CT fractional flow reserve: the next level in non-invasive cardiac imaging.

The haemodynamic effect of a coronary artery stenosis is a better predictor of prognosis than anatomical lumen obstruction. Until recently, no individual non-invasive test could provide both accurate coronary anatomy and lesion-specific myocardial ischaemia. However, computer tomography (CT) fractional flow reserve, which can be calculated from a standard CT coronary angiogram, was recently demonstrated to accurately detect and rule out the haemodynamic significance of individual coronary artery stenoses.

Multifactorial analysis of factors associated with the incidence and progression of erosive tooth wear.

To prevent erosive tooth wear, early diagnosis and identification of causative factors are essential. The aim of the present 3-year longitudinal study was to investigate the association between a broad collection of biological and behavioural factors and the incidence and progression of erosive tooth wear among adolescents. The study sample consisted of 656 attendees of a dental clinic with at baseline a mean age of 11.9 years (SD = 0.9). The criteria for the assessment of erosive wear were a modification of the erosion criteria developed by Lussi [Eur J Oral Sci 1996;104:191-198]. Information on biological and behavioural factors was gathered by clinical examinations (at baseline, after 1.5 and 3 years) and by self-reported questionnaires (completed semi-annually). Of the erosion-free children at baseline, 24.2% developed erosive wear. In children with erosion at baseline, 68.3% showed progression. Multivariate analyses showed significant associations between the incidence of erosive tooth wear and alcoholic mixed drinks (odds ratio, OR = 1.82), sour vegetables (OR = 1.16) and tooth grinding (OR = 4.03). The intake of yoghurt products was significantly negatively associated with the incidence of erosive wear (OR = 0.79). The interaction of acidic products and tooth grinding showed a significant extra risk (OR = 1.2). The intake of vitamins was positively associated with progression (OR = 2.03). Erosive wear was less likely to progress in subjects who consumed milk and yoghurt products (OR = 0.89 and 0.76, respectively). The present study showed that the aetiology of erosive tooth wear is complex. Possible aetiological factors include more than acidic drinks, and factors such as tooth grinding play a large role.

A longitudinal study of tooth erosion in adolescents.

Incidence studies on tooth erosion among adolescents are scarce. This longitudinal study aimed at estimating the prevalence, incidence, progression, and distribution of erosion in young adolescents over a 1.5-year period. Erosion at baseline was present in 32.2% of the 622 children (mean age, 11.9 +/- 0.9 yrs) and increased to 42.8% over 1.5 yrs. The prevalence of deep enamel or dentin erosion increased from 1.8% to 13.3%. It was hypothesized that more boys will suffer from erosion than girls. At baseline, no difference was found (p = 0.139), whereas 1.5 yrs later, more boys showed erosion than girls (p = 0.026). Of the erosion-free children, 24.2% developed erosion. Progression of erosion in terms of lesion depth and/or in number of lesions was 61.0% and was found more frequently in boys than in girls (p = 0.034). The distribution of erosion showed a predominance of occlusal surfaces of molars, especially the mesiobuccal cusp top, and palatal surfaces of upper anterior teeth.