The valve uptake index: improving assessment of prosthetic valve endocarditis and updating [18F]FDG PET/CT(A) imaging criteria

Infective endocarditis; Nuclear imaging; Positron emission tomographyEndocarditis infecciosa; Imagen nuclear; Tomografía de emisión de positronesEndocarditis infecciosa; Imatge nuclear; Tomografia per emissió de positronsAims Diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) by positron emission computed tomography angiography (PET/CTA) is based on visual and quantitative morpho-metabolic features. However, the fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake pattern can be sometimes visually unclear and susceptible to subjectivity. This study aimed to validate a new parameter, the valve uptake index [VUI, maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax)−mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean)/SUVmax], designed to provide a more objective indication of the distribution of metabolic activity. Secondly, to re-evaluate the utility of traditionally used PVE imaging criteria and determine the potential value of adding the VUI in the diagnostic algorithm of PVE. Methods and results Retrospective analysis of 122 patients (135 prosthetic valves) admitted for suspicion of endocarditis, with a conclusive diagnosis of definite (N = 57) or rejected (N = 65) PVE, and who had undergone a cardiac PET/CTA scan as part of the diagnostic evaluation. We measured the VUI and recorded the SUVmax, SUVratio, uptake pattern, and the presence of endocarditis-related anatomic lesions. The VUI, SUVmax, and SUVratio values were 0.54 ± 0.1 vs. 0.36 ± 0.08, 7.68 ± 3.07 vs. 3.72 ± 1.11, and 4.28 ± 1.93 vs. 2.16 ± 0.95 in the ‘definite’ PVE group vs. the ‘rejected’ group, respectively (mean ± SD; P 0.45 showed a sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy for PVE of 85%, 88%, and 86.7% and increased diagnostic ability for confirming endocarditis when combined with the standard diagnostic criteria. Conclusions The VUI demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy for PVE, even increasing the diagnostic power of the traditionally used morphometabolic parameters, which also confirmed their own diagnostic performance. More research is needed to assess whether the integration of the VUI into the PVE diagnostic algorithm may clarify doubtful cases and thus improve the diagnostic yield of PET/CTA

The valve uptake index : improving assessment of prosthetic valve endocarditis and updating [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT(A) imaging criteria

Diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) by positron emission computed tomography angiography (PET/CTA) is based on visual and quantitative morpho-metabolic features. However, the fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake pattern can be sometimes visually unclear and susceptible to subjectivity. This study aimed to validate a new parameter, the valve uptake index [VUI, maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax)−mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean)/SUVmax], designed to provide a more objective indication of the distribution of metabolic activity. Secondly, to re-evaluate the utility of traditionally used PVE imaging criteria and determine the potential value of adding the VUI in the diagnostic algorithm of PVE. Retrospective analysis of 122 patients (135 prosthetic valves) admitted for suspicion of endocarditis, with a conclusive diagnosis of definite (N = 57) or rejected (N = 65) PVE, and who had undergone a cardiac PET/CTA scan as part of the diagnostic evaluation. We measured the VUI and recorded the SUVmax, SUVratio, uptake pattern, and the presence of endocarditis-related anatomic lesions. The VUI, SUVmax, and SUVratio values were 0.54 ± 0.1 vs. 0.36 ± 0.08, 7.68 ± 3.07 vs. 3.72 ± 1.11, and 4.28 ± 1.93 vs. 2.16 ± 0.95 in the 'definite' PVE group vs. the 'rejected' group, respectively (mean ± SD; P 0.45 showed a sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy for PVE of 85%, 88%, and 86.7% and increased diagnostic ability for confirming endocarditis when combined with the standard diagnostic criteria. The VUI demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy for PVE, even increasing the diagnostic power of the traditionally used morphometabolic parameters, which also confirmed their own diagnostic performance. More research is needed to assess whether the integration of the VUI into the PVE diagnostic algorithm may clarify doubtful cases and thus improve the diagnostic yield of PET/CTA

Fístulas coronarias congénitas, un reto en el manejo terapéutico

Congenital coronary fistulas are uncommon vascular anomalies. They typically progress asymptomatically andare identified in the evaluation a heart murmur. Clinical follow-up and multimodal imaging are crucial for establishing appropriate management for each case. We present a patient who has been followed 25 years of followup for multiple coronary fistulas with significant left-to-left shunting, leading to left ventricular dilation that physiopathologically mimics severe aortic regurgitation. Therapeutic management will depend on clinical evolutionand the anatomical feasibility of closing the fistulous pathways.Las fístulas coronarias congénitas son anomalías vasculares poco comunes. Generalmente son asintomáticas y se diagnostican en el estudio de un soplo cardíaco. El seguimiento clínico y por imagen multimodal es esencial para establecer un manejo adecuado para cada paciente. Presentamos el caso de un varón que lleva 25 de años de seguimiento por múltiples fístulas coronarias con un importante cortocircuito izquierda-izquierda que ha causado una dilatación ventricular izquierda con una fisiopatología similar al de una insuficiencia aórtica severa. El manejo terapéutico dependerá de la evolución clínica y de la factibilidad anatómica para realizar el cierre de los trayectos fistulosos

Predictive Value of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking after Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Comparison with Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography

[EN] In acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) may underestimate segmental functional recovery. We evaluated the predictive value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature-tracking (FT) for functional recovery and whether it incremented the value of LGE compared to low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (LDDSE) and speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). Eighty patients underwent LDDSE and CMR within 5-7 days after STEMI and segmental functional recovery was defined as improvement in wall-motion at 6-months CMR. Optimal conventional and FT parameters were analyzed and then also applied to an external validation cohort of 222 STEMI patients. Circumferential strain (CS) was the strongest CMR-FT predictor and addition to LGE increased the overall accuracy to 74% and was especially relevant in segments with 50-74% LGE (AUC 0.60 vs. 0.75, p = 0.001). LDDSE increased the overall accuracy to 71%, and in the 50-74% LGE subgroup improved the AUC from 0.60 to 0.69 (p = 0.039). LGE + CS showed similar value as LGE + LDDSE. In the validation cohort, CS was also the strongest CMR-FT predictor of recovery and addition of CS to LGE improved overall accuracy to 73% although this difference was not significant (AUC 0.69, p = 0.44). Conclusion: CS is the strongest CMR-FT predictor of segmental functional recovery after STEMI. Its incremental value to LGE is comparable to that of LDDSE whilst avoiding an inotropic stress agent. CS is especially relevant in segments with 50-74% LGE where accuracy is lower and further testing is frequently required to clarify the potential for recovery.This research was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and co-funded by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) (grant numbers PI17/01836 and CIBERCV16/11/00486). JG and DM acknowledge financial support from the "Agencia Valenciana de la Innovacion, Generalitat Valenciana" (grant) and from the "Conselleria d'Educacio, Investigacio, Cultura i Esport, Generalitat Valenciana" (grant number AEST/2019/037).Valente, FX.; Gavara-Doñate, J.; Gutiérrez, L.; Rios-Navarro, C.; Rello, P.; Maymi, M.; Fernandez-Galera, R.... (2021). Predictive Value of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking after Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Comparison with Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 10(22):1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10225261S112102

Predictive Value of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking after Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Comparison with Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography

Ecocardiografía de seguimiento de manchas; Deformación del miocardio; Seguimiento de características de resonancia magnética cardíacaSpeckle-tracking echocardiography; Myocardial deformation; Cardiac magnetic resonance feature-trackingEcocardiografia de seguiment de taques; Deformació del miocardi; Seguiment de característiques de ressonància magnètica cardíacaIn acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) may underestimate segmental functional recovery. We evaluated the predictive value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature-tracking (FT) for functional recovery and whether it incremented the value of LGE compared to low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (LDDSE) and speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). Eighty patients underwent LDDSE and CMR within 5–7 days after STEMI and segmental functional recovery was defined as improvement in wall-motion at 6-months CMR. Optimal conventional and FT parameters were analyzed and then also applied to an external validation cohort of 222 STEMI patients. Circumferential strain (CS) was the strongest CMR-FT predictor and addition to LGE increased the overall accuracy to 74% and was especially relevant in segments with 50–74% LGE (AUC 0.60 vs. 0.75, p = 0.001). LDDSE increased the overall accuracy to 71%, and in the 50–74% LGE subgroup improved the AUC from 0.60 to 0.69 (p = 0.039). LGE + CS showed similar value as LGE + LDDSE. In the validation cohort, CS was also the strongest CMR-FT predictor of recovery and addition of CS to LGE improved overall accuracy to 73% although this difference was not significant (AUC 0.69, p = 0.44). Conclusion: CS is the strongest CMR-FT predictor of segmental functional recovery after STEMI. Its incremental value to LGE is comparable to that of LDDSE whilst avoiding an inotropic stress agent. CS is especially relevant in segments with 50–74% LGE where accuracy is lower and further testing is frequently required to clarify the potential for recovery.This research was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and co-funded by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) (grant numbers PI17/01836 and CIBERCV16/11/00486). JG and DM acknowledge financial support from the “Agencia Valenciana de la Innovación, Generalitat Valenciana” (grant) and from the “Conselleria d’Educació, Investigació, Cultura i Esport, Generalitat Valenciana” (grant number AEST/2019/037)

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

False lumen flow patterns and their relation with morphological and biomechanical characteristics of chronic aortic dissections: Computational model compared with magnetic resonance imaging measurements

Aortic wall stiffness, tear size and location and the presence of abdominal side branches arising from the false lumen (FL) are key properties potentially involved in FL enlargement in chronic aortic dissections (ADs). We hypothesize that temporal variations on FL flow patterns, as measured in a cross-section by phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI), could be used to infer integrated information on these features. In 33 patients with chronic descending AD, instantaneous flow profiles were quantified in the FL at diaphragm level by PC-MRI. We used a lumped-parameter model to assess the changes in flow profiles induced by wall stiffness, tear size/location, and the presence of abdominal side branches arising from the FL. Four characteristic FL flow patterns were identified in 31/33 patients (94%) based on the direction of flow in systole and diastole: BA = systolic biphasic flow and primarily diastolic antegrade flow (n = 6); BR = systolic biphasic flow and primarily diastolic retrograde flow (n = 14); MA = systolic monophasic flow and primarily diastolic antegrade flow (n = 9); MR = systolic monophasic flow and primarily diastolic retrograde flow (n = 2). In the computational model, the temporal variation of flow directions within the FL was highly dependent on the position of assessment along the aorta. FL flow patterns (especially at the level of the diaphragm) showed their characteristic patterns due to variations in the cumulative size and the spatial distribution of the communicating tears, and the incidence of visceral side branches originating from the FL. Changes in wall stiffness did not change the temporal variation of the flows whereas it importantly determined intraluminal pressures. FL flow patterns implicitly codify morphological information on key determinants of aortic expansion in ADs. This data might be taken into consideration in the imaging protocol to define the predictive value of FL flows.The research leading to these results has received funding from the Subprograma de Proyectos de Investigación en Salud (FIS), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain (ref. PI108/0608, PI11/01709); the Programa de ayudas destinadas a universidades, centros de investigación y fundaciones hospitalarias para la contratación de personal investigador novel (FI-DGR 2011), Spain; and the EU FP7 for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement VP2HF (no 611823). All authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Effect of incidence of visceral arteries arising from the FL on intraluminal flows.

<p>Changes in flow patterns with changes in the percentage of abdominal side branches connected to the false lumen (FL). Antegrade flows are positive and retrograde flows are negative. TL, True lumen.</p

Effect of wall stiffness on intraluminal flows and pressures.

<p>Changes in flow patterns (Left) and pressure profiles (Right) with changes in wall stiffness. Antegrade flows are positive and retrograde flows are negative. TL, True lumen; FL, False lumen.</p