COVID-19 associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome in a neonate with atypical coronary artery involvement.

Objective The study aimed to report a COVID-19 associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in a neonate found to have an atypical diffuse thickening in coronary artery walls, whose diagnosis required a multi-imaging approach. Study Design A neonate presented at birth with multiple organ involvement and coronary artery anomalies. A diagnosis of MIS-C associated to COVID-19 was supported by maternal Sars-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, and by the presence of both IgG against Sars-CoV-2 and Spike-specific memory B cells response in the neonatal blood. Other plausible causes of the multiple organ involvement were excluded. Result At admission, a severe coronary artery dilatation was identified on echocardiography, supporting the diagnosis of MIS-C Kawasaki-like disease; however, coronary artery internal diameters were found to be normal using cardiac computed tomography angiography. At discharge, comparing the two imaging techniques each other, the correct diagnosis resulted to be an abnormal thickening in coronary arterial walls. These findings suggest that the inflammatory process affecting the coronary arterial wall in MIS-C could result not only in typical coronary artery lesions such as dilatation of the lumen or aneurysms development, but also in abnormal thickening of the coronary artery wall. Conclusion. Our case provides an alert for paediatric cardiologists about the complexity to assess coronary artery involvement in MIS-C, and raises the question of whether an abnormal vascular remodeling, with normal inner diameters, is to be considered like coronary artery dilatation for risk stratification.

Radiogenomics and Artificial Intelligence Approaches Applied to Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for Precision Medicine in Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review

The risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) clinical manifestations and patient management is estimated according to risk scores accounting multifactorial risk factors, thus failing to cover the individual cardiovascular risk. Technological improvements in the field of medical imaging, in particular, in cardiac computed tomography angiography and cardiac magnetic resonance protocols, laid the development of radiogenomics. Radiogenomics aims to integrate a huge number of imaging features and molecular profiles to identify optimal radiomic/biomarker signatures. In addition, supervised and unsupervised artificial intelligence algorithms have the potential to combine different layers of data (imaging parameters and features, clinical variables and biomarkers) and elaborate complex and specific CHD risk models allowing more accurate diagnosis and reliable prognosis prediction. Literature from the past 5 years was systematically collected from PubMed and Scopus databases, and 60 studies were selected. We speculated the applicability of radiogenomics and artificial intelligence through the application of machine learning algorithms to identify CHD and characterize atherosclerotic lesions and myocardial abnormalities. Radiomic features extracted by cardiac computed tomography angiography and cardiac magnetic resonance showed good diagnostic accuracy for the identification of coronary plaques and myocardium structure; on the other hand, few studies exploited radiogenomics integration, thus suggesting further research efforts in this field. Cardiac computed tomography angiography resulted the most used noninvasive imaging modality for artificial intelligence applications. Several studies provided high performance for CHD diagnosis, classification, and prognostic assessment even though several efforts are still needed to validate and standardize algorithms for CHD patient routine according to good medical practice.

Right Heart Morphology of Candidate Patients for Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Interventions

Purpose This study quantitatively evaluated the phasic right heart morphology of candidate patients for a transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (N=32) and of subjects with trace to no tricuspid regurgitation (N = 14). Methods Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and transthoracic/transesophageal echocardiography (TTE/TEE) images were analyzed using dedicated research and clinical software. Using CCTA, the phasic right atrial and ventricular volumes, annulus dimensions, annulus-to-right coronary artery (RCA) distances, circumferential topography of the annular tissue shelf, vena cava dimensions (inferior and superior), vena cava positions, axis angles, and annular excursions were quantified. Using TTE/TEE, leaflet geometry, regurgitation, hemodynamics, and heart function were quantified. Measurements within and between groups were quantitatively compared with regression analyses to explore relationships between right heart features. Results The phasic position and orientation of the vena cava and the circumferential topography of the annular tissue shelf were quantitatively presented for the first time. The candidate patient group exhibited greater chamber dimensions, enlarged vena cava, distended vena cava positions, positional shallowing of the annular tissue shelf, geometric annular distortion, leaflet distention, moderate or greater regurgitation, and impaired ventricular function. Atrial volume correlated strongly with directional vena cava positions as well as with annular dimensions. Annulus-to-RCA distances and annular excursions were comparable between groups. Conclusions This study provides new and further insight to the right heart morphology and functional characteristics of candidate patients for a transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention. These data provide a platform from which these patients can continue to be better understood for further improving transcatheter system design and use.

Congenital isolated absence of a single cusp of pulmonary valve

A 25-year-old, previously asymptomatic female, presented to the outpatient clinic with episodic palpitations for past 6 months. She was acyanotic and showed no peripheral stigmata of infective endocarditis. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed dilated right ventricle with severe low-pressure pulmonary regurgitation. A cardiac computed tomography angiography performed for evaluation of pulmonary arterial circulation and intracardiac anatomy revealed isolated absence of posterior pulmonary cusp. The two other (right anterior and left anterior) cusps were normal and covered only part of the valve orifice, resulting in pulmonary insufficiency. The main pulmonary artery showed asymmetric dilatation. No other structural heart defects were noted.

Amulet or Watchman Device for Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure: Primary Results of the SWISS-APERO Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: No study has so far compared Amulet with the new Watchman FLX in terms of residual left atrial appendage (LAA) patency or clinical outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous LAA closure (LAAC). Methods: In the investigator-initiated SWISS APERO trial, patients undergoing LAAC were randomized (1:1) open-label to receive Amulet or Watchman 2.5 or FLX (Watchman) across 8 European centres. The primary endpoint was the composite of justified crossover to a non-randomized device during LAAC procedure or residual LAA patency detected by cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) at 45 days. The secondary endpoints included procedural complications, device related thrombus (DRT), peridevice leak (PDL) at transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and clinical outcomes at 45 days. Results: Between June 2018, and May 2021, 221 patients were randomly assigned to Amulet (111 [50.2%]) or Watchman (110 [49.8%]), of whom 25 (22.7%) patients included before October 2019 received Watchman 2.5, and 85 (77.3%) patients received Watchman FLX. The primary endpoint was assessable in 205 (92.8%) patients and occurred in 71 (67.6%) Amulet and 70 (70.0%) Watchman patients respectively (risk ratio [RR] 0.97 [95% CI 0.80- 1.16]; P=0.713). A single justified cross-over occurred in an Amulet patient who fulfilled LAA patency criteria at 45-day CCTA. Major procedure related complications occurred more frequently in the Amulet group (9.0% vs. 2.7%; P=0.047), owing to more frequent bleeding (7.2% vs.1.8%). At 45 days, the PDL rate at TEE was higher with Watchman than Amulet (27.5% vs. 13.7%, p=0.020), albeit none was major (i.e. > 5 mm), whereas DRT was detected in 1 (0.9%) patient with Amulet and 3 (3.0%) patients with Watchman at CCTA and in 2 (2.1%) and 5 (5.5%) patients at TEE, respectively. Clinical outcomes at 45 days did not differ between the groups. Conclusions: Amulet was not associated with lower rate of the composite of crossover or residual LAA patency compared with Watchman at 45-day CCTA. Amulet, was however associated with lower PDL rates at TEE, higher procedural complications and similar clinical outcomes at 45 days compared with Watchman. The clinical relevance of CCTA-detected LAA patency requires further investigation. Clinical Trial Registration: URL https://clinicaltrials.gov Unique Identifier NCT03399851

Comorbidities associated with reduced myocardial flow reserve in non-obstructive disease

Introduction Microvascular Dysfunction defined as a Myocardial Flow Reserve (MFR) <2 or <2.5 depending on the center, may present in the absence of significant obstruction (1,2); it is included as a diagnosis criteria of Microvascular Angina (MVA) (3,4) and is an independent risk factor associated with poor prognosis (5–7). Traditional Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)risk factors have also been associated with MVA (8–10), however, there is reduced data in latin populations with high prevalence of comorbidities. The aim of this study was to identify the comorbidities that alter MFR with 13N-ammonia Positron Emission Tomography/Cardiac Tomography (PET/CT) and Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) in a cardiovascular imaging referral center. Methods Retrospective cross-sectional study of patients with suspected CAD in which both PET/CT and CCTA were performed. Inclusion:CCTA with obstruction <50%. Exclusion: incomplete study, previous infarction or intervention. Clinical data was assessed. Mean (±DE) or median (interquartile range) to present continuous variables according to their distribution; T student or U Man Whitney to compare them. For each variable two groups were conformed depending on its presence or absence in order to compare MFR between them. Statistical analysis was performed with Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSs Inc, Chicago, IL; version 23.0) and GraphPad Prism version 9.0. p<0.05 was considered as significant. Results 335 patients included. MFR difference for each variable: female sex, hypertension (HT), Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and smoking – Appendix 1. Significant MFR difference for HT (p=0.024) and T2D (p=0.046). Severe ischemia had significant MFR reduction (p=0.006); patients with both HT and mild ischemia (p=0.018) – Appendix 2. Discussion Individuals with HT and T2D had a significantly lower MFR, consistent with previous studies (8,9). Absence of correlation with other risk factors, such as smoking (10) and female sex (11); latter may be caused by a significant lower number of women (108 vs 227). Further analysis in this subgroup ought to be done. When comparing MFR between level-of-ischemia groups, microvascular function was not reduced until severe ischemia. Remarkably, if we analyze the coexistence of HT with ischemia, MFR is reduced even in patients with mild ischemia. This finding highlights the importance of HT which alters function in early stages even in the absence of significant obstruction. This is one of the first studies correlating MFR with comorbidities in our population. Limitations the retrospective nature of the study. Conclusions MFR non-invasive assessment by PET/CT allows identifying very early stages of MVD, even in asymptomatic patients and when there's no evidence of ischemia or CAD. Therefore, timely recognition of this problem is mandatory to implement action strategies to stop the triggered events' cascade. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Prevalence and outcome of extra-cardiac findings in patients referred for cardiac computed tomography angiography

Background Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) includes several extra-cardiac structures. A variety of abnormalities may be clinically important and, in some cases, explain the patient's symptoms. The incidence of extra cardiac findings (ECFs) on CCTA examination ranges between 7% and 56%, with the true prevalence likely affected by patient selection. Methods Cardiac CT scans with suspected coronary disease were prospectively and independently reviewed by a radiologist for the presence of ECFs. Data was collected from a prospectively collated database of all patients who underwent a CCTA scans between June 2011 and October 2015. Patients were followed up for one year after incidental findings were made. Results A total of 635 patients had a CCTA scan during the study period. Of these 325 (51.2%) were male, mean age was 66 [22–88] years, with a mean BMI of 27 [17–56]. Extra-cardiac findings were reported in 126 (19.8%) of these 62 (49%) were classified as clinically important and had further imaging and follow-up. The most common abnormalities were pulmonary nodules 61 (46.8%), Hiatus hernia 15 (12%), lymphadenopathy 12 (10%) and liver cysts 10 (8%), Figure 1a. Malignant tumours were identified in 2 (1.6%) patients and one (0.8%) had both aortic root dilatation and type B aortic dissection. Conclusion Non-cardiac abnormalities in patients undergoing CCTA provides useful information e.g. early diagnosis of lung malignancies and other life threatening conditions in up to 40% of patients. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Prognostic value of computed tomography derived fractional flow reserve

Introduction Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) has been shown to add incremental diagnostic value by providing functional severity of coronary lesion in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Purpose We aimed to assess the prognostic value of FFRCT in patients with suspected CAD. Methods Consecutive patients who had clinically indicated CCTA and FFRCT determination at a tertiary care cardiology practice were included. FFRCT was determined off-site using computational flow dynamics. Patients were followed for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, inclusive of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and late percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) 90-days after imaging test.) Results A total of 667 patients with at least Coronary Artery Disease Reporting & Data System (CAD-RADS) 2 were included. Mean age was 68±10 years, 37% were women, 73% had hypertension, 12% had diabetes and 61% had dyslipidemia. More than half (57%) of the patients had moderate (CAD-RADS 3) stenosis. FFRCT<0.8 was found in 59% of patients, with increasing percent across categories of CAD-RADS. After a median follow-up of 9 months, 52 patients (7.2%, 6.7 events per 1000 person-year) experienced a MACE. In multivariable Cox regression models adjusted for age and sex, FFRCT <0.8 significantly predicted outcomes (HR 2.48 95% CI 1.26–4.87 p=0.008). Sensitivity analysis using lower thresholds of FFRCT failed to show similar results in intermediate stenosis. Conclusion Our results suggest that in a real-world cohort of patients with suspected CAD, FFRCT can identify patients at higher risk of incident cardiovascular outcomes. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.