Background Diffuse myocardial fibrosis can be quantified by calculating extra-cellular volume (ECV) from native and post-contrast T1 values using dedicated single bolus contrast medium injection protocols. Purpose To evaluate differences in T1 maps and myocardial ECV measurements in routine stress/rest perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) examinations after injection of single and double dose of contrast medium. Material and Methods Thirty-seven consecutive patients (30 men; mean age, 62 ± 13 years) underwent clinically indicated adenosine stress/rest perfusion CMR examination to rule out myocardial ischemia following a conventional split-dose contrast medium injection strategy. Native and post-contrast T1 mapping was performed 15 min after the first (0.1 mmol/kg) and second (0.1 mmol/kg) dose of contrast medium using a breath-held Modified Look-Locker Inversion recovery (MOLLI) sequence. Student's t-test for paired samples, Bland-Altman plots, and concordance-correlation coefficients (CCC) for agreement between T1 and ECV calculations after single and double dose of contrast medium were calculated. Intra- and inter-observer agreement for measurements was also analyzed. Results Myocardial T1 values after single and double dose of contrast medium significantly differed (mean difference of 114.1 ± 19.9 ms, P < 0.01). A single dose of contrast agent provided slightly higher ECV values (mean difference of 2.3 ± 1.1%). CCC for ECV calculations was 0.66. Intra- and inter-observer agreement for all measurements was excellent (CCC ≥ 0.83). Conclusion Quantification of myocardial ECV on conventional stress/rest perfusion CMR examination is feasible. T1 maps obtained 15 min after 0.1 mmol/kg of contrast medium provide slightly higher myocardial T1 measurements and ECV values compared with T1 maps obtained after a total dose of 0.2 mmol/kg.
Percutaneous creation of a pericardial window can be a safe therapeutic alternative for patients with symptomatic pericardial effusion, particularly if this has a malignant etiology.
Concomitant heart transplantation and ascending aorta replacement is infrequent. In the few cases where this simultaneous procedure was performed, most patients were diagnosed with Marfan syndrome. We report the combined procedure of heart transplantation and ascending aorta replacement using the donor's ascending aorta, in a 70-year-old man who was not diagnosed with Marfan syndrome. This combined procedure can be performed successfully, providing a potentially life-saving heart transplant for patients with aortic disease of different etiologies.
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