Qualitative Perfusion Assessment of Myocardial Viability Study in Patients Who Cannot Stop Long-acting Nitrate: Serial Case Reports

The information of myocardial viability status is important to decide the management of CAD. Myocardial viability study (VS) with short-acting nitrate (SAN)-added is recommended to perform inpatient with CAD before revascularization therapy. This study aims to determine whether there are differences in the perfusion results of myocardial viability studies with Long-acting nitrate (LAN) and those with added SAN. Three patients with CAD were referred to our department for myocardial VS to determine the treatment choice. Long-acting nitrate (LAN) was consumed regularly every day and not allowed to be stopped due to the symptomatic chest pain. Patients underwent two myocardial perfusion VS, the first study with continuing the daily routine LAN only and the second one with SAN-added to the daily routine LAN. VS was analyzed qualitatively. The result of this study, no significant perfusion difference between LAN treatment only and SAN-added studies, it is possible the LAN regular dose alone is sufficient to create a vasodilating effect on the arteries without the need for addition of SAN. Conclusion, patients who take LAN routinely, VS might be performed without the need to take additional vasodilator prior to radiopharmaceutical injection.Keywords: coronary artery disease; myocardial perfusion imaging; revascularization therapy; viability study

Apice closure in Pulp Revascularization Therapy. Case report and literature review

Background: Endodontic Regenerative Procedures, especially pulp revascularization therapy, have become a real option for the treatment for immature permanent teeth with open apices. This sort of approach has saved many teeth that otherwise would have been extracted. The technique is simple and effective, and can be accomplished by any odontologist. Objective: This article aimed to make a literature review to give support for a case report of an Endodontic Regenerative Procedure of a twelve-year-old male patient with immature open apice of tooth 21. Methodology: Articles were researched concerning pulp revascularization to reach root end formation. On line searches were accomplished, whose database include BVS/BIREME, Web of Science, PUBMED Central, Science Direct, Higher Level Personnel Improvement Coordinator (CAPES), The Cochrane Library, and PROSPERO). Results: the articles researched showed that Endodontic Regenerative Procedures are efficient in stimulating root end formation. The case report described matched the results offered by the articles, showing an immature open apice tooth that had its root end completely formed after pulp revascularization therapy. Conclusion: Pulp revascularization therapy is an efficient and practical treatment for immature teeth with open apices.

Mortality after large artery occlusion acute ischemic stroke

Despite randomized trials showing a functional outcome benefit in favor of endovascular therapy (EVT), large artery occlusion acute ischemic stroke is associated with high mortality. We performed a retrospective analysis from a prospectively collected code stroke registry and included patients presenting between November 2016 and April 2019 with internal carotid artery and/or proximal middle cerebral artery occlusions. Ninety-day mortality status from registry follow-up was corroborated with the Social Security Death Index. A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to determine demographic and clinical characteristics associated with 90-day mortality. Among 764 patients, mortality rate was 26%. Increasing age (per 10 years, OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.25–1.76; p < 0.0001), higher presenting NIHSS (per 1 point, OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.09, p = 0.01), and higher discharge modified Rankin Score (per 1 point, OR 4.27, 95% CI 3.25–5.59, p < 0.0001) were independently associated with higher odds of mortality. Good revascularization therapy, compared to no EVT, was independently associated with a survival benefit (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.35–1.00, p = 0.048). We identified factors independently associated with mortality in a highly lethal form of stroke which can be used in clinical decision-making, prognostication, and in planning future studies.

Mechanisms Involved in Apice Closure of Pulpless Teeth – Literature Review

Background: Unfinished root formation has always offered challenges in endodontics due to technical difficulties and weakened teeth resistance during the lifetime of an individual. Pulp revascularization therapy appeared as a solution for apical closure and root maturation. The existence of oral stem cells involved in the process associated with traditional resident cells requires adequate blood supply given by induced controlled injury deliberately accomplished into the periapical zone. Objective: The aim of this work was to research, through literature review, the main mechanisms involved in the process of apical closure through the technique of pulp revascularization. Conclusion: Apice closure in pulpless teeth seems to happen as a result of professional intervention and biological activity. The success rate depends on the role of traditional local immune cells and stem cells associated with adequate blood supply to finish root formation.

Micro Optical Coherence Tomography for Coronary Imaging

Intravascular optical coherence tomography (IVOCT) that produces images with 10 μm resolution has emerged as a significant technology for evaluating coronary architectural morphology. Yet, many features that are relevant to coronary plaque pathogenesis can only be seen at the cellular level. This issue has motivated the development of a next-generation form of OCT imaging that offers higher resolution. One such technology that we review here is termed micro-OCT (μOCT) that enables the assessment of the cellular and subcellular morphology of human coronary atherosclerotic plaques. This chapter reviews recent advances and ongoing works regarding μOCT in the field of cardiology. This new technology has the potential to provide researchers and clinicians with a tool to better understand the natural history of coronary atherosclerosis, increase plaque progression prediction capabilities, and better assess the vessel healing process after revascularization therapy.

Advances in imaging acute ischemic stroke: evaluation before thrombectomy

Recent advances in neuroimaging have demonstrated significant assessment benefits and appropriate triage of patients based on specific clinical and radiological features in the acute stroke setting. Endovascular thrombectomy is arguably the most important aspect of acute stroke management with an extended time window. Imaging-based physiological information may potentially shift the treatment paradigm from a rigid time-based model to a more flexible and individualized, tissue-based approach, increasing the proportion of patients amenable to treatment. Various imaging modalities are routinely used in the diagnosis and management of acute ischemic stroke, including multimodal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Therefore, these imaging methods should provide information beyond the presence or absence of intracranial hemorrhage as well as the presence and extent of the ischemic core, collateral circulation and penumbra in patients with neurological symptoms. Target mismatch may optimize selection of patients with late or unknown symptom onset who would potentially be eligible for revascularization therapy. The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of the current evidence about efficacy and theoretical basis of present imaging modalities, and explores future directions for imaging in the management of acute ischemic stroke.