JACC. Cardiovascular imaging
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JACC Cardiovasc Imaging · Aug 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyStress CMR imaging observation unit in the emergency department reduces 1-year medical care costs in patients with acute chest pain: a randomized study for comparison with inpatient care.
This study sought to compare the direct cost of medical care and clinical events during the first year after patients with intermediate risk acute chest pain were randomized to stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) observation unit (OU) testing versus inpatient care. ⋯ An OU-CMR strategy reduces cardiac-related costs of medical care during the index visit and over the first year subsequent to discharge, without an observed increase in major cardiac events. (Cost Comparison of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MRI] Use in Emergency Department [ED] Patients With Chest Pain; NCT00678639).
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JACC Cardiovasc Imaging · Aug 2011
Comparative StudyCT signs of right ventricular dysfunction: prognostic role in acute pulmonary embolism.
The purpose of this study was to compare the prognostic role of various computed tomography (CT) signs of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, including 3-dimensional ventricular volume measurements, to predict adverse outcomes in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). ⋯ Three-dimensional ventricular volume measurement on chest CT is a predictor of early death in patients with acute PE, independent of clinical risk factors and comorbidities. Abnormal position of the interventricular septum, inferior vena cava contrast reflux, and RVD(4-CH)/LVD(4-CH) ratio are predictive of adverse outcomes, whereas RVD(axial)/LVD(axial) ratio >1.0 is not.
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JACC Cardiovasc Imaging · Aug 2011
Pre-operative left atrial mechanical function predicts risk of atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery.
The purpose of this study was to examine whether left atrial (LA) mechanical function, as measured by LA total emptying fraction (TEF), is a predictor for the development of post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) following cardiac surgery. ⋯ LA TEF is an independent predictor of POAF and is a stronger predictor of POAF than LAVmaxI is. Impaired LA mechanical function may help to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from prophylaxis for POAF.