Gennari, Antonio G.; Rossi, Alexia; De Cecco, Carlo N.; van Assen, Marly; Sartoretti, Thomas; Giannopoulos, Andreas A.; Schwyzer, Moritz; Huellner, Martin W.; Messerli, Michael
doi: 10.1007/s10554-024-03080-4pmid: 38700819
Almost 35 years after its introduction, coronary artery calcium score (CACS) not only survived technological advances but became one of the cornerstones of contemporary cardiovascular imaging. Its simplicity and quantitative nature established it as one of the most robust approaches for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk stratification in primary prevention and a powerful tool to guide therapeutic choices. Groundbreaking advances in computational models and computer power translated into a surge of artificial intelligence (AI)-based approaches directly or indirectly linked to CACS analysis. This review aims to provide essential knowledge on the AI-based techniques currently applied to CACS, setting the stage for a holistic analysis of the use of these techniques in coronary artery calcium imaging. While the focus of the review will be detailing the evidence, strengths, and limitations of end-to-end CACS algorithms in electrocardiography-gated and non-gated scans, the current role of deep-learning image reconstructions, segmentation techniques, and combined applications such as simultaneous coronary artery calcium and pulmonary nodule segmentation, will also be discussed.
Tan, Xiao-Lan; Deng, Yan; Lan, Wei-Fang; Dai, Ping; Hu, Jie; Lan, Jing
doi: 10.1007/s10554-024-03047-5pmid: 38461202
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a common complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and PAH can cause right ventricle (RV) remodel and dyssynchrony. The aim of this study was to explore the value of RV dyssynchrony in predicting adverse clinical events in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus-aaociated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SLE-PAH) using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). A total of 53 patients with SLE-PAH were enrolled in this study. The dyssynchrony of the RV (RV-SD6) was evaluated by 2D-STE. The clinical data of all participants were collected, and routine cardiac function parameters were measured by two-dimensional echocardiography, and analyzed for their correlation with RV-SD6. The predictive value of RV-SD6 in clinical adverse event was evaluated. RV-SD6 was negatively correlated with RV-FLS, RV-FAC, and TAPSE (r = − 0.788, r = − 0.363 and r = − 0.325, respectively, all P < 0.01), while the correlation with RV-FLS was the strongest. linear regression analysis showed that RV-FLS was an independent risk factor for RV-SD6 (β = − 1.40, 95% CI − 1.65 ~ − 1.14, P < 0.001). Cox regression analysis showed that RV-SD6 was a predictor with clinical adverse events (HR = 1.03, 95% CI 1 ~ 1.06, P < 0.05). RV-SD6 was highly discriminative in predicting clinical adverse events (AUC = 0.764), at a cutoff of 51.10 ms with a sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 68.3%. RV-FLS was negatively correlated with RV-SD6 and was an independent risk factor for it. RV-SD6 can serve as an indicator for predicting the occurrence of adverse clinical events in SLE-PAH patients, with high sensitivity and specificity.
Mehier, Benjamin; Mahmoudi, Khalil; Veugeois, Aurélie; Masri, Alaa; Amabile, Nicolas; Giudice, Costantino Del ; Paul, Jean-François
doi: 10.1007/s10554-024-03063-5pmid: 38461472
We evaluated the diagnostic performance of a deep-learning model (DLM) (CorEx®, Spimed-AI, Paris, France) designed to automatically detect > 50% coronary stenosis on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) images. We studied inter-observer variability as an additional aim. CCTA images obtained before transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) were assessed by two radiologists and the DLM, and the results were compared to those of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) used as the reference standard. 165 consecutive patients underwent both CCTA and ICA as part of their TAVI work-up. We excluded the 42 (25.5%) patients with a history of stenting or bypass grafting and the 23 (13.9%) patients with low-quality images. We retrospectively subjected the CCTA images from the remaining 100 patients to evaluation by the DLM and compared the DLM and ICA results. All 25 patients with > 50% stenosis by ICA also had > 50% stenosis by DLM evaluation of CCTA: thus, the DLM had 100% sensitivity and 100% negative predictive value. False-positive DLM results were common, yielding a positive predictive value of only 39% (95% CI, 27–51%). Two radiologists with 3 and 25 years’ experience, respectively, performed similarly to the DLM in evaluating the CCTA images; thus, accuracy did not differ significantly between each reader and the DLM (p = 0.625 and p = 0.375, respectively). The DLM had 100% negative predictive value for > 50% stenosis and performed similarly to experienced radiologists. This tool may hold promise for identifying the up to one-third of patients who do not require ICA before TAVI.
Kurklu, Haci Ali; Tan, Turkan Seda
doi: 10.1007/s10554-024-03064-4pmid: 38345664
AimsPrevious studies demonstrated that remodeling after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) depends on the inflammatory response triggered by myocardial infarction (MI). The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) is a novel inflammation index strongly associated with coronary artery disease. In our study, we sought to determine whether SII could predict Post-MI LV remodeling.Methods and resultsThe study population included 528 patients (mean age 62.5 ± 10.2, 73% male) diagnosed with STEMI. Based on the increase in LVEDV within the first 12 months after STEMI, patients were divided into two groups. We categorized the ≥ 20% increase in LVEDV among remodelers (257 patients, 49%), and the other 271 patients (51%), as non-remodelers. To determine the relationship between laboratory parameters and LV remodeling, univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used. In a univariate model, higher hs-CRP and SII values were associated with increased LVEDV. In a multivariate analysis, SII independently correlated with LV remodeling A cut-off value of 613.3 or higher for SII was significantly correlated with LV remodeling based on ROC analysis.ConclusionSII provides an easy-to-calculate and affordable biomarker for cardiovascular diseases. It may be used as a new biomarker to predict LV remodeling in patients with STEMI.
Castaldi, Gianluca; Benedetti, Alice; Poletti, Enrico; Moroni, Alice; Scott, Benjamin; Vermeersch, Paul; Zivelonghi, Carlo; Bennett, Johan; Agostoni, Pierfrancesco
doi: 10.1007/s10554-024-03065-3pmid: 38509396
Alfarano, Angela; Marzollo, Roberto; Bosio, Maria Ilaria; Tomasi, Cesare; Codega, Alessandra; Picciau, Laura; Motta, Mario; Risso, Francesco Maria
doi: 10.1007/s10554-024-03066-2pmid: 38345663
Neonatologist Performed Echocardiography (NPE) is one of the emerging technologies used to evaluate Systemic Blood Flow (SBF) in term and preterm infants. Right Ventricular Output (RVO) can assess SBF correctly in the absence of significant interatrial or interventricular shunts, even in the presence of a large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), but only few studies evaluated inter-observer variability in neonates. Furthermore, measuring pulmonary peak flow (PF) provides a simple screening tool for low SBF state, easier and faster to perform than RVO; no previous studies evaluated PF inter-observer variability. To describe inter-observer variability of RVO and PF measurement in neonates. We conducted a prospective observational study in term and preterm infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Echocardiographic examinations were performed by two expert neonatologists, blinded to each other. Recordings were analyzed off-line to assess RVO and PF variability between observers. We analyzed a cohort of 33 neonates, 17 of them born prematurely. Inter-observer mean difference for RVO was 22,1 mL/kg/min (p = 0.005); the biggest discrepancy was due to pulmonary valve diameter measurement (p = 0.0001). Inter-observer mean difference for PF measurement was not statistically significant. We found a statistically significant inter-observer variability for RVO measurement, consistent with previous reports; PF instead showed low inter-observer variability. For this reason, PF could be evaluated in future studies as a surrogate for RVO in both term and preterm infants, especially in emergency conditions or in presence of a poor echocardiographic window.
Zhu, Hongmin; Cai, Xinyong; Zhan, Yuliang; Hong, Lang
doi: 10.1007/s10554-024-03068-0pmid: 38407725
Background: It is not uncommon to encounter retrograde microcatheter-uncrossable lesions in retro-recanalization of Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) cases, existing solutions were time-consuming or complicated to operate. Therefore, the present study aimed to propose and evaluate the feasibility, safety of a novel technique termed Active Pulling retrograde microcatheter crossing Technique (APT) during retrograde CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: We retrospectively collected retrograde CTO-PCI cases from February 2017 to April 2023, only cases with the retrograde wire successfully crossed the CTO lesion were analyzed. The baseline clinical characteristics, angiographic characteristics, procedural details, and in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were compared. Results: A total of 80 CTO cases were divided into the APT group and the non-APT group according to whether the APT was applied in the procedure. The APT group had a higher rate of device success than the non-APT group (100% vs. 85%, P = 0.013), with shorter duration (5.3 ± 3.8 vs. 18.6 ± 5.9 min, P < 0.001) and a smaller number of retrograde microcatheters were used (P < 0.001). In the APT group, the average air kerma radiation exposure was lower (2.7 ± 1.2 vs. 4.3 ± 1.7 Gy, P < 0.001), the fluoroscopy time (69.0 ± 15.0 vs. 88.1 ± 18.9 min, P < 0.001) and the procedure time (116.2 ± 22.2 vs. 131.6 ± 28.7 min, P = 0.009) was shorter than the non-APT group. The technical success rate of both groups reached 100% while the procedure success rate was higher in the APT group than the non-APT group (100% vs. 85%, P = 0.13). Conclusions: The APT is an easy and safe technique that can greatly improve procedural efficiency without adding other instruments, and allows the retrograde microcatheter to quickly crossing the CTO body after successful retrograde wire externalization.
Hatfaludi, Cosmin-Andrei; Tache, Irina-Andra; Ciusdel, Costin-Florian; Puiu, Andrei; Stoian, Diana; Calmac, Lucian; Popa-Fotea, Nicoleta-Monica; Bataila, Vlad; Scafa-Udriste, Alexandru; Itu, Lucian Mihai
Bredy, Charlene; Werner, Oscar; Helena, Huguet; Picot, Marie-Christine; Amedro, Pascal; Adda, Jerome
doi: 10.1007/s10554-024-03072-4pmid: 38546925
Owing to advances in medical and surgical fields, patients with single ventricle (SV) have a greatly improved life expectancy. However, progressive functional deterioration is observed over time, with a decrease in cardiopulmonary fitness. This study aimed to identify, in patients with SV, the association between cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) parameters and change in cardiopulmonary fitness assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), and if certain thresholds could anticipate a decline in aerobic fitness. Patients with an SV physiology were retrospectively screened from 2011 and 2021 in a single-centre observational study. We evaluated (1) the correlation between baseline CMR and CPET parameters, (2) the association between baseline CMR results and change in peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2), and (3) the cut-off values of end-diastolic and end-systolic volume index in patients with an impaired cardiopulmonary fitness (low peak VO2 and/or high VE/VCO2 slope). 32 patients were included in the study. End-systolic volume index (r = 0.37, p = 0.03), end-diastolic volume index (r = 0.45, p = 0.01), and cardiac index (r = 0.46, p = 0.01) correlated with the VE/VCO2 slope. End-systolic ventricular volume (r = − 0.39, p = 0.01), end-diastolic ventricular volume (r = − 0.38, p = 0.01), and cardiac output (r = − 0.45, p < 0.01) inversely correlated with the peak VO2. In multivariate analysis, the cardiac index obtained from baseline CMR was inversely associated with the change in peak VO2 (p < 0.01). An end-diastolic volume index > 101 ml/m2 and an end-systolic volume index > 47 ml/m2 discriminated patients with impaired cardiopulmonary fitness. CMR parameters correlate with cardiopulmonary fitness in patients with SV and can therefore be useful for follow-up and therapeutic management of these patients.
Showing 1 to 10 of 23 Articles
Scant data exploring potential suboptimal physiological results after angiographic successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO) are available. Sixty cases of successful CTO-PCI were selected for this retrospective analysis. Post-CTO-PCI angiography-based fractional flow reserve was computed using the Murray-based fractional flow reserve (μFR) software. Vessel-specific μFR, residual trans-stent gradient (TSG) and corrected TSGstent were calculated. In physiological suboptimal results (μFR < 0.90), the virtual pullback pressure gradient (PPG) curves were analyzed to localize the main pressure drop-down and characterize the patterns of residual disease. The virtual pullback pressure gradient index (vPPGi) was then calculated to objectively characterize the predominant pattern of residual disease (diffuse vs focal). The physiological result was suboptimal in 28 cases (46.7%). The main pressure drop was localised proximal to the stent in 2 (7.1%), distal in 17 (60.7%) and intra-stent in 9 cases (32.2%). Intra-stent residual disease was diffuse in 7 cases and mixed in 2. Distal residual disease was characterised by a pure focal pattern in 12 cases, diffuse in 2 and mixed in 3. In the predominant diffuse phenotype (vPPGi < 0.65), we found a higher rate of TSG ≥ 0.04 (61.5% vs 20.0%, p = 0.025) and TSGstent ≥ 0.009 (46.2% vs 20.0%, p = 0.017) while in the dominant focal phenotype poor-quality distal vessel was constantly present. In our cohort, post-CTO-PCI suboptimal physiological result was frequent (46.7%). Predominant focal phenotype was constantly associated with poor-quality distal vessel, while in the predominant diffuse phenotype, the rate of TSG ≥ 0.04 and TSGstent ≥ 0.009 were significantly higher.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) stands as the leading global cause of mortality, and coronary artery disease (CAD) has the highest prevalence, contributing to 42% of these fatalities. Recognizing the constraints inherent in the anatomical assessment of CAD, Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) has emerged as a pivotal functional diagnostic metric. Herein, we assess the potential of employing an ensemble approach with deep neural networks (DNN) to predict invasively measured Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) using raw anatomical data extracted from both optical coherence tomography (OCT) and X-ray coronary angiography (XA). In this study, we used a challenging dataset, with 46% of the lesions falling within the FFR range of 0.75 to 0.85. Despite this complexity, our model achieved an accuracy of 84.3%, demonstrating a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 81.4%. Our results demonstrate that incorporating both OCT and XA signals, co-registered, as inputs for the DNN model leads to an important increase in overall accuracy.