A tertiary centre experience of thoracic CT and cardiac MRI scanning in the presence of a reveal LINQ insertable cardiac monitoring system: a case series review of artefact, patient safety and data preservation.

OBJECTIVE: At our tertiary cardiothoracic centre, cardiac MRI and thoracic CT scans are performed in patients with implanted LINQ devices. The degree of foreign body artefact associated with the LINQ device, and its clinical importance, has not previously been assessed. A case series review was therefore performed with a simultaneous review of patient safety and data loss events, secondary to the MRI environment. METHODS: A local database search identified LINQ device patients who underwent thoracic CT or cardiac MRI scans between March 2014 and December 2016. Images were reviewed by two radiologists, recording the presence of subcutaneous and intrathoracic artefact, and its clinical significance. Furthermore a specialist in cardiac rhythm management reviewed all LINQ data downloads undertaken before and after MRI scanning, and a search of the trust incident reporting system was performed. RESULTS: Minor subcutaneous artefact was present on all scans. Intrathoracic artefact was observed in 25.6% of thoracic CT scans and 33.3% of cardiac MRIs; however no clinically significant artefact was observed. Device downloads were only performed by 53.8% of patients prior to their MRI scan and 56.5% after their MRI scan. No adverse patient safety or data loss events were noted. CONCLUSION: The LINQ device does not produce clinically significant artefact, even when artefact extends into the intrathoracic space, which occurs in a third of MRIs and a quarter of CTs. MRI scanning of the LINQ device is safe with no evidence of inappropriate data loss. Advances in knowledge: This is the first published case series of CT and MRI scanning in LINQ patients and the first performed quantification of artefact related to the LINQ device.

Keeping up appearances: the radiographic evolution of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices.

In recent years, there has been a significant evolution in the field of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Pacemakers can now be leadless, implantable cardioverter defibrillators can be entirely subcutaneous and implantable loop recorders have become miniaturized. Driven by technological advances and an ageing population implant numbers have also steadily increased. These highly prevalent systems are all radio-opaque and are frequently observed on chest radiographs, yet the devices are neither well recognized nor understood. We present a pictorial review of CIEDs; describing the chest radiograph appearances of both newer generation systems and their traditional predecessors. Furthermore, we discuss the clinical role of chest radiography in both CIED implantation and follow up, with the aim of improving understanding in this important and expanding field. Finally, we present a collection of interesting and challenging radiographs, where multiple CIED systems have been implanted.

A prospective national survey of coronary CT angiography radiation doses in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Little real-world radiation dose data exist for the majority of cardiovascular CT. Some data have been published for coronary CT angiography (coronary CTA) specifically, but they invariably arise from high-volume centres with access to the most recent technology. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to document real-world radiation doses for coronary CTA in the United Kingdom, and to establish their relationship to clinical protocol selection, acquisition heart rate, and scanner technology. METHODS: A dose survey questionnaire was distributed to members of the British Society of Cardiovascular Imaging and other UK cardiac CT units. All participating centres collected data for consecutive coronary CTA cases over one month. The survey captured information about the exam conducted, patient demographics, pre-scan details such as beta-blocker administration, acquisition heart rate and scan technique, and post-scan dose indicators - series volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol), series dose-length product (DLP), and exam DLP. RESULTS: Fifty centres provided data on a total of 1341 coronary CTA exams. Twenty-nine centres (58%) performed at least 20 coronary CTA scans in the collection period. The median BMI, acquisition heart rate and exam DLP were 28 kg/m2, 60 bpm and 209 mGycm respectively. The corresponding effective dose was estimated as 5.9 mSv using a conversion factor of 0.028 mSv/mGycm. There was no statistically significant difference in radiation dose between low and high-volume centres. Median exam DLP increased with the acquisition heart rate due to the selection of wider temporal windows. The highest exam DLPs were obtained on the older scanner technology. CONCLUSION: This study provides baseline data for benchmarking practice, optimizing radiation dose and improving service quality locally.

The relationship between left ventricular scar and ventricular repolarization in patients with coronary artery disease: insights from late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging.

AIMS: The markers of ventricular repolarization corrected QT interval (QTc), QT dispersion (QTD) and Tpeak-to-Tend interval (Tpeak-end) have shown an association with sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the general population. However, their mechanistic relationship with SCD is unclear. The study aim was to evaluate the relationship between QTc, QTD, and Tpeak-end, and the extent and distribution of left ventricular (LV) scar in patients with coronary artery disease at high SCD risk. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included 64 consecutive implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) recipients (66 ± 11 years, 80% male, median left ventricular ejection fraction 30%) who had undergone late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging prior to device implantation over 4 years. Scar was quantified using the CMR images and characterized in terms of percent LV scar and number of LV segments with subendocardial/transmural scar. Repolarization parameters were measured on an electrocardiogram performed prior to ICD implantation. After adjustment for potential confounders there was a strong association between the number of limited subendocardial (1-25% transmurality) scar segments and QTc (P = 0.003), QTD (P = 0.002), and Tpeak-end (P = 0.008). However, there was no association between the repolarization parameters and percent LV scar or the amount of transmural scar. During a mean follow-up of 19 ± 10 months 19 (30%) patients received appropriate ICD therapy, but none of the repolarization parameters were associated with its occurrence. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study there was a strong association between limited subendocardial LV scar and prolonged QTc, QTD, and Tpeak-end. However, there was no association between any of these repolarization markers and the delivery of appropriate ICD therapy.

Left ventricular scar burden specifies the potential for ventricular arrhythmogenesis: an LGE-CMR study.

INTRODUCTION: The extent of left ventricular (LV) scar, characterized by late gadolinium enhancement cardiac MRI (LGE-CMR), has been shown to predict the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) recipients. However, the specificity of LGE-CMR for sudden cardiac death (SCD) versus non-SCD is unclear. The aim of this retrospective, observational study was to evaluate this relationship in a cohort of ICD recipients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included consecutive patients who had undergone LGE-CMR before ICD implantation over a 4-year period (2006-2009). Scar (defined as myocardium with a signal intensity ≥50% of the maximum in scar tissue) was characterized in terms of percent scar and number of transmural LV scar segments in a 17-segment model. The endpoints were appropriate ICD therapy and all-cause mortality. Sixty-four patients (average age 66 ± 11 years, 51 male, median LVEF 30%) were included. During 42 ± 13 months follow-up, appropriate ICD therapy occurred in 28 patients (44%), and 14 patients (22%) died. Number of transmural scar segments (P = 0.005) and percentage LV scar (P = 0.03) were both significantly associated with appropriate ICD therapy. However, neither number of transmural scar segments (P = 0.32) or percent LV scar (P = 0.59) was significantly associated with all-cause mortality. CONCLUSION: In this observational study, in medium-term follow-up, the extent of LV scar characterized by LGE-CMR was strongly associated with the occurrence of spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias but not all-cause mortality. We hypothesize that scar quantification by LGE-CMR may be more specific for SCD than non-SCD, and may prove a valuable tool for the selection of patients for ICD therapy.

The extent of left ventricular scar quantified by late gadolinium enhancement MRI is associated with spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias in patients with coronary artery disease and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

BACKGROUND: Characterization of sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk remains a challenge in the application of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy. Late gadolinium enhancement cardiac MRI (LGE-CMR) can accurately identify myocardial scar. We performed a retrospective, single-center observational study to evaluate the association between the extent and distribution of left ventricular scar, quantified using LGE-CMR, and the burden of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with coronary artery disease and ICDs. METHODS AND RESULTS: All patients included (2006 to 2009) had undergone LGE-CMR before ICD implantation. Scar (defined as myocardium with a signal intensity ≥50% of the maximum in scar tissue) was characterized in terms of percent scar, scar surface area, and number of transmural left ventricular scar segments. The end point was appropriate ICD therapy. Sixty-four patients (mean age, 66±11 years; male sex, 51) were included. During 19±10 months follow-up, appropriate ICD therapy occurred in 19 (30%) patients. In Cox regression analyses, both percent scar (hazard ratio per 10%, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.09 to 2.81; P=0.02) and number of transmural scar segments (hazard ratio per segment, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.70; P=0.001) were significantly associated with the occurrence of appropriate ICD therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, the extent of myocardial scar characterized by LGE-CMR was significantly associated with the occurrence of spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias. We hypothesize that scar quantification by LGE-CMR may prove a valuable risk stratification tool for the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias, which may have implications for patient selection for ICD therapy.

Imaging hypertrophic heart diseases with cardiovascular MR.

The assessment of ventricular hypertrophy is an increasingly common indication for cardiac MR (CMR) in every day clinical practice. CMR is useful to confirm the presence of hypertrophy and to help to define the underlying cause through a combination of a detailed assessment of ventricular function and tissue characterising sequences. As well as being a useful diagnostic tool, some CMR imaging features are of prognostic significance. In this article, we review the typical appearances of common forms of ventricular hypertrophy, focussing principally on left ventricular hypertrophy, and demonstrate the techniques that can be used to differentiate one form of hypertrophy from another.

Neuromuscular hamartoma: imaging features of a rare paediatric craniofacial tumour.

Neuromuscular hamartoma (also referred to as neuromuscular choristoma or benign triton tumour) has not previously been described in the radiological literature. It is a rare benign lesion composed of mature elements of striated muscle and neural tissue. We report a case of neuromuscular hamartoma involving the skull base, nasopharynx, orbit and maxilla in a 2.5-year-old child who presented with facial swelling. The CT and MRI appearances of this unusual soft-tissue tumour are emphasized, together with a discussion of the pathological findings, differential diagnosis and review of the literature.