Cardiac magnetic resonance-feature tracking technique can assess cardiac function and prognosis in patients with myocardial amyloidosis / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To quantitatively assess cardiac functions in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) using cardiac magnetic resonance-feature tracking (CMR-FT) technique and evaluate the prognostic value of CMR-FT in patients with CA.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively collected the data from 31 CA patients with systemic amyloidosis confirmed by Congo red staining and serum immunohistochemistry after extracardiac tissue biopsy undergoing CMR at our hospital from March, 2013 to June, 2021.Thirty-one age and gender matched patients with asymmetric left ventricular wall hypertrophy and 31 healthy individuals without organic or functional heart disease served as the controls.Radial, circumferential and longitudinal strains and strain rates of the left ventricle at the global level and in each myocardial segment (basal, middle and apical) were obtained with CMR-FT technique and compared among the 3 groups.The predictive value of myocardial strains and strain rates for all-cause mortality in CA patients was analyzed using a stepwise COX regression model.@*RESULTS@#The left ventricular volume, myocardial mass, ejection fraction and cardiac output differed significantly among the groups (P < 0.05).Except for apical longitudinal strain, the global and segmental strains were all significantly lower in CA group than in HCM group (P < 0.05).The global and segmental strains were all significantly lower in CA group than in the healthy individuals (P < 0.05).The basal strain rates in the 3 directions were significantly lower in CA group than in the healthy individuals (P < 0.05), but the difference in apical strain rates was not statistically significant between the two groups.Multivariate stepwise COX analysis showed that troponin T (HR=1.05, 95%CI: 1.01-1.10, P=0.017) and middle peak diastolic circumferential strain rate (HR=6.87, 95%CI: 1.52-31.06, P=0.012) were strong predictors of death in CA patients.@*CONCLUSION@#Strain and strain rate parameters derived from CMR-FT based on cine sequences are new noninvasive imaging markers for assessing cardiac impairment in CA and cardiac function changes in HCM, and provide independent predictive information for all-cause mortality in CA patients.

Associations of Infarct Size and Regional Myocardial Function Examined by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking Strain Analysis with the Infarct Location in Patients with Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objective To quantitatively evaluate the associations of infarct size, regional myocardial function examined by cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) strain analysis with infarct location in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention.Methods Cardiac magnetic resonance images were retrospectively analyzed in 95 consecutive STEMI patients with successful reperfusion. The patients were divided into the anterior wall myocardial infarction (AWMI) and nonanterior wall myocardial infarction (NAWMI) groups. Infarct characteristics were assessed by late gadolinium enhancement. Global and regional strains and associated strain rates in the radial, circumferential and longitudinal directions were assessed by CMR-FT based on standard cine images. The associations of infarct size, regional myocardial function examined by CMR-FT strain analysis with infarct location in STEMI patients were evaluated by the Spearman or Pearsonmethod. Results There were 44 patients in the AWMI group and 51 in the NAWMI group. The extent of left ventricular enhanced mass was significantly larger in patients with AWMI compared with the NAWMI group (24.47±11.89, 21.06±12.08 %LV; t=3.928, P = 0.008). In infarct zone analysis, strains in the radial, circumferential and longitudinal directions were remarkably declined in the AWMI group compared with the NAWMI group (z=-20.873, -20.918, -10.357, all P < 0.001). The volume (end-systolic volume index), total enhanced mass and extent of enhanced mass of the left ventricular were correlated best with infarct zone strain in the AWMI group (all P < 0.001). Conclusion In STEMI patients treated by percutaneous coronary intervention, myocardial damage is more extensive and regional myocardial function in the infarct zone is lower in the AWMI group compared with the NAWMI group.

Estratificação da Insuficiência Cardíaca Clínica através do Mapa T1 Nativo: Experiência de um Serviço de Referência / Clinical Heart Failure Stratification Through Native T1 Mapping: Experience of a Referral Service

Resumo Fundamento: Fibrose cardíaca difusa é fator importante na avaliação prognóstica dos pacientes com disfunção ventricular. Mapeamento T1 nativo pela ressonância magnética cardíaca (RMC) apresenta elevada sensibilidade e é considerado preditor independente de mortalidade por todas as causas e desenvolvimento de insuficiência cardíaca (IC) nos pacientes com cardiomiopatia. Objetivos: Avaliar aplicabilidade da avaliação com mapa T1 nativo em pacientes com IC em um hospital de referência de cardiologia e sua associação com parâmetros estruturais e perfil funcional. Métodos: Estudo transversal com pacientes adultos com IC classes funcionais NYHA I e II, isquêmicos e não isquêmicos, acompanhados em hospital de referência, que realizaram RMC. Os valores de T1 nativo foram analisados em relação a parâmetros estruturais, comorbidades, etiologia e categorização da IC pela fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE). Análises foram realizadas com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Analisados 134 pacientes. Valores de T1 nativo elevados foram encontrados em pacientes com maior dilatação (1004,9 vs 1042,7ms, p=0,001), volume (1021,3 vs 1050,3ms, p<0,01) e disfunção ventricular (1010,1 vs 1053,4ms, p<0,001), mesmo quando analisados isoladamente os não isquêmicos. Pacientes classificados com IC com fração de ejeção reduzida apresentaram maiores valores T1 em relação aos com IC e fração de ejeção preservada (ICFEP) (992,7 vs 1054,1ms, p<0,001). Dos com ICFEP, 55,2% apresentavam T1 elevado. Conclusões: Mapeamento T1 por RMC é factível para avaliação da IC clínica. Houve associação direta entre maior valor nativo de T1 e menor fração de ejeção, maiores diâmetros e volumes do VE, independentemente da etiologia da IC.

Abstract Background: Diffuse cardiac fibrosis is an important factor in the prognostic assessment of patients with ventricular dysfunction. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) native T1 mapping is highly sensitive and considered an independent predictor of all-cause mortality and heart failure (HF) development in patients with cardiomyopathy. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of native T1 mapping assessment in patients with HF in a cardiology referral hospital and its association with structural parameters and functional profile. Methods: Cross-sectional study with adult patients with HF NYHA functional classes I and II, ischemic and non-ischemic, followed in a referral hospital, who underwent CMR. Native T1 values were analyzed for structural parameters, comorbidities, etiology, and categorization of HF by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Analyses were performed with a significance level of 5%. Results: Enrollment of 134 patients. Elevated native T1 values were found in patients with greater dilation (1004.9 vs 1042.7ms, p = 0.001), ventricular volumes (1021.3 vs 1050.3ms, p <0.01) and ventricular dysfunction (1010.1 vs 1053.4ms, p <0.001), also present when the non-ischemic group was analyzed separately. Patients classified as HF with reduced ejection fraction had higher T1 values than those with HF and preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) (992.7 vs 1054.1ms, p <0.001). Of those with HFPEF, 55.2% had higher T1. Conclusions: CMR T1 mapping is feasible for clinical HF evaluation. There was a direct association between higher native T1 values and lower ejection fraction, and with larger LV diameters and volumes, regardless of the etiology of HF.

Podemos Acreditar no Ecocardiograma de Rotina para Avaliar o Ventrículo Direito e a Insuficiência Pulmonar? Um Estudo Comparativo com Ressonância Magnética Cardíaca / Can we Trust in Routine Echocardiography to Assess the Right Ventricle and Pulmonary Insufficiency? A Comparative Study with Cardiac Magnetic Resonance

Resumo Fundamento A ressonância magnética cardíaca (RMC) é o método de escolha para avaliar as dimensões e a função do ventrículo direito (VD), e a insuficiência pulmonar (IP). Objetivos Avaliar a acurácia da ecocardiografia bidimensional (ECO 2D) em estimar a função e as dimensões do VD e o grau de IP, e comparar os resultados obtidos pela ECO 2D com os da RMC. Métodos Comparamos os relatórios de ECO e RMC de pacientes cuja indicação para RMC havia sido para avaliar VD e IP. Um valor de p < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados Incluímos 51 pacientes com cardiopatia congênita com idade mediana de 9,3 anos (7-13,3 anos). Observou-se uma baixa concordância entre ECO 2D e RMC quanto à classificação da dimensão (Kappa 0,19; IC 95% 0,05 a 0,33, p 0,004) e da função do VD (Kappa 0,16; IC 95% -0,01 a +0,34; p 0,034). O tamanho do VD foi subestimado pela ECO 2D em 43% dos casos, e a função do VD foi superestimada pela ECO 2D em 29% dos casos. O grau de concordância entre os métodos quanto à classificação da IP não foi significativo (Kappa 0,014; IC 95% -0,03 a +0,06; p 0,27). Houve uma tendência de a ECO 2D superestimar o grau da IP. Conclusões A ECO 2D mostrou baixa concordância com a RMC quanto às dimensões e função do VD, e grau de IP. Em geral, a ECO subestimou as dimensões do VD e superestimou a função do VD e o grau de IP quando comparada à RMC.

Abstract Background Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the method of choice for assessing right ventricular (RV) dimensions and function, and pulmonary insufficiency (PI). Objectives To assess the accuracy of two-dimensional echocardiography (2D ECHO) in estimating RV function and dimensions, and the degree of PI, and compare the 2D ECHO and CMR findings. Methods We compared ECHO and CMR reports of patients whose indication for CMR had been to assess RV and PI. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results We included 51 congenital heart disease patients, with a median age of 9.3 years (7-13.3 years). There was poor agreement between 2D ECHO and CMR for classification of the RV dimension (Kappa 0.19; 95% CI 0.05 to 0.33, p 0.004) and function (Kappa 0.16; 95% CI -0.01 to +0.34; p 0.034). The RV was undersized by 2D ECHO in 43% of the cases, and RV function was overestimated by ECHO in 29% of the cases. The degree of agreement between the methods in the classification of PI was not significant (Kappa 0.014; 95% CI -0.03 to +0.06, p 0.27). 2D ECHO tended to overestimate the degree of PI. Conclusions The 2D ECHO showed a low agreement with CMR regarding the RV dimensions and function, and degree of PI. In general, ECHO underestimated the dimensions of the RV and overestimated the function of the RV and the degree of PI as compared with CMR.

Tumor de glándula lacrimal: a propósito de un caso / Lacrimal gland tumor: a case proposal

INTRODUCCIÓN: El carcinoma adenoide quístico (CAQ) es conocido por su lento crecimiento, su tendencia a la recurrencia local y al desarrollo de metástasis a distancia incluso décadas después del diagnóstico inicial, y a pesar de terapias agresivas. OBJETIVO: Presentar el caso de una paciente con CAQ de la glándula lagrimal, tumor muy infrecuente que representa casi el 10% de las lesiones orbitarias ocupantes de espacio. De éstas el 20-30% son de origen epitelial, de las cuales el 55% son lesiones benignas y el 45% malignas. El CAQ es el más común de los tumores epiteliales malignos de la glándula lagrimal (65%). CASO CLÍNICO: Presentamos el caso clínico de una paciente con CAQ de glándula lacrimal diagnosticado de forma incidental tras la realización de TAC desde la consulta de psiquiatría. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES: El síntoma de presentación más frecuente suele ser la proptosis, acompañada o no de dolor, aunque también puede presentarse como ptosis mecánica, reducción de visión y diplopía. La cirugía radical no ha demostrado mejorar la supervivencia o reducir la recurrencia local en comparación con un abordaje quirúrgico, más conservador en pacientes con tumores de menor tamaño y sin afectación ósea. Las mayores tasas de supervivencia se han conseguido, en pacientes tratados con quimioterapia, con quimioterapia citorreductiva intra-arterial seguida de exenteración orbital y radioterapia.

INTRODUCTION:The adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is known for its slow growth, a tendency to local recurrence and the development of distant metastases even decades after the initial diagnosis, and despite aggressive therapies. AIM:We present the case of a patient with a lacrimal gland tumor. They are very rare tumors that represent almost 10% of space-occupying orbital lesions, of which 20-30% are of epithelial origin, of these, 55% are benign and 45% are malignant. The ACC is the most common malignant epithelial tumor (65%). CASE REPORT :We present the clinical case of a patient with ACC of the lacrimal gland incidentally diagnosed after performing a CT scan from the psychiatric office. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:The most frequent presentation symptom is usually proptosis, accompanied or not accompanied by pain, although it can also occur as mechanical ptosis, vision reduction, and diplopia. Radical surgery has not been shown to improve survival or reduce local recurrence compared to a more conservative surgical approach in patients with smaller tumors and without bone involvement. The highest survival rates have been achieved, in patients treated with chemotherapy, with intra-arterial cytoreductors (IACC) followed by orbital exenteration and radiotherapy.

Uso Atual de Ressonância Magnética Cardíaca Pediátrica no Brasil / Current Use of Pediatric Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Brazil

Resumo Fundamento Dados sobre o uso de ressonância magnética cardíaca (RMC) em crianças no Brasil são escassos. Objetivos Buscamos oferecer informações sobre as práticas atuais de RMC pediátricas no Brasil. Métodos Um questionário foi enviado a médicos solicitantes de RMC de todo o país, cobrindo informações sobre si próprios, sobre seus serviços de RMC, contexto clínico dos pacientes e sobre os obstáculos para a realização de RMC em crianças. Para a análise estatística, um p < 0,05 bilateral foi considerado significativo. Resultados A pesquisa obteve 142 respostas. Foi relatado que a RMC está disponível para 79% dos respondentes, dos quais 52% raramente ou nunca a utilizam. As indicações mais comuns são cardiomiopatias (84%), pós-operatório de correção de tetralogia de Fallot (81%) e malformações do arco aórtico (53%). A complexidade do exame se correlacionou à relação RMC/cirurgia (Rho = 0,48, IC 95% = 0,32-0,62, p < 0,0001) e ao número de exames de RMC (Rho = 0,52, IC 95% = 0,38-0,64, p < 0,0001). A complexidade da RMC esteve associada à sua realização por cardiologistas pediátricos (RC 2,04, IC 95% 1,2-3,89, p < 0,01). Os principais obstáculos ao uso mais frequente de RMC foram o alto custo (65%), a necessidade de sedação (60%) e o número insuficiente de profissionais qualificados (55%). Conclusão A RMC pediátrica não é usada frequentemente no Brasil. A presença de um cardiologista pediátrico a frente dos exames esteve associado ao uso de RMC em pacientes mais complexos. O treinamento de especialistas em RMC pediátrica e a educação dos médicos solicitantes são passos importantes na direção de um uso mais abrangente de RMC no Brasil. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(2):305-312)

Abstract Background Data on the use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) on children in Brazil is lacking. Objectives This study sought to provide information on current pediatric CMR practices in Brazil. Methods A questionnaire was sent out to referring physicians around the country. It covered information on the respondents, their CMR practices, the clinical context of the patients, and barriers to CMR use among children. For statistical analysis, two-sided p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results The survey received 142 replies. CMR was reported to be available to 79% of the respondents, of whom, 52% rarely or never use CMR. The most common indications were found to be cardiomyopathies (84%), status of post-tetralogy of Fallot repair (81%), and aortic arch malformations (53%). Exam complexity correlated with CMR-to-surgery ratio (Rho = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.32-0.62, p < 0.0001) and with the number of CMR exams (Rho = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.38-0.64, p < 0.0001). Further, a high CMR complexity score was associated with pediatric cardiologists conducting the exams (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.2-3.89, p < 0.01). The main barriers to a more frequent use of CMR were its high cost (65%), the need for sedation (60%), and an insufficient number of qualified professionals (55%). Conclusion Pediatric CMR is not used frequently in Brazil. The presence of a pediatric cardiologist who can perform CMR exams is associated with CMR use on more complex patients. Training pediatric CMR specialists and educating referring providers are important steps toward a broader use of CMR in Brazil. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(2):305-312)

Longitudinal Shortening of the Left Ventricle by Cine-CMR for Assessment of Diastolic Function in Patients with Aortic Valve Disease / Encurtamento Longitudinal do Ventrículo Esquerdo por Cine-RMC para Avaliação da Função Diastólica em Pacientes com Doença Valvar Aórtica

Abstract Background: Diastolic dysfunction, commonly evaluated by echocardiography, is an important early finding in many cardiomyopathies. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) often requires specialized sequences that extends the test time. Recently, feature-tracking imaging has been made available, but still requires expensive software and lacks clinical validation. Objective: To assess diastolic function in patients with aortic valve disease (AVD) and compare it with normal controls by evaluating left ventricular (LV) longitudinal displacement by CMR. Methods: We compared 26 AVD patients with 19 normal controls. Diastolic function was evaluated as LV longitudinal displacement in 4-chamber view cine-CMR images using steady state free precession (SSFP) sequence during the entire cardiac cycle with temporal resolution < 50 ms. The resulting plot of atrioventricular junction (AVJ) position versus time generated variables of AVJ motion. Significance level of p < 0.05 was used. Results: Maximum longitudinal displacement (0.12 vs. 0.17 cm), maximum velocity during early diastole (MVED, 0.6 vs. 1.4s-1), slope of the best-fit line of displacement in diastasis (VDS, 0.22 vs. 0.03s-1), and VDS/MVED ratio (0.35 vs. 0.02) were significantly reduced in AVD patients compared with controls, respectively. Aortic regurgitation showed significantly worse longitudinal LV shortening compared with aortic stenosis. Higher LV mass indicated worse diastolic dysfunction. Conclusions: A simple linear measurement detected significant differences on LV diastolic function between AVD patients and controls. LV mass was the only independent predictor of diastolic dysfunction in these patients. This method can help in the evaluation of diastolic dysfunction, improving cardiomyopathy detection by CMR, without prolonging exam time or depending on expensive software.

Resumo Fundamentos: A disfunção diastólica, comumente avaliada por ecocardiografia, é um importante achado precoce na maioria das cardiomiopatias. A ressonância magnética cardíaca (RMC) frequentemente requer sequências específicas que prolongam o tempo de exame. Recentemente, métodos de imagens com monitoramento de dados (feature-tracking) foram desenvolvidos, mas ainda requerem softwares caros e carecem de validação clínica. Objetivos: Avaliar a função diastólica em pacientes com doença valvar aórtica (DVA) e compará-la a controles normais pela medida do deslocamento longitudinal do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) por RMC. Métodos: Nós comparamos 26 pacientes com DVA com 19 controles normais. A função diastólica foi avaliada como uma medida do deslocamento longitudinal do VE nas imagens de cine-RMC no plano quatro câmaras usando a sequência steady state free precession (SSFP) durante todo o ciclo cardíaco com resolução temporal < 50 ms. O gráfico resultante da posição da junção atrioventricular versus tempo gerou variáveis de movimento da junção atrioventricular. Utilizamos nível de significância de p < 0,005. Resultados: Deslocamento longitudinal máximo (0,12 vs. 0,17 cm), velocidade máxima em início de diástole (0,6 vs. 1,4s-1), velocidade máxima na diástase (0,22 vs. 0,03s-1) e a razão entre a velocidade máxima na diástase e a velocidade máxima em diástole inicial (0,35 vs. 0,02) foram significativamente menores nos pacientes com DVA em comparação aos controles normais, respectivamente. Pacientes com insuficiência aórtica apresentaram medidas de encurtamento longitudinal do VE significativamente piores em comparação aqueles com estenose aórtica. O aumento da massa ventricular esquerda indicou pior disfunção diastólica. Conclusões: Esta simples medida linear detectou diferenças significativas na função diastólica do VE entre pacientes com DVA e controles normais. A massa ventricular esquerda foi o único preditor independente de disfunção diastólica nesses pacientes. Este método pode auxiliar na avaliação da disfunção diastólica, melhorando a detecção de cardiomiopatias por RMC sem prolongar o tempo de exame ou depender de caros softwares.

Late gadolinium enhancement distribution pattern of left ventricular wall in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy: a preliminary study / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the distribution pattern of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in left ventricular free wall of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Methods: A total of 130 consecutive DCM patients who were hospitalized in our hospital, underwent both CMR and CTA examinations and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria including negative results of coronary angiography or coronary CTA, were retrospective included in this study. The LGE pattern, extent and distribution in left ventricular free wall were analyzed. Results: Left ventricular free wall LGE was detected in 56 out of 130 DCM patients. LGE was observed in both septal and free wall in 53 out of 56 patients with LGE (94.6%). Prevalence of NYHA classification Ⅲ/Ⅳ, intraventricular block, paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia, and secondary mitral insufficiency was significantly higher, while left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly lower, left ventricular end-diastolic/systolic volume, left ventricular end-diastolic/systolic volume index and left ventricular end-diastolic diameters values were larger in patients with LGE than without LGE (all P<0.05). In terms LGE pattern among these 56 patients, percent of involved myocardial segments in patients with subepicardial LGE (n=19) was significantly higher than patients with intermural LGE (n=30), patients with transmural LGE (n=21), and patients with subendocardial LGE (n=9)(60.8%(127/209) vs. 32.4%(107/330), 32.5%(75/231), 26.3%(26/99), respectively, all P < 0.01). Transmural LGE was most likely to involve the left ventricular inferior lateral basal (18/21) and mid (13/21) segment, followed by anterior lateral basal (15/21) and mid (11/21) segments and inferior mid segment (9/21). Subepicardial LGE was more likely to occur in the inferior lateral basal (13/19) and mid (16/19) segment, anterior lateral basal (13/19) and mid (15/19) segment, anterior lateral basal (13/19) and mid (15/19) segment, lateral apical (13/19), anterior and inferior mid segment (12/19 and 10/19), and apical segment (15/19 and 10/19). Intermural LGE mostly involved the anterior and inferior basal (19/30, 16/30) and mid (18/30 and 14/30) segment. There were 33 cases of single LGE pattern and 23 cases of multiple LGE pattern. Percent of involved myocardial segments was significantly higher in multiple LGE group than single LGE group (60.9% (154/253) vs. 49.9%(181/363), P = 0.007). Of 130 patients, 23 received heart transplantation, of which 6 patients had septal LGE alone and 17 patients had septal and free wall LGE. The rate of heart transplantation in the latter group was higher (32.1% (17/53)vs. 13.6%(6/44), P=0.034). Conclusions: There are several LGE distribution patterns in left ventricular wall among DCM patients.

Patrón de flujo en "4D Flow" y su vínculo con la aortopatía bicúspide / 4D Flow pattern and its role in bicuspid aortic valve aortopathy

ABSTRACT: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease is generally associated with thoracic aortic dilatation (TAD). Related factors include; genetical, morphological (valvular phenotype) and most recently, hemodynamic profiles associated with flow pattern and wall shear stress. Cardiac magnetic resonance 4D Flow (4DF) can give an integral evaluation of these later flow variables. Remarkable, different spectrums of flow and vortex direction exist in BAV that are related to the site of TAD (proximal or distal). Therefore, we present a 57 years old patient with BAV (Sievers 0) with anteroposterior leaflets distribution in which 4DF depicted an anteriorly and righthand oriented jet that correlated with the zone of grater AD; also, vortex rotation was counterclockwise, corresponding to the most frequent vortex type in BAV. In conclusion, 4DF is a powerful and ground-breaking tool that enhances our knowledge of BAV related aortopathy.

Minoca, infarto con coronarias normales ¿La caída del paradigma? / MINOCA, infarction with normal coronaries. The fall of the paradigm ?

El infarto agudo de miocardio es la principal causa de muerte en el mundo, siendo la obstrucción coronaria aterosclerótica el hallazgo más frecuente. Sin embargo, el 6% de los pacientes no presenta lesiones angiográficamente significativas, definidas por obstrucción de la luz vascular mayor al 50%. Estos casos se han definido bajo el término MINOCA (myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries). Suelen ocurrir en mujeres jóvenes, con factores de riesgo cardiovascular, elevación de biomarcadores cardíacos e infradesnivel del segmento ST en el electrocardiograma. Las principales etiologías son la miocarditis, el síndrome de Takotsubo y el infarto subendocárdico. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 65 años con antecedentes de hipertensión arterial y bloqueo completo de rama izquierda previo, que ingresó con ángor, imagen de bloqueo completo de rama izquierda en el electrocardiograma con criterios de Sgarbossa negativos y biomarcadores cardíacos positivos. En el ecocardiograma evidenció trastorno en la motilidad de la pared inferolateral y en la coronariografía solo una lesión no significativa (40%) en segmento proximal de la arteria circunfleja. La cardiorresonancia, en la secuencia de realce tardío de gadolinio, mostró retención de contraste subendocárdico a nivel de los segmentos inferolateral medial con extensión lateroapical compatible con infarto correspondiente a territorio de arteria circunfleja. Este caso ilustra un ejemplo de MINOCA secundario a infarto subendocárdico con trombólisis espontánea, en el que la presentación clínica fue típica, sin embargo en la coronariografía no se observaron lesiones significativas, por lo que fue necesario complementar con otro método de imágenes: la cardiorresonancia.

Myocardial infarction is the leading cause of death in the world, being the coronary atherosclerotic obstruction the main finding. Although 6% of all the patients had no significant coronary arteries disease on coronary angiography, defined by lumen vascular obstruction greater than 50%. This type of cases was defined by the term MINOCA (myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries). They are usually young women, with cardiovascular risk factors, high cardiac biomarkers with non-ST elevation in the electrocardiogram. The main etiologies are myocarditis, Takotsubo syndrome and subendocardial myocardial infarction. We present the case of a 65 years-old woman with history of hypertension and complete left bundle branch block, who was admitted to the emergency department with typical chest pain, complete left bundle branch block in the electrocardiogram, with negative Sgarbossa criteria and positive cardiac biomarkers. The echocardiography evidenced inferolateral regional wall motion abnormalities, and the coronary angiography a single non-significative lesion (40%) in the proximal segment of the circumflex artery. Cardiac magnetic resonance evidenced subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement in inferolateral medial with latero-apical extension segments consistent with circumflex artery-related infarction. This case illustrates an example of MINOCA secondary to myocardial infarction with posterior spontaneous thrombolysis, in which the clinical presentation was typical, however the coronary angiography showed non obstructive lesions. Therefore, another complementary imaging methods were needed such as the cardiac magnetic resonance.

Retrospective Electrocardiography-Gated Real-Time Cardiac Cine MRI at 3T: Comparison with Conventional Segmented Cine MRI

OBJECTIVE: Segmented cardiac cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for cardiac ventricular volumetric assessment. In patients with difficulty in breath-holding or arrhythmia, this technique may generate images with inadequate quality for diagnosis. Real-time cardiac cine MRI has been developed to address this limitation. We aimed to assess the performance of retrospective electrocardiography-gated real-time cine MRI at 3T for left ventricular (LV) volume and mass measurement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients were consecutively enrolled. A series of short-axis cine images covering the entire left ventricle using both segmented and real-time balanced steady-state free precession cardiac cine MRI were obtained. End-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), and LV mass were measured. The agreement and correlation of the parameters were assessed. Additionally, image quality was evaluated using European CMR Registry (Euro-CMR) score and structure visibility rating. RESULTS: In patients without difficulty in breath-holding or arrhythmia, no significant difference was found in Euro-CMR score between the two techniques (0.3 ± 0.7 vs. 0.3 ± 0.5, p > 0.05). Good agreements and correlations were found between the techniques for measuring EDV, ESV, EF, SV, and LV mass. In patients with difficulty in breath-holding or arrhythmia, segmented cine MRI had a significant higher Euro-CMR score (2.3 ± 1.2 vs. 0.4 ± 0.5, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Real-time cine MRI at 3T allowed the assessment of LV volume with high accuracy and showed a significantly better image quality compared to that of segmented cine MRI in patients with difficulty in breath-holding and arrhythmia.

Biases in the Assessment of Left Ventricular Function by Compressed Sensing Cardiovascular Cine MRI

PURPOSE: We investigate biases in the assessments of left ventricular function (LVF), by compressed sensing (CS)-cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cardiovascular cine images with short axis view, were obtained for 8 volunteers without CS. LVFs were assessed with subsampled data, with compression factors (CF) of 2, 3, 4, and 8. A semi-automatic segmentation program was used, for the assessment. The assessments by 3 CS methods (ITSC, FOCUSS, and view sharing (VS)), were compared to those without CS. Bland-Altman analysis and paired t-test were used, for comparison. In addition, real-time CS-cine imaging was also performed, with CF of 2, 3, 4, and 8 for the same volunteers. Assessments of LVF were similarly made, for CS data. A fixed compensation technique is suggested, to reduce the bias. RESULTS: The assessment of LVF by CS-cine, includes bias and random noise. Bias appeared much larger than random noise. Median of end-diastolic volume (EDV) with CS-cine (ITSC or FOCUSS) appeared −1.4% to −7.1% smaller, compared to that of standard cine, depending on CF from (2 to 8). End-systolic volume (ESV) appeared +1.6% to +14.3% larger, stroke volume (SV), −2.4% to −16.4% smaller, and ejection fraction (EF), −1.1% to −9.2% smaller, with P < 0.05. Bias was reduced from −5.6% to −1.8% for EF, by compensation applied to real-time CS-cine (CF = 8). CONCLUSION: Loss of temporal resolution by adopting missing data from nearby cardiac frames, causes an underestimation for EDV, and an overestimation for ESV, resulting in underestimations for SV and EF. The bias is not random. Thus it should be removed or reduced for better diagnosis. A fixed compensation is suggested, to reduce bias in the assessment of LVF.

Comparison between Three-Dimensional Navigator-Gated Whole-Heart MRI and Two-Dimensional Cine MRI in Quantifying Ventricular Volumes

OBJECTIVE: To test whether the method utilizing three-dimensional (3D) whole-heart MRI has an additional benefit over that utilizing conventional two-dimensional (2D) cine MRI in quantifying ventricular volumes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 110 patients with congenital heart disease, a navigator-gated, 3D whole-heart MRI during end-systole (ES) and end-diastole (ED), 2D short-axis cine MRI, and phase contrast MRI of the great arteries were acquired. Ventricular volumes were measured by using a 3D threshold-based segmentation for 3D whole-heart MRI and by using a simplified contouring for 2D cine MRI. The cardiac trigger delays of 3D whole-heart MRI were compared with those of a 2D cine MRI. The stroke volumes calculated from the ventricular volumes were compared with the arterial flow volumes, measured by phase contrast MRI. RESULTS: The ES and ED trigger delays of whole-heart MRI were significantly less than cine MRI for both the left ventricle (−16.8 ± 35.9 ms for ES, −59.0 ± 90.4 ms for ED; p < 0.001) and the right ventricle (−58.8 ± 30.6 ms for ES, −104.9 ± 92.7 ms for ED; p < 0.001). Compared with the arterial flow volumes, 2D cine MRI significantly overestimated the left ventricular stroke volumes (8.7 ± 8.9 mL, p < 0.001) and the 3D whole-heart MRI significantly underestimated the right ventricular stroke volumes (−22.7 ± 22.9 mL, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional whole-heart MRI is often subject to early timing of the ED phase, potentially leading to the underestimation of the right ventricular stroke volumes.

Quantitative Evaluation of the First Order Creatine-Kinase Reaction Rate Constant in in vivo Shunted Ovine Heart Treated with Oxandrolone Using Magnetization Transfer 31P Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MT-31P-MRS) and 1H/31P Double-Tuned Surface Coil: a Preliminary Study

PURPOSE: Children born with single ventricle physiology demonstrate poor growth rate and suffer from malnutrition, which lead to increased morbidity and mortality in this population. We assume that an anabolic steroid, oxandrolone, will promote growth in these infants by improving myocardial energy utilization. The purpose of this paper is to study the efficacy of oxandrolone on myocardial energy consumption in these infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We modeled single ventricle physiology in a lamb by prenatally shunting the aorta to the pulmonary artery and then postnatally, we monitored cardiac energy utilization by quantitatively measuring the first order reaction rate constant, kf of the creatine-kinase reaction in the heart using magnetization transfer 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy, home built 1H/31P transmit/receive double tuned coil, and transmit/receive switch. We also performed cine MRI to study the structure and dynamic function of the myocardium and the left ventricular chamber. The spectroscopy data were processed using home-developed python software, while cine data were analyzed using Argus software. RESULTS: We quantitatively measured both the first order reaction rate constant and ejection fraction in the control, shunted, and the oxandrolone-treated lambs. Both kf and ejection fraction were found to be more significantly reduced in the shunted lambs compared to the control lambs, and they are increased in oxandrolone-treated lambs. CONCLUSION: Some improvement was observed in both the first order reaction rate constant and ejection fraction for the lamb treated with oxandrolone in our preliminary study.

Aplicación clínica de la técnica 4D Flow en la evaluación hemodinámica de cardiopatías congénitas / Clinical Applications of 4D Flow in the Hemodynamic Evaluation of Congenital Heart Diseases

La técnica 4D Flow hace referencia a las imágenes de resonancia magnética (RM) adquiridas mediante una secuencia retrospectiva de angiografía contraste de fase, en la cual se obtienen datos de la velocidad de la sangre en las tres direcciones, en un espacio de 3 dimensiones (3D) y a través de todo el ciclo cardiaco. Con las imágenes obtenidas mediante 4D Flow se puede evaluar de forma cuantitativa la dinámica regional y global del flujo sanguíneo con medidas hemodinámicas, tales como: velocidad promedio, máxima y mínima, flujo latido promedio, flujo de avance y regurgitante, volumen de eyección, y aproximaciones matemáticas a los gradientes de presión y fuerzas de cizallamiento en las paredes de los vasos; además, permite analizar cualitativamente la evolución temporal de los complejos patrones de flujo sanguíneo por medio de líneas de flujo, trazadores de partículas, gráficas de velocidad 3D y vectores; representaciones que describen la trayectoria de la sangre, a través del tiempo, en el sistema cardiovascular. Estas características permiten que la técnica tenga muchas aplicaciones potenciales en la práctica clínica, ya que brindan al especialista información valiosa sobre la función y el estado del sistema cardiovascular del paciente. A continuación se evalúa mediante 4D Flow, en algunas patologías congénitas: estenosis valvular pulmonar, conducto arterioso persistente y estenosis aórtica.

4D Flow technique refers to MR images acquired through a phase contrast angiography retrospective sequence, in which blood velocity data are obtained in three directions, in a 3-dimensional space, and through all of the cardiac cycle. With the 4D flow images, the regional and global dynamics of blood flow can be quantitatively analyzed through hemodynamic measurements, such as: average, maximum and minimum velocity, average flow, forward and regurgitation flow, ejection volume, and mathematical approximations to pressure gradients and shear forces in vessel walls; It also allows analyze qualitatively the temporal evolution of complex blood flow patterns through flow lines, particle tracers, 3D velocity graphs and vectors; representations that describe the trajectory of the blood, over time, in the cardiovascular system. These characteristics make the technique have many potential applications in clinical practice, as it provides information on the function and status of the patient's cardiovascular system. In this study we evaluated with the 4D flow technique some congenital pathologies: pulmonary stenosis, patent ductus arteriosus, and aortic stenosis.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging for clinical evaluation of uterine contractility / Ressonância magnética funcional para avaliação clínica da contratilidade uterina

ABSTRACT Uterine contractility out of the gestational phase, during the menstrual cycle and the habitual functional variations of the organ, this is one of the responsible mechanisms for reproduction and fertility, due to its direct action in the mechanisms conducting the spermatozoa to the ovule and in the decidual implantation. Pathologies such as uterine leiomyoma, endometriosis, adenomyosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, as well as the use of intrauterine devices and oral contraceptives, may alter a functionality of uterine contractility. Thus, magnetic resonance imaging with ultrafast sequences provides a dynamic evaluation (cine-MRI) and thus the correlation of uterine contractility quality in patients with current infertility or pathologies.

RESUMO A contratilidade uterina fora da fase gestacional, durante o ciclo menstrual e as habituais variações funcionais do órgão, é um dos mecanismos responsáveis pela reprodução e fertilidade, devido sua ação direta nos mecanismos de condução dos espermatozoides até o óvulo e na implantação decidual. Patologias como leiomioma uterino, endometriose, adenomiose, síndrome dos ovários policísticos, bem como o uso de dispositivos intrauterinos e anticoncepcionais orais, podem alterar a funcionalidade da contratilidade uterina. Desta forma a ressonância magnética com sequências ultra-rápidas proporcionam uma avaliação dinâmica (cine-RM) e assim a correlação da qualidade da contratilidade uterina em pacientes com infertilidade ou patologias vigentes.

Avaliação da previsibilidade da sutura de menisco através da ressonância magnética / Predictability of meniscal suture by magnetic resonance imaging

The prediction of meniscus reparability is quite useful for surgeons to optimize surgical planning. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict the suture of meniscal lesions. This was an unicentric retrospective study that included 104 patients who underwent knee joint ligament reconstruction and / or arthroscopy for the treatment of meniscal injury at knee joint level. The MRI images of the meniscus were evaluated and later the arthroscopic findings were used as the gold standard. After the operative procedure, the cases were allocated into two groups according to the necessity of meniscus suture: Sutured Group "MSu" (n = 58) and Non sutured Group "MNSu" (n = 150). Considering the lesion detection capacity in the medial meniscus, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MR were 85.3%, 63.9% and 77.9%, respectively. The positive predictive value (PPV) was 81.7% and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 69.7%. The agreement between MRI and arthroscopy was moderate. For the lateral meniscus, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI were 80.6%, 89.0% and 86.5%, respectively, with PPV of 75.7% and NPV of 91.5% and a substantial agreement. Regarding suture predictability, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were respectively 60.3%, 66.7% and 64.9% with PPV of 41.2% and NPV of 81.3%, with weak agreement. According to the arthroscopy, the 58 meniscal lesions of the MSu group were more frequent in the posterior horn, had the longitudinal pattern and were located in the red-red vascular zone. In our study, MRI was not a good predictor of meniscal suture, although it is an useful tool for the diagnosis of medial and lateral meniscal lesions

Analysis of speech and tongue motion in normal and post-glossectomy speaker using cine MRI

ABSTRACT Objective Since the tongue is the oral structure responsible for mastication, pronunciation, and swallowing functions, patients who undergo glossectomy can be affected in various aspects of these functions. The vowel /i/ uses the tongue shape, whereas /u/ uses tongue and lip shapes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the morphological changes of the tongue and the adaptation of pronunciation using cine MRI for speech of patients who undergo glossectomy. Material and Methods Twenty-three controls (11 males and 12 females) and 13 patients (eight males and five females) volunteered to participate in the experiment. The patients underwent glossectomy surgery for T1 or T2 lateral lingual tumors. The speech tasks “a souk” and “a geese” were spoken by all subjects providing data for the vowels /u/ and /i/. Cine MRI and speech acoustics were recorded and measured to compare the changes in the tongue with vowel acoustics after surgery. 2D measurements were made of the interlip distance, tongue-palate distance, tongue position (anterior-posterior and superior-inferior), tongue height on the left and right sides, and pharynx size. Vowel formants Fl, F2, and F3 were measured. Results The patients had significantly lower F2/Fl ratios (F=5.911, p=0.018), and lower F3/F1 ratios that approached significance. This was seen primarily in the /u/ data. Patients had flatter tongue shapes than controls with a greater effect seen in /u/ than /i/. Conclusion The patients showed complex adaptation motion in order to preserve the acoustic integrity of the vowels, and the tongue modified cavity size relationships to maintain the value of the formant frequencies.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: an Update / Ressonância Magnética e Tomografia Computadorizada Cardíaca na Cardiomiopatia Hipertrófica: Atualidades

Abstract Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic cardiovascular disease and represents the main cause of sudden death in young patients. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and cardiac computed tomography (CCT) are noninvasive imaging methods with high sensitivity and specificity, useful for the establishment of diagnosis and prognosis of HCM, and for the screening of patients with subclinical phenotypes. The improvement of image analysis by CMR and CCT offers the potential to promote interventions aiming at stopping the natural course of the disease. This study aims to describe the role of RCM and CCT in the diagnosis and prognosis of HCM, and how these methods can be used in the management of these patients.

Resumo A cardiomiopatia hipertrófica (CMH) é a doença genética cardiovascular mais comum e representa a principal causa de morte súbita em pacientes jovens. A Ressonância Magnética Cardíaca (RMC) e a Tomografia Computadorizada Cardíaca (TCC) são métodos de imagem não invasivos de alta sensibilidade e especificidade, úteis no diagnóstico e no estabelecimento do prognóstico de CMH, e no rastreamento de indivíduos com fenótipos subclínicos. O aperfeiçoamento da análise da RMC e TCC tem grande potencial para promover intervenções com o objetivo de impedir o curso natural da doença. O presente estudo tem por objetivo descrever o papel da RMC e TCC no diagnóstico e prognóstico da CMH, e como essas ferramentas podem auxiliar no manejo clínico de pacientes portadores dessa doença.

Reproducibility of Gadolinium Enhancement Patterns and Wall Thickness in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy / Reprodutibilidade de Padrões de Realce pelo Gadolínio e Espessura Parietal em Cardiomiopatia Hipertrófica

Abstract Background: Reproducibility data of the extent and patterns of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is limited. Objective: To explore the reproducibility of regional wall thickness (WT), LGE extent, and LGE patterns in patients with HCM assessed with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Methods: The extent of LGE was assessed by the number of segments with LGE, and by the total LV mass with LGE (% LGE); and the pattern of LGE-CMR was defined for each segment. Results: A total of 42 patients (672 segments) with HCM constituted the study population. The mean WT measurements showed a mean difference between observers of -0.62 ± 1.0 mm (6.1%), with limits of agreement of 1.36 mm; -2.60 mm and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.95 (95% CI 0.93-0.96). Maximum WT measurements showed a mean difference between observers of -0.19 ± 0.8 mm (0.9%), with limits of agreement of 1.32 mm; -1.70 mm, and an ICC of 0.95 (95% CI 0.91-0.98). The % LGE showed a mean difference between observers of -1.17 ± 1.2 % (21%), with limits of agreement of 1.16%; -3.49%, and an ICC of 0.94 (95% CI 0.88-0.97). The mean difference between observers regarding the number of segments with LGE was -0.40 ± 0.45 segments (11%), with limits of agreement of 0.50 segments; -1.31 segments, and an ICC of 0.97 (95% CI 0.94-0.99). Conclusions: The number of segments with LGE might be more reproducible than the percent of the LV mass with LGE.

Resumo Fundamento: Os dados de reprodutibilidade da extensão e dos padrões de realce tardio pelo gadolínio (RTG) em cardiomiopatia hipertrófica (CMH) são limitados. Objetivo: Explorar a reprodutibilidade da espessura parietal (EP) da região, extensão do RTG e padrões de RTG em pacientes com CMH avaliados com ressonância magnética cardíaca (RMC). Métodos: A extensão do RTG foi avaliada pelo número de segmentos com RTG e pela massa total do VE com RTG (%RTG) e foi definido o padrão RMC com RTG para cada segmento. Resultados: A população do estudo foi composta por um total de 42 pacientes (672 segmentos) com CMH. As medições médias de EP mostraram uma diferença média entre observadores de -0,62 ± 1,0 mm (6,1%), com limites de concordância de 1,36 mm, -2,60 mm e um coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (CCI) de 0,95 (95% IC 0,93-0,96). Medições máximas de EP mostraram uma diferença média entre observadores de -0,19 ± 0,8 mm (0,9%), com limites de concordância de 1,32 mm, -1,70 mm e CCI de 0,95 (95% IC 0,91-0,98). O % RTG mostrou uma diferença média entre observadores de -1,17 ± 1,2% (21%), com limites de concordância de 1,16%, -3,49% e CCI de 0,94 (95% IC 0,88-0,97). A diferença média entre observadores com relação ao número de segmentos com RTG foi de -0,40 ± 0,45 segmentos (11%) com limites de concordância de 0,50 segmentos, -1,31 segmentos e CCI de 0,97 (95% IC 0,94-0,99). Conclusões: O número de segmentos com RTG pode ser mais reprodutível do que o percentual da massa do VE com RTG.