Mitral annular disjunction in idiopathic ventricular fibrillation patients: just a bystander or a potential cause?

AIMS: Previously, we demonstrated that inferolateral mitral annular disjunction (MAD) is more prevalent in patients with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) than in healthy controls. In the present study, we advanced the insights into the prevalence and ventricular arrhythmogenicity by inferolateral MAD in an even larger IVF cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS: This retrospective multi-centre study included 185 IVF patients [median age 39 (27, 52) years, 40% female]. Cardiac magnetic resonance images were analyzed for mitral valve and annular abnormalities and late gadolinium enhancement. Clinical characteristics were compared between patients with and without MAD. MAD in any of the 4 locations was present in 112 (61%) IVF patients and inferolateral MAD was identified in 24 (13%) IVF patients. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) was found in 13 (7%) IVF patients. MVP was more prevalent in patients with inferolateral MAD compared with patients without inferolateral MAD (42 vs. 2%, P < 0.001). Pro-arrhythmic characteristics in terms of a high burden of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) were more prevalent in patients with inferolateral MAD compared to patients without inferolateral MAD (67 vs. 23%, P < 0.001 and 63 vs. 41%, P = 0.046, respectively). Appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy during follow-up was comparable for IVF patients with or without inferolateral MAD (13 vs. 18%, P = 0.579). CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of inferolateral MAD and MVP is a consistent finding in this large IVF cohort. The presence of inferolateral MAD is associated with a higher PVC burden and non-sustained VTs. Further research is needed to explain this potential interplay.

Halved contrast medium dose coronary dual-layer CT-angiography - phantom study of tube current and patient characteristics.

Virtual mono-energetic images (VMI) using dual-layer computed tomography (DLCT) enable substantial contrast medium (CM) reductions. However, the combined impact of patient size, tube voltage, and heart rate (HR) on VMI of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) remains unknown. This phantom study aimed to assess VMI levels achieving comparable contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in CCTA at 50% CM dose across varying tube voltages, patient sizes, and HR, compared to the reference protocol (100% CM dose, conventional at 120 kVp). A 5 mm artificial coronary artery with 100% (400 HU) and 50% (200 HU) iodine CM-dose was positioned centrally in an anthropomorphic thorax phantom. Horizontal coronary movement was matched to HR (at 0, < 60, 60-75, > 75 bpm), with varying patient sizes simulated using phantom extension rings. Raw data was acquired using a clinical CCTA protocol at 120 and 140 kVp (five repetitions). VMI images (40-70 keV, 5 keV steps) were then reconstructed; non-overlapping 95% CNR confidence intervals indicated significant differences from the reference. Higher CM-dose, reduced VMI, slower HR, higher tube voltage, and smaller patient sizes demonstrated a trend of higher CNR. Regardless of HR, patient size, and tube voltage, no significant CNR differences were found compared to the reference, with 100% CM dose at 60 keV, or 50% CM dose at 40 keV. DLCT reconstructions at 40 keV from 120 to 140 kVp acquisitions facilitate 50% CM dose reduction for various patient sizes and HR with equivalent CNR to conventional CCTA at 100% CM dose, although clinical validation is needed.

Anatomical differences of intracranial arteries according to sex: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial aneurysms are more common in women than in men. Some anatomical variants of the circle of Willis (CoW) are associated with a higher risk of developing intracranial aneurysms. We hypothesized that variations of the CoW are sex dependent which may partly explain why intracranial aneurysms are more common in women. We systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the literature to compare the presence of anatomical variations of the CoW between women and men in the general population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic search in Pubmed and EMBASE using predefined criteria, following the PRISMA guidelines was performed. The presence of different CoW anatomical variants and a complete CoW was compared between women and men using an inverse variance weighted random effects meta-analysis to calculate relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included reporting on 5478 healthy participants (2511 women, 2967 men). Bilateral fetal type posterior cerebral arteries (RR 2.79; 95%CI 1.65-4.72, I2=0%), and a complete CoW (RR 1.24, 95%CI 1.13-1.36; I2=0%) were more prevalent in women than in men. The variants absence or hypoplasia of one of the anterior cerebral arteries (RR 0.58, 95%CI 0.38-0.88, I2=57%) and hypoplasia or absence of both posterior communicating arteries (RR 0.79, 95%CI 0.71-0.87, I2=0%) were more prevalent in men. CONCLUSIONS: Several anatomical variations of the CoW are sex dependent, with some variants being more common in women while others in men. Future research should assess how these sex-specific CoW variants relate to the sex-specific occurrence of intracranial aneurysms.

Relationship between diameter asymmetry and blood flow in the pre-communicating (A1) segment of the anterior cerebral arteries.

BACKGROUND: Asymmetry in diameter between pre-communicating (A1) segments of the anterior cerebral arteries is related to anterior communicating artery aneurysm formation. Diameter asymmetry definitions vary and have not been related to blood flow measurements using the same imaging modality. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between A1-diameter asymmetry and blood flow asymmetry and to define a hemodynamically significant cut-off value for A1-diameter asymmetry. We assessed sex differences between different groups of A1-asymmetry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3-Tesla time-of-flight MRA and 4D-phase-contrast MRI were performed in 122 healthy participants. Diameter and blood flow measurements were performed halfway in both A1-segments. Participants were subdivided based on A1-diameter asymmetry: ≤10% (symmetric); 11-20%; 21-30%; 31-40%; and >40% (increasing asymmetry) groups. We studied the relationship between A1-diameter asymmetry and corresponding flow asymmetry (scatterplot and correlation). A hemodynamic-based cutoff value for A1-asymmetry was determined by comparing dominant A1 blood flow in the asymmetry groups to the mean blood flow of the symmetric A1-group (linear mixed-effects model). Sex-related differences in A1-diameter, blood flow and asymmetry were assessed with t-tests. RESULTS: A1-diameter asymmetry was linearly related to blood flow asymmetry between dominant and non-dominant sides. A1-diameter asymmetry >30% yielded statistically significant increased blood flow in the dominant A1 compared to symmetric A1s. Men had statistically significant larger A1-diameters, higher blood flow and a similar degree of A1-diameter asymmetry compared to women. CONCLUSION: A1-diameter asymmetry is linearly related to blood flow asymmetry. A >30% A1-asymmetry can be used as hemodynamically significant cut-off value. There were no sex-related differences in A1-diameter asymmetry.

Detection of Early Ischemic Changes with Virtual Noncontrast Dual-Energy CT in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Noninferiority Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Dual-energy virtual NCCT has the potential to replace conventional NCCT to detect early ischemic changes in acute ischemic stroke. In this study, we evaluated whether virtual NCCT is noninferior compared with standard linearly blended NCCT, a surrogate of conventional NCCT, regarding the detection of early ischemic changes with ASPECTS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult patients who presented with suspected acute ischemic stroke and who underwent dual-energy NCCT and CTA and brain MR imaging within 48 hours were included. Standard linearly blended images were reconstructed to match a conventional NCCT. Virtual NCCT images were reconstructed from CTA. ASPECTS was evaluated on conventional NCCT, virtual NCCT, and DWI, which served as the reference standard. Agreement between CT assessments and the reference standard was evaluated with the Lin concordance correlation coefficient. Noninferiority was assessed with bootstrapped estimates of the differences in ASPECTS between conventional and virtual NCCT with 95% CIs. RESULTS: Of the 193 included patients, 100 patients (52%) had ischemia on DWI. Compared with the reference standard, the ASPECTS concordance correlation coefficient for conventional and virtual NCCT was 0.23 (95% CI, 0.15-0.32) and 0.44 (95% CI, 0.33-0.53), respectively. The difference in the concordance correlation coefficient between virtual and conventional NCCT was 0.20 (95% CI, 0.01-0.39) and did not cross the prespecified noninferiority margin of -0.10. CONCLUSIONS: Dual-energy virtual NCCT is noninferior compared with conventional NCCT for the detection of early ischemic changes with ASPECTS.

Prognostic value of strain by feature-tracking cardiac magnetic resonance in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

AIMS: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is characterized by ventricular dysfunction and ventricular arrhythmias (VA). Adequate arrhythmic risk assessment is important to prevent sudden cardiac death. We aimed to study the incremental value of strain by feature-tracking cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (FT-CMR) in predicting sustained VA in ARVC patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: CMR images of 132 ARVC patients (43% male, 40.6 ± 16.0 years) without prior VA were analysed for global and regional right and left ventricular (RV, LV) strain. Primary outcome was sustained VA during follow-up. We performed multivariable regression assessing strain, in combination with (i) RV ejection fraction (EF); (ii) LVEF; and (iii) the ARVC risk calculator. False discovery rate adjusted P-values were given to correct for multiple comparisons and c-statistics were calculated for each model. During 4.3 (2.0-7.9) years of follow-up, 19% of patients experienced sustained VA. Compared to patients without VA, those with VA had significantly reduced RV longitudinal (P ≤ 0.03) and LV circumferential (P ≤ 0.04) strain. In addition, patients with VA had significantly reduced biventricular EF (P ≤ 0.02). After correcting for RVEF, LVEF, and the ARVC risk calculator separately in multivariable analysis, both RV and LV strain lost their significance [hazard ratio 1.03-1.18, P > 0.05]. Likewise, while strain improved the c-statistic in combination with RVEF, LVEF, and the ARVC risk calculator separately, this did not reach statistical significance (P ≥ 0.18). CONCLUSION: Both RV longitudinal and LV circumferential strain are reduced in ARVC patients with sustained VA during follow-up. However, strain does not have incremental value over RVEF, LVEF, and the ARVC VA risk calculator.

Relationship between 3D Morphologic Change and 2D and 3D Growth of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Untreated unruptured intracranial aneurysms are usually followed radiologically to detect aneurysm growth, which is associated with increased rupture risk. The ideal aneurysm size cutoff for defining growth remains unclear and also whether change in morphology should be part of the definition. We investigated the relationship between change in aneurysm size and 3D quantified morphologic changes during follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed 3D morphology measurements of unruptured intracranial aneurysms on baseline and follow-up TOF-MRAs. Morphology measurements included surface area, compactness, elongation, flatness, sphericity, shape index, and curvedness. We investigated the relation between morphologic change between baseline and follow-up scans and unruptured intracranial aneurysm growth, with 2D and 3D growth defined as a continuous variable (correlation statistics) and a categoric variable (t test statistics). Categoric growth was defined as ≥1-mm increase in 2D length or width. We assessed unruptured intracranial aneurysms that changed in morphology and the proportion of growing and nongrowing unruptured intracranial aneurysms with statistically significant morphologic change. RESULTS: We included 113 patients with 127 unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Continuous growth of unruptured intracranial aneurysms was related to an increase in surface area and flatness and a decrease in the shape index and curvedness. In 15 growing unruptured intracranial aneurysms (12%), curvedness changed significantly compared with nongrowing unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Of the 112 nongrowing unruptured intracranial aneurysms, 10 (9%) changed significantly in morphology (flatness, shape index, and curvedness). CONCLUSIONS: Growing unruptured intracranial aneurysms show morphologic change. However, nearly 10% of nongrowing unruptured intracranial aneurysms change in morphology, suggesting that they could be unstable. Future studies should investigate the best growth definition including morphologic change and size to predict aneurysm rupture.

Pulsatility Attenuation along the Carotid Siphon in Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum.

We compared velocity pulsatility, distensibility, and pulsatility attenuation along the intracranial ICA and MCA between 50 patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum and 40 controls. Patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum had higher pulsatility and lower distensibility at all measured locations, except for a similar distensibility at C4. The pulsatility attenuation over the siphon was similar between patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum and controls. This finding suggests that other disease mechanisms are the main contributors to increased intracranial pulsatility in pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

Reliability and Agreement of 2D and 3D Measurements on MRAs for Growth Assessment of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Reliable and reproducible measurement of unruptured intracranial aneurysm growth is important for unruptured intracranial aneurysm rupture risk assessment. This study aimed to compare the reliability and reproducibility of 2D and 3D growth measurements of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 2D height, width, and neck and 3D volume measurements of unruptured intracranial aneurysms on baseline and follow-up TOF-MRAs were performed by two observers. The reliability of individual 2D and 3D measurements and of change (growth) between paired scans was assessed (intraclass correlation coefficient) and stratified for aneurysm location. The smallest detectable change on 2D and 3D was determined. Proportions of growing aneurysms were compared, and Bland-Altman plots were created. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients with 84 unruptured intracranial aneurysms were included. The interobserver reliability was good-to-excellent for individual measurements (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.70), poor for 2D change (intraclass correlation coefficient < 0.5), and good for 3D change (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.76). For both 2D and 3D, the reliability was location-dependent and worse for irregularly shaped aneurysms. The smallest detectable changes for 2D height, width, and neck and 3D volume measurements were 1.5 , 2.0, and 1.9 mm and 0.06 mL, respectively. The proportion of growing unruptured intracranial aneurysms decreased from 10% to 2%, depending on the definition of growth (1 mm or the smallest detectable changes for 2D and 3D). CONCLUSIONS: The interobserver reliability of the size measurements of individual 2D and 3D unruptured intracranial aneurysms was good-to-excellent but lower for 2D and 3D growth measurements. For growth assessment, 3D measurements are more reliable than 2D measurements. The smallest detectable change for 2D measurements was larger than 1 mm, the current clinical definition of unruptured intracranial aneurysm growth.

Sex differences in intracranial and extracranial atherosclerosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To investigate sex differences with respect to presence and location of atherosclerosis in acute ischemic stroke patients. METHODS: Participants with acute ischemic stroke were included from the Dutch acute stroke trial, a large prospective multicenter cohort study performed between May 2009 and August 2013. All patients received computed tomography/computed tomography-angiography within 9 h of stroke onset. We assessed presence of atherosclerosis in the intra- and extracranial internal carotid and vertebrobasilar arteries. In addition, we determined the burden of intracranial atherosclerosis by quantifying internal carotid and vertebrobasilar artery calcifications, resulting in calcium volumes. Prevalence ratios between women and men were calculated with Poisson regression analysis and adjusted prevalence ratio for potential confounders (age, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, smoking, and alcohol use). RESULTS: We included 1397 patients with a mean age of 67 years, of whom 600 (43%) were women. Presence of atherosclerosis in intracranial vessel segments was found as frequently in women as in men (71% versus 72%, adjusted prevalence ratio 0.95; 95% CI 0.89-1.01). In addition, intracranial calcification volume did not differ between women and men in both intracranial internal carotid (large burden 35% versus 33%, adjusted prevalence ratio 0.93; 95% CI 0.73-1.19) and vertebrobasilar arteries (large burden 26% versus 40%, adjusted prevalence ratio 0.69; 95% CI 0.41-1.12). Extracranial atherosclerosis was less common in women than in men (74% versus 81%, adjusted prevalence ratio 0.86; 95% CI 0.81-0.92). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with acute ischemic stroke the prevalence of intracranial atherosclerosis does not differ between women and men, while extracranial atherosclerosis is less often present in women compared with men.

Validation of thoracic aortic dimensions on ECG-triggered SSFP as alternative to contrast-enhanced MRA.

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of thoracic aortic dimensions with non-ECG-triggered contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) is accompanied with motion artefacts and requires gadolinium. To avoid both motion artefacts and gadolinium administration, we evaluated the similarity and reproducibility of dimensions measured on ECG-triggered, balanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) MRA as alternative to CE-MRA. METHODS: All patients, with varying medical conditions, referred for thoracic aortic examination between September 2016 and March 2018, who underwent non-ECG-triggered CE-MRA and SSFP-MRA (1.5 T) were retrospectively included (n = 30). Aortic dimensions were measured after double-oblique multiplanar reconstruction by two observers at nine landmarks predefined by literature guidelines. Image quality was scored at the sinus of Valsalva, mid-ascending aorta and mid-descending aorta by semi-automatically assessing the vessel sharpness. RESULTS: Aortic dimensions showed high agreement between non-ECG-triggered CE-MRA and SSFP-MRA (r = 0.99, p < 0.05) without overestimation or underestimation of aortic dimensions in SSFP-MRA (mean difference, 0.1 mm; limits of agreement, - 1.9 mm and 1.9 mm). Intra- and inter-observer variabilities were significantly smaller with SSFP-MRA for the sinus of Valsalva and sinotubular junction. Image quality of the sinus of Valsalva was significantly better with SSFP-MRA, as fewer images were of impaired quality (3/30) than in CE-MRA (21/30). Reproducibility of dimensions was significantly better in images scored as good quality compared to impaired quality in both sequences. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic aortic dimensions measured on SSFP-MRA and non-ECG-triggered CE-MRA were similar. As expected, SSFP-MRA showed better reproducibility close to the aortic root because of lesser motion artefacts, making it a feasible non-contrast imaging alternative. KEY POINTS: • SSFP-MRA provides similar dimensions as non-ECG-triggered CE-MRA. • Intra- and inter-observer reproducibilities improve for the sinus of Valsalva and sinotubular junction with SSFP-MRA. • ECG-triggered SSFP-MRA shows better image quality for landmarks close to the aortic root in the absence of cardiac motion.

Correction to: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance native T2 and T2* quantitative values for cardiomyopathies and heart transplantations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance native T2 and T2* quantitative values for cardiomyopathies and heart transplantations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The clinical application of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) T2 and T2* mapping is currently limited as ranges for healthy and cardiac diseases are poorly defined. In this meta-analysis we aimed to determine the weighted mean of T2 and T2* mapping values in patients with myocardial infarction (MI), heart transplantation, non-ischemic cardiomyopathies (NICM) and hypertension, and the standardized mean difference (SMD) of each population with healthy controls. Additionally, the variation of mapping outcomes between studies was investigated. METHODS: The PRISMA guidelines were followed after literature searches on PubMed and Embase. Studies reporting CMR T2 or T2* values measured in patients were included. The SMD was calculated using a random effects model and a meta-regression analysis was performed for populations with sufficient published data. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-four studies, including 13,804 patient and 4392 control measurements, were included. T2 values were higher in patients with MI, heart transplantation, sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, amyloidosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and myocarditis (SMD of 2.17, 1.05, 0.87, 1.39, 1.62, 1.95, 1.90 and 1.33, respectively, P <  0.01) compared with controls. T2 values in iron overload patients (SMD = - 0.54, P = 0.30) and Anderson-Fabry disease patients (SMD = 0.52, P = 0.17) did both not differ from controls. T2* values were lower in patients with MI and iron overload (SMD of - 1.99 and - 2.39, respectively, P <  0.01) compared with controls. T2* values in HCM patients (SMD = - 0.61, P = 0.22), DCM patients (SMD = - 0.54, P = 0.06) and hypertension patients (SMD = - 1.46, P = 0.10) did not differ from controls. Multiple CMR acquisition and patient demographic factors were assessed as significant covariates, thereby influencing the mapping outcomes and causing variation between studies. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical utility of T2 and T2* mapping to distinguish affected myocardium in patients with cardiomyopathies or heart transplantation from healthy myocardium seemed to be confirmed based on this meta-analysis. Nevertheless, variation of mapping values between studies complicates comparison with external values and therefore require local healthy reference values to clinically interpret quantitative values. Furthermore, disease differentiation seems limited, since changes in T2 and T2* values of most cardiomyopathies are similar.

Prediction of Outcome Using Quantified Blood Volume in Aneurysmal SAH.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In patients with SAH, the amount of blood is strongly associated with clinical outcome. However, it is commonly estimated with a coarse grading scale, potentially limiting its predictive value. Therefore, we aimed to develop and externally validate prediction models for clinical outcome, including quantified blood volumes, as candidate predictors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and radiologic candidate predictors were included in a logistic regression model. Unfavorable outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 4-6. An automatic hemorrhage-quantification algorithm calculated the total blood volume. Blood was manually classified as cisternal, intraventricular, or intraparenchymal. The model was selected with bootstrapped backward selection and validated with the R 2, C-statistic, and calibration plots. If total blood volume remained in the final model, its performance was compared with models including location-specific blood volumes or the modified Fisher scale. RESULTS: The total blood volume, neurologic condition, age, aneurysm size, and history of cardiovascular disease remained in the final models after selection. The externally validated predictive accuracy and discriminative power were high (R 2 = 56% ± 1.8%; mean C-statistic = 0.89 ± 0.01). The location-specific volume models showed a similar performance (R 2 = 56% ± 1%, P = .8; mean C-statistic = 0.89 ± 0.00, P = .4). The modified Fisher models were significantly less accurate (R 2 = 45% ± 3%, P < .001; mean C-statistic = 0.85 ± 0.01, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: The total blood volume-based prediction model for clinical outcome in patients with SAH showed a high predictive accuracy, higher than a prediction model including the commonly used modified Fisher scale.

Cardiac imaging to detect coronary artery disease in athletes aged 35 years and older. A scoping review.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a devastating event in athletes. Screening efforts that were first directed at athletes younger than 35 years are now focusing on the rapidly growing group of older sportspersons. Athletes aged ≥35 years have a 10-fold increased risk of exercise-related cardiac arrest, mostly due to coronary artery disease (CAD). Although cardiac imaging is pivotal in identifying CAD, the role of imaging modalities in screening asymptomatic older sportspersons remains unclear. We performed a scoping review to identify the role of cardiac imaging to detect CAD in older sportspersons and to identify gaps in the existing literature. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane library for studies reporting data on cardiac imaging of CAD in sportspersons ≥35 years. The systematic search yielded 1737 articles, and 14 were included in this scoping review. Imaging modalities included two echocardiography, one unenhanced computed tomography (CT) for coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS), three CACS and contrast-enhanced CT angiography (CCTA), two CACS and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), one CCTA with CMR and echocardiography, two CCTA, two CMR, and one myocardial perfusion imaging article. The low number of relevant articles and the selection bias introduced by studying specific groups, like veteran marathon runners, indicate the need for future research. Cardiac CT (CACS and CCTA) probably has the highest potential for pre-participation screening, with high diagnostic value to detect CAD and low radiation dose. However, currently there is insufficient evidence for incorporating routine cardiac imaging in the pre-participation screening of asymptomatic sportspersons over 35 years.

No psychological distress in sportsmen aged 45 years and older after cardiovascular screening, including cardiac CT: The Measuring Athlete's Risk of Cardiovascular events (MARC) study.

BACKGROUND: Psychological distress caused by cardiovascular pre-participation screening (PPS) may be a reason not to implement a PPS program. We assessed the psychological impact of PPS, including cardiac computed tomography (CT), in 318 asymptomatic sportsmen aged ≥45 years. METHODS: Coronary artery disease (CAD) was defined as a coronary artery calcium score ≥100 Agatson units and/or ≥50% luminal stenosis on contrast-enhanced cardiac CT. Psychological impact was measured with the Impact of Event Scale (IES) (seven items) on a six-point scale (grade 0-5). A sum score ≥19 indicates clinically relevant psychological distress. A Likert scale was used to assess overall experiences and impact on sports and lifestyle. RESULTS: A total of 275 participants (86.5% response rate, 95% CI 83-90%) with a mean age of 54.5 ± 6.4 years completed the questionnaires, 48 (17.5%, 95% CI 13-22%) of whom had CAD. The median IES score was 1 (IQR 0-2, [0-23]). IES was slightly higher in those with CAD (mean rank 175 vs. 130, p < 0.001). One participant (with CAD) experienced clinically relevant psychological distress (IES = 23). Participants reported numerous benefits, including feeling safer exercising (58.6%, 95% CI 53-65%) and positive lifestyle changes, especially in those with CAD (17.2 vs. 52.1%, p < 0.001). The majority were satisfied with their participation (93.8%, 95% CI 91-97%). CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular PPS, including cardiac CT, causes no relevant psychological distress in older sportsmen. Psychological distress should not be a reason to forego screening in sportsmen.

Assessment of Collateral Status by Dynamic CT Angiography in Acute MCA Stroke: Timing of Acquisition and Relationship with Final Infarct Volume.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Dynamic CTA is a promising technique for visualization of collateral filling in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Our aim was to describe collateral filling with dynamic CTA and assess the relationship with infarct volume at follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected patients with acute ischemic stroke due to proximal MCA occlusion. Patients underwent NCCT, single-phase CTA, and whole-brain CT perfusion/dynamic CTA within 9 hours after stroke onset. For each patient, a detailed assessment of the extent and velocity of arterial filling was obtained. Poor radiologic outcome was defined as an infarct volume of ≥70 mL. The association between collateral score and follow-up infarct volume was analyzed with Poisson regression. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients with a mean age of 67 years were included. For all patients combined, the interval that contained the peak of arterial filling in both hemispheres was between 11 and 21 seconds after ICA contrast entry. Poor collateral status as assessed with dynamic CTA was more strongly associated with infarct volume of ≥70 mL (risk ratio, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3-2.9) than with single-phase CTA (risk ratio, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.8-2.5). Four subgroups (good-versus-poor and fast-versus-slow collaterals) were analyzed separately; the results showed that compared with good and fast collaterals, a similar risk ratio was found for patients with good-but-slow collaterals (risk ratio, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.7-2.4). CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic CTA provides a more detailed assessment of collaterals than single-phase CTA and has a stronger relationship with infarct volume at follow-up. The extent of collateral flow is more important in determining tissue fate than the velocity of collateral filling. The timing of dynamic CTA acquisition in relation to intravenous contrast administration is critical for the optimal assessment of the extent of collaterals.

Association of Automatically Quantified Total Blood Volume after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage with Delayed Cerebral Ischemia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The total amount of extravasated blood after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, assessed with semiquantitative methods such as the modified Fisher and Hijdra scales, is known to be a predictor of delayed cerebral ischemia. However, prediction rates of delayed cerebral ischemia are moderate, which may be caused by the rough and observer-dependent blood volume estimation used in the prediction models. We therefore assessed the association between automatically quantified total blood volume on NCCT and delayed cerebral ischemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied clinical and radiologic data of consecutive patients with aneurysmal SAH admitted to 2 academic hospitals between January 2009 and December 2011. Adjusted ORs with associated 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the association between automatically quantified total blood volume on NCCT and delayed cerebral ischemia (clinical, radiologic, and both). The calculations were also performed for the presence of an intraparenchymal hematoma and/or an intraventricular hematoma and clinical delayed cerebral ischemia. RESULTS: We included 333 patients. The adjusted OR of total blood volume for delayed cerebral ischemia (clinical, radiologic, and both) was 1.02 (95% CI, 1.01-1.03) per milliliter of blood. The adjusted OR for the presence of an intraparenchymal hematoma for clinical delayed cerebral ischemia was 0.47 (95% CI, 0.24-0.95) and of the presence of an intraventricular hematoma, 2.66 (95% CI, 1.37-5.17). CONCLUSIONS: A higher total blood volume measured with our automated quantification method is significantly associated with delayed cerebral ischemia. The results of this study encourage the use of rater-independent quantification methods in future multicenter studies on delayed cerebral ischemia prevention and prediction.

Imaging Findings Associated with Space-Occupying Edema in Patients with Large Middle Cerebral Artery Infarcts.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Prominent space-occupying cerebral edema is a devastating complication occurring in some but not all patients with large MCA infarcts. It is unclear why differences in the extent of edema exist. Better knowledge of factors related to prominent edema formation could aid treatment strategies. This study aimed to identify variables associated with the development of prominent edema in patients with large MCA infarcts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From the Dutch Acute Stroke Study (DUST), 137 patients were selected with large MCA infarcts on follow-up NCCT (3 ± 2 days after stroke onset), defined as ASPECTS ≤4. Prominent edema was defined as a midline shift of ≥5 mm on follow-up. Admission patient and treatment characteristics were collected. Admission CT parameters used were ASPECTS on NCCT and CBV and MTT maps, and occlusion site, clot burden, and collaterals on CTA. Permeability on admission CTP, and day 3 recanalization and reperfusion statuses were obtained if available. Unadjusted and adjusted (age and NIHSS) odds ratios were calculated for all variables in relation to prominent edema. RESULTS: Prominent edema developed in 51 patients (37%). Adjusted odds ratios for prominent edema were higher with lower ASPECTS on NCCT (adjusted odds ratio, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.13-1.55) and CBV (adjusted odds ratio, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.07-1.49), higher permeability (adjusted odds ratio, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.30-4.24), more proximal thrombus location (adjusted odds ratio, 3.40; 95% CI, 1.57-7.37), higher clot burden (adjusted odds ratio, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.11-7.45), and poor collaterals (adjusted odds ratio, 3.93; 95% CI, 1.78-8.69). CONCLUSIONS: Extensive proximal occlusion, poor collaterals, and larger ischemic deficits with higher permeability play a role in the development of prominent edema in large MCA infarcts.