appearance and clinical symptoms of myocardial bridging (MB) by MDCT coronary angiography (CTA).

Materials and methods

A total of 280 (50 females) consecutive patients followed with coronary artery disease or postoperative stent and bypass control, underwent CTA performed by 16-MDCT scanner between January 2006 and April 2006. Short axis multiplanar reformatted images were evaluated. MBs were classified as complete and incomplete bridges with respect to continuity of the myocardium over the tunneled segment of left anterior descending artery (LAD) in interventricular groove and the cut-off value is 1.3 mm. Patients diagnosed with MB on CTA who had prior catheter angiography studies were re-evaluated for the presence of MB.

Results

One hundred and twenty MBs [98 (81.6%) on LAD, 2 (1.6%) on diagonal branch, 11 (9.1%) on obtuse marginal, 4 (3.3%) on right coronary artery, 5 (4.1%) on ramus intermedius artery] were detected in 108 (38.5%) patients. Eighty-five (70.8%) of bridged segments in 79 (28.2%) patients were complete and the rest [35 (29.2%) in 34 (12.1%) patients] were incomplete. In 12 patients two MBs (either on different arteries or on the same artery) were detected. The length of bridged segments in patients with complete and incomplete MBs varied between 4–50.9 mm (mean 18 mm) and 4–37.3 mm (mean 13.6 mm), respectively, and the depth of myocardium over the artery ranged between 1–6.4 mm (mean 2.3 mm) and 1–1.2 mm (mean 1 mm), respectively. Thirty (27.7%) out of 108 patients, in whom MB was detected on CTA, were found to have correlative catheter angiography studies, retrospectively and MB was detected only in 4 (13.3%) out of 30 patients.

Conclusion

MDCT coronary angiography is a non-invasive, efficient method in the diagnosis of MB avoiding the procedural risks that catheter angiography carries. MDCT coronary angiography allows direct visualization of the bridge itself and may thus give the opportunity to differentiate between complete and incomplete myocardial bridges.     

Congenital anomalies of coronary arteries: Diagnosis with 64 slice multidetector CT

Objective

Congenital coronary artery anomalies are generally incidental, uncommon and asymptomatic. Some can cause severe potentially life threatening symptoms. The common mode of studying the coronary arteries is Conventional Coronary Angiogram. ECG-gated-multidetector CT is a non invasive modality. The objective of our study was to identify rare congenital coronary artery anomalies and discuss their clinical significance.

Material and methods

A total number of 900 MDCT coronary angiograms were carried out at our institution between the period of April 2006 and October 2010. Patients with coronary artery anomaly constituted the subject of study.

Results

The incidence of anomalous anatomical origin and course of the coronary arteries in our study was 1.55%. Hemodynamical significance was seen in five patients. 3 cases of single coronary artery originating from right coronary sinus were seen. 1 case of anomalous left coronary artery arising from main pulmonary artery was seen. 4 cases of anomalous RCA arising from left aortic cusp, 6 cases of absent LMCA with separate origin of LAD and LCX were seen.

Conclusion

Multidetector row CT is a noninvasive modality in cardiac imaging. It provides superior resolution of coronary tree and its variant. No projectional vascular overlap is seen. Various postprocessing techniques outclass catheter angiography imaging. Definition of ostia and proximal course of the coronary arteries by Multidetector CT is better than catheter angiography.     

Imaging of coronary artery anomalies using ECG-gated 64-row computed tomography angiography

Objective

To shed light on coronary artery anomalies among cardiac patients using ECG-gated 64-row MDCTA during assessment of coronary arteries.

Patients and methods

Study included 840 patients out of whom twenty-one patients have congenital coronary artery anomalies. Patients were examined using ECG gated 64-row MDCT; 80–100 ml contrast agent, followed by a 50 ml saline chaser injected at 5 ml/s, 350 ms gantry rotation time, 0.65 mm detector collimation, ECG tube current modulation and 100–120 kV. Post-processing was done on second workstation including 3D VR, MPR and CMPR images.

Results

Anomalies of the coronary arteries were diagnosed in twenty-one patients. The prevalence of congenital anomalies in this study was 2.5% and included: anomalous origin of right coronary artery in 4 cases (0.48%), anomalous origin of left circumflex artery in 3 cases (0.36%), myocardial bridging of LAD in 12 cases (1.4%) and coronary artery fistula in 2 cases (0.24%).

Conclusion

Coronary artery anomalies are not uncommon among cardiac patients. Myocardial bridging is the most common followed by anomalous origin and proximal course and lastly coronary artery fistula. 64-Row MDCTA is an excellent promising modality and should be the first non-invasive diagnostic tool to rule out such anomalies.     

Evaluation of the Interpretation of Serial Ultrasound Examinations in the Diagnosis of Deep Venous Thrombosis in Children: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Purpose

To assess ultrasound intrascan variability and the potential error rate of serial ultrasounds in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis in children.

Methods

A retrospective cohort review of imaging results of children having at least 3 serial ultrasound examinations of the same region within a 2-month period. The results were interpreted as either (1) inadequately visualized or (2) the absence or presence of deep venous thrombosis, and were categorized by location. Serial imaging findings then were further categorized based on results and clinical information.

Results

Sixty-four patients and 157 vessel segments were included in the study. Deep venous thrombosis was documented in 58 patients. Concordant results were observed in 26 patients (40.1%), clot resolution in 17 patients (26.6%), clot formation in 12 patients (18.8%), and discordant results in 9 patients (14%). Twenty-one of 64 patients (32.8%) had at least 1 vessel inadequately imaged.

Conclusions

The inconsistency of serial ultrasound results in up to 25% of patients calls attention to the potential inaccuracy of ultrasound for diagnosis and follow-up of deep venous thrombosis in children. The high proportion of patients with at least 1 inadequately visualized vessel also highlights the limitation of ultrasound in the diagnosis of pediatric deep venous thrombosis.     

Extra-cardiac findings at cardiac CT: experience with 1,764 patients

To investigate incidental extra-cardiac findings (ECF) at cardiac CT based on indication and impact on patient management. We retrospectively reviewed the reports of 1,764 patients who underwent a cardiac CT study between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2006, including 463 calcium scorings (CS), 737 coronary CT angiograms (CTA), 341 pulmonary vein stenoses (PVS), and 223 bypass grafts (CABG). ECFs were categorized by type of examination, anatomical location and clinical significance. Comparisons were made between examination types to determine if incidental findings varied by indication. There were 507 ECFs with at least one ECF in 441 patients (25.0%). By examination, there was at least 1 ECF in 79/463 CS studies (17.1%), 196/737 CTAs (26.6%), 80/341 PVSs (23.4%) and 86/223 CABGs (38.6%). In 325 patients (18.4%), the findings were considered clinically important and occurred in 60/463 (12.9%) CSs, 149/737 (20.2%) CTAs, 56/341 (16.4%) PVSs and 60/223 (26.9%) CABGs. Differences between CABG and other indications and CTA vs. CS for incidental and clinically important findings were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Extra-cardiac findings requiring follow-up occur in 18% of patients and are significantly more frequent in coronary artery CTA and coronary artery bypass studies than in calcium scoring studies.     

Optimal sequence timing of CT angiography and perfusion CT in patients with stroke

Objective

Standard stroke CT protocols start with non-enhanced CT followed by perfusion-CT (PCT) and end with CTA. We aimed to evaluate the influence of the sequence of PCT and CTA on quantitative perfusion parameters, venous contrast enhancement and examination time to save critical time in the therapeutic window in stroke patients.

Methods and materials

Stroke CT data sets of 85 patients, 47 patients with CTA before PCT (group A) and 38 with CTA after PCT (group B) were retrospectively analyzed by two experienced neuroradiologists. Parameter maps of cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood volume, time to peak and mean transit time and contrast enhancements (arterial and venous) were compared.

Results

Both readers rated contrast of brain-supplying arteries to be equal in both groups (p = 0.55 (intracranial) and p = 0.73 (extracranial)) although the extent of venous superimposition of the ICA was rated higher in group B (p = 0.04). Quantitative perfusion parameters did not significantly differ between the groups (all p > 0.18), while the extent of venous superimposition of the ICA was rated higher in group B (p = 0.04). The time to complete the diagnostic CT examination was significantly shorter for group A (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Performing CTA directly after NECT has no significant effect on PCT parameters and avoids venous preloading in CTA, while examination times were significantly shorter.     

Prevalence of venous sinus stenosis in Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) using digital subtraction angiography (DSA)

Objectives

To study the prevalence of intracranial venous stenosis in Pseudotumor cerebri patients.

Patients and methods

Thirty patients were diagnosed having PTC according to Dandy criteria. All underwent general and neurological assessment. Radiological assessment included CT scan brain ±MRI brain without contrast, MRV. All underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) (venous phase) to confirm the validity of filling gaps seen at the level of MRV.

Results

MRV brain showed that 24 patients (80%) showed filling gaps. Digital subtraction cerebral angiography (venous phase) showed 9 patients (30%) had stenosis in their dural sinuses. MRV showed to be a good screening tool since it had 100% sensitivity and negative predictive value. However, since it has a moderate specificity (62%) with a positive predictive value (PPV) of only 35%, then lesions detected should be confirmed with digital subtraction cerebral angiography (venous phase) particularly those involving the transverse and sigmoid sinus.

Conclusion

Studying the intracranial venous system in patients with PTC is an important step in understanding the pathophysiology of the disease. Detection of venous sinus stenosis opens the way to a novel therapeutic option for refractory patients like venous sinus stenting.     

Demonstration of the dorsal pancreatic artery by CTA to facilitate superselective arterial infusion of stem cells into the pancreas

Purpose

To investigate the diagnostic performance of 64-section CTA in the detection of dorsal pancreatic artery before interventional therapy for patients with diabetes.

Materials and methods

The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee; written informed consent was obtained. Forty-two consecutive patients with diabetes received an experimental treatment of autologous bone marrow-derived stem cell transplantation by means of infusion into the dorsal pancreatic artery. All cases underwent abdominal CTA before angiography of pancreatic arteries in order to locate the origin and course of dorsal pancreatic artery. Angiography of coeliac artery, splenic artery, common hepatic artery and superior mesenteric artery were performed both in CTA and DSA. Superselective catheterization of dorsal pancreatic artery was carried out for the infusion of stem cell. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for the detection of dorsal pancreatic artery with CTA were calculated using DSA images as the reference standard.

Results

Thirty-five and thirty-six dorsal pancreatic arteries were detected by CTA and DSA respectively. Dorsal pancreatic artery was not visualized in either CTA or DSA in 5 patients. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for CTA were 94.4%, 83.3% and 92.9%.

Conclusion

64-section CTA is accurate for the detection of dorsal pancreatic artery. It may be useful for the facilitation of superselective arterial infusion of stem cells to pancreas.     

Whole-heart coronary vein imaging: a comparison between non-contrast-agent- and contrast-agent-enhanced visualization of the coronary venous system.

The feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) whole-heart imaging of the coronary venous (CV) system was investigated. The hypothesis that coronary magnetic resonance venography (CMRV) can be improved by using an intravascular contrast agent (CA) was tested. A simplified model of the contrast in T(2)-prepared steady-state free precession (SSFP) imaging was applied to calculate optimal T(2)-preparation durations for the various deoxygenation levels expected in venous blood. Non-contrast-agent (nCA)- and CA-enhanced images were compared for the delineation of the coronary sinus (CS) and its main tributaries. A quantitative analysis of the resulting contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in both approaches was performed. Precontrast visualization of the CV system was limited by the poor CNR between large portions of the venous blood and the surrounding tissue. Postcontrast, a significant increase in CNR between the venous blood and the myocardium (Myo) resulted in a clear delineation of the target vessels. The CNR improvement was 347% (P < 0.05) for the CS, 260% (P < 0.01) for the mid cardiac vein (MCV), and 430% (P < 0.05) for the great cardiac vein (GCV). The improvement in SNR was on average 155%, but was not statistically significant for the CS and the MCV. The signal of the Myo could be significantly reduced to about 25% (P < 0.001).     

Assessment of coronary artery disease by post-mortem cardiac MR

Objectives

Minimally invasive or virtual autopsies are being advocated as alternative to traditional autopsy, but have limited abilities to detect coronary artery disease. It was the objective of this study to assess if the occurrence of chemical shift artifacts (CSA) along the coronary arteries on non-contrast, post-mortem cardiac MR may be used to investigate coronary artery disease.

Methods

We retrospectively compared autopsy and CT findings of 30 cases with significant (≥75%), insignificant (<75%), or absent coronary artery stenosis to post-mortem cardiac MR findings. The chi-square test was used to investigate if the occurrence of CSA depends on the presence or absence of stenosis. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were calculated for each finding.

Results

CSA indicates the absence of (significant) stenosis (p < 0.001). The occurrence of paired dark bands in lieu of CSA on post-mortem cardiac MR suggests (significant) coronary arteries stenosis (p < 0.001). Both findings have a high specificity but low sensitivity.

Conclusions

CSA is a marker of vessel patency. The presence of paired dark bands indicates stenosis. These criteria improve the ability of minimally invasive or virtual autopsy to detect coronary artery disease related deaths.     

Functional cardiac CT imaging: A new contrast application strategy for a better visualization of the cardiac chambers

Purpose

Evaluation of a new protocol for Dual-source CT contrast-enhanced cardiac imaging for better visualization of right ventricle structures.

Methods

A total of 106 patients were included in this prospective, controlled study. The control group (n = 53) underwent our clinic's standard procedure for contrast-enhanced imaging of coronary arteries. The study group (n = 53) was imaged using a protocol with the dual flow injection protocol in which the saline chaser bolus contained 20% contrast media. The images were analyzed for mean density values using defined ROIs in the septum and both ventricles. In addition the data sets were semi-quantitatively evaluated for visual delineation between right ventricle and septum. To investigate whether this new protocol influenced the visualization of coronary arteries, mean density was also measured in the right and left coronary artery.

Results

The dual flow concept allows for a statistically significant better delineation of the septum in Dual-source cardiac computed tomography for both the quantitative and semi-quantitative analyses. Also, the dual flow concept allows for statistically relevant higher coronary attenuation.

Conclusion

Using a saline chaser containing 20% contrast medium improves septal delineation for functional ventricular analysis as well as unimpaired coronary visualization.     

Effect of cardiac function on aortic peak time and peak enhancement during coronary CT angiography

Purpose

To examine the manner in which cardiac function affects the magnitude and timing of aortic contrast enhancement during coronary CT angiography (CTA).

Materials and methods

Twenty-nine patients (21 men, 8 women; mean age, 64.4 ± 13.4 years; mean weight, 59.4 ± 10.3 kg) underwent measurement of cardiac output within 2 weeks of coronary CTA. The cardiac output of each patient was measured by the thermodilution technique and the cardiac index was calculated from the body surface area. During coronary CTA, attenuation of the descending aorta was measured at the workstation every 3 s. The aortic peak time (APT) and aortic peak enhancement (APE) of each patient were calculated. Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis was used to investigate the relationships between the cardiac output or cardiac index and APT or APE. Furthermore, the relationship between patient factors or parameters on test bolus injection and APT or APE was also evaluated.

Results

The range of cardiac output, cardiac index, APT, and APE was 1.55-10.46 L/min (mean: 4.77 ± 2.13), 1.11-5.30 L/(min-m²) (mean: 3.28 ± 1.08), 25-51 s (mean: 38.3 ± 7.5), and 273.1-598.1 HU (mean: 390.4 ± 72.1), respectively. With an increase in the cardiac index, both APT (r = −0.698, p < 0.0001) and APE (r = −0.573, p = 0.0009) decreased. There were significant correlations between the patient body weight and APT and APE with the test bolus injection, and with APT and APE during coronary CTA.

Conclusion

The APT and APE during coronary CTA are closely related to cardiac function.     

Endovascular treatment of carotid cavernous fistulae (CCF). Direct venous puncture using road mapping in dural CCF

Introduction

Endovascular treatment offers different options to treat CCF by less invasive approach avoiding morbidity and residual fistulas. The choice depends on the anatomy of the fistula and operator/Institutional preferences.

Objective

Describe options in endovascular treatment of Barrow Type A and Type D Carotid Cavernous fistulas (CCF).

Patients and methods

We report 10 cases of carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) that received endovascular treatment using coils and liquid embolic materials. Seven cases Barrow Type A, done through an arterial approach and three cases Barrow Type D, done through venous approach. The cavernous sinus in Type D cases was approached via the inferior petrosal sinus in one case and the other two cases by direct puncture of the facial and supra-orbital veins using road mapping. Using road mapping in venous approach to treat CCF is not reported in the literature before.

Results

Successful obliteration of the fistula was achieved in all cases with transient VI nerve palsy in one case and post procedure ophthalmic vein thrombosis in another.

Conclusion

With the observed favorable outcomes and lack of significant procedural morbidity, direct puncture of the facial and supra-orbital veins using road mapping to reach the cavernous sinus, might be an addition in the armamentarium available for endovascular treatment of CCF.     

Clinical implementation of an emergency department coronary computed tomographic angiography protocol for triage of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome

Objectives

To evaluate the efficiency and safety of emergency department (ED) coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) during a 3-year clinical experience.

Methods

Single-center registry of coronary CTA in consecutive ED patients with suspicion of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The primary outcome was efficiency of coronary CTA defined as the length of hospitalization. Secondary endpoints of safety were defined as the rate of downstream testing, normalcy rates of invasive coronary angiography (ICA), absence of missed ACS, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during follow-up, and index radiation exposure.

Results

One thousand twenty two consecutive patients were referred for clinical coronary CTA with suspicion of ACS. Overall, median time to discharge home was 10.5 (5.7-24.1) hours. Patient disposition was 42.7 % direct discharge from the ED, 43.2 % discharge from emergency unit, and 14.1 % hospital admission. ACS rate during index hospitalization was 9.1 %. One hundred ninety two patients underwent additional diagnostic imaging and 77 underwent ICA. The positive predictive value of CTA compared to ICA was 78.9 % (95 %-CI 68.1-87.5 %). Median CT radiation exposure was 4.0 (2.5-5.8) mSv. No ACS was missed; MACE at follow-up after negative CTA was 0.2 %.

Conclusions

Coronary CTA in an experienced tertiary care setting allows for efficient and safe management of patients with suspicion for ACS.

Key points

? ED Coronary CTA using advanced systems is associated with low radiation exposure. ? Negative coronary CTA is associated with low rates of MACE. ? CTA in ED patients enables short median time to discharge home. ? CTA strategy is characterized by few downstream tests including unnecessary ICA.