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Comparison of puncture deviation and puncture duration between computed tomography (CT)- and C-arm CT (CACT)-guided puncture performed by residents in training (RiT).In a cohort of 25 RiTs enrolled in a research training program either CT- or CACT-guided puncture was performed on a phantom. Prior to the experiments, the RiT's level of training, experience playing a musical instrument, video games, and ball sports, and self-assessed manual skills and spatial skills were recorded. Each RiT performed two punctures. The first puncture was performed with a transaxial or single angulated needle path and the second with a single or double angulated needle path. Puncture deviation and puncture duration were compared between the procedures and were correlated with the self-assessments.RiTs in both the CT guidance and CACT guidance groups did not differ with respect to radiologic experience (p = 1), angiographic experience (p = 0.415), and number of ultrasound-guided puncture procedures (p = 0.483), CT-guided puncture procedures (p = 0.934), and CACT-guided puncture procedures (p = 0.466). The puncture duration was significantly longer with CT guidance (without navigation tool) than with CACT guidance with navigation software (p 0.001). There was no significant difference in the puncture duration between the first and second puncture using CT guidance (p = 0.719). However, in the case of CACT, the second puncture was significantly faster (p = 0.006). Puncture deviations were not different between CT-guided and CACT-guided puncture (p = 0.337) and between the first and second puncture of CT-guided and CACT-guided puncture (CT: p = 0.130; CACT: p = 0.391). The self-assessment of manual skills did not correlate with puncture deviation (p = 0.059) and puncture duration (p = 0.158). The self-assessed spatial skills correlated positively with puncture deviation (p = 0.011) but not with puncture duration (p = 0.541).The RiTs achieved a puncture deviation that was clinically adequate with respect to their level of training and did not differ between CT-guided and CACT-guided puncture. The puncture duration was shorter when using CACT. CACT guidance with navigation software support has a potentially steeper learning curve. Spatial skills might accelerate the learning of image-guided puncture.· The CT-guided and CACT-guided puncture experience of the RiTs selected as part of the program "Researchers for the Future" of the German Roentgen Society was adequate with respect to the level of training.. · Despite the lower collective experience of the RiTs with CACT-guided puncture with navigation software assistance, the learning curve regarding CACT-guided puncture may be faster compared to the CT-guided puncture technique.. · If the needle path is complex, CACT guidance with navigation software assistance might have an advantage over CT guidance..· Meine TC, Hinrichs JB, Werncke T et al. Phantom study for comparison between computed tomography- and C-Arm computed tomography-guided puncture applied by residents in radiology. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2022; 194: 272 - 280.ZIEL: Vergleich der Punktionsabweichung und -dauer zwischen Computertomografie (CT) – und C-Arm-CT (CACT) -gesteuertem Punktionsverfahren bei Anwendung durch Assistenzärzte in Weiterbildung (AiW).In einer Kohorte von 25 AiW, die Teil einer wissenschaftlichen Förderung waren, wurden entweder CT- oder CACT-gesteuerte Punktionen an einem Phantom durchgeführt. Vor Beginn wurden der Weiterbildungsstand, die Erfahrung mit Spielen eines Musikinstruments, mit Videospielen und mit Ballsportarten und die Selbsteinschätzung von manueller Geschicklichkeit und räumlichem Denkvermögen abgefragt. Jede/r AiW führte 2 Punktionen durch, wobei die 1. Punktion mit einem transaxialen bzw. einfach angulierten Nadelpfad und die 2. Punktion mit einem einfach bzw. doppelt angulierten Nadelpfad erfolgte. Punktionsabweichung und -dauer wurden zwischen den Verfahren verglichen und mit den Selbsteinschätzungen korreliert.Die beiden Gruppen der AiW zeigten keine Unterschiede in der Erfahrung in der Radiologie (p = 1), in der Angiografie (p = 0.415) und in der Anzahl bereits durchgeführter Punktionen gesteuert durch Ultraschall (p = 0,483), CT (p = 0,934) und CACT (p = 0,466). In der CT (ohne Navigationssoftware) war die Punktionsdauer signifikant länger als mit der CACT-Bildsteuerung mit Navigationssoftware (p 0,001). Bei der Punktionsdauer zeigten sich keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen der 1. und 2. Punktion im CT (p = 0,719), während die 2. Punktion mit CACT schneller durchgeführt werden konnte (p = 0,006). Die Punktionsabweichung war weder signifikant zwischen CT- und CACT-Bildsteuerung (p = 0,337), noch zwischen der 1. und 2. Punktion der jeweiligen Verfahren (CT: p = 0,130; CACT: p = 0,391). Die Selbsteinschätzung der manuellen Geschicklichkeit korrelierte nicht mit der Punktionsabweichung (p = 0,059) und -dauer (p = 0,158). Das subjektive räumliche Denkvermögen zeigte eine moderate positive Korrelation zur Punktionsabweichung (p = 0,011), aber nicht zur -dauer (p = 0,541).Die AiW erreichten eine dem Ausbildungsstand entsprechende, klinisch adäquate Punktionsabweichung unter CT- und CACT-Bildsteuerung. Die CACT-gesteuerten Punktionen mit Unterstützung durch Navigationssoftware wurden schneller durchgeführt, und auch die Lernkurve war mit CACT-Bildsteuerung steiler. Räumliches Denkvermögen kann möglicherweise das Erlernen bildgesteuerter Punktionen beschleunigen.· Die Erfahrung mit Punktionen war in einer Gruppe von AiW, die im Rahmen des Programms der Deutschen Röntgengesellschaft e. V. „Forscher-für-die-Zukunft“ ausgesucht wurden, dem Weiterbildungsstand entsprechend.. · Trotz kollektiv geringerer Erfahrung der radiologischen AiW mit der CACT-gesteuerten Punktion mit Navigationssoftwareunterstützung ist die Lernkurve gegenüber der einfachen CT-Punktion möglicherweise steiler.. · Bei schwierigen Punktionswegen könnte die CACT-Bildsteuerung mit Softwareunterstützung einen Vorteil in der Durchführung gegenüber der konventionellen CT-Bildsteuerung haben..· Meine TC, Hinrichs JB, Werncke T et al. Phantom study for comparison between computed tomography- and C-Arm computed tomography-guided puncture applied by residents in radiology. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2022; 194: 272 – 280.

Chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) is a rare disease with a particularly difficult diagnosis. In this study, 4D flow MRI is used to quantitatively evaluate mesenteric hemodynamics before and after a meal in patients suspected of having CMI and healthy individuals. Nineteen patients suspected of CMI and twenty control subjects were analyzed. Subjects were scanned using a radially undersampled 4D flow MR sequence (PC-VIPR). Flow rates were assessed in the supraceliac (SCAo) and infrarenal aorta, celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery (SMA), left and right renal arteries, superior mesenteric vein (SMV), splenic vein, and portal vein (PV) in a fasting state (preprandial) and 20 min after a 700-kcal meal (postprandial). Patients were subcategorized into positive diagnosis (CMI+, N = 6) and negative diagnosis (CMI−, N = 13) groups based on imaging and clinical findings. Preprandial, postprandial, and percent change in flow rates were compared between subgroups using a Welch t test. In controls and CMI− patients, SCAo, SMA, SMV, and PV flow increased significantly after meal ingestion. No significant flow increases were observed in CMI+ patients. Percent changes in SMA, SMV, and PV flow were significantly greater in controls compared to CMI+ patients. Additionally, percent changes in flow in the SMV and PV were significantly greater in CMI− patients compared to CMI+ patients. 4D flow MRI with large volumetric coverage demonstrated significant differences in the redistribution of blood flow in SMA, SMV, and PV in CMI+ patients after a meal challenge. This approach may assist in the challenging diagnosis of CMI.

To study the long-term prognosis of early pre-discharge and late left ventricular (LV) dilatation in patients with first ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and contemporary medical therapy. Long-term follow-up > 15 years was available in 53 consecutive patients (55 ± 13 years) with first STEMI. Late gadolinium enhanced (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was obtained at baseline 5 ± 3 days and follow-up 8 ± 3 months after STEMI to measure LV function, volumes and infarct size. Early pre-discharge dilatation was defined as increased left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVi) at baseline CMR with > 97 ml/m2 for males and > 90 ml/m2 for females. Late dilatation was defined as initially normal LVEDVi, which increased ≥ 20% at follow-up. Early dilatation was present in 7 patients (13%), whereas late dilatation occurred in 11 patients (21%). Patients with early LV dilatation had highest mortality (57%), whereas patients with late dilatation had similar mortality (27%) compared to patients without dilatation (26%). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that age (P P P P

Background Gadoxetic acid (GA) has distinctive pharmacokinetic properties with important applications in hepatobiliary imaging. However, there are limited data evaluating the safety of GA administration in patients with impaired kidney function and the incidence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). Purpose To evaluate safety of GA regarding risk of NSF in patients with impaired kidney function. Materials and Methods This retrospective study identified all GA-enhanced MRI (hereafter, GA MRI) examinations performed between July 2008 and December 2019 through a search of the electronic medical record. Serum creatinine values within 180 days or less of each GA MRI examination were retrieved and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated. The eGFR value nearest to each MRI examination was used. A separate search in the electronic medical record was also performed to identify patients with NSF. Dermatologists, nephrologists, and nephrologists at our institution were surveyed for any cases of NSF. In patients with NSF, all MRI examinations performed and contrast agents administered to these patients were recorded. Results Overall, 7820 GA MRI examinations were identified, performed in 5351 patients (3022 women and 2329 men). These included 299 examinations (242 patients) with eGFR of 30-44 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 183 examinations (157 patients) with eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. There were 109 examinations (in 94 patients) with eGFR of 15-29 mL/min/1.73 m2, 40 examinations (in 39 patients) with eGFR less than 15 mL/min/1.73 m2, and 34 examinations in 27 patients undergoing hemodialysis. Seventeen patients with eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 or undergoing dialysis underwent GA MRI two or more times. Eighteen patients with biopsy-confirmed NSF were identified, none of whom were exposed to GA. The mean follow-up period for GA MRI examinations performed in patients with severe kidney impairment was 4.2 years (range, 0.2-11.3 years). Conclusion Gadoxetic acid may be safe with respect to nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in this patient population, although further studies are needed to confirm this. © RSNA, 2020 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Davenport and Shankar in this issue.

The purpose of this prospective study was to analyze the relationship between ventricular morphology and parameters of cardiac function in two different athletic groups and controls, using feature tracking cardiac magnetic resonance (FT-CMR). Twenty-three professional soccer players (22 ± 4 years), 19 competitive triathletes (28 ± 6 years) and 16 controls (26 ± 3 years) were included in the study. CMR was performed using a 1.5 T scanner. Cardiac chamber volumes, mass and biventricular global myocardial strain were obtained and compared. In comparison to the control subjects, athletes were characterized by a higher cardiac volume (p p p p p 2, p p p p r = 0.47, p r = − 0.28, p

Background This cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) study investigates the impact of trabeculae and papillary muscles (TPM) on diastolic function parameters by differentiation of the time-volume curve. Differentiation causes additional problems, which is overcome by standardization. Methods Cine steady-state free-precession imaging at 1.5 T was performed in 40 healthy volunteers stratified for age (age range 7–78y). LV time-volume curves were assessed by software-assisted delineation of endocardial contours from short axis slices applying two different methods: (1) inclusion of TPM into the myocardium and (2) inclusion of TPM into the LV cavity blood volume. Diastolic function was assessed from the differentiated time-volume curves defining the early and atrial peaks, their filling rates, filling volumes, and further dedicated diastolic measures, respectively. Results Only inclusion of TPM into the myocardium allowed precise assessment of early and atrial peak filling rates (EPFR, APFR) with clear distinction of EPFR and APFR expressed by the minimum between the early and atrial peak (EAmin) (100% vs. 36% for EAmin r2 = 0.85 vs. r2 = 0.56 and r2 = 0.89 vs. r2 = 0.66). Standardization problems were overcome by the introduction of a third phase (mid-diastole, apart from diastole and systole) and fitting of the early and atrial peaks in the differentiated time-volume curve. Conclusions Only LV volumetry with inclusion of TPM into the myocardium allows precise determination of diastolic measures and prevents methodological artifacts.

COVID-19 is associated with myocardial injury caused by ischemia, inflammation, or myocarditis. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is the noninvasive reference standard for cardiac function, structure, and tissue composition. CMR is a potentially valuable diagnostic tool in patients with COVID-19 presenting with myocardial injury and evidence of cardiac dysfunction. Although COVID-19–related myocarditis is likely infrequent, COVID-19–related cardiovascular histopathology findings have been reported in up to 48% of patients, raising the concern for long-term myocardial injury. Studies to date report CMR abnormalities in 26% to 60% of hospitalized patients who have recovered from COVID-19, including functional impairment, myocardial tissue abnormalities, late gadolinium enhancement, or pericardial abnormalities. In athletes post–COVID-19, CMR has detected myocarditis-like abnormalities. In children, multisystem inflammatory syndrome may occur 2 to 6 weeks after infection; associated myocarditis and coronary artery aneurysms are evaluable by CMR. At this time, our understanding of COVID-19–related cardiovascular involvement is incomplete, and multiple studies are planned to evaluate patients with COVID-19 using CMR. In this review, we summarize existing studies of CMR for patients with COVID-19 and present ongoing research. We also provide recommendations for clinical use of CMR for patients with acute symptoms or who are recovering from COVID-19., Central Illustration

Hepatic steatosis is defined as pathologically elevated liver fat content and has many underlying causes. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, with an increasing prevalence among adults and children. Abnormal liver fat accumulation has serious consequences, including cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, hepatic steatosis is increasingly recognized as an independent risk factor for the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and, most important, cardiovascular mortality. During the past 2 decades, noninvasive imaging-based methods for the evaluation of hepatic steatosis have been developed and disseminated. Chemical shift–encoded MRI is now established as the most accurate and precise method for liver fat quantification. CT is important for the detection and quantification of incidental steatosis and may play an increasingly prominent role in risk stratification, particularly with the emergence of CT-based screening and artificial intelligence. Quantitative imaging methods are increasingly used for diagnostic work-up and management of steatosis, including treatment monitoring. The purpose of this state-of-the-art review is to provide an overview of recent progress and current state of the art for liver fat quantification using CT and MRI, as well as important practical considerations related to clinical implementation. © RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of submillisievert CT of the skeletal pelvis of human cadavers using a standard-dose protocol and four different reduced-dose ...

Background Patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) require close treatment in neuro intensive care units (NICUs). The treatments available to counteract secondary deterioration and delayed ischemic events remain restricted; moreover, available neuro-monitoring of comatose patients is undependable. In comatose patients, clinical signs are hidden, and timing interventions to prevent the evolution of a perfusion disorder in response to fixed ischemic brain damage remain a challenge for NICU teams. Consequently, comatose patients often suffer secondary brain infarctions. The outcomes for long-term intubated patients w/wo pupil dilatation are the worst, with only 10% surviving. We previously added two nitroxide (NO) donors to the standard treatment: continuous intravenous administration of Molsidomine in patients with mild-to-moderate aSAH and, if required as a supplement, intraventricular boluses of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in high-risk patients to overcome the so-called NO-sink effect, which leads to vasospasm and perfusion disorders. NO boluses were guided by clinical status and promptly reversed recurrent episodes of delayed ischemic neurological deficit. In this study, we tried to translate this concept, the initiation of intraventricular NO application on top of continuous Molsidomine infusion, from awake to comatose patients who lack neurological–clinical monitoring but are primarily monitored using frequently applied transcranial Doppler (TCD). Methods In this observational, retrospective, nonrandomized feasibility study, 18 consecutive aSAH comatose/intubated patients (Hunt and Hess IV/V with/without pupil dilatation) whose poor clinical status precluded clinical monitoring received standard neuro-intensive care, frequent TCD monitoring, continuous intravenous Molsidomine plus intraventricular SNP boluses after TCD-confirmed macrospasm during the daytime and on a fixed nighttime schedule. Results Very likely associated with the application of SNP, which is a matter of further investigation, vasospasm-related TCD findings promptly and reliably reversed or substantially weakened (p

PURPOSE: To assess the effects of cardiovascular-induced motion on conventional diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the pancreas, and to evaluate motion-robust DWI methods in a motion phantom and healthy volunteers. METHODS: 3T DWI was acquired using standard monopolar and motion-compensated gradient waveforms, including in an anatomically accurate pancreas phantom with controllable compressive motion and healthy volunteers (N=8, 10). In volunteers, highly-controlled single-slice DWI using breath-holding and cardiac gating, and whole-pancreas respiratory-triggered DWI were acquired. For each acquisition, the ADC variability across volunteers, as well as ADC differences across parts of the pancreas were evaluated. RESULTS: In motion phantom scans, conventional DWI led to biased ADC, while motion-compensated waveforms produced consistent ADC. In the breath-held, cardiac-triggered study, conventional DWI led to heterogeneous DW signals and highly variable ADC across the pancreas, whereas motion-compensated DWI avoided these artifacts. In the respiratory-triggered study, conventional DWI produced heterogeneous ADC across the pancreas (head: 1756±173×10(−6)mm(2)/s; body: 1530±338×10(−6)mm(2)/s; tail: 1388±267×10(−6)mm(2)/s), with ADCs in the head significantly higher than in the tail (p

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) reduces portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis. The exact cardiac consequences of subsequent increase of central blood volume are unknown. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is the method of choice for quantifying cardiac volumes and ventricular function. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of TIPS on the heart using CMR, laboratory, and imaging cardiac biomarkers. 34 consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis were evaluated for TIPS. Comprehensive CMR with native T1 mapping, transthoracic echocardiography, and laboratory biomarkers were assessed before and after TIPS insertion. Follow-up (FU) CMR was obtained in 16 patients (47%) 207 (170–245) days after TIPS. From baseline (BL) to FU, a significant increase of all indexed cardiac chamber volumes was observed (all P 2 (P =

Background Although CT, endoscopic US, and PET are critical in determining the appropriate management of esophageal carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma), previous reports show that staging accuracy remains low, particularly for nodal involvement sensitivity. Purpose To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the diagnostic performance of MRI for multiple staging thresholds in patients with biopsy-proven esophageal carcinoma (differentiation of stage T0 disease from stage T1 or higher disease, differentiation of stage T2 or lower disease from stage T3 or higher disease, and differentiation of stage N0 disease from stage N1 or higher disease [where T refers to tumor stage and N refers to nodal stage]). Materials and Methods Studies of the diagnostic performance of MRI in determining the stage of esophageal carcinoma in patients before esophagectomy and pathologic staging between 2000 and 2019 were searched in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library by a librarian and radiation oncologist. Pooled diagnostic performance of MRI was calculated with a bivariate random effects model. Bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (version 2) tool. Results Twenty studies with a total of 984 patients were included in the analysis. Pooled accuracy for stage T0 versus stage T1 or higher had a sensitivity of 92% (95% CI: 82, 96) and a specificity of 67% (95% CI: 51, 81). Pooled accuracy for stage T2 or lower versus stage T3 or higher had a sensitivity of 86% (95% CI: 76, 92) and a specificity of 86% (95% CI: 75, 93). Pooled accuracy for stage N0 versus stage N1 or higher had a sensitivity of 71% (95% CI: 60, 80) and a specificity of 72% (95% CI: 64, 79). The concern for applicability was low for the patient selection, index test, and reference test domains, except for 10% of studies (two of 20) that had unclear concern for patient selection applicability. Conclusion MRI has high sensitivity but low specificity for the detection of esophageal carcinoma, which shows promise for determining neoadjuvant therapy response and for detecting locally advanced disease for potential trimodality therapy. © RSNA, 2021

Importance The utility of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a screening tool for myocarditis in competitive student athletes returning to training after recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is unknown. Objective To describe the prevalence and severity of cardiac MRI findings of myocarditis in a population of competitive student athletes recovering from COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants In this case series, an electronic health record search was performed at our institution (University of Wisconsin) to identify all competitive athletes (a consecutive sample) recovering from COVID-19, who underwent gadolinium-enhanced cardiac MRI between January 1, 2020, and November 29, 2020. The MRI findings were reviewed by 2 radiologists experienced in cardiac imaging, using the updated Lake Louise criteria. Serum markers of myocardial injury and inflammation (troponin-I, B-type natriuretic peptide, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate), an electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiography, and relevant clinical data were obtained. Exposures COVID-19 infection, confirmed using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction testing. Main Outcomes and Measures Prevalence and severity of MRI findings consistent with myocarditis among young competitive athletes recovering from COVID-19. Results A total of 145 competitive student athletes (108 male and 37 female individuals; mean age, 20 years; range, 17-23 years) recovering from COVID-19 were included. Most patients had mild (71 [49.0%]) or moderate (40 [27.6%]) symptoms during the acute infection or were asymptomatic (24 [16.6%]). Symptoms were not specified or documented in 10 patients (6.9%). No patients required hospitalization. Cardiac MRIs were performed a median of 15 days (range, 11-194 days) after patients tested positive for COVID-19. Two patients had MRI findings consistent with myocarditis (1.4% [95% CI, 0.4%-4.9%]). Of these, 1 patient had marked nonischemic late gadolinium enhancement and T2-weighted signal abnormalities over multiple segments, along with an abnormal serum troponin-I level; the second patient had 1-cm nonischemic mild late gadolinium enhancement and mild T2-weighted signal abnormalities, with normal laboratory values. Conclusions and Relevance In this case series study, based on MRI findings, there was a low prevalence of myocarditis (1.4%) among student athletes recovering from COVID-19 with no or mild to moderate symptoms. Thus, the utility of cardiac MRI as a screening tool for myocarditis in this patient population is questionable.

Excessive intracellular accumulation of triglycerides in the liver, or hepatic steatosis, is a highly prevalent condition affecting approximately one billion people worldwide. In the absence of secondary cause, the term nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is used. Hepatic steatosis may progress into nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, the more aggressive form of NAFLD, associated with hepatic complications such as fibrosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatic steatosis is associated with metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and represents an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and malignancy. Percutaneous liver biopsy is the current reference standard for NAFLD assessment; however, it is an invasive procedure associated with complications and suffers from high sampling variability, impractical for clinical routine and drug efficiency studies. Therefore, noninvasive imaging methods are increasingly used for the diagnosis and monitoring of NAFLD. Among the methods quantifying liver fat, chemical shift encoded MRI (CSE-MRI) based proton density fat-fraction (PDFF) has shown to the most promise. MRI-PDFF is increasingly accepted as quantitative imaging biomarker of liver fat that is transforming daily clinical practice and influencing the development of new treatments for NAFLD. Furthermore, CT is an important imaging method for detection of incidental steatosis, and the practical advantages of quantitative ultrasound hold great promise for the future. Understanding the disease burden of NAFLD and the role of imaging may initiate important interventions aimed at avoiding the hepatic and extrahepatic complications of NAFLD. This article reviews clinical burden of NAFLD, and the role of non-invasive imaging techniques for quantification of liver fat.

Iron-induced cardiomyopathy with progressive heart failure is the leading cause of death in patients with systemic iron overload, and early detection is vital for chelator therapy ([1][1]). The transverse relaxation time T2∗ (=1/R2∗) nonlinearly reflects tissue iron concentration and allows pre

Objectives This study analyzed the presence of myocardial fibrosis detected by late gadolinium-enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in correlation with the performance of competitive triathletes objectified by an exercise test and individual competition history. Background Myocardial fibrosis detected by LGE CMR has been reported to occur in 0% to 50% of asymptomatic athletes. However, the cause and mechanisms of myocardial fibrosis are unclear. Methods Eighty-three asymptomatic triathletes undergoing >10 training h per week (43 ± 10 years of age; 65% male) and 36 sedentary controls were studied by using LGE and extracellular volume (ECV) CMR. Parameters of physical fitness were measured by spiroergometry. Triathletes reported their lifetime competition results. Results LGE CMR revealed focal nonischemic myocardial fibrosis in 9 of 54 (17%) male triathletes (LGE + ) but in none of the female triathletes (p + triathletes had higher peak exercise systolic blood pressure (213 ± 24 mm Hg) than LGE − triathletes (194 ± 26 mm Hg; p + triathletes (93 ± 7 g/m 2 ) than in LGE − triathletes (84 ± 11 g/m 2 ; p 0.05). ECV in LGE − myocardium was higher in LGE + triathletes (26.3 ± 1.8%) than in LGE − triathletes (24.4 ± 2.2%; p + triathletes completed longer cumulative distances in swimming and cycling races and participated more often in middle and Iron Man distances than LGE − triathletes. A cycling race distance of >1,880 km completed during competition had the highest accuracy to predict LGE, with an area under the curve value of 0.876 (p Conclusions Myocardial fibrosis in asymptomatic triathletes seems to be associated with exercise-induced hypertension and the race distances. There appears to be a safe upper limit, beyond which exercise may result in myocardial fibrosis.

Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of myocardial injury and cardiac dysfunction after an endurance race by biomarkers and cardiac magnetic resonance in triathletes with and without myocardial fibrosis. Methods and results Thirty asymptomatic male triathletes (45 ± 10 years) with over 10 training hours per week and 55 ± 8 ml/kg per minute maximal oxygen uptake during exercise testing were studied before (baseline) and 2.4 ± 1.1 hours post-race. Baseline cardiac magnetic resonance included cine, T1/T2, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and extracellular volume imaging. Post-race non-contrast cardiac magnetic resonance included cine and T1/T2 mapping. Non-ischaemic myocardial fibrosis was present in 10 triathletes (LGE+) whereas 20 had no fibrosis (LGE–). At baseline, LGE + triathletes had higher peak exercise systolic blood pressure with 222 ± 21 mmHg compared to LGE– triathletes (192 ± 30 mmHg, P 2) compared to LGE + triathletes (161 ± 34 ml/s/m2, P 2, P 2, P = 0.747). Conclusion Despite post-race troponin T release, we did not find detectable myocardial oedema by cardiac magnetic resonance. However, the unfavourable blood pressure response during exercise testing seemed to be associated with post-race cardiac dysfunction, which could explain the occurrence of myocardial fibrosis in triathletes.

To investigate the effects of renal denervation (RDN) on left ventricular (LV) mass, myocardial strain and diastolic function in patients with treatment-resistant arterial hypertension by cardiac magnet resonance imaging on a 12-month follow-up. Sixteen patients (38% female) were examined before and 12 months after RDN. LV morphology and strain were analyzed. Diastolic function was determined by early (EPFR) and atrial peak filling rates (APFR) derived from differential volume–time-curve analysis. Clinical visits included 24-h ambulant blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Twelve months after RDN LV mass decreased from 80 ± 21 g/m2 to 74 ± 20 g/m2 (P

Background Cardiac tumours are of rare incidence and usually occur in the form of secondary tumours. Most metastatic tumours are melanomas, sarcomas, lung, and haematological malignancies. Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) of the heart are extremely unusual. This case report demonstrates a solitary high-grade NEC of the heart with an individual therapy strategy and follow-up. Case summary A 50-year-old gentleman presented with a 2 days history of recurrent episodes of chest pain. Echocardiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed tumorous lesions of the ventricles and aortic valve with large circular pericardial effusion. Histopathology results of the biopsy revealed a poorly differentiated small cell tumour of the neuroendocrine type. Despite further investigations with multiple imaging modalities and laboratory, no primary was found. Chemotherapy was initiated but size progression of the tumour was detected. As no other tumorous lesions were detected and resection was not possible because of the tumour complexity, decision on heart transplantation was made. However, due to the necessary immunosuppression after the heart transplantation, multiple metastasis where discovered in the course of treatment. Discussion The presence of a NEC in the heart without evidence of any other metastasis or evidence of primary tumour in other organs is clinically unique. For this individual case, heart transplantation was the therapy of choice due to tumour progression under chemotherapy and lacking possibility of resection, as no other suspect lesion was found other than the ones found in the heart. However, the risk of exacerbation of undiscovered micrometastases under necessary immunosuppression following the heart transplantation should be considered.