In this prospective study, the feasibility of a comprehensive cardiovascular imaging protocol with a dedicated whole-body 1.5-T magnetic resonance (MR) imager with 32 receiver channels in 34 patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease was evaluated. Informed consent and institutional review board approval were obtained. Three-dimensional MR angiographic data sets were acquired with adapted injection protocol. Cardiac functional imaging and delayed-enhancement imaging were performed, as were fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery imaging of the brain and time-of-flight MR angiography of the intracranial blood vessels. Sensitivity and specificity for depiction of significant vascular stenosis (> 70%) were 96%, with conventional digital subtraction angiography as the standard. Substantial microangiopathic tissue alterations (n = 4) and/or cerebral infarction (n = 4) were diagnosed in seven patients. In seven patients, subendocardial or transmural delayed enhancement was detected in corresponding regions, indicating prior myocardial infarction. Previously unknown findings diagnosed with MR imaging required midterm follow-up or therapy in 24 patients, whereas change of therapy or immediate treatment was necessary in three. For patients suspected of having systemic atherosclerotic disease, comprehensive risk assessment is feasible within 30 minutes.
Diastolic RV stiffness of repaired ToF patients with restrictive physiology is increased. The lusitropic response of the RV to β adrenergic agents is abnormal after ToF repair regardless of whether restrictive physiology is present or not. This has potential implications, particularly for postoperative drug management.
Purpose: Sudden cardiac death [SCD] in competitive athletes is caused by a diverse set of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy [HCM/DCM], myocarditis, coronary anomalies or even coronary artery disease. In order to identify potential risk factors responsible for SCD, elite athletes underwent cardiac magnetic resonance [CMR] imaging.
Materials and Methods: 73 male [M] and 22 female [F] athletes (mean age 35.2???11.4 years) underwent CMR imaging. ECG-gated breath-hold cine SSFP sequences were used for the evaluation of wall motion abnormalities and myocardial hypertrophy as well as for quantitative analysis (left and right ventricular [LV, RV] end-diastolic and end-systolic volume [EDV, ESV], stroke volume [SV], ejection fraction [EF] and myocardial mass [MM]). Furthermore, left and right atrial sizes were assessed by planimetry and delayed enhancement imaging was performed 10 minutes after the application of contrast agent. Coronary arteries were depicted using free-breathing Flash-3?D MR angiography.
Results: The quantitative analyses showed eccentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle (remodeling index [MM/LV-EDV]: M 0.75, F 0.665), enlargement of the RV volumes (RV-EDV: M 122.6???19.0?ml/m?, F 99.9???7.2?ml/m?) and an increased SV (LV-SV: M?64.7???10.0?ml/m?, F 56.5???5.7?ml/m?; RV-SV; M?66.7???10.4?ml/m?, F 54.2???7.1?ml/m?). Abnormal findings were detected in 6 athletes (6.3?%) including one benign variant of coronary anomaly and abnormal late gadolinium enhancement in 2 cases. None of the athletes showed wall motion abnormalities or signs of myocardial ischemia.
Conclusion: CMR imaging of endurance athletes revealed abnormal findings in more than 5?% of the athletes. However, the prognostic significance remains unclear. Thus, cardiac MRI cannot be recommended as a routine examination in the care of athletes.
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Background: Previous experiences of whole body MR angiography are predominantly available in linear 0.5 M gadolinium-containing contrast agents. The aim of this study was to compare image quality on a four-point scale (range 1-4) and diagnostic accuracy of a 1.0 M macrocyclic contrast agent (gadobutrol, n = 80 patients) with a 0.5 M linear contrast agent (gadopentetate dimeglumine, n = 85 patients) on a 1.5 T whole body MR system. Digital subtraction angiography served as standard of reference.
This protocol allows the evaluation of liver donors especially with regard to the biliary structures. However, the depiction of the arterial anatomy requires further technical developments.
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