Background: Cerebral complications of coronary catheterizations are transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke. Silent stroke (SCI) does not cause acute neurological dysfunction. It might cause many disorders including dementia. Sonolysis is therapeutic method. Sonolysis should be the method for reducing the risk of symptomatic and asymptomatic brain ischemic lesions in patients undergoing elective coronary angioplasty or stenting. Aims: To analyse patients with cardiac disease indicated for elective coronary catheterization: 1) Assess the incidence of acute/subacute SCI on brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging; 2) Investigate factors influencing the frequency and type of microembolic signals (MES) detected using transcranial Doppler (TCD) in patients undergoing elective coronary intervention, and to correlate the frequency and type of MES with detection of new brain ischemic lesions using MR. Examine changes in cognitive function at 30 days post procedure in relation to pretreatment scores; 3) Test the clinical efficacy and safety of perioperative sonolysis in patients undergoing elective coronary catheterization. Methods: 1) 144 patients were enrolled to the study. Brain MR was performed before cardiac intervention. The presence of acute and subacute SCI was evaluated, SCI volume was measured and risk...

Adherence to guideline-recommended secondary cardiovascular prevention therapy (statins and cardiac rehabilitation) has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of all-cause mortality (Statins RRR 0.25, 95% CI 0.19-0.30; Cardiac Rehabilitation RRR 0.26, 95% CI 0.14-0.36) and secondary events.1,2 Yet, ≥50% of patients discontinue statin use within 12-month after an initial prescription and completion of cardiac rehabilitation is ≤20% in Ontario.3,4 Low statin adherence and cardiac rehab completion limits patients from realizing the full benefits of therapy. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of adherence to statins for secondary prevention reported that nonadherence to statins was greater in non-white ethnicities compared to white ethnicities (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.04-1.59) with geographical variation in outcomes.5 In respect to cardiac rehabilitation, the literature suggests that non-white ethnicities are less likely to complete cardiac rehabilitation compared to white participants.6,7 However, a gap remains in our knowledge of cardiac rehabilitation completion among immigrants due to lack of outcome reporting across clinical trials. The literature suggests that immigrants have improved health profiles relative to Canadian-born patients. Specifically, immigrants with ≤10 years of Canadian residency have greater medication adherence than immigrants with >10 of Canadian residency when compared to Canadian-born participants.6-9 This thesis was a planned sub-study of the Interventions Supporting Long-Term Adherence and Decreasing Cardiovascular Events (ISLAND) randomized control trial. The ISLAND study was a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of educational reminders on adherence to guideline-recommended therapy post-myocardial infarction. Study participants were allocated in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups: i) usual care, ii) educational reminders sent via post, or iii) combination post and interactive voice response educational reminders. Investigators were blinded to the allocation sequence, participant allocation, and outcome assessment. Medication adherence and completion of cardiac rehabilitation were assessed 12-months from baseline. This sub-study of ISLAND focused on participants who completed a 12-month outcome assessment with a recorded response to the following question, “Were you born a Canadian citizen?”. Immigrants experienced greater odds of statin adherence at 7-days (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.00-1.85) and 30 days (OR 1.36, 95% CI 0.96-1.94) at one-year post-myocardial infarction, after adjusting for age, diabetes, sex, and smoking status. We found no evidence that immigration status was associated with cardiac rehabilitation completion (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.72-1.14) after adjusting for age, diabetes, sex, smoking status, average neighborhood income quintile, education, and marital status. The odds of statin adherence at 7-days (OR 1.33, 95% CI 0.89-2.18) and 30-days (OR 1.39, 95% CI 0.89-2.18) was greater in visual minorities than white patients, however the difference was not statistically significant. We found no evidence of an association between ethnicity and cardiac rehabilitation completion (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.75-1.29). Our analysis could not fully evaluate the healthy immigrant effect due to an insufficient sample size of immigrants with <10 years of Canadian residency exposure (n=29). In conclusion, we report a statistically significant 36% increase in the odds of 7-day and 30-day statin adherence in immigrants compared to Canadian-born patients. We also report that the odds of cardiac rehabilitation decreased by 9% in immigrants compared to Canadian-born patients at 12-months post-myocardial infarction but this was not statistically significant. Our findings offer support for the “healthy immigrant effect” continuing in immigrants with >10 years of Canadian residency exposure. We were unable to evaluate outcomes in immigrants with <10 years Canadian residency exposure due to a lack of sample size (n=29). / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / The primary purpose of this research project was to assess whether immigrants, individuals who reside in Canada but were born outside of the country, who have experienced a previous heart attack were adhere to heart health therapies better than Canadian-born patients. The heart health therapies of interest to our investigation are two guideline-recommended heart attack prevention therapies, statins and cardiac rehabilitation. The study design of our research project was a cohort sub-study of the ISLAND randomized control trial which investigated adherence to heart health therapies in patients residing in Ontario, Canada. Our major finding was that immigrants who lived in Canada for >10 years were more adherent to statin therapy for a previous heart attack compared to Canadian-born participants. Our findings support the hypothesis that immigrants tend to demonstrate behaviours associated with improved outcomes compared to their Canadian-born counterparts.

<p>Uvod: Pacijenti sa akutnim infarktom miokarda sa ST elevacijom treba da budu podvrgnuti reperfuzionoj terapiji, pre svega pPCI, bez obzira na životnu dob, ali zbog&nbsp; veće učestalosti komorbiditeta, faktora rizika za koronarnu bolest i vi&scaron;esudovne koronarne bolesti, kod pacijenata starije životne dobi, odluka o reperfuzionoj terapiji treba da se donese sa dobrom procenom odnosa rizik &ndash; benefit. Cilj: Utvrđene su razlike u kliničkoj slici, angiografskom nalazu, terapijskom pristupu, toku i ishodu akutnog infarkta miokarda sa ST elevacijom u starih osoba u odnosu na mlađu životnu dob (mlađi od 75 godina). Materijal i metode: U studiju je uključeno 240 pacijenata sa akutnim infarktom miokarda sa ST elevacijom, podeljeni u dve komparabilne grupe (120 bolesnika starijih i kontrolna grupa 120 mlađih od 75 godina), koji su izabrani metodom slučajnog izbora, po redosledu prijema u bolnicu. Za pacijente iz obe grupe popunjavan je upitnik, a tretirani su po jedinstvenom protokolu lečenja. Rezultati: U ispitivanom uzorku, u grupi bolesnika starijih od 75 godina reperfuziona terapija je bila primenjena u 85% slučajeva. Intrahospitalni mortalitet za ceo uzorak je 11,7% i u skladu je sa drugim istraživanjima [27]. Mortalitet u grupi pacijenata preko 75 godina je bio 12,5%, a u grupi pacijenata sa manje od 75 godina 10,8% (p=ns). Zaključak: Klinička slika bolesti kod bolesnika starije životne dobi je če&scaron;će atipična &scaron;to korelira sa drugim studijama [31, 35], a tok bolesti komplikovaniji i ishod lo&scaron;iji. Kod bolesnika starijih od 75 godina če&scaron;ća je vi&scaron;esudovna koronarna bolest. Primarna perkutana koronarna intervencija u akutnom infarktu miokarda sa ST elevacijom u pacijenata starije životne dobi potvrđuje benefit u lečenju, toku i ishodu bolesti.</p> / <p>Introduction: Patients with ST segment acute myocardial infarction should undergo reperfusion therapy, PCI in the first place, no matter their life age. However, due to high frequency of comorbidities, risk factors for coronary disease and multi-vessel coronary disease, the decision of reperfusion therapy in elderly patients should be made according to the good evaluation or risk benefit ratio. Aim: The differences have been determined in the clinical picture, angiographic finding, therapeutic approach, course and outcome of ST segment acute myocardial infarction in elderly patients in relation to younger life age (less than 75 years). Material and methods: The study included 240 patients with ST segment acute myocardial infarction. They were randomly divided into two comparable groups according to the date of their hospitalization (120 patients older than 75 and control group of 120 patients younger than 75 years). Both groups of patients filled out the survey and were treated according to the same protocol. Results: In the examined sample of the group of patients older than 75 the reperfusion therapy was performed in 85% of cases. Intrahospital mortality for the entire sample was 11.7% and is in coherence with other researches [27]. Mortality in the group of patients older than 75 years was 12.5%, and it was 10.8% (p=ns) in the group of patients younger than 75.&nbsp; Conclusion: Clinical picture of disease in elderly patients is atypical thus correlating with other studies [31, 35], and course of illness more complicated and with a worse outcome. Multi-vessel disease is more common in patients older than 75 years. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention in STEMI in elderly patients confirms benefits in treatment, course and outcome of disease.</p>

Introdução: Pacientes com doença renal crônica terminal (DRCT) apresentam elevada prevalência de doença cardiovascular, sendo esta a principal causa de óbitos na população em diálise e após o transplante renal. Entretanto, a doença arterial coronária (DAC) é frequentemente assintomática em pacientes com DRCT e os exames não invasivos apresentam baixa acurácia diagnóstica nesses pacientes em relação à população geral. Objetivos: Determinar a performance diagnóstica da angiotomografia de artérias coronárias combinada à perfusão miocárdica pela tomografia (TC-AP) em pacientes com DRCT. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, aberto, unicêntrico. Foram incluídos pacientes com DRCT em terapia de substituição renal, candidatos ao transplante renal com mais um fator de risco cardiovascular: idade >= 50 anos, diabetes ou história de doença cardiovascular. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à coronariografia invasiva (CI) e à TC-AP. A aquisição das imagens tomográficas foi realizada durante estresse com dipiridamol e em repouso. Os resultados obtidos na TC-AP foram comparados aos da CI, considerada o padrão-ouro para diagnóstico de DAC. Foi realizada medida da reserva de fluxo fracionada (FFR) durante a CI em lesões obstrutivas classificadas visualmente como intermediárias. Baseado nos resultados da TC-AP e da CI (±FFR), os pacientes foram classificados como portadores ou não de DAC significativa e a análise foi feita por paciente. Os investigadores responsáveis pela análise da TC-AP não tiveram acesso aos resultados da CI (±FFR). Resultados: Entre julho de 2015 e janeiro de 2018, 64 pacientes (idade média 56,9 ± 9,2 anos; 67,2% do sexo masculino; 85,9% diabéticos) realizaram CI e TC-AP. A prevalência de DAC significativa na CI foi de 34,4%. Na comparação com a CI, os valores de sensibilidade e especificidade, valor preditivo positivo, valor preditivo negativo e a acurácia da TC-AP foram, respectivamente, 95,5%, 88,1%, 80,8%, 97,4% e 90,6%. As razões de verossimilhança positiva e negativa foram de 8,02 e 0,05, respectivamente. Conclusão: Um único exame baseado na tomografia computadorizada, associando angiografia coronária e perfusão miocárdica, apresentou elevada acurácia no diagnóstico de DAC obstrutiva significativa na população com DRCT candidata ao transplante renal. Essa estratégia poderá ser considerada na avaliação de DAC em pacientes com DRCT / Introduction: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease, which is the main cause of death in patients on dialysis or after kidney transplantation. However, coronary artery disease (CAD) is often asymptomatic in patients with ESRD, and noninvasive tests have a lower diagnostic accuracy in this scenario when compared to that in the general population. Objective: To determine the diagnostic performance of computed tomography (CT) angiography combined with myocardial perfusion (CT-AP) in the diagnosis of CAD in patients with ESRD. Methods: This was a prospective, single-center study. Patients with ESRD on renal replacement therapy, candidates for kidney transplantation, with at least one additional risk factor for cardiovascular disease (age >= 50 years, diabetes or previous cardiovascular disease) were included. All patients underwent invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and CT-AP. CT image acquisition was performed during dipyridamole-induced stress and at rest. Results of CT-AP were compared to those obtained on ICA, considered the gold standard for diagnosis of CAD. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) was measured during ICA for obstructive lesions visually graded as intermediate. Based on the results of CT-AP and ICA (±FFR), patients were classified as having significant or nonsignificant obstructive CAD, and analyses were performed at the patient level. Investigators responsible for the analysis of CT-AP were blinded to the findings of ICA (±FFR). Results: Between July 2015 and January 2018, 64 patients (mean age 56.9 ± 9.2 years; 67.2% male; 85.9% with diabetes) underwent ICA and CT-AP. Significant CAD was observed in 34.4% of patients on ICA. Compared to ICA, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of CT-AP were 95.5%, 88.1%, 80.8%, 97.4%, and 90.6%, respectively. Positive and negative likelihood ratios were 8.02 and 0.05, respectively. Conclusion: A single test based on CT angiography and myocardial perfusion had a high accuracy for the diagnosis of significant obstructive CAD in patients with ESRD being evaluated for kidney transplantation. This strategy may be considered in the assessment of CAD in patients with ESRD

Introdução: A perfusão miocárdica de estresse pela tomografia (PMT) é um método emergente e não-invasivo para detecção de isquemia miocárdica. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a acurácia diagnóstica da PMT em pacientes com bloqueio de ramo esquerdo (BRE) que estavam em pesquisa diagnóstica de doença arterial coronariana (DAC) e o valor adicional da PMT sobre a tomografia computadorizada com múltiplos detectores (ATC) usando tomógrafo com 320 detectores, e compará-los com a cintilografia de perfusão miocárdica (SPECT) para detecção de isquemia miocárdica com estenose coronariana significativa (estenose >- 70%), utilizando a angiografia coronariana quantitativa (QCA) e a angiografia coronariana pela tomografia computadorizada com múltiplos detectores como referências. Material e Métodos: Quarenta e dois pacientes com BRE e SPECT ( < 2 meses) em avaliação diagnóstica de DAC foram encaminhados para realizar o protocolo de tomografia que incluiu o escore de cálcio, PMT, ATC e realce tardio do miocárdio. Trinta pacientes foram encaminhados para angiografia coronária invasiva. As imagens foram interpretadas por observadores independentes e alheios aos resultados dos exames e aos dados clínicos. Foram realizadas análises por paciente e por território. O estudo obteve a aprovação da comissão de ética e todos os pacientes assinaram consentimento informado. Resultados: A idade média dos pacientes foi 63 +- 10 anos e, destes, 67% mulheres (28 pacientes). A dose média de radiação total foi de 9,3 +- 4,6 mSv. Na análise por paciente, sensibilidade, especificidade, valores preditivos positivo e negativo foram de 86%, 89%, 80 e 93% para a PMT (p=0,001) (kappa 0,74) e 63%, 91%, 65% e 90% (p < 0,001) na análise por território (kappa 0,55), respectivamente. Em ambas as análises, o ATC mostrou excelente precisão, com área sob a curva ROC=0,9. Considerável concordância foi demonstrada entre SPECT e o QCA (kappa 0,32 e 0,26) nas análises por paciente e por território, respectivamente. A avaliação combinada da ATC com a PMT permitiu melhorar a acurácia diagnóstica para detecção de estenose coronariana com redução luminal hemodinamicamente significativa ( >= 70%) comparando-se com a ATC, PMT ou SPECT isolados, demonstrado por valores de sensibilidade, especificidade, e valores preditivos positivos e negativos de 93%, 87%, 87%, 93% (p < 0,0001) na avaliação combinada por paciente, e 85%, 90%, 79%, 93% (p < 0,0001) na avaliação combinada por território. Conclusão: O uso do protocolo tomográfico de estresse é viável e possui boa acurácia para diagnóstico de DAC em pacientes com BRE com resultados superiores ao SPECT. A combinação da PMT e ATC permitiu melhorar a acurácia diagnóstica da avaliação de obstrução coronariana significativa em pacientes com BRE / Introduction: Stress computed tomography myocardial perfusion (CTP) is an emerging and non-invasive method to detect myocardial ischemia. The objective of this study was to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of CTP in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) who were being evaluated for coronary artery disease (CAD) and the additional value of CTP on computed tomography angiography (CTA) using 320-row detector CT scanner and compare them with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for detection of myocardial ischemia with significant coronary stenosis >= 70% using quantitative invasive coronary angiography (QCA) and coronary CT angiography as references. Material and Methods: Forty two LBBB patients with SPECT ( < 2 months) in diagnostic evaluation for CAD were referred to stress CT protocol which included calcium score, CTP, CTA and myocardial delayed enhancement. Thirty patients were referred to invasive coronary angiography. Independent blinded observers performed analyses of the images. Per-patient and perterritory analyses were conducted. Ethical committee aproval was obtained and all patients gave informed consent. Results: The mean age was 63 +- 10 years. 67% were women (28 patients). The total mean radiation dose was 9,3 +- 4,6 mSv. In per-patient sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative values were 86%, 89%, 80 and 93%, for CTP (p=0,001) (kappa 0.74) and 63%, 91% 65% and 90% (p < 0,001) in per-territory analysis (kappa 0.55), respectively. In both analyses, CTA showed excellent accuracy with area under receiver operating curve (AUC) = 0.9. Fair agreement was demonstrated between SPECT and QCA (kappa 0,32 e 0,26) in per-patient and per-territory analyses, respectively. The combined analysis of CTA with CTP, improved diagnostic accuracy for detection of coronary stenosis with hemodynamically significant luminal reduction ( >= 70%) compared with CTA, CTP or SPECT alone, demonstrated by sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 93%, 87%, 87%, 93% (p < 0,0001) in the combined evaluation by patient and 85%, 90%, 79%, 93% (p < 0,0001) in the combined evaluation by territory. Conclusion: The use of customized stress CT protocol is feasible and has good accuracy for the diagnosis of CAD in patients with LBBB with results better than SPECT. The combination of PMT and ATC has improved the diagnostic accuracy of the assessment of significant coronary obstruction in patients with LBBB

INTRODUÇÃO: A incidência de doença arterial coronária em candidatos a transplante renal é alta, sendo a principal causa de mortes neste grupo de pacientes. Os resultados obtidos com exames não invasivos usados na detecção de doença arterial coronariana destes pacientes têm-se mostrado variados e, de modo geral, insatisfatórios para uma condição clínica considerada grave. A ressonância magnética cardiovascular é utilizada cada vez mais no estudo de doença arterial coronária na população geral, apresentando bons resultados na identificação de isquemia e de fibrose miocárdica. Entretanto, este método, até o momento, não foi avaliado neste grupo de pacientes. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar a capacidade da ressonância magnética cardíaca em detectar doença arterial coronária em candidatos a transplante renal sob dois diferentes aspectos: diagnóstico de lesão coronariana significativa (redução do diâmetro luminal maior ou igual a 70%), avaliada pela alteração da perfusão miocárdica, comparando os resultados com a cintilografia e tendo a angiografia coronária como padrão de referência; e detecção de infarto miocárdico silencioso, comparando com a eletrocardiografia e cintilografia, tendo a ressonância magnética cardiovascular com a técnica de realce tardio como padrão de referência. MÉTODOS: Durante o período de janeiro de 2002 e janeiro de 2004 foram estudados 80 candidatos a transplante renal que apresentavam ao menos um dos seguintes critérios de inclusão: 1. idade igual ou acima de 50 anos; 2. diabete melito; 3. história ou evidência clínica de doença cardiovascular. Todos os pacientes foram encaminhados para serem submetidos a exames de eletrocardiografia, cintilografia, ressonância magnética cardiovascular e angiografia coronária no período máximo de até um ano entre os exames. Na pesquisa de alteração da perfusão miocárdica, comparou-se ressonância magnética cardiovascular com cintilografia em 76 pacientes, tendo a angiografia coronária como padrão de referência na identificação de lesão coronária significativa (estenose igual ou maior que 70% da luz vascular). Na identificação de infarto miocárdico silencioso, comparou-se a ressonância magnética cardiovascular com a eletrocardiografia e cintilografia em 69 pacientes. Os exames foram analisados de modo cego em relação aos resultados dos demais exames. Dados numéricos foram expressos como média, desvio padrão e intervalo de confiança, sendo calculado grau de concordância, testes diagnóstico e de significância entre os métodos. RESULTADOS: Na pesquisa de obstrução coronária significativa, a ressonância magnética cardiovascular apresentou sensibilidade, especificidade e acurácia de 84,1%, 56,3% e 72,4% e a cintilografia miocárdica 65,9%, 68,6% e 67,1%, respectivamente. A ressonância magnética cardiovascular foi significativamente mais sensível que a cintilografia (p=0,039). Na identificação de infarto miocárdico silencioso, o grau de concordância entre a ressonância magnética cardiovascular e o eletrocardiograma foi de 0,28 e entre a ressonância magnética cardiovascular e a cintilografia 0,52. Considerando-se a ressonância magnética cardiovascular como sendo o padrão de referência na identificação de infarto miocárdico silencioso, a sensibilidade, especificidade e acurácia do eletrocardiograma foram de 27,8%, 98% e 79,7% e da cintilografia foram de 66,7%, 87% e 81,2%, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: No diagnóstico de lesão coronariana significativa, a ressonância magnética cardiovascular mostrou acurácia similar e maior sensibilidade em relação à cintilografia. Na detecção de infarto miocárdico silencioso, o eletrocardiograma e a cintilografia apresentaram baixa concordância com a ressonância magnética cardiovascular / INTRODUCTION: Coronary artery disease in renal transplant candidates is frequent and is the most common cause of death. Results of standard noninvasive tests for the detection of coronary artery disease in this specific group are incosistent and, overall, considered inadequate for clinical decision making. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance has been used most frequently in the identification of coronary artery disease in the general population with good results in the analysis of myocardial ischemia and fibrosis. However, this method, until now, has not been evaluated for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease in renal transplant candidates. The goal of this study is to assess the capability of cardiovascular magnetic resonance for the detection of coronary artery disease in renal transplant candidates in two different aspects: the diagnosis of significant coronary stenosis (70% or more luminal diameter reduction) assessed by myocardial perfusion abnormalities, comparing the results with scintigraphy and using coronary angiography as the reference method; and the identification of unrecognized myocardial infarction, comparing with electrocardiography and nuclear medicine, using cardiovascular magnetic resonance late enhancement technique as the reference method. METHODS: Between January 2002 and January 2004 we studied 80 renal transplant candidates with at least one of these inclusion criteria: 1. 50 years of age or more, 2. diabetes mellitus, and 3. clinical history or evidence of coronary artery disease. All patients underwent electrocardiogram, nuclear medicine, cardiovascular magnetic resonance and coronary angiography examinations within a maximum period of one year. In the assessment of myocardial perfusion defect, we compared cardiovascular magnetic resonance with scintigraphy in 76 patients with coronary angiography as the reference method in the identification of significant coronary lesion (70% stenosis of the vascular lumen or more). In the identification of unrecognized myocardial infarction, we compared magnetic resonance with electrocardiogram and nuclear medicine in 69 patients. All exams were reviewed by readers blinded to the results of the other exams. Data was presented as mean, standard deviation and confidence interval. Percentual of agreement, diagnostic tests and statistical tests between the exams were calculated. RESULTS: On the assessment of significant coronary stenosis, cardiovascular magnetic resonance showed sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 84.1%, 56.3%, and 72.4% and nuclear medicine 65.9%, 68.6%, and 67.1%, respectively. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance was significantly more sensitive than scintigraphy medicine (p=0.039). In the identification of unrecognized myocardial infarction, agreement between cardiovascular magnetic resonance and electrocardiogram was 0.28 and between cardiovascular magnetic resonance and scintigraphy was 0.52. Considering cardiovascular magnetic resonance as the reference method in the identification of unrecognized myocardial infarction, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the electrocardiogram were 27.8%, 98% and 79.7%, and for scintigraphy were 66.7%, 87% and 81.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In the diagnosis of significant coronary stenosis, cardiovascular magnetic resonance showed similar accuracy and higher sensitivity compared to scintigraphy. In the detection of unrecognized myocardial infarction, the electrocardiogram and scintigraphy presented low agreement with cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Die Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT), die Mehrschicht-Spiral-Computertomographie (MSCT) und die Elektronenstrahl-Computertomographie (EBCT) sind nichtinvasive diagnostische Verfahren, welche die bisherige kardiale Bildgebung zumindest in Teilbereichen ersetzen oder ergänzen können. MR-Perfusions- und MR-Funktionsuntersuchungen konnten in der vorgelegten Arbeit direkte Parameter der myokardialen Vitalität regional erfassen. Die Signalintensitäten im Blut und im Herzmuskel dienten zur quantitativen Bestimmung der Myokardperfusion. Die Ortsauflösung ermöglichte eine Differenzierung der subendo- und der subepikardialen Durchblutung. Zusätzliche Streßuntersuchungen steigerten die Sensitivität des Verfahrens. Relativ geringgradige Koronarstenosen ließen sich durch vornehmlich subendokardial lokalisierte Perfusionsdefekte nachweisen. MR-Tagging- Funktionsanalysen konnten durch ein artifizielles Markierungsgitter zwischen endokardial lokalisiertem Narbengewebe und epikardial liegendem vitalem Gewebe differenzieren. Die Dehnungen, Stauchungen und Rotationen des Myokardverbandes wurden registriert und ausgewertet. Die MSCT und die EBCT wurden als Röntgenverfahren für die nichtinvasive Koronarangiographie verglichen. Bei der Definition der Gefäßkonturschärfe über die Anstiegssteilheit der CT-Dichtewerte zeigte sich eine bessere Abbildungsqualität der MSCT gegenüber der EBCT. Die Bestimmung der Segmenterkennbarkeit zeigte, dass mit der MSCT signifikant mehr erkannt werden konnten. Die vorgestellten kardialen MR- und CT-Untersuchungen konnten aus Gründen der Reproduzierbarkeit sowie aufgrund des Strahlenschutzes nur tierexperimentell durchgeführt werden. Die Validität der unterschiedlichen Tiermodelle ist in vorausgegangenen Studien belegt worden. Die in der Literatur verfügbaren Ergebnisse am Menschen bestätigen in vieler Weise die vorgelegten Daten. / Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT), and electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) are noninvasive imaging modalities that may supplement or in part even replace established diagnostic procedures for assessment of the heart. MRI perfusion and functional studies were shown to enable determination of direct parameters of regional myocardial vitality. The signal intensities of blood and myocardium served to quantify myocardial perfusion. The spatial resolution allowed for differentiating subendocardial and subepicardial perfusion. Additional stress tests improved the sensitivity of the procedure. Relatively low-grade coronary artery stenoses were identified by the presence of perfusion gaps primarily in subendocardial location. Functional analysis by means of MRI tagging using an artificial grid allowed for differentiating endocardial scar tissue from epicardial vital tissue. Extension, compression, and rotation of the myocardial complex were recorded and analyzed. MSCT and EBCT were compared as radiographic procedures for noninvasive coronary angiography. MSCT was found to be superior to EBCT in terms of image quality defined as vascular contour sharpness determined as the steepness of the increase in CT densities. Assessment of segment identification showed that significantly more segments were visualized by MSCT. The cardiac MRI and CT studies presented here could only be performed in animals because of the radiation exposure involved and to ensure reproducibility of the results. The validity of the different animal models used has been demonstrated in preceding studies. The results of the present animal experiments are in agreement with many of the human data published in the literature.

A ecocardiografia com perfusão miocárdica em tempo-real (EPTR) é uma técnica desenvolvida recentemente que utiliza baixa energia ultra-sônica e permite a avaliação da perfusão miocárdica e a quantificação do fluxo miocárdico regional. Embora estudos tenham demonstrado a possibilidade da medida da reserva de fluxo miocárdico (RFM) por esta técnica, sua acurácia para detecção de doença arterial coronariana (DAC) e sua correlação com a reserva de fluxo coronariano (RFC) obtida pelo estudo das velocidades de fluxo nos vasos epicárdicos, não estão definidas. Os objetivos deste estudo foram comparar a exeqüibilidade e acurácia da RFM medidas pela EPTR e da RFC obtida pela ecodopplercardiografia transtorácica (ETT) para a detecção de lesão obstrutiva na artéria coronária descendente anterior (ADA), tendo como padrão de referência a angiografia coronária quantitativa (ACQ), e correlacionar os valores ecodopplercardiográficos das reservas de fluxo miocárdico e coronariano com o grau de estenose coronariana. Foram Avaliados prospectivamente 71 pacientes, dos quais 56 (20 homens, média etária de 59 ± 11 anos) foram considerados para análise da acurácia. Os pacientes foram submetidos ao estudo da perfusão miocárdica pela EPTR em repouso e durante infusão de adenosina 140 mg/kg/min, usando como agente de contraste ecocardiográfico microbolhas encapsuladas por albumina e glicose. A quantificação do platô de intensidade miocárdica (A) que reflete o volume sangüíneo miocárdico, a velocidade de repreenchimento do miocárdio pelas microbolhas (ß) e o fluxo miocárdico (A x ß) foi realizada utilizando-se um programa computacional específico (Q-Lab 3.0, Philips Medical Systems). As velocidades de fluxo na porção distal da ADA foram avaliadas pela ETT, e a RFC definida como a relação entre a velocidade diastólica máxima durante hiperemia e no estado basal. Os pacientes foram submetidos à ACQ dentro de 30 dias do estudo ecocardiográfico. Lesão coronariana significativa foi definida como presença de obstrução >50% do diâmetro luminal. No presente estudo, a medida da RFC pelo Doppler da ADA apresentou exeqüibilidade global de 83% , enquanto que a quantificação da RFM pela EPTR mostrou exeqüibilidade de 99%. Os pacientes com lesão angiograficamente significativa na ADA apresentaram valores de RFC (2,86 ± 0,71 versus 1,57 ± 0,38; p = 0,0001), RFM (2,43 ± 0,80 versus 1,24 ± 0,48; p = 0,0001) e reserva b (2,08 ± 0,82 versus 1,23 ± 0,46; p = 0,001) menores que pacientes sem lesão significativa. O valor de corte utilizado para diferenciar pacientes com e sem lesão na ADA foi 1,84 para a RFC obtida pelo Doppler da ADA, 1,74 para a RFM e 1,68 para a reserva b. A sensibilidade, especificidade e acurácia para detecção de lesão angiograficamente significativa na ADA foram de 96%, 93%, e 95% para a RFC obtida pelo Doppler da ADA, 88%, 90% e 89% para a RFM obtida pela xxii EPTR, e 88%, 84%, e 86% para a reserva b. A análise de regressão logística demonstrou que o estudo com Doppler da ADA foi o parâmetro que melhor diferenciou os pacientes com e sem lesão na ADA (Razão de chances de 1,78, intervalo de confiança de 95% de 1,28 a 2,47). Houve uma boa correlação entre a medida da reserva b (r = 0,89; p <0,05), RFM (r = 0,79; p <0,05), e RFC (r = 0,88; p < 0,05) e o grau de estenose obtido pela ACQ. Conclui-se que a avaliação da RFC pelo Doppler da ADA e da RFM pela EPTR quantitativa apresentaram alta exeqüibilidade e foram capazes de diferenciar de modo preciso os indivíduos com e sem lesão angiográfica significativa na ADA. No entanto, a acurácia diagnóstica pelo Doppler da ADA foi discretamente superior aos outros parâmetros analisados e apresentou menor exeqüibilidade. Ambas as reservas de fluxo miocárdico e coronariano correlacionaram-se de modo inverso com o grau de estenose coronariana / Real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RTMCE) is a recently developed technique that utilizes low-mechanical index imaging and allows for noninvasive evaluation of myocardial perfusion as well as for quantification of regional myocardial blood flow. Although previous studies have demonstrated that RTMCE permits determining myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR), its diagnostic accuracy and correlation with the measurement of coronary flow reserve (CFR) by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE) has not been fully demonstrated. The aims of this study were to compare the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of MBFR obtained by RTMCE and CFR obtained by TTE for detecting angiographically significant obstruction in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), and to determine the correlation between MBFR and CFR and the severity of stenosis determined by quantitative coronary angiography. We prospectively studied 71 patients, among them 56 patients (20 men, 59 ± 11 years) were considered for the determination of diagnostic accuracy. All patients underwent RTMCE at rest and during 140mcg/kg/min of adenosine infusion. Plateau acoustic intensity (A), myocardial replenishment velocity slope (B) and myocardial blood flow (A x B) were quantified using Q-Lab 3.0 (Philips Medical Systems). Coronary flow velocities were evaluated in the distal LAD using TTE and CFR was defined as the ratio between maximal diastolic velocity during hiperemia and baseline. LAD stenosis (obstruction >50% of luminal diameter) was determined by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) performed within one month of RTMCE. The feasibility of CFR measurement by TTE was 83%, while the feasibility of MBFR measurement by RTMCE was 99%. CFR was significantly lower in patients with than in patients without angiographically significant LAD stenosis (2.86 ± 0.71 versus 1.57 ± 0.38; p = 0.0001), as was the MBFR (2.43 ± 0.80 versus 1.24 ± 0.48; p = 0.0001) and b reserve (2.08 ± 0.82 versus 1.23 ± 0.46; p = 0.001). Cutoff values for differentiating patients with and without LAD stenosis were 1.84 for CFR, 1.74 for MBFR, and 1.68 for b reserve. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for detecting LAD stenosis were 96%, 93%, and 95% for CFR obtained by TTE, 88%, 90%, and 89% for MBFR, and 88%, 84%, and 86% for b reserve. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that CFR as measured by TTE was the best predictor of LAD (Odds ratio = 1.78, 95% confidence interval 1.28 to 2.47). There was a good correlation between b reserve (r = 0.89; p <0.05), MBFR (r = 0.79; p <0.05), and CFR (r = 0.88; p < 0.05) and the severity of coronary obstruction determined by QCA. In conclusion, CFR obtained by TTE and MBFR obtained by RTMCE were highly feasible and accurate for differentiating patients with and without angiographically significant LAD obstruction. CFR had a slightly higher diagnostic accuracy than other xxv evaluated parameters, despite lower feasibility. Both the CFR and MBFR were inversely correlated with the degree of luminal coronary obstruction determined by QCA

Die koronare Herzkrankheit (KHK) gehört zu den häufigsten Todesursachen in den westlichen Industrienationen. Die Diagnostik der Erkrankung hat somit großen Stellenwert in der Medizin. Akzeptierter Goldstandard zur Diagnostik einer KHK ist die Herzkatheteruntersuchung (HKU). Als nicht-invasive Alternative zur HKU hat sich in den letzten Jahren die Mehrzeilen-Computertomographie als zuverlässiges Verfahren für den KHK-Ausschluss bei mittlerer Vortestwahrscheinlichkeit etabliert. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die diagnostischen Eigenschaften der prospektiv getriggerten mit der retrospektiv getriggerten CT-Koronarangiographie (CTCA) an einem 64-Zeilen Gerät in einem heterogenen Patientenkollektiv mit unterschiedlichen kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen (Verdacht auf Koronare Herzkrankheit, Aortenaneurysma, präoperativ zum Aortenklappenersatz oder zur Pulmonalvenenablation, zum Ausschluss eines Tumors oder Perikarditiden) in Genauigkeit, Bildqualität und ihrer Anwendbarkeit gegenüberzustellen und sie mit dem Referenzstandard, der HKU, zu vergleichen. In diese Studie wurden retrospektiv 77 Patienten eingeschlossen, die ein EKG-getriggertes kardiales CT erhielten. Wenn es möglich war, d.h. die Herzfrequenz <75/min, BMI <35 und ein Sinusrhythmus vorlag, wurde die prospektive EKG-getriggerte CTCA durchgeführt, alternativ kam die retrospektive EKG-getriggerte Technik zur Anwendung. Alle Segmente der Koronararterien, deren Lumendiameter ≥1.5mm betrug, wurden hinsichtlich Stenosen und Bildqualität analysiert und beurteilt. Die retrospektive EKG-getriggerte CTCA wurde bei 39 Patienten und die prospektive EKG-getriggerte CTCA bei 38 Patienten durchgeführt. Die mittlere Herzfrequenz (HF) betrug jeweils 69.5±9.1/min und 62.8±5.9/min. Bei der Detektion von Stenosen ≥50% zeigt die segment-(patienten-) basierte Betrachtung bei der retrospektiven EKG-getriggerten CTCA eine Sensitivität, Spezifität, positiven (PPV) und negativen prädiktiven Wert (NPV) von 97%, 98%, 71%, 100% (91%, 82%, 67%, 96%) und die prospektiv EKG-getriggerte CTCA 94%, 97%, 75%, 99% (93%, 96%, 93%, 96%). In der prospektiv EKG-getriggerten CTCA-Gruppe steigt die Sensitivität und der NPV bei Patienten mit einer HF ≤65/min. Gefäßspezifische Untersuchungen weisen bei der prospektiven Technik eine geringere diagnostische Aussagekraft bezüglich der rechten Koronararterie (RCA) auf, welche jedoch bei einer HF ≤65/min ansteigt. Die Bildqualität unterscheidet sich nicht signifikant in beiden Gruppen. Die Arbeit hat gezeigt, dass die prospektive EKG-getriggerte CTCA in einer heterogenen Patientenpopulation eine hohe diagnostische Genauigkeit und Bildqualität bei HF ≤65/min aufweist. Eine niedrige HF ist für die Beurteilung der RCA von besonderer Bedeutung.

Introduktion: Ett av röntgensjuksköterskans ansvarsområden är att förebygga spridning av vårdrelaterade infektioner, och inom interventionell radiologi innebär detta att arbeta med aseptisk teknik. Munskydd har varit standard inom kirurgi i ett århundrade men inom interventionell radiologi saknas nationella riktlinjer för dess användande, trots att den sterila tekniken i övrigt är densamma. Syfte: Syftet med denna litteraturöversikt var att klargöra huruvida kirurgiska munskydd kan förebygga infektion hos patienten vid interventionell radiologi. Metod: Studien genomfördes som en allmän litteraturöversikt enligt Friberg (2017) för att sammanställa kunskapsläget inom området. Tolv kvantitativa artiklar hittades genom systematisk litteratursökning i PubMed. Artiklarna kvalitetsgranskades, analyserades och resultatet presenterades i två huvudkategorier. Resultat: Munskydd har ingen påvisad effekt att förebygga postoperativa sårinfektioner vid kirurgi eller coronarangiografi men förhindrar till viss del spridning av bakterier. Slutsats: Forskningen på munskydd är begränsad vilket gör det svårt att dra några slutsatser. Fler studier som fokuserar på munskydds effektivitet inom interventionell radiologi behövs. Författarna anser att munskydd inom interventionell radiologi inte bör vara obligatoriskt utan upp till varje avdelning att från fall till fall bestämma huruvida det ska användas eller inte. / Introduction: One of the radiographer's responsibilities is to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections. In interventional radiology, this means working with aseptic technique. Surgical face mask protection has been the standard of surgery for a century, but in interventional radiology there are no national guidelines for its use, even though the sterile technique is the same. Aim: The aim of this study was to clarify whether surgical face masks prevent infection in patient in interventional radiology. Methodology: A literature review (Friberg, 2017) has been done to identify the current knowledge in the field. The study includes twelve quantitative articles collected through a systematic literature search in PubMed. After quality review the articles were analyzed and presented into two main categories. Result: Concerning postoperative wound infections, there is no strong evidence to prove that using surgical face masks prevents infections during surgery or coronary angiography. However, using such mask prevents the spread of bacteria to some extent. Conclusion: Research on oral protection is limited, making it difficult to draw any conclusions. A set of new tests are needed to identify the effect of using mask in today’s interventional radiology. Based on the results of the studies, it can be concluded that: generally, mouth protection within interventional radiology should not be mandatory. However, each radiology department need to consider the operating condition and status of the patient and decide if the personal should follow mouth protection process.