Circulation. Cardiovascular imaging
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Patients with Fontan circulation have reduced exercise capacity. The absence of a presystemic pump may limit flow through the pulmonary circulation, restricting ventricular filling and cardiac output. We evaluated exercise hemodynamics and the effect of sildenafil on exercise hemodynamics in Fontan patients. ⋯ In Fontan patients, sildenafil improved cardiac index during exercise with a decrease in total pulmonary resistance index and an increase in stroke volume index. This implies that pulmonary vasculature represents a physiological limitation, which can be attenuated by sildenafil, the clinical significance of which warrants further study.
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Circ Cardiovasc Imaging · Mar 2014
Review Meta AnalysisLate gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance predicts adverse cardiovascular outcomes in nonischemic cardiomyopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) by cardiac MR (CMR) is a predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM). However, these findings are limited by single-center studies, small sample sizes, and low event rates. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the prognostic role of LGE by CMR (LGE-CMR) imaging in patients with NICM. ⋯ LGE in patients with NICM is associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalization, and SCD. Detection of LGE by CMR has excellent prognostic characteristics and may help guide risk stratification and management in patients with NICM.
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Circ Cardiovasc Imaging · Jan 2014
Comparative StudyLeft ventricular diastolic function is associated with symptom status in severe aortic valve stenosis.
In aortic valve stenosis (AS), the occurrence of heart failure symptoms does not always correlate with severity of valve stenosis and left ventricular (LV) function. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that symptomatic patients with AS have impaired diastolic, longitudinal systolic function, and left atrial dilatation compared with asymptomatic patients. ⋯ URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00294775.
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Circ Cardiovasc Imaging · Jan 2014
Comparative StudyAortic annular sizing using a novel 3-dimensional echocardiographic method: use and comparison with cardiac computed tomography.
Previous studies have shown cross-sectional 3-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) measurements to severely underestimate multidetector row computed tomographic (MDCT) measurements for the assessment of aortic annulus before transcatheter aortic valve replacement. This study compares annulus measurements from 3D-TEE using off-label use of commercially available software with MDCT measurements and assesses their ability to predict paravalvular regurgitation. ⋯ Annulus measurements using a new method for analyzing 3D-TEE images closely approximate those of MDCT. Annulus measurements from both modalities predict mild or greater paravalvular regurgitation with equivalent accuracy.
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Circ Cardiovasc Imaging · Jan 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyMulticenter, randomized trial of quantitative pretest probability to reduce unnecessary medical radiation exposure in emergency department patients with chest pain and dyspnea.
Use of pretest probability can reduce unnecessary testing. We hypothesize that quantitative pretest probability, linked to evidence-based management strategies, can reduce unnecessary radiation exposure and cost in low-risk patients with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism. ⋯ URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01059500.