Multiple Coronary Chamber Microfistulas or Persistent Thebesian Vessels?

Coronary fistulas are rare, not gender-specific congenital conditions, consisting of communications between the coronary arteries and either another coronary vessel or a cardiac chamber. In contrast to large fistulas, small fistulas, named “minimae cordis veneae” or the Thebesius venous system, are draining into heart chambers and form a vascular network in the cardiac lumen. In this article, we present the case of a 72-year-old female with a significant history of cardiovascular disease, admitted to our clinic because of rest dyspnea, fatigue, and minimal chest pain. The 12-lead electrocardiogram showed a trifascicular block (a second-degree atrioventricular block Mobitz II, associated with a right bundle branch block and left anterior fascicle block) and negative T waves in DII, DIII, aVF, V4–V6 leads. An invasive coronary angiography was performed, which revealed no significant atherosclerotic lesions. However, a persistent capillary blush was present at the apex site of the left ventricular chamber, draining from the distal segments of both the anterior descending coronary artery and the posterior interventricular coronary artery. The intramural vascular network generating a left ventricle angiogram image of this kind was suggestive for persistent Thebesian vessels connecting the two coronaries with the left ventricular chamber

Actual Dose-Reduction Strategies in Cardiac Computed Tomography

Computed tomography (CT) in cardiac examination is a powerful imaging tool that has developed rapidly during the last decade and continues to increase its potential by bringing novel technologies. Due to its noninvasive character, cardiac CT became a largely used method in detecting coronary diseases or functional issues at the expense of conventional coronary angiography. The accuracy of images has also increased, especially since new generation dual-source multi-slice detectors were developed. Although there are continuous improvements that serve to gain better-quality images, thus increasing their diagnostic accuracy, there is an inconvenient that became a serious topic for debate in the current literature: exposure to higher doses of radiation during cardiac CT examinations. Fortunately, physicians and manufacturers are taking into consideration the need to apply new strategies for radiation dose-reduction. Thus, this objective can be achieved by using patient-tailored dose-reduction strategies and by modulating the technical features of the CT scanners in order to gather high-quality images with minimal radiation exposure. The aim of this manuscript was to review the current literature data on dose-reduction strategies that are used for cardiovascular computed tomography scans

Acute Thrombotic Coronary Occlusion in a Patient with Coronary Artery Anomaly

Patients with coronary artery anomalies are more susceptible to develop acute thrombotic coronary occlusions due to the abnormal anatomy of these arteries and the disturbance of the pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to an accelerated atherosclerosis development. The following article presents the case of a 64-year-old female patient diagnosed with anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The patient underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention, which revealed the absence of the right coronary artery and separated origins of the left anterior descending artery and the left circumflex artery from the aorta

The Role of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in STEMI Patients with Normal Coronary Angiography

Usually, the diagnosis of myocardial infarction based on patient symptoms, electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, and cardiac enzymes, is not a challenge for cardiologists. The correlation between coronary anatomy and the ECG territories that present ischemic changes can help the clinician to estimate which coronary artery presents lesions upon performing a coronary angiogram. In certain situations, the diagnosis of myocardial infarction can be difficult due to the lack of correlations between the clinical and paraclinical examinations and the coronary angiogram. In some cases, patients with chest pain and ST-segment elevation on the ECG tracing present with a normal coronary angiography. In other cases, patients without important changes on the ECG can present critical lesions or even occlusions upon angiographic examination. The aim of this article is to highlight the role of noninvasive coronary magnetic resonance and multi-slice computed tomography in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and normal coronary angiography

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Myocardial Fibrosis Related to Ischemic Events

Given the higher amount of detail it offers, the use of magnetic resonance (MR) in the field of cardiology has increased, thus leading to a decrease in the use of invasive and irradiating methods for diagnosing various cardiovascular disorders. The only precautions for MR imaging are metallic implants and advanced-stage chronic kidney disease. For the acquisition of clear and dynamic myocardial images, methods such as spin echo imaging for anatomical description, steady-state free precession imaging for the assessment of ventricular cavity size and function, flow velocity encoding for blood flow measurements, radiofrequency tagging for dynamics, and even spectroscopy for metabolism evaluation are used. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is considered the gold standard imaging method for the anatomical characterization of the heart and obtaining information related to myocardial dynamics. In case of ischemic events, CMR is used for a detailed description of the necrotic area and the complications, and for tracking the ventricular remodeling. By administrating a contrast agent (gadolinium), the difference between sub-endothelial and transmural infarctions can be distinguished, highlighting even microvascular lesions responsible for the extension of the necrosis. The assessment of the dynamics of ventricular remodeling and viability through late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) technology highlights the area of fibrosis and the occurrence of late complications

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance and Myocardial Viability: Why Is It so Important?

For a better assessment of ischemic heart diseases, myocardial viability should be quantified. Current studies underline the importance and the evolution of several techniques and methods used in the evaluation of myocardial viability. Taking into account these considerations, the aim of this manuscript was to present the recent points of view regarding myocardial viability and its clinical significance in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathies and left ventricular dysfunction. On the other hand, the manuscript points out the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), one of the most useful noninvasive imaging techniques, in the assessment of myocardial viability. By comparing the advantages and disadvantages of cardiac MRI, its usefulness can be better appreciated by the clinician. In the following years, it is considered that MRI will be an indispensable imaging tool in the assessment of ischemic heart disease, guiding interventions for revascularization and long-term risk stratification in patients with stable angina or myocardial infarction

New Advanced Imaging Parameters and Biomarkers—A Step Forward in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of TTR Cardiomyopathy

Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is an infiltrative disorder characterized by extracellular myocardial deposits of amyloid fibrils, with poor outcome, leading to heart failure and death, with significant treatment expenditure. In the era of a novel therapeutic arsenal of disease-modifying agents that target a myriad of pathophysiological mechanisms, timely and accurate diagnosis of ATTR-CM is crucial. Recent advances in therapeutic strategies shown to be most beneficial in the early stages of the disease have determined a paradigm shift in the screening, diagnostic algorithm, and risk classification of patients with ATTR-CM. The aim of this review is to explore the utility of novel specific non-invasive imaging parameters and biomarkers from screening to diagnosis, prognosis, risk stratification, and monitoring of the response to therapy. We will summarize the knowledge of the most recent advances in diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment tailoring parameters for early recognition, prediction of outcome, and better selection of therapeutic candidates in ATTR-CM. Moreover, we will provide input from different potential pathways involved in the pathophysiology of ATTR-CM, on top of the amyloid deposition, such as inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, reduced nitric oxide bioavailability, oxidative stress, and myocardial fibrosis, and their diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications