scholarly journals Imaging in Suspected Cardiac Sarcoidosis: A Diagnostic Challenge

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis J. Ha ◽  
Sharad Agarwal ◽  
Katharine Tweed ◽  
Sonny C. Palmer ◽  
Heath S. Adams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Imaging ◽  
Fdg Pet ◽  
Cardiac Sarcoidosis ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Global Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Imaging Modalities ◽  
Cardiac Imaging Techniques ◽  
Diagnostic Dilemma

Cardiac Sarcoidosis (CS) represents a unique diagnostic dilemma. Guidelines have been recently revised to reflect the established role of sophisticated imaging techniques. Trans-thoracic Echocardiography (TTE) is widely adopted for initial screening of CS. Contemporary TTE techniques could enhance detection of subclinical Left Ventricular (LV) dysfunction, particularly LV global longitudinal strain assessment which predicts event-free survival (meta-analysis of 5 studies, hazard ratio 1.28, 95% confidence interval 1.18-1.37, p < 0.0001). However, despite the wide availability of TTE, it has limited sensitivity and specificity for CS diagnosis. Cardiac Magnetic resonance Imaging (CMR) is a crucial diagnostic modality for suspected CS. Presence of late gadolinium enhancement signifies myocardial scar and enables risk stratification. Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) coupled with myocardial perfusion imaging can identify active CS and guide immunosuppressant therapy. Gallium scintigraphy may be considered although FDG-PET is often preferred. While CMR and FDG-PET provide complementary information in CS evaluation, current guidelines do not recommend which imaging modalities are essential in suspected CS and if so, which modality should be performed first. The utility of hybrid imaging combining both advanced imaging modalities in a single scan is currently being explored, although not yet widely available. In view of recent, significant advances in cardiac imaging techniques, this review aims to discuss changes in guidelines for CS diagnosis, the role of various cardiac imaging modalities and the future direction in CS.

Myocarditis

2021 ◽  
pp. 715-730
Author(s):  
Ali Yilmaz ◽  
Heiko Mahrholdt ◽  
Udo Sechtem
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Imaging ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Cardiac Imaging Techniques ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Large Patient ◽  
Chest X Ray ◽  
Clinical Tools

The symptoms and signs of myocarditis are non-specific. Thus, myocarditis is a differential diagnosis in many patients with heart complaints. As myocarditis may accompany common viral infections of the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, and mild ECG changes are not uncommon in such patients, the diagnosis needs to be considered in large patient cohorts. Establishing the correct diagnosis is of importance as the disease may lead to sudden cardiac death or dilated cardiomyopathy. As clinical tools such as history taking, physical examination, blood tests, the ECG, and the chest X-ray are not sufficient to ascertain the diagnosis of myocarditis, additional information from cardiac imaging techniques, or endomyocardial biopsy are necessary to confirm or exclude the disease. In daily clinical routine, however, the use of biopsy is limited to severely ill patients with reduced left ventricular function due to its invasiveness and potential complications. Thus, this chapter reviews how non-invasive cardiac imaging techniques can be used in clinical practice to diagnose myocarditis.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy: optimization and follow-up

2015 ◽  
pp. 420-431
Author(s):  
Marta Sitges ◽  
Genevieve Derumeaux
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Biventricular Pacing ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Cardiac Resynchronization ◽  
Functional Mitral Regurgitation ◽  
Cardiac Imaging Techniques ◽  
Resynchronization Therapy

Cardiac imaging techniques have an important role in the follow-up of patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) as they provide objective evidence of changes in cardiac dimensions and function. The role of echocardiography is well established in the assessment of left ventricular reverse remodelling and the evaluation of secondary (functional) mitral regurgitation. Additionally, echocardiography might be used for optimizing the programming of atrio-ventricular (AV) and inter-ventricular (VV) delays of current CRT devices. Acute benefits from this optimization have been demonstrated, but longer follow-up studies have failed to show a clear benefit of optimized CRT on top of simultaneous biventricular pacing on the outcome of patients with CRT. This chapter reviews the role of imaging in assessing follow-up and outcome of patients undergoing CRT, as well as the rationale, the methods used, and the clinical impact of optimization of the programming of CRT devices.

scholarly journals The usefulness of repeated CMR and FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of patients with initial possible cardiac sarcoidosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Mathijssen ◽  
T. W. H. Tjoeng ◽  
R. G. M. Keijsers ◽  
A. L. M. Bakker ◽  
F. Akdim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fdg Pet ◽  
Cardiac Sarcoidosis ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Immunosuppressive Treatment ◽  
Imaging Modalities ◽  
Fdg Uptake ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Pet Ct ◽  
Fdg Pet Ct ◽  
Lge Cmr

Abstract Background Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) diagnosis is usually based on advanced imaging techniques and multidisciplinary evaluation. Diagnosis is classified as definite, probable, possible or unlikely. If diagnostic confidence remains uncertain, cardiac imaging can be repeated. The objective is to evaluate the usefulness of repeated cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET/CT) for CS diagnosis in patients with an initial “possible” CS diagnosis. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study in 35 patients diagnosed with possible CS by our multidisciplinary team (MDT), who received repeated CMR and FDG PET/CT within 12 months after diagnosis. Imaging modalities were scored on abnormalities suggestive for CS and classified as CMR+/PET+, CMR+/PET−, CMR−/PET+ and CMR−/PET−. Primary endpoint was final MDT diagnosis of CS. Results After re-evaluation, nine patients (25.7%) were reclassified as probable CS and 16 patients (45.7%) as unlikely CS. Two patients started immunosuppressive treatment after re-evaluation. At baseline, eleven patients (31.4%) showed late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on CMR (CMR+) and 26 (74.3%) patients showed myocardial FDG-uptake (PET+). At re-evaluation, nine patients (25.7%) showed LGE (CMR+), while 16 patients (45.7%) showed myocardial FDG-uptake (PET+). When considering both imaging modalities together, 82.6% of patients with CMR−/PET+ at baseline were reclassified as possible or unlikely CS, while 36.4% of patients with CMR+ at baseline were reclassified as probable CS. Three patients with initial CMR−/PET+ showed LGE at re-evaluation. Conclusion Repeated CMR and FDG PET/CT may be useful in establishing or rejecting CS diagnosis, when initial diagnosis is uncertain. However, clinical relevance has to be further determined.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy: Optimization and follow-up

2021 ◽  
pp. 587-597
Author(s):  
Marta Sitges ◽  
Erwan Donal
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Biventricular Pacing ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Cardiac Resynchronization ◽  
Functional Mitral Regurgitation ◽  
Cardiac Imaging Techniques ◽  
Resynchronization Therapy

Cardiac imaging techniques have an important role in the follow-up of patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) as they provide objective evidence of changes in cardiac dimensions and function. The role of echocardiography is well established in the assessment of left ventricular reverse remodelling and the evaluation of secondary (functional) mitral regurgitation. Additionally, echocardiography might be used for optimizing the programming of atrioventricular (AV) and interventricular (VV) delays of current CRT devices. Acute benefit from this optimization has been demonstrated, but longer follow-up studies have failed to show a clear benefit of optimized CRT on top of simultaneous biventricular pacing on the outcome of patients with CRT. This chapter reviews the role of imaging in assessing follow-up and outcome of patients undergoing CRT as well as the rationale, the methods used, and the clinical impact of optimization of the programming of CRT devices.

scholarly journals The prognostic role of PET myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
AI Ahmed ◽  
A Tsehay ◽  
Y Han ◽  
T Alnabelsi ◽  
T Agrawal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fdg Pet ◽  
Cardiac Sarcoidosis ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Unknown Etiology ◽  
Composite Outcome ◽  
Prognostic Role ◽  
Fdg Uptake ◽  
Abnormal Metabolism

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Sarcoidosis is a multi-systemic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. Cardiac Sarcoidosis (CS) has been reported in as much as 25% of patients with systemic involvement. 18Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has a high diagnostic sensitivity/specificity in the diagnosis of CS. Purpose The aim of this review is to summarize evidence on the prognostic role of FDG PET. Methods Studies were identified by searching MEDLINE from inception to October 2020. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms for sarcoidosis; cardiac and FDG PET imaging were used. Studies of any design assessing the prognostic role of FDG PET in patients with either suspected or confirmed cardiac sarcoidosis imaging done at baseline were included. Abnormal PET was defined as abnormal metabolism (presence of focal or focal-on-diffuse uptake of FDG) OR abnormal metabolism and a perfusion defect. Studies reporting any outcome measure were included. Pooled risk ratio for the composite outcome of MACE was done. Results A total of 6 studies were selected for final inclusion (515 patients, 53.4% women, 19.8% racial minorities.) Studies were institution based, retrospective in design and enrolled consecutive patients. All were observational in nature and published in English. All studies used a qualitative assessment of PET scans (abnormal FDG uptake with or without abnormal perfusion). Two studies assessed quantitative metrics (summed stress score in segments with abnormal FDG uptake, standardized uptake value and cardiac metabolic activity.) All studies reported Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) as a composite outcome. After a mean follow up ranging from 1.4 to 4.1 years, there were a total of 105 MACE. All studies included death (either all-cause death or sudden cardiac death) and ventricular arrhythmia (ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation) as a component of MACE. Four of the six studies adjusted for several characteristics in their analysis. All four studies used Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF). However, other adjustment variables were not consistent across studies. Five studies found a positive prognostic association with the primary outcome, two of which assessing right ventricular uptake. Conclusion Although available evidence indicates FDG PET can be used in the risk stratification of patients with CS, our findings show further studies are needed to quantify the effect in this patient group.

scholarly journals The role of positron emission tomography in the assessment of cardiac sarcoidosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (1100) ◽  
pp. 20190247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario Genovesi ◽  
Matteo Bauckneht ◽  
Corinna Altini ◽  
Cristina Elena Popescu ◽  
Paola Ferro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positron Emission Tomography ◽  
Cardiac Sarcoidosis ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Emission Tomography ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Fluorodeoxyglucose Pet

The myocardium and the cardiovascular system are often involved in patients with sarcoidosis. As therapy should be started as early as possible to avoid complications such as left ventricular dysfunction, a prompt and reliable diagnosis by means of non-invasive tests would be highly warranted. Among other techniques,18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) has emerged as a high sensitive tool to detect sites of inflammation before morphological changes are visible to conventional imaging techniques. We therefore aim at summarizing the most relevant findings in the literature on the use of18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET in the diagnostic workup of cardiac sarcoidosis and to underline future perspectives.

scholarly journals Cardiotoxic effects and myocardial injury: the search for a more precise definition of drug cardiotoxicity

2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-57
Author(s):  
Daniela Maria Cardinale ◽  
Martina Zaninotto ◽  
Carlo Maria Cipolla ◽  
Claudio Passino ◽  
Mario Plebani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Detection ◽  
Myocardial Injury ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Cardiac Imaging Techniques ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Early Evaluation ◽  
Definition Of

AbstractDrug-induced cardiotoxicity is a major clinical problem; cardiotoxic drugs may induce both cardiac dysfunction and myocardial injury. Several recent studies reported that cardiac troponins measured with high-sensitivity methods (hs-cTn) can enable the early detection of myocardial injury related to chemotherapy or abuse of drugs that are potentially cardiotoxic. Several authors have some concerns about the standard definition of cardiotoxicity, in particular, regarding the early evaluation of chemotherapy cardiotoxicity in cancer patients. Several recent studies using the hs-cTn assay indicate that myocardial injury may precede by some months or years the diagnosis of heart failure (HF) based on the evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Accordingly, hs-cTn assay should considered to be a reliable laboratory test for the early detection of asymptomatic or subclinical cardiotoxic damage in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy. In accordance with the Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction and also taking into account the recent experimental and clinical evidences, the definition of drug-cardiotoxicity should be updated considering the early evaluation of myocardial injury by means of hs-cTn assay. It is conceivable that the combined use of hs-cTn assay and cardiac imaging techniques for the evaluation of cardiotoxicity will significantly increase both diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, and also better prevent chemotherapy-related left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and other adverse cardiac events. However, large randomized clinical trials are needed to evaluate the cost/benefit ratio of standardized protocols for the early detection of cardiotoxicity using hs-cTn assay in patients receiving chemotherapy for malignant diseases.

scholarly journals SEEING IS BELIEVING- THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF CARDIAC IMAGING IN SUSPECTED CARDIAC SARCOIDOSIS

2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (18) ◽  
pp. 2257
Author(s):  
Jose Aguilar-Gallardo ◽  
Alaa Omar ◽  
Glenmore Lasam ◽  
Javier Arreaza ◽  
Johanna Contreras
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Imaging ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Cardiac Sarcoidosis

scholarly journals The accuracy of diagnostic Imaging techniques in patients with a suspected Fracture-related Infection (IFI) trial: study protocol for a prospective multicenter cohort study.

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e027772 ◽  
Author(s):  
GAM Govaert ◽  
MGG Hobbelink ◽  
IHF Reininga ◽  
P Bosch ◽  
TC Kwee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Diagnostic Imaging ◽  
Fdg Pet ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Imaging Modalities ◽  
Multicenter Cohort Study ◽  
Discriminative Ability ◽  
Imaging Strategy

IntroductionThe optimal diagnostic imaging strategy for fracture-related infection (FRI) remains to be established. In this prospective study, the three commonly used advanced imaging techniques for diagnosing FRI will be compared. Primary endpoints are (1) determining the overall diagnostic performances of white blood cell (WBC) scintigraphy, fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with suspected FRI and (2) establishing the most accurate imaging strategy for diagnosing FRI.Methods and analysisThis study is a non-randomised, partially blinded, prospective cohort study involving two level 1 trauma centres in The Netherlands. All adult patients who require advanced medical imaging for suspected FRI are eligible for inclusion. Patients will undergo all three investigational imaging procedures (WBC scintigraphy, FDG-PET and MRI) within a time frame of 14 days after inclusion. The reference standard will be the result of at least five intraoperative sampled microbiology cultures, or, in case of no surgery, the clinical presence or absence of infection at 1 year follow-up. Initially, the results of all three imaging modalities will be available to the treating team as per local protocol. At a later time point, all scans will be centrally reassessed by nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists who are blinded for the identity of the patients and their clinical outcome. The discriminative ability of the imaging modalities will be quantified by several measures of diagnostic accuracy.Ethics and disseminationApproval of the study by the Institutional Review Board has been obtained prior to the start of this study. The results of this trial will be disseminated by publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts, presentation in abstract form at scientific meetings and data sharing with other investigators through academically established means.Trial registration numberThe IFI trial is registered in the Netherlands Trial Register (NTR7490).

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