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Cancer chemotherapy potentially increases the risk of myocardial ischemia. This study assessed myocardial microvascular function by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) first-pass perfusion in patients treated with chemotherapy for gynecologic malignancies.A total of 81 patients treated with chemotherapy for gynecologic malignancies and 39 healthy volunteers were prospectively enrolled and underwent CMR imaging. Among the patients, 32 completed CMR follow-up, with a median interval of 6 months. The CMR sequences comprised cardiac cine, rest first-pass perfusion, and late gadolinium enhancement.There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between the patients and normal controls (all p0.05). Compared with the normal controls, the patients had a lower myocardial perfusion index (PI) (13.62 ± 2.01% vs. 12% (11 to 14%), p = 0.001) but demonstrated no significant variation with an increase in the number of chemotherapy cycles at follow-up (11.79 ± 2.36% vs. 11.19 ± 2.19%, p = 0.234). In multivariate analysis with adjustments for clinical confounders, a decrease in the PI was independently associated with chemotherapy treatment (β = - 0.362, p = 0.002) but had no correlation with the number of chemotherapy cycles (r = - 0.177, p = 0.053).Myocardial microvascular dysfunction was associated with chemotherapy treatment in patients with gynecologic malignancies, and can be assessed and monitored by rest CMR first-pass perfusion.• Chemotherapy was associated with but did not aggravate myocardial microvascular dysfunction in patients with gynecologic malignancies. • Rest CMR first-pass perfusion is an ideal modality for assessing and monitoring alterations in myocardial microcirculation during chemotherapy treatment.

Myocardial fibrosis predisposes the development of main adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in various cardiac disorders. Native T1 derived from cardiac magnetic resonance allows the quantitative assessment of myocardial fibrosis without the use of contrast media. However, the prognostic value of native T1 in risk stratification remains uncertain. We searched MEDLINE

BACKGROUND The pathophysiological changes in the remote myocardium after acute myocardial infarction (MI) remains less understood. PURPOSE To assess the inflammation in the remote myocardium post-MI and its association with left ventricular (LV) remodeling using T2 mapping. STUDY TYPE Prospective. ANIMAL MODEL AND SUBJECTS Twelve pigs at 3-day post-MI, 6 pigs at 3-month post-MI, 6 healthy pigs; 54 patients at 3-day and 3-month post-MI, 31 healthy volunteers; FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: A 3 T MRI/ steady-state free-precession sequence for T2 mapping (animals: 0, 30, and 55 msec; human: 0, 25, and 55 msec), phase-sensitive inversion recovery gradient echo for late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), balanced steady free-precession sequence for cine. ASSESSMENT Infarcted myocardium was defined on LGE, remote T2 was measured on T2 maps. LV remodeling was evaluated as LV end-diastolic volume change index between two scans using cine. CD68 staining was conducted to detect monocyte/macrophage. STATISTICAL TESTS Student-t test and one-way ANOVA were used to compare remote T2 with normal controls. The association of remote T2 with LV remodeling was assessed using linear regression. P values of

To explore the relationships between oxygenation signal intensity (SI) with myocardial inflammation and regional left ventricular (LV) remodeling in reperfused acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) using oxygenation-sensitive cardiovascular magnetic resonance (OS-CMR). Thirty-three STEMI patients and 22 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers underwent CMR. The protocol included cine function, OS imaging, precontrast T1 mapping, T2 mapping, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging. A total of 880 LV segments were included for analysis based on the American Heart Association 16-segment model. For validation, 15 pigs (10 myocardial infarction (MI) model animals and 5 controls) received CMR and were sacrificed for immunohistochemical analysis. In the patient study, the acute oxygenation SI showed a stepwise rise among remote, salvaged, and infarcted segments compared with healthy myocardium. At convalescence, all oxygenation SI values besides those in infarcted segments with microvascular obstruction decreased to similar levels. Acute oxygenation SI was associated with early myocardial injury (T1: r = 0.38; T2: r = 0.41; all p < 0.05). Segments with higher acute oxygenation SI values exhibited thinner diastolic walls and decreased wall thickening during follow-up. Multivariable regression modeling indicated that acute oxygenation SI (β = 2.66; p < 0.05) independently predicted convalescent segment adverse remodeling (LV wall thinning). In the animal study, alterations in oxygenation SI were correlated with histological inflammatory infiltrates (r = 0.59; p < 0.001). Myocardial oxygenation by OS-CMR could be used as a quantitative imaging biomarker to assess myocardial inflammation and predict convalescent segment adverse remodeling after STEMI. • Oxygenation signal intensity (SI) may be an imaging biomarker of inflammatory infiltration that could be used to assess the response to anti-inflammatory therapies in the future. • Oxygenation SI early after myocardial infarction (MI) was associated with left ventricular segment injury at acute phase and could predict regional functional recovery and adverse remodeling late after acute MI. • Oxygenation SI demonstrated a stepwise increase among remote, salvaged, and infarcted segments. Infarcted zones with microvascular obstruction demonstrated a higher oxygenation SI than those without. However, the former showed less pronounced changes over time.

Obesity is highly prevalent in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and believed to influence its phenotype.To explore the effects of obesity on left ventricular (LV) remodeling and long-term clinical course in Chinese patients with HCM.Longitudinal.A total of 247 patients with HCM classified according to body mass index (BMI) (normal weight: BMI = 18.0-22.9 kg/m3.0 T/Balanced steady-state free precession sequence and phase-sensitive inversion recovery late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) sequence.LV function and geometry were measured. LV peak strain analysis was performed. The presence and percentage of LGE in the LV were recorded. The endpoints including heart failure, sudden cardiac death, and overall composite outcome were assessed during a median follow-up of 4.1 years (interquartile range, 3.0-6.2 years).One-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, or chi-square test; Pearson correlation coefficient (r); multivariable linear regression analysis; Kaplan-Meier survival analysis; and Cox proportional hazards model analysis were conducted. A two-tailed P-value0.05 was considered statistically significant.Obese patients exhibited a significant progressive increase in LV mass compared with normal-weight patients. The magnitude of all LV strain indices gradually and significantly decreased as BMI increased, whereas LV ejection fraction was not significantly different among BMI groups (P = 0.364). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that obesity had a significant association with impaired strain indices as well as with indexed LV mass. Multivariable Cox model analysis retained obesity as an independent marker for future endpoints, and conveyed a3-fold increase in risk compared with patients with normal weight (hazard ratio, 3.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-6.57).Obesity is an important environmental modifier that is associated with adverse LV remodeling and is independently associated with future clinical outcomes in Chinese patients with HCM.3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

To assess the longitudinal changes of microvascular function in different myocardial regions after myocardial infarction (MI) using myocardial blood flow derived by dynamic CT perfusion (CTP-MBF), and compare CTP-MBF with the results of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and histopathology. The CTP scanning was performed in a MI porcine model 1 day (n = 15), 7 days (n = 10), and 3 months (n = 5) following induction surgery. CTP-MBF was measured in the infarcted myocardium, penumbra, and remote myocardium, respectively. CMR perfusion and histopathology were performed for validation. From baseline to follow-up scans, CTP-MBF presented a stepwise increase in the infarcted myocardium (68.51 ± 11.04 vs. 86.73 ± 13.32 vs. 109.53 ± 26.64 ml/100 ml/min, p = 0.001) and the penumbra (104.92 ± 29.29 vs. 120.32 ± 24.74 vs. 183.01 ± 57.98 ml/100 ml/min, p = 0.008), but not in the remote myocardium (150.05 ± 35.70 vs. 166.66 ± 38.17 vs. 195.36 ± 49.64 ml/100 ml/min, p = 0.120). The CTP-MBF correlated with max slope (r = 0.584, p < 0.001), max signal intensity (r = 0.357, p < 0.001), and time to max (r = − 0.378, p < 0.001) by CMR perfusion. Moreover, CTP-MBF defined the infarcted myocardium on triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining (AUC: 0.810, p < 0.001) and correlated with microvascular density on CD31 staining (r = 0.561, p = 0.002). CTP-MBF could quantify the longitudinal changes of microvascular function in different regions of the post-MI myocardium, which demonstrates good agreement with contemporary CMR and histopathological findings. • The CT perfusion–based myocardial blood flow (CTP-MBF) could quantify the microvascular impairment in different myocardial regions after myocardial infarction (MI) and track its recovery over time. • The assessment of CTP-MBF is in good agreement with contemporary cardiac MRI and histopathological findings, which potentially facilitates a rapid approach for pathophysiological insights following MI.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a comorbidity of myocardial infarction (MI), which may promote the incidence of adverse cardiovascular clinical events. However, it is not yet completely understood how MR in MI patients is associated with impaired myocardial deformation.To determine the damaging myocardium effects of MR in MI patients in terms of the global peak strain (PS) and left ventricular (LV) function, and evaluate the independent risk factors impacting LV deformation after MI.Retrospective.One hundred eighty-six MI patients (17.7% female) and 84 normal control subjects (27.4% female).3.0T; late gadolinium enhancement sequence, balanced steady-state free precession.LV function and LV global PS (global radial peak strain [GRPS]; global circumferential peak strain [GCPS]; and global longitudinal peak strain [GLPS]) were compared among normal controls, MI without MR (MR-) and MI with MR (MR+, mild, moderate, severe) patients.One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and multiple linear regressions were used. A P value0.05 indicated statistically significant difference (two-tailed).The MI (MR+) patients showed significantly lower LV global PS than both MI (MR-) and control groups in three directions (GRPS 16.66 ± 7.43%; GCPS -11.27 ± 4.27%; GLPS -7.75 ± 3.44%), and significantly higher LV end-systolic (128.85 [87.91, 188.01] mL) and end-diastolic volumes (210.29 [164.07, 264.00] mL) and significantly lower LV ejection fraction (38.23 ± 13.02%). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that MR was independently associated with LV GCPS (β = -0.268) and GLPS (β = -0.320). LV infarct size was an independent indicator of LV GRPS (β = -0.215) and GCPS (β = -0.222). LV end-diastolic volume was an independent indicator of LV GRPS (β = -0.518), GCPS (β = -0.503), and GLPS (β = -0.331).MR may further exacerbate the reduction of LV global peak strains and function. The MR, infarct size, and LV end-diastolic volume can be used as independent association indicators for LV global PS in MI (MR+) patients.4 Technical Efficacy Stage: 2 TOC Category: Chest.

ObjectiveThis meta-analysis assessed the associations of myocardial fibrosis detected by late gadolinium-enhanced (LGE)-MRI with the risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in patients with diabetes.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis reported in accordance with the guidelines of the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology statement.Data sourcesWe searched the Medline, Embase and Cochrane by Ovid databases for studies published up to 27 August 2021.Eligibility criteriaProspective or respective cohort studies were included if they reported the HR and 95% CIs for MACCEs/MACEs in patients with either type 1 or 2 diabetes and LGE-MRI-detected myocardial fibrosis compared with patients without LGE-MRI-detected myocardial fibrosis and if the articles were published in the English language.Data extraction and synthesisTwo review authors independently extracted data and assessed the quality of the included studies. Pooled HRs and 95% CIs were analysed using a random effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using forest plots and I2 statistics.ResultsEight studies with 1121 patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes were included in this meta-analysis, and the follow-up ranged from 17 to 70 months. The presence of myocardial fibrosis detected by LGE-MRI was associated with an increased risk for MACCEs (HR: 2.58; 95% CI 1.42 to 4.71; p=0.002) and MACEs (HR: 5.28; 95% CI 3.20 to 8.70; pConclusionsThis study demonstrated that ischaemic myocardial fibrosis detected by LGE-MRI was associated with an increased risk of MACCEs/MACEs in patients with diabetes and may be an imaging biomarker for risk stratification. Whether LGE-MRI provides incremental prognostic information with respect to MACCEs/MACEs over risk stratification by conventional cardiovascular risk factors requires further study.

Background Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a heterogeneous syndrome with sex-specific pathophysiology. Estrogen deficiency is believed to be responsible for the development of HFpEF in women. However, estrogen deficiency does not seem to be completely responsible for the differences in HFpEF prevalence between sexes. While diabetes mellitus (DM) frequently coexists with HFpEF in women and is associated with worse outcomes, the changes in myocardial contractility among women with HFpEF and the DM phenotype is yet unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate sex-related differences in left ventricular (LV) contractility dysfunction in HFpEF comorbid with DM. Methods A total of 224 patients who underwent cardiac cine MRI were included in this study. Sex-specific differences in LV structure and function in the context of DM were determined. LV systolic strains (global longitudinal strain [GLS], circumferential strain [GCS] and radial strain [GRS]) were measured using cine MRI. The determinants of impaired myocardial strain for women and men were assessed. Results The prevalence of DM did not differ between sexes (p > 0.05). Despite a similar LV ejection fraction, women with DM demonstrated a greater LV mass index than women without DM (p = 0.023). The prevalence of LV geometry patterns by sex did not differ in the non-DM subgroup, but there was a trend toward a more abnormal LV geometry in women with DM (p = 0.072). The magnitudes of systolic strains were similar between sexes in the non-DM group (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, in the DM subgroup, there was significant impairment in women in systolic strains compared with men (p Conclusions Women with DM demonstrated greater LV contractile dysfunction, which indicates that women with HFpEF comorbid with DM have a high-risk phenotype of cardiac failure that may require more aggressive and personalized medical treatment.

The safety profiles when performing stress oxygenation-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (OS-MRI) have raised concerns in clinical practice. Adenosine infusion can cause side effects such as chest pain, dyspnea, arrhythmia, and even cardiac death. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of breathing maneuvers-induced OS-MRI in acute myocardial infarction (MI). This was a prospective study, which included 14 healthy rabbits and nine MI rabbit models. This study used 3 T MRI/modified Look-Locker inversion recovery sequence for native T1 mapping, balanced steady-state free precession sequence for OS imaging, and phase-sensitive inversion recovery sequence for late gadolinium enhancement. The changes in myocardial oxygenation (ΔSI) were assessed under two breathing maneuvers protocols in healthy rabbits: a series of extended breath-holding (BH), and a combined maneuver of hyperventilation followed by the extended BH (HVBH). Subsequently, OS-MRI with HVBH in acute MI rabbits was performed, and the ΔSI was compared with that of adenosine stress protocol. Student's t-test, Wilcoxon rank test, and Friedman test were used to compare ΔSI in different subgroups. Pearson and Spearman correlation was used to obtain the association of ΔSI between breathing maneuvers and adenosine stress. Bland-Altman analysis was used to assess the bias of ΔSI between HVBH and adenosine stress. In healthy rabbits, BH maneuvers from 30 to 50 s induced significant increase in SI compared with the baseline (all p < 0.05). By contrast, hyperventilation for 60 s followed by 10 s-BH (HVBH 10 s) exhibited a comparable ΔSI to that of stress test (p = 0.07). In acute MI rabbits, HVBH 10 s-induced ΔSIs among infarcted, salvaged, and the remote myocardial area were no less effectiveness than adenosine stress when performing OS-MRI (r = 0.84; p < 0.05). Combined breathing maneuvers with OS-MRI have the potential to be used as a nonpharmacological alternative for assessing myocardial oxygenation in patients with acute MI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2.

Background Cardiac magnet resonance (CMR) T1 mapping allows the quantitative characterization of the severity of tissue injury and predict functional recovery in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Purpose The study aimed to investigate whether native T1 and ECV of infarct myocardium are influenced by microvascular obstruction (MVO) and have predictive value for adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling post-infarction. Method A cohort of 54 patients with successfully reperfused STEMI underwent CMR imaging at a 3T scanner in AMI and 3 months post-infarction. Native T1 data was acquired using a modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) sequence, and ECV maps were calculated using blood sampled hematocrit. Manual regions-of-interest were drawn within the infarct myocardium to measure native T1 and ECV (native T1infarct and ECVinfarct, respectively). MVO identified as a low-intensity area within the infarct zone on LGE was eliminated. Results MVO was present in 36 patients (66.67%) in AMI. ECVinfarct in patients with MVO was different from those without (58.66±8.71% vs. 49.64±8.82%, P=0.001), while no significant difference in T1infarct was observed between patients with and without MVO (1474.7±63.5ms vs. 1495.4±98.0ms, P=0.352). ECV correlated well with the change in end-diastolic volume (all patients: r=0.564, P Conclusion Absolute native T1 in infarct myocardium might be affected by MVO but ECV isn't. ECV could predict LV remodeling in MI patients with and without MVO, while native T1 predict it in MI with MVO absent. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): 1·3·5 project for disciplines of excellence, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

This study aimed to explore the feasibility and accuracy of single-shot compressed-sensing (CS) cardiac magnetic resonance cine technology for the assessment of biventricular function and morphology in free-breathing (FB) pediatrics, especially those with arrhythmia.Seventy consecutive pediatric participants (6.27 ± 3.8 years, range:0.5-14 years) were enrolled between August 2019 and July 2020. Single-shot CS and conventional balanced steady-state free-precession (bSSFP) cine were obtained. The total scanning time, image quality and biventricular function parameters were compared for both sequences.Single-shot CS cine had shorter acquisition time compared with the conventional bSSFP cine (all P0.001). The single-shot CS cine also had fewer artifacts than conventional bSSFP cine (breath-hold (BH): 4.6 ± 0.6 vs. 4.3 ± 0.6; FB without ongoing arrhythmia: 4.5 ± 0.6 vs. 3.6 ± 0.9; FB with ongoing arrhythmia: 4.7 ± 0.5 vs. 2.6 ± 1.1; all P0.05). No statistical difference of left ventricular parameters and right ventricular end-systolic volume/ejection fraction were found between the single-shot CS and conventional bSSFP cine in both BH and FB without ongoing arrhythmia group. There was an excellent correlation (RThe single-shot CS cine can significantly reduce the image acquisition time, offering reliable quantification of biventricular function in free breathing condition for arrhythmic patients.

Purpose Acutely infarcted native T1 (native T1AI) and extracellular volume (ECVAI) could quantify myocardial injury after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Therefore, we sought to further explore their association with left ventricular (LV) remodeling during follow-up. Methods 56 ST-segment-elevation MI patients were prospectively recruited and completed acute and 3-month cardiac magnetic resonance scans. T1 mapping, late gadolinium enhancement and cine imaging were performed to measure native T1AI, ECVAI, infarct size and LV global function, respectively. LV remodeling was evaluated as the change in LV end-diastolic volume index (△EDV) at follow-up scan compared with baseline. Results In acute scan, 37 patients (66.07 %) had microvascular obstruction (MVO). The native T1AI did not significantly differ between patients with or without MVO (1482.0 ± 80.6 ms vs. 1469.0 ± 71.6 ms, P = 0.541). However, ECVAI in patients without MVO was lower than that in patients with MVO (49.60 ± 8.57 % vs. 58.53 ± 8.62 %, P = 0.001). The native T1AI only correlated with △EDV in patients without MVO (rmvo- = 0.495, P = 0.031); while ECVAI was associated with △EDV in all patients (rmvo- = 0.665, P = 0.002; rmvo+ = 0.506, P = 0.001; rall patients = 0.570, P Conclusion As a promising parameter for early risk stratification after AMI, ECVAI is associated with LV remodeling during follow-up; while native T1AI may be feasible when MVO is absent.

AIM To assess the prognostic role of unrecognised myocardial infarction (UMI) detected at late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-CMRII). MATERIALS AND METHODS Electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, and Cochrane were searched systematically for studies exploring the predictive value of UMI detected by LGE-CMRI for major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) and all-cause mortality in patients without apparent symptoms. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) along with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained from a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the different participants and outcomes. RESULTS Eight studies (2,009 participants) were identified comprising 442 patients with UMI detected at LGE-CMRI and 1,567 without UMI. The presence of UMI on LGE was associated with a significantly increased risk for MACEs (HRs: 3.44, 95% CI: 2.06 to 5.75; p

Cancer therapeutics–related cardiac dysfunction was defined as a decrease in the left ventricular ejection fraction of >10 percentage points, to a value

To explore the accuracy of main pulmonary artery (MPA) and ascending aorta (AAO) image evaluation in pediatric patients with single ventricle (SV) by comparing dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) with echocardiography. Thirty-one children with SV were retrospectively enrolled. The stenosis, dilation, and location of MPA and AAO were independently evaluated by DSCT and echocardiography. The accompanying arterial malformations were also assessed by DSCT. For 17 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization, the DSCT-based diameters of MPA and AAO were correlated with their pressures as measured by catheterization. Referring to the surgical and catheterization findings, DSCT had better diagnostic performance in detecting the stenosis, dilation, and location of MPA and AAO with higher sensitivity than echocardiography (sensitivity, MPA: 88.0% vs. 80.0%, AAO: 100% vs. 66.7%, great arteries location: 95.7% vs. 95.2%). The correlations between diameters of MPA and AAO with their pressures were 0.399 (p = 0.04) and 0.611 (p = 0.01), respectively. In addition, DSCT detected 23 cases with patent ductus arteriosus, 26 systemic-to-pulmonary collaterals, 9 branch pulmonary distortions, and 4 coronary artery anomalies. DSCT is reliable for assessing the anatomic features of pulmonary artery and aorta in SV children, and provides comprehensive information for surgical strategy-making.

A 41-year-old man, without a history of smoking and cardiac disease, presented with a sudden onset of left-sided atypical chest pain. Findings on the physical examination and ECG were unremarkable. Echocardiography and stress single-photon emission computed tomography showed no signs of myocardial i

Both acute and chronic myocardial infarction (AMI and CMI, respectively) exhibit delayed enhancement; however, clinical decision-making processes frequently require the differentiation of these two types of myocardial injury.To investigate the reliability of AMI and CMI characterization using native TCase-control.The study cohort comprised 12 AMI (mean post-MI, 3.75 ± 1.29 days) and 15 CMI (mean post-MI, 39.53 ± 6.10 days) Bama mini-pigs.Balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP), segmented-turbo-FLASH-PSIR, and modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) sequences at 3.0T.The infarct sizes were compared on matching short-axis slices of late-gadolinium-enhanced (LGE) images and TThe infarct sizes were compared on matching short-axis slices of LGE images and TMeasured infarct sizes did not differ between native TNoncontrast native T1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1406-1414.

Objective To determine whether T1 mapping could monitor the dynamic changes of injury in myocardial infarction (MI) and be histologically validated. Materials and Methods In 22 pigs, MI was induced by ligating the left anterior descending artery and they underwent serial cardiovascular magnetic resonance examinations with modified Look-Locker inversion T1 mapping and extracellular volume (ECV) computation in acute (within 24 hours, n = 22), subacute (7 days, n = 13), and chronic (3 months, n = 7) phases of MI. Masson's trichrome staining was performed for histological ECV calculation. Myocardial native T1 and ECV were obtained by region of interest measurement in infarcted, peri-infarct, and remote myocardium. Results Native T1 and ECV in peri-infarct myocardium differed from remote myocardium in acute (1181 ± 62 ms vs. 1113 ± 64 ms, p = 0.002; 24 ± 4% vs. 19 ± 4%, p = 0.031) and subacute phases (1264 ± 41 ms vs. 1171 ± 56 ms, p < 0.001; 27 ± 4% vs. 22 ± 2%, p = 0.009) but not in chronic phase (1157 ± 57 ms vs. 1120 ± 54 ms, p = 0.934; 23 ± 2% vs. 20 ± 1%, p = 0.109). From acute to chronic MI, infarcted native T1 peaked in subacute phase (1275 ± 63 ms vs. 1637 ± 123 ms vs. 1471 ± 98 ms, p < 0.001), while ECV progressively increased with time (35 ± 7% vs. 46 ± 6% vs. 52 ± 4%, p < 0.001). Native T1 correlated well with histological findings (R2 = 0.65 to 0.89, all p < 0.001) so did ECV (R2 = 0.73 to 0.94, all p < 0.001). Conclusion T1 mapping allows the quantitative assessment of injury in MI and the noninvasive monitoring of tissue injury evolution, which correlates well with histological findings.

HUWE1 is a HECT domain containing ubiquitin ligase implicated in neurogenesis, spermatogenesis and cancer development. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the role of HUWE1 in early embryo development. Here we demonstrate that Huwe1 is expressed in both nucleus and cytoplasm of preimplantation mouse embryos as well as gametes. Hypoxia (5% O2) treatment could significantly increase Huwe1 expression during mouse embryo development process. HUWE1 knockdown inhibited normal embryonic development and reduced blastocyst formation, and increased apoptotic cell numbers were observed in the embryos of HUWE1 knockdown group. Human embryo staining result showed that reduced HUWE1 staining was observed in the poor-quality embryos. Furthermore, Western blot result showed that significantly reduced expression of HUWE1 was observed in the villi of miscarriage embryos compared with the normal control, indicating that reduced expression of HUWE1 is related to poor embryo development. Oxidative reagent, H2O2 inhibited HUWE1 expression in human sperm, indicating that HUWE1 expression in sperm is regulated by oxidative stress. In conclusion, these results suggest that HUWE1 protein could contribute to preimplantation embryo development and dysregulated expression of HUWE1 could be related to poor embryo development and miscarriage in IVF clinic.

Common atrium (CA) is a rare complex congenital heart disease. The studies of CA are mostly case reports, while few have been done regarding its morphological characteristics. We aimed to determine CA characteristics and diagnostic accuracy in assessing associated malformations in these patients with low-dose dual-source computed tomography (DSCT). Twenty-one pediatric and adolescent CA patients underwent low-dose DSCT. Different ventricular types and associated malformations were assessed. The diagnostic accuracy of DSCT and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in evaluating associated malformations were assessed. The effective doses of DSCT were calculated. Patients (n = 21) were divided into CA with biventricular physiology (n = 7) and CA with single ventricle (SV) (n = 14). There were 3 types of SV morphology: single left ventricle (n = 5), single right ventricle (n = 6), and undifferentiated ventricle (n = 3). In all, 22 associated malformations were seen in CA and 56 in CA with SV. DSCT was superior to TTE for detecting intracardiac anomalies (sensitivity: DSCT, 92.31% vs TTE, 76.92%), great vessels anomalies (sensitivity: DSCT, 100.00% vs TTE, 77.50%), and of collateral vessels (sensitivity: DSCT, 100% vs TTE, 20.00%). The estimated mean effective dose was 0.95 ± 0.44 mSv (

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is recognized as being a life-threatening event. Both microvascular obstruction (MVO) and intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH) have been recognized as poor prognostic factors in myocardial infarct (MI) since they adversely affect left ventricular remodeling. MVO refers to small vessels changes that prevent adequate tissue perfusion despite revascularization whereas IMH is a severe form of MVO. A limited number of studies have demonstrated the segmental intervention time and the clinical factors in the presence of MVO and IMH. Therefore, we aimed in this study to determine the correlations of the intervention-associated and clinical indexes with malignant cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) signs in patients with AMI. Sixty-three patients with STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) within 12 hours were included in this study. A 3.0-T CMR scan was prescribed, and the subsequent image analysis was conducted by researchers blinded to the clinical index results. Late-gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and T2∗ sequences were mainly used for MVO and IMH identification and quantification. Patients exhibiting both MVO and IMH had the highest level of LGE (P