Validity of ultrasound arterial wall vascularization for assessment of vascular inflammation

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
W Sato ◽  
Y Kobayashi ◽  
M Otaka ◽  
M Unuma ◽  
T Yamanaka ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Vascular inflammation plays a fundamental role in most vascular diseases including atherosclerosis and vasculitis syndrome, in which arterial wall vascularization (AWV) frequently develops. Visualization of AWV is informative in detecting the vascular inflammation but is challenging. A new ultrasound technique (superb micro-vascular imaging [SMI]) allows the detection of extremely low-velocity flows. We examined an availability of SMI for assessment of the instability of atherosclerotic plaques and the activity of Takayasu arteritis (TA). Methods and results The study consists of two independent and consecutive parts A and B, examined in carotid stenosis (A) and TA (B), respectively. In part A, 12 patients with symptomatic severe carotid stenosis (CS group) scheduled for carotid endarterectomy were enrolled. In six of 12 patients, preoperative ultrasonography with SMI showed intraplaque neovascularization at the plaque shoulder. Postoperatively, histopathology confirmed the neovessels at the corresponding sites of visualized AWV. SMI had a sensitivity of 67%, specificity of 90% for detection of AWV in CS group. In SMI analysis, false positive findings were caused by motion artifact and arterial wall calcification, and a false negative finding is attributed by intraplaque hemorrhage. In part B, 10 patients with TA were enrolled. All patients underwent 18F-FDG-PET/CT, and its vascular uptake were compared with AWV detected by SMI. Bilateral common carotid arteries (CCA), internal carotid arteries and common iliac arteries were examined by SMI. Active vascular 18F-FDG uptake (max SUV >2.1) were found at five sites in three patients, which were not significantly correlated with the prevalence of macaroni sign, increase in C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Of note, SMI revealed AWV at five sites corresponding to uptake of 18F-FDG, with a sensitivity/specificity of 100% and 98%, positive predictive value 71%, and a negative predictive value 100%. Conclusion SMI enables visualization of AWV at vulnerable plaque in CS patients and at 18F-FDG positive sites in TA patients. SMI has potential as a modality to detect the vascular inflammation. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Japan

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A.L Chilingaryan ◽  
L.G Tunyan ◽  
K.G Adamyan ◽  
P.H Zelveyan ◽  
L.R Tumasyan ◽  
...  

Abstract   Stress echocardiography (SE) is a reliable technique for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) with high sensitivity and specificity. However in patients with small left ventricular (LV) cavity caused by marked concentric hypertrophy the sensitivity of SE is low. We assumed that in patients with false negative SE evaluation of global myocardial work (GW) might detect significant CAD. Methods 238 patents with chest pain (98 female, mean age 61±5 years) without history of CAD were referred to SE for CAD confirmation. 94 (39.5%) patients had negative SE and were enrolled in our study for re-examination. Age and gender matched 50 healthy subjects served as controls. GW index (GWI) was obtained from pressure-strain loops composed from speckle tracking analysis indexed to brachial systolic blood pressure. Global constructive work (GCW) as the sum of positive work due to myocardial shortening during systole and negative work due to lengthening during isovolumic relaxation, global wasted work (GWW) as energy loss by myocardial lengthening in systole and shortening in isovolumic relaxation, and GW efficiency (GWE) as the percentage ratio of constructive work to the sum of constructive work and wasted work were measured after submaximal treadmill SE at the heart rate of 100–110 beats per minute (109±11 s after SE) using EchoPac software by blinded experienced echocardiographer. All patients were referred to coronary angiography after re-examination. Results 42 (44.7%) patients had lower GWI values than the lowest limit of GWI value in controls. These patients had significant reduction in GWI, compared with remaining 52 patients in whom GWI did not differ from those of controls (GWI 1897±112 mmHg% vs 2518±243 mmHg%, p<0.01). GCW, GWE and GWW were comparable between patients with or without reduced GWI (GCW 2283±107mmHg% vs 2321±110 mmHg%, p=NS; GWE 96.9±1.1% vs 97.4±1.2%, p=NS; GWW 57±3 mmHg% vs 53±4 mmHg%, p=NS). 28 (66.7%) of 42 patients with GWI reduction and 8 (15.0%) of 52 patients without GWI reduction had at least one vessel significant CAD. GWI had sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in detection of CAD 78%, 76%, 77% respectively with 67% positive predictive value, and 85% negative predictive value. 29 (80.5%) patients out of 36 with significant CAD had concentric increase in LVMi compared with true negative SE patients (83±6 g/m2 vs 71±4 g/m2, p<0.01). GWI was the predictor of significant CAD (area under the curve 0.793). Conclusion GWI extends diagnostic power of conventional SE in detection of CAD, especially in patients with smaller LV cavity due to concentric hypertrophy when sensitivity of conventional SE is low. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Committee of Sience at Ministry of Education of Republic of Armenia


Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongge Shu ◽  
Jie Sun ◽  
Niranjan Balu ◽  
Haining Liu ◽  
Daniel S Hippe ◽  
...  

Introduction: Contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) provides highly accurate measurement of carotid stenosis. But non-contrast techniques are desired as contrast agents may lead to anaphylaxis or nephrogenic system fibrosis. Recently, an inversion-recovery gradient echo sequence with phase-sensitive reconstruction was developed for assessment of lumen and intraplaque hemorrhage in one sequence - Simultaneous Noncontrast Angiography and intraPlaque hemorrhage (SNAP). Hypothesis: We tested the hypothesis that SNAP provides an accurate and reproducible assessment of carotid stenosis compared to CE-MRA. Methods: Fifty-eight subjects with 16-79% stenosis on ultrasound were scanned using a large-coverage (16 cm), isotropic-resolution (0.8 mm) SNAP sequence. Minimum intensity projections were generated at ten degrees increments to get 3D views of carotid arteries. Carotid stenosis was measured bilaterally according to the NASCET criteria by independent readers to estimate inter-reader reproducibility. To assess agreement between SNAP and CE-MRA, 24 subjects also underwent CE-MRA with same resolution (0.8 mm isotropic) after injection of gadolinium contrast (Magnevist). Maximum intensity projections were generated for CE-MRA and analyzed while blinded to SNAP data. Results: Of 116 carotid arteries imaged by SNAP, 10 (8.6%) were excluded by at least one reader due to poor image quality or insufficient coverage. Inter-reader reproducibility was high, yielding an intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.93, 0.96). When stenosis measurements were categorized as no/mild (0-29%), moderate (30-69%) and severe (70-99%), weighted kappa was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.66, 0.88). In the 48 arteries with CE-MRA images, agreement between SNAP and CE-MRA was excellent (ICC: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.92, 0.98; weighted kappa: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.79, 1.00). Conclusions: SNAP can be used to obtain accurate and reproducible measurement of extracranial carotid artery stenosis without gadolinium contrast. The ability of SNAP to assess both traditional (stenosis) and emerging (intraplaque hemorrhage) risk factors may promote its use in clinical workup of carotid stenosis.


2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (10) ◽  
pp. 1026-1029 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Serna-Gallegos ◽  
Benjamin Basseri ◽  
Vahak Bairamian ◽  
Mark Pimentel ◽  
Harmik J. Soukiasian

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is commonly reported on esophagram (UGI) studies. The correlation of findings suggestive of GERD on UGI with pH monitoring and high-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) studies is unclear. We investigate the correlation between reflux on UGI with the findings on pH studies and HRM. Subjects completed a symptom questionnaire before their scheduled study. Data from pH and HRM studies were compared with findings of the UGI. Sixty-five patients were evaluated. Reflux was reported on UGI in 19 of 65 (29.2%). Thirty-six patients had both UGI and pH studies; 22 of 36 (61.1%) had reflux on pH studies. UGI had a false-negative finding in 11 of 20 (55%) with no radiographic evidence of reflux. There was a false-positive finding in five of 16 (31.2%) patients on UGI. There was concordance in 11 of 36 (30.5%). Sixty-three patients had both UGI and HRM; there was positive concordance in eight of 63 (12.7%). Using pH monitoring as the gold standard for GERD, sensitivity was 0.50, specificity 0.64, positive predictive value 0.68, and negative predictive value 0.45 for reflux on UGI. The correlation between reflux reported on UGI and 24-hour pH monitoring is poor. Esophagram (UGI) should be reserved for defining structural defects in the esophagus and not reflux.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Doudesis ◽  
J Yang ◽  
A Tsanas ◽  
C Stables ◽  
A Shah ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The myocardial-ischemic-injury-index (MI3) is a promising machine learned algorithm that predicts the likelihood of myocardial infarction in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome. Whether this algorithm performs well in unselected patients or predicts recurrent events is unknown. Methods In an observational analysis from a multi-centre randomised trial, we included all patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome and serial high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I measurements without ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Using gradient boosting, MI3 incorporates age, sex, and two troponin measurements to compute a value (0–100) reflecting an individual's likelihood of myocardial infarction, and estimates the negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV). Model performance for an index diagnosis of myocardial infarction, and for subsequent myocardial infarction or cardiovascular death at one year was determined using previously defined low- and high-probability thresholds (1.6 and 49.7, respectively). Results In total 20,761 of 48,282 (43%) patients (64±16 years, 46% women) were eligible of whom 3,278 (15.8%) had myocardial infarction. MI3 was well discriminated with an area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve of 0.949 (95% confidence interval 0.946–0.952) identifying 12,983 (62.5%) patients as low-probability (sensitivity 99.3% [99.0–99.6%], NPV 99.8% [99.8–99.9%]), and 2,961 (14.3%) as high-probability (specificity 95.0% [94.7–95.3%], PPV 70.4% [69–71.9%]). At one year, subsequent myocardial infarction or cardiovascular death occurred more often in high-probability compared to low-probability patients (17.6% [520/2,961] versus 1.5% [197/12,983], P<0.001). Conclusions In unselected consecutive patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome, the MI3 algorithm accurately estimates the likelihood of myocardial infarction and predicts probability of subsequent adverse cardiovascular events. Performance of MI3 at example thresholds Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Medical Research Council


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 720
Author(s):  
Valentin Pretet ◽  
Cyrille Blondet ◽  
Yvon Ruch ◽  
Matias Martinez ◽  
Soraya El Ghannudi ◽  
...  

According to European Society of Cardiology guidelines (ESC2015) for infective endocarditis (IE) management, modified Duke criteria (mDC) are implemented with a degree of clinical suspicion degree, leading to grades such as “possible” or “rejected” IE despite a persisting high level of clinical suspicion. Herein, we evaluate the 18F-FDG PET/CT diagnostic and therapeutic impact in IE suspicion, with emphasis on possible/rejected IE with a high clinical suspicion. Excluding cases of definite IE diagnosis, 53 patients who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT for IE suspicion were selected and afterwards classified according to both mDC (possible IE/Duke 1, rejected IE/Duke 0) and clinical suspicion degree (high and low IE suspicion). The final status regarding IE diagnosis (gold standard) was based on the multidisciplinary decision of the Endocarditis Team, including the ‘imaging specialist’. PET/CT images of the cardiac area were qualitatively interpreted and the intensity of each focus of extra-physiologic 18F-FDG uptake was evaluated by a maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) measurement. Extra-cardiac 18F-FDG PET/CT pathological findings were considered to be a possible embolic event, a possible source of IE, or even a concomitant infection. Based on the Endocarditis Team consensus, final diagnosis of IE was retained in 19 (36%) patients and excluded in 34 (64%). With a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and global accuracy of 79%, 100%, 100%, 89%, and 92%, respectively, PET/CT performed significantly better than mDC (p = 0.003), clinical suspicion degree (p = 0.001), and a combination of both (p = 0.001) for IE diagnosis. In 41 patients with possible/rejected IE but high clinical suspicion, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and global accuracies were 78%, 100%, 100%, 85%, and 90%, respectively. Moreover, PET/CT contributed to patient management in 24 out of 53 (45%) cases. 18F-FDG PET/CT represents a valuable diagnostic tool that could be proposed for challenging IE cases with significant differences between mDC and clinical suspicion degree. 18F-FDG PET/CT allows a binary diagnosis (definite or rejected IE) by removing uncertain diagnostic situations, thus improving patient therapeutic management.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Chiang ◽  
C.H Chiang ◽  
G.H Lee ◽  
C.C Lee

Abstract Objective The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 0/3-hour algorithm is one of the most widely strategies used for rule-out or rule-in of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, a systematic evaluation of its performance has not been conducted. Furthermore, recent studies showed that the 0/3-hour algorithm is non-superior to the 0/1-hour algorithm. Purpose This study aims to summarize the safety and efficacy of the 0/3-hour algorithm and its comparative performance with the 0/1-hour algorithm. Methods We conducted literature search on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for studies published between 1 January 2008 and 31 May 2019. A bivariate random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the primary and secondary outcomes, defined as index myocardial infarction and triage efficacy, major adverse cardiac event (MACE) or mortality at 30 days, respectively. Results A total of 10,832 patients from 9 studies with a pooled AMI prevalence of 16% were analyzed. The 0/3-hour algorithm ruled out 69% of the patients with a pooled sensitivity of 94.2% [95% CI: 87.6%–97.4%] and negative predictive value of 98.6% [95% CI: 97.0%–99.4%]; 17% of the patients were ruled in with a pooled specificity of 94.9% [95% CI: 88.6%–97.8%] and positive predictive value of 72.9% [95% CI: 54.6%–85.7%]. The 30-day mortality and 30-day MACE for patients that were ruled out were 0.0% [95% CI: 0.0%–0.0%] and 1.4% [95% CI: 0.9%–2.0%], respectively. In a pooled analysis of 3 cohorts, the 0/3-hour algorithm had a non-superior sensitivity compared with the 0/1-hour algorithm (94.4% [95% CI: 87.0%–97.7%] vs. 98.4% [95% CI: 95.4%–99.7%]). The 0/3-hour algorithm also had a similar rule-out efficacy compared with the 0/1-hour algorithm (52% [95% CI: 39%–65%] vs. 53% [95% CI: 42%–64%]). Conclusion The widely used 0/3-hour algorithm has sensitivity substantially below the consensus goal of 99% and may not be sufficiently safe for triage of myocardial infarction. Furthermore, the 0/3-hour algorithm is not superior to the 0/1-hour algorithm despite the additional triage time. Performance of ESC 0/3-hour algorithm Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Taiwan National Ministry of Science and Technology Grants


Author(s):  
Manasi Gosavi ◽  
Ramesh Chavan ◽  
M. B. Bellad

Abstract Introduction β-Thalassemias are inherited hemoglobinopathies commonly encountered in practice. With chances of a promising cure being rare, the prevention of births with this disorder should assume priority, especially in low-resource countries. This can be achieved by the implementation of a mass screening program that is reliable and, at the same time, cost-effective. Objectives This study focuses on the utility of Naked Eye Single Tube Red Cell Osmotic Fragility Test (NESTROFT) as a mass screening tool to detect thalassemia carriers. Hematological parameters that may predict carrier status were also evaluated. Materials and Methods Hemoglobin estimation was performed on all consented pregnant women. If the patient was found to have hemoglobin < 11 g/dL, the blood sample was subjected to other routine hematological tests along with peripheral smear examination. NESTROFT was performed using 0.36% saline solution. Confirmation was done using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Statistical Analysis Data obtained were tabulated using version 21 of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Means, standard deviations, and percentages were used to describe the sample. Chi-square test and Students’ “t” test were used to identify differences between the groups. Results Of 441 pregnant women enrolled, 206 were found to be anemic. Nineteen (9.2%) of the anemic pregnant women were detected to be carriers of hemoglobinopathies. Among the hematological parameters, mean red blood cell count and reticulocyte count were higher, while mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration was lower in carriers. Also, carriers were more likely to present with microcytic hypochromic anemia. NESTROFT showed a sensitivity of 84.21%, specificity of 96.25%, a positive predictive value of 69.56%, and a negative predictive value of 98.36%. A false-positive result was seen in 3.74% of the tests, while a false negative result was seen in 15.78% of the tests. Conclusions NESTROFT (0.36%) can be used as a simple and cost-effective mass screening tool for the detection of carrier status. This should be followed by confirmation using HPLC or hemoglobin electrophoresis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J.M Leerink ◽  
H.J.H Van Der Pal ◽  
E.A.M Feijen ◽  
P.G Meregalli ◽  
M.S Pourier ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) treated with anthracyclines and/or chest-directed radiotherapy receive life-long echocardiographic surveillance to detect cardiomyopathy early. Current risk stratification and surveillance frequency recommendations are based on anthracycline- and chest-directed radiotherapy dose. We assessed the added prognostic value of an initial left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) measurement at &gt;5 years after cancer diagnosis. Patients and methods Echocardiographic follow-up was performed in asymptomatic CCS from the Emma Children's Hospital (derivation; n=299; median time after diagnosis, 16.7 years [inter quartile range (IQR) 11.8–23.15]) and from the Radboud University Medical Center (validation; n=218, median time after diagnosis, 17.0 years [IQR 13.0–21.7]) in the Netherlands. CCS with cardiomyopathy at baseline were excluded (n=16). The endpoint was cardiomyopathy, defined as a clinically significant decreased EF (EF&lt;40%). The predictive value of the initial EF at &gt;5 years after cancer diagnosis was analyzed with multivariable Cox regression models in the derivation cohort and the model was validated in the validation cohort. Results The median follow-up after the initial EF was 10.9 years and 8.9 years in the derivation and validation cohort, respectively, with cardiomyopathy developing in 11/299 (3.7%) and 7/218 (3.2%), respectively. Addition of the initial EF on top of anthracycline and chest radiotherapy dose increased the C-index from 0.75 to 0.85 in the derivation cohort and from 0.71 to 0.92 in the validation cohort (p&lt;0.01). The model was well calibrated at 10-year predicted probabilities up to 5%. An initial EF between 40–49% was associated with a hazard ratio of 6.8 (95% CI 1.8–25) for development of cardiomyopathy during follow-up. For those with a predicted 10-year cardiomyopathy probability &lt;3% (76.9% of the derivation cohort and 74.3% of validation cohort) the negative predictive value was &gt;99% in both cohorts. Conclusion The addition of the initial EF &gt;5 years after cancer diagnosis to anthracycline- and chest-directed radiotherapy dose improves the 10-year cardiomyopathy prediction in CCS. Our validated prediction model identifies low-risk survivors in whom the surveillance frequency may be reduced to every 10 years. Calibration in both cohorts Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Dutch Heart Foundation


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 144-144
Author(s):  
Jasper Groen ◽  
Suzanne Gisbertz ◽  
Mark I Van Berge Henegouwen ◽  
Annelijn E Slaman ◽  
Sybren Meijer ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Celiac trunk metastases are an independent factor for inferior survival in patients with esophageal cancer. Detecting these metastases before esophagostomy would aid clinical decision making. The aim of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of integrated PET and CT (PET-CT) using 18F-FDG in detecting these metastases in patients with esophageal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRTx) followed by esophagectomy. Methods All patients with a carcinoma of the mid-to-distal esophagus or the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) who underwent esophageal resection with curative intent following nCRTx between January 2011 and January 2017 were included. The PET-CT scans after nCRTx were reviewed by nuclear radiologists and lymph nodes within a margin of 2 cm around the celiac trunk were expressed in SUVmax. Lymph nodes with SUVmax > 2.0 were deemed positive. The truncal nodes were extracted during esophagectomy and reviewed by different pathologists using standard pathology protocol. To assess the accuracy of the PET-CT in detecting lymph node metastases near the celiac trunk the sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive value were calculated. Results A total of 448 patients were included. There were 24 patients (5.4%) with positive truncal nodes on the PET-CT versus 424 patients (90.6%) with negative truncal nodes on the PET-CT. Out of these 24 patients 20 (83.3%) had truncal node metastases confirmed in the resection specimen (positive predictive value of 83.3%). In the other 424 patients 40 (9.4%) had truncal node metastases confirmed in the resection specimen (negative predictive value of 90.6%). This results in a sensitivity of 33.3% and a specificity of 99.0%. Conclusion The sensitivity and specificity of the PET-CT in detecting lymph node metastases near the celiac trunk in patients with esophageal cancer who underwent nCRTx were respectively 33.3% and 99.0% This shows that the PET-CT is accurate in detecting truncal lymph node metastases in this patient group. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.


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