Santo Dellegrottaglie - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Santo Dellegrottaglie

Research paper thumbnail of Vascular calcification in patients with renal failure: culprit or innocent bystander?

Cardiology clinics, 2005

The mortality from cardiovascular events in CKD and dialysis patients is substantially higher tha... more The mortality from cardiovascular events in CKD and dialysis patients is substantially higher than in the general population. VC is ubiquitous and progresses rapidly in this patient population. Although there has been progress in the understanding of the pathogenesis and correlates of VC, much work needs to be done in this area. The role of calcium and, probably, phosphate (obligatory participants) is unquestionable, but the understanding of the paracrine and molecular determinants of VC in renal failure is continuously evolving. VC is probably a dynamic process resulting from the imbalance between molecules that promote and those that inhibit VC. The understanding of latter area has recently evolved with identification of new signaling pathways with molecules such as osteoprotegerin, fetuin-A, and MPG. From a clinical perspective, new modalities such as EBCT and MDCT allow noninvasive detection and quantification of VC. VC may represent a potential useful index for prognostic strat...

Research paper thumbnail of Technology Insight: magnetic resonance angiography for the evaluation of patients with peripheral artery disease

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine, 2007

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis. Although... more Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis. Although clinical history in conjunction with ankle-brachial index and evaluation of segmental pressures/waveforms is sufficient to diagnose PAD in a large percentage of patients, imaging is required for disease localization and treatment planning. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) is a noninvasive, three-dimensional technique that has emerged as a front-line imaging approach for comprehensive evaluation of PAD. Technical advances such as parallel imaging and moving-table, time-resolved angiography and extended field-of-view approaches have greatly improved the accuracy of CE-MRA. In the clinical setting, CE-MRA can be extremely helpful in the initial diagnosis as well as subsequent management of patients with PAD. Continued hardware and software improvements will enable further refinements in imaging protocol for peripheral MRA, consolidating its clinical role for the evaluation of patients with PAD.

Research paper thumbnail of Technology Insight: clinical role of magnetic resonance angiography in the diagnosis and management of renal artery stenosis

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine, 2006

Noninvasive modalities, including duplex ultrasonography, renal scintigraphy, CT angiography and ... more Noninvasive modalities, including duplex ultrasonography, renal scintigraphy, CT angiography and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), may usefully contribute to diagnosis and treatment planning in patients with suspected renal artery stenosis. Important technical developments have increased the accuracy and feasibility of MRA for the detection of renal artery stenosis. A number of different MRA techniques can be applied to the study of renal arteries, but contrast-enhanced MRA represents the most valuable approach; several studies corroborate the high diagnostic accuracy of this technique, especially for the detection of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. A combined MRA protocol, which might include angiographic information provided by contrast-enhanced technique in addition to renal flow information derived from phase-contrast imaging, could help in classifying patients appropriately. Limitations of renal MRA include low accuracy in the evaluation of renal fibromuscular dysplasia and in the assessment of patients who undergo stenting of the renal arteries. This review describes the MRA techniques applied to the study of renal artery stenosis, including the technical features of current approaches and forthcoming developments. An overview of the clinical role of MRA, in conjunction with the other diagnostic modalities, in the identification and management of patients with renal artery stenosis, is also presented.

Research paper thumbnail of Angiotensin Receptor Blockade Improves Vascular Compliance in Healthy Normotensive Elderly Individuals: Results From a Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

The Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 2006

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may play a role in vascular aging. The authors hypothesized th... more The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may play a role in vascular aging. The authors hypothesized that blockade of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor with an angiotensin receptor blocker in healthy elderly subjects improves vascular compliance and endothelial function. Thirty-five healthy elderly subjects were randomized to valsartan or placebo in a double-blind crossover study after baseline testing for pulse wave velocity, aortic augmentation index, and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade with valsartan improved vascular compliance but not flow-mediated dilation. Changes in pulse wave velocity with valsartan were correlated with change in central systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure and remained associated on multivariate analysis. Change in pulse wave velocity after adjusting for degree of blood pressure change, age, and sex remained correlated with assignment to the angiotensin receptor blocker but not placebo. These data suggest that angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade improves aging-related vascular compliance without alterations in flow-mediated dilation. Mechanisms regulating compliance and endothelial function are complex and may not necessarily converge in aging. (J Clin Hypertens. 2006;8:783-790) © 2006 Le Jacq A ging is associated with progressive arterial stiffening and endothelial dysfunction. 1-5 These alterations represent not only important surrogates for risk but may potentially mediate some of the excess cardiovascular risk attributed to the aging process. 6 Changes in vasomotor tone and reactivity with aging are believed to result at least in part from increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inactivation of nitric oxide (NO). NO is a potent regulator of vascular homeostasis and endothelial function, and modulation in levels of this molecule at the level of the vasculature have been shown to be accompanied by coordinate changes

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of Pulmonary Artery Stiffness in Pulmonary Hypertension With Cardiac Magnetic Resonance

JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, 2009

This study sought to evaluate indexes of pulmonary artery (PA) stiffness in patients with pulmona... more This study sought to evaluate indexes of pulmonary artery (PA) stiffness in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) using same-day cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and right heart catheterization (RHC).

Research paper thumbnail of Vascular Calcification in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Blood Purification, 2006

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents an extremely common condition, and cardiovascular disease... more Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents an extremely common condition, and cardiovascular diseases are frequently reported in this patient population. Traditional risk factors are not accurate prognostic predictors in CKD patients, and new potential markers to predict the cardiovascular involvement in uremic patients need to be identified. Vascular calcification (VC) represents a hallmark of the atherosclerotic process in CKD. This review summarizes the processes responsible for VC (particularly focusing on the mechanisms operative in the presence of renal dysfunction), discusses the utility of computer tomography modalities in the detection of VC in patients with CKD, and reports the potential role of VC as pathophysiological link between kidney disease and cardiovascular events.

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence and Correlates of Septal Delayed Contrast Enhancement in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension†

The American Journal of Cardiology, 2007

Using cardiac magnetic resonance, the presence of myocardial delayed contrast enhancement (DCE) h... more Using cardiac magnetic resonance, the presence of myocardial delayed contrast enhancement (DCE) has been described in the ventricular septum at the level of the right ventricular insertion points in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, extent, and correlates of this finding. Septal DCE was evaluated in 55 patients with known or suspected PH of various causes. The extent of DCE was estimated visually with an insertion enhancement score (range 0 to 4) and quantified as DCE mass. The results were correlated with cine magnetic resonance and right-sided cardiac catheterization. Predictors of DCE were investigated using multivariate analysis. PH at rest was present in 42 patients (group 1) and absent in 13 (group 2). DCE was noted in 41 patients (97%) in group 1 and 3 (23%) in group 2 (p <0.0001). The extent of DCE was higher in group 1 than group 2 (median insertion enhancement score 3 vs 0, median DCE mass 8.7 vs 0 g, respectively; p <0.0001 for both). The extent of DCE showed moderate to good univariate correlations (r ‫؍‬ 0.5 to 0.73) with pulmonary pressures and with right ventricular volumes, mass, and ejection fractions. In multivariate analysis, systolic pulmonary pressure was the only predictor of DCE. In conclusion, the presence of septal DCE at the right ventricular insertion points is common in PH of different causes, and the level of systolic pulmonary pressure elevation appears to be the main determinant of this finding.

Research paper thumbnail of Right Ventricular Structure and Function in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis with or without Pulmonary Hypertension

Echocardiography, 2015

To elucidate right ventricular (RV) function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)... more To elucidate right ventricular (RV) function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with and without pulmonary hypertension (PH) and its relation to other features of the disease. Clinical evaluation, standard Doppler echo, Doppler myocardial imaging (DMI), and 2D strain echocardiography (STE) of RV septal and lateral walls were performed in 52 IPF patients (66.5 ± 8.5 years; 27 males) and in 45 age- and sex-comparable controls using a commercial US system (MyLab Alpha, Esaote). Pulmonary artery mean pressure (mPAP) was estimated by standard echo Doppler. RV global longitudinal strain (RV GLS) was calculated by averaging RV local strains. The IPF patients were divided into 2 groups by noninvasive assessment of PH: no PH (mPAP&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;25 mmHg; 36 pts) and PH (mPAP ≥25 mmHg; 16 pts). Left ventricular diameters and ejection fraction were comparable between controls and IPF, while GLS was impaired in IPF (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.01). RV end-diastolic diameters, wall thickness andmPAP were increased in IPF patients with PH. In addition, pulsed DMI detected in PH IPF impaired myocardial RV early diastolic (Em) peak velocity. Also peak systolic RV strain was reduced in basal and middle RV lateral free walls in IPF, as well as RV GLS (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.0001). The impairment in RV wall strain was more evident when comparing controls with the no PH group than comparing the no PH group with the PH group. By multivariate analysis, independent association of RV strain with both six-minute walking test distance (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001), mPAP (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.0001), as well as with forced vital capacity (FVC) % (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.005) in IPF patients were observed. Impaired RV diastolic and systolic myocardial function were present even in IPF patients without PH, which indicates an early impact on RV function and structure in patients with IPF.

Research paper thumbnail of Persistent myocardial damage late after cardiac contusion: depiction by cardiac magnetic resonance

Journal of cardiovascular medicine (Hagerstown, Md.), 2008

Cardiac contusion is a potential complication of blunt chest trauma and can be detected in a vari... more Cardiac contusion is a potential complication of blunt chest trauma and can be detected in a variable percentage of cases, depending on the method of diagnosis employed. Mechanical and/or ischemic mechanisms may be involved in the occurrence of myocardial injury in patients with cardiac contusion. In the reported case, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed late after chest trauma in a 17-year-old man involved in a car accident 4 years earlier. CMR images documented the persistence of severe regional dysfunction involving the left ventricle, associated with a large area of post-contrast myocardial enhancement (representing necrosis and/or fibrosis). Functional and morphologic information derived from CMR appears theoretically to be helpful in defining the nature and severity of myocardial involvement at presentation, as well as during follow-up of patients with cardiac contusion.

Research paper thumbnail of Multimodality Imaging in Pulmonary Hypertension

Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2015

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a pathophysiological condition defined as an increase in mean pulm... more Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a pathophysiological condition defined as an increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure of ! 25 mm Hg at rest. Although right heart catheterization remains an essential step in the diagnostic algorithmdparticularly for pulmonary arterial hypertensiondnoninvasive multimodality imaging plays an important role in defining the cause, assessing outcome, monitoring the efficacy of specific therapeutic interventions, and detecting the preclinical stage of disease. We review the role of multimodality imaging in the evaluation of PHdincluding echocardiography, chest computed 5 groups based on specific pathogenesis and clinical characteristics . PH results in impedance to right ventricular (RV) ejection associated with varying degrees of functional or pathologic changes in small pulmonary arterioles (100-300 m), pulmonary capillaries, or pulmonary venous vasculature. Incremental afterload may cause RV dysfunction that, regardless of the cause or pathogenesis, can ultimately lead to progressive right ventricular failure, disability, and death. The early clinical symptoms of PH are often subtle or nonspecific and include unexplained fatigue, exertional Canadian Journal of Cardiology 31

Research paper thumbnail of Non-imaging nuclear monitoring of left ventricular function: twenty-five years of technical development and clinical experience

Italian heart journal : official journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology, 2002

Although the first non-imaging nuclear probe for clinical application was already available 25 ye... more Although the first non-imaging nuclear probe for clinical application was already available 25 years ago, this technique is still underused for the assessment of ventricular function. Over the years substantial technological progress rendered nuclear probes more accurate and easier to use, and so far the applicability of these devices has been evaluated in several experimental and clinical contexts. Bedside devices can be used in the evaluation of hemodynamically unstable patients and of drug therapy. In patients with several heart diseases, particularly with ischemic cardiomyopathy, accurate information on the changes in ventricular function occurring during routine activities, as well as during structured activities, can be provided using the ambulatory probes. This review will focus on the development and clinical application of these diagnostic tools.

Research paper thumbnail of Coronary computed tomography: Current role and future perspectives for cardiovascular risk stratification

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. More than ... more Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. More than 50% of CAD deaths occur in previously asymptomatic individuals at intermediate cardiovascular risk, highlighting the need of more accurate individual risk assessment to decrease cardiovascular events. Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) has emerged as a valuable technique for risk stratification in asymptomatic subjects and in symptomatic patients without known CAD. The absence of coronary artery calcium (CAC) identifies asymptomatic subjects at very low cardiac risk and is reasonable in intermediate risk individuals, in whom CAC measurement reclassifies a substantial number of subjects to different risk categories. In symptomatic patients with suspected CAD, detection of non-obstructive or obstructive CAD by CCT angiography is associated with increased all-cause mortality, and provides incremental risk stratification to CAC. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of CCT on clinical outcomes and its cost-effectiveness in different clinical settings.

Research paper thumbnail of Cardiac magnetic resonance for the assessment of myocardial viability: from pathophysiology to clinical practice

Journal of cardiovascular medicine (Hagerstown, Md.), 2013

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is commonly applied for the assessment of myocardial viability i... more Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is commonly applied for the assessment of myocardial viability in patients with ischemic ventricular dysfunction, and it holds potential advantages over more traditional imaging modalities, including single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). CMR-based techniques for viability assessment include the evaluation of transmural extent of the scar using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) images, the evaluation of end-diastolic wall thickness from resting cine images and the study of inotropic reserve during low-dose dobutamine infusion. During the past decade, the diffusion of the use of CMR for viability assessment confirmed the clinical strengths of this modality and, at the same time, helped to use old techniques with an increased level of awareness. With LGE CMR, both viable and nonviable dysfunctional myocardium can be visualized in a single image, allowing a direct quantification of the amount of ...

Research paper thumbnail of Magnetic resonance imaging of a bioprosthetic mitral valve: a smiling heart

Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, 2007

... Magnetic resonance imaging of a bioprosthetic mitral valve: a smiling heart. Dellegrottaglie,... more ... Magnetic resonance imaging of a bioprosthetic mitral valve: a smiling heart. Dellegrottaglie, Santoa; Einstein, Andrew Ja; Sanz, Javiera; Zucker, Mark Jb; Fuster, Valentina; Rajagopalan, Sanjaya. Collapse Box ... b Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Pulmonary Hypertension: Accuracy of Detection with Left Ventricular Septal-to–Free Wall Curvature Ratio Measured at Cardiac MR 1

Radiology, 2007

To retrospectively evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of the cardiac magnetic resonance (M... more To retrospectively evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of the cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-derived left ventricular septal-to-free wall curvature ratio for prediction of the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) in patients clinically known to have or suspected of having pulmonary hypertension (PH), with same-day right-side heart catheterization (RHC) as the reference standard. Institutional review board approval was received for this HIPAA-compliant study. Sixty-one patients clinically known or suspected of having PH underwent cardiac MR and RHC on the same day. Interventricular septal curvature (C(IVS)) and left ventricular free wall curvature (C(FW)) measured at end systole were used to derive the curvature ratio (C(IVS)/C(FW)). Effective distending transmural pressure (dP(FW)) and transseptal pressure gradient (dP(IVS)) were assumed to be equivalent, respectively, to the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the difference between SBP and RVSP. Curvature ratio and SBP were used to noninvasively estimate RVSP. Linear regression analysis was performed to assess the difference between curvature ratio and rate of pressure rise (dP) ratio (dP(IVS)/dP(FW)). The accuracy of the dichotomized curvature ratio in PH detection was analyzed by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. PH, defined as RVSP higher than 40 mm Hg, was confirmed with RHC in 46 patients. A direct linear correlation between dP ratio and curvature ratio was observed (r = 0.85, P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .001). Bland-Altman analysis revealed moderate agreement between cardiac MR- and RHC-derived RVSPs (mean difference, -1.1 mm Hg +/- 15.9 [standard deviation]). ROC analysis of the accuracy of the curvature ratio for detection of increased RVSP revealed 87% sensitivity and 100% specificity (area under ROC curve, 0.95; P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .001). Intraobserver (r = 0.97) and interobserver (r = 0.95) curvature ratio measurements were closely correlated. In patients clinically known to have or suspected of having PH, cardiac MR-derived curvature ratio, as compared with RHC measurement, was an accurate and reproducible index for estimation of RVSP.

Research paper thumbnail of The identification of reversible dysfunctional myocardium is influenced by the severity of contractile dysfunction and by the length of follow-up

Nuclear Medicine Communications, 2005

Objectives To evaluate the influence of the severity of regional myocardial dysfunction and of th... more Objectives To evaluate the influence of the severity of regional myocardial dysfunction and of the length of follow-up on the identification of myocardial viability with rest-redistribution 201 Tl single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and low-dose dobutamine echocardiography (LDDE).

Research paper thumbnail of Myocardial perfusion imaging in very elderly patients with suspected coronary artery disease: Never too late!

Journal of Nuclear Cardiology, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Prediction of long-term effects of revascularization on regional and global left ventricular function by dobutamine echocardiography and rest Tl-201 imaging alone and in combination in patients with chronic coronary artery disease

Journal of Nuclear Cardiology, 2002

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of low-dose dobutamine echocardiog... more Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of low-dose dobutamine echocardiography (DE) and resting thallium 201 single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) alone and in combination for prediction of functional recovery at late follow-up (1 year) after revascularization.

Research paper thumbnail of Prognostic role of myocardial single photon emission computed tomography in the elderly

Journal of Nuclear Cardiology, 2010

The increase in average life expectancy will move the burden of coronary artery disease (CAD) to ... more The increase in average life expectancy will move the burden of coronary artery disease (CAD) to older patients. Myocardial perfusion imaging by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has been extensively validated for diagnosis and prognostic evaluation in large population series. Yet, its use is usually limited in elderly patients in whom, despite increased absolute cardiovascular risk, diagnostic and therapeutic work-up is often underperformed. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines recommend exercise ECG testing as the initial noninvasive method for assessment of CAD in patients with a normal or near-normal resting ECG, regardless of age. However, a considerable proportion of elderly patients is unable to reach an adequate workload during the exercise test and the majority of those undergoing for standard exercise treadmill score are classified as intermediate risk. In elderly patients, SPECT imaging may provide valuable diagnostic and prognostic information for clinical management. In particular, normal or near normal SPECT identifies elderly patients at low risk of major adverse cardiac events at the short-term follow-up.

Research paper thumbnail of Radiation dose and cancer risk estimates in 16-slice computed tomography coronary angiography

Journal of Nuclear Cardiology, 2008

Background-Recent advances have led to a rapid increase in the number of computed tomography coro... more Background-Recent advances have led to a rapid increase in the number of computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) studies performed. While several studies have reported effective dose (E), there is no data available on cancer risk for current CTCA protocols.

Research paper thumbnail of Vascular calcification in patients with renal failure: culprit or innocent bystander?

Cardiology clinics, 2005

The mortality from cardiovascular events in CKD and dialysis patients is substantially higher tha... more The mortality from cardiovascular events in CKD and dialysis patients is substantially higher than in the general population. VC is ubiquitous and progresses rapidly in this patient population. Although there has been progress in the understanding of the pathogenesis and correlates of VC, much work needs to be done in this area. The role of calcium and, probably, phosphate (obligatory participants) is unquestionable, but the understanding of the paracrine and molecular determinants of VC in renal failure is continuously evolving. VC is probably a dynamic process resulting from the imbalance between molecules that promote and those that inhibit VC. The understanding of latter area has recently evolved with identification of new signaling pathways with molecules such as osteoprotegerin, fetuin-A, and MPG. From a clinical perspective, new modalities such as EBCT and MDCT allow noninvasive detection and quantification of VC. VC may represent a potential useful index for prognostic strat...

Research paper thumbnail of Technology Insight: magnetic resonance angiography for the evaluation of patients with peripheral artery disease

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine, 2007

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis. Although... more Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis. Although clinical history in conjunction with ankle-brachial index and evaluation of segmental pressures/waveforms is sufficient to diagnose PAD in a large percentage of patients, imaging is required for disease localization and treatment planning. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) is a noninvasive, three-dimensional technique that has emerged as a front-line imaging approach for comprehensive evaluation of PAD. Technical advances such as parallel imaging and moving-table, time-resolved angiography and extended field-of-view approaches have greatly improved the accuracy of CE-MRA. In the clinical setting, CE-MRA can be extremely helpful in the initial diagnosis as well as subsequent management of patients with PAD. Continued hardware and software improvements will enable further refinements in imaging protocol for peripheral MRA, consolidating its clinical role for the evaluation of patients with PAD.

Research paper thumbnail of Technology Insight: clinical role of magnetic resonance angiography in the diagnosis and management of renal artery stenosis

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine, 2006

Noninvasive modalities, including duplex ultrasonography, renal scintigraphy, CT angiography and ... more Noninvasive modalities, including duplex ultrasonography, renal scintigraphy, CT angiography and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), may usefully contribute to diagnosis and treatment planning in patients with suspected renal artery stenosis. Important technical developments have increased the accuracy and feasibility of MRA for the detection of renal artery stenosis. A number of different MRA techniques can be applied to the study of renal arteries, but contrast-enhanced MRA represents the most valuable approach; several studies corroborate the high diagnostic accuracy of this technique, especially for the detection of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. A combined MRA protocol, which might include angiographic information provided by contrast-enhanced technique in addition to renal flow information derived from phase-contrast imaging, could help in classifying patients appropriately. Limitations of renal MRA include low accuracy in the evaluation of renal fibromuscular dysplasia and in the assessment of patients who undergo stenting of the renal arteries. This review describes the MRA techniques applied to the study of renal artery stenosis, including the technical features of current approaches and forthcoming developments. An overview of the clinical role of MRA, in conjunction with the other diagnostic modalities, in the identification and management of patients with renal artery stenosis, is also presented.

Research paper thumbnail of Angiotensin Receptor Blockade Improves Vascular Compliance in Healthy Normotensive Elderly Individuals: Results From a Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

The Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 2006

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may play a role in vascular aging. The authors hypothesized th... more The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may play a role in vascular aging. The authors hypothesized that blockade of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor with an angiotensin receptor blocker in healthy elderly subjects improves vascular compliance and endothelial function. Thirty-five healthy elderly subjects were randomized to valsartan or placebo in a double-blind crossover study after baseline testing for pulse wave velocity, aortic augmentation index, and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade with valsartan improved vascular compliance but not flow-mediated dilation. Changes in pulse wave velocity with valsartan were correlated with change in central systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure and remained associated on multivariate analysis. Change in pulse wave velocity after adjusting for degree of blood pressure change, age, and sex remained correlated with assignment to the angiotensin receptor blocker but not placebo. These data suggest that angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade improves aging-related vascular compliance without alterations in flow-mediated dilation. Mechanisms regulating compliance and endothelial function are complex and may not necessarily converge in aging. (J Clin Hypertens. 2006;8:783-790) © 2006 Le Jacq A ging is associated with progressive arterial stiffening and endothelial dysfunction. 1-5 These alterations represent not only important surrogates for risk but may potentially mediate some of the excess cardiovascular risk attributed to the aging process. 6 Changes in vasomotor tone and reactivity with aging are believed to result at least in part from increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inactivation of nitric oxide (NO). NO is a potent regulator of vascular homeostasis and endothelial function, and modulation in levels of this molecule at the level of the vasculature have been shown to be accompanied by coordinate changes

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of Pulmonary Artery Stiffness in Pulmonary Hypertension With Cardiac Magnetic Resonance

JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, 2009

This study sought to evaluate indexes of pulmonary artery (PA) stiffness in patients with pulmona... more This study sought to evaluate indexes of pulmonary artery (PA) stiffness in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) using same-day cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and right heart catheterization (RHC).

Research paper thumbnail of Vascular Calcification in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Blood Purification, 2006

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents an extremely common condition, and cardiovascular disease... more Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents an extremely common condition, and cardiovascular diseases are frequently reported in this patient population. Traditional risk factors are not accurate prognostic predictors in CKD patients, and new potential markers to predict the cardiovascular involvement in uremic patients need to be identified. Vascular calcification (VC) represents a hallmark of the atherosclerotic process in CKD. This review summarizes the processes responsible for VC (particularly focusing on the mechanisms operative in the presence of renal dysfunction), discusses the utility of computer tomography modalities in the detection of VC in patients with CKD, and reports the potential role of VC as pathophysiological link between kidney disease and cardiovascular events.

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence and Correlates of Septal Delayed Contrast Enhancement in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension†

The American Journal of Cardiology, 2007

Using cardiac magnetic resonance, the presence of myocardial delayed contrast enhancement (DCE) h... more Using cardiac magnetic resonance, the presence of myocardial delayed contrast enhancement (DCE) has been described in the ventricular septum at the level of the right ventricular insertion points in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, extent, and correlates of this finding. Septal DCE was evaluated in 55 patients with known or suspected PH of various causes. The extent of DCE was estimated visually with an insertion enhancement score (range 0 to 4) and quantified as DCE mass. The results were correlated with cine magnetic resonance and right-sided cardiac catheterization. Predictors of DCE were investigated using multivariate analysis. PH at rest was present in 42 patients (group 1) and absent in 13 (group 2). DCE was noted in 41 patients (97%) in group 1 and 3 (23%) in group 2 (p <0.0001). The extent of DCE was higher in group 1 than group 2 (median insertion enhancement score 3 vs 0, median DCE mass 8.7 vs 0 g, respectively; p <0.0001 for both). The extent of DCE showed moderate to good univariate correlations (r ‫؍‬ 0.5 to 0.73) with pulmonary pressures and with right ventricular volumes, mass, and ejection fractions. In multivariate analysis, systolic pulmonary pressure was the only predictor of DCE. In conclusion, the presence of septal DCE at the right ventricular insertion points is common in PH of different causes, and the level of systolic pulmonary pressure elevation appears to be the main determinant of this finding.

Research paper thumbnail of Right Ventricular Structure and Function in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis with or without Pulmonary Hypertension

Echocardiography, 2015

To elucidate right ventricular (RV) function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)... more To elucidate right ventricular (RV) function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with and without pulmonary hypertension (PH) and its relation to other features of the disease. Clinical evaluation, standard Doppler echo, Doppler myocardial imaging (DMI), and 2D strain echocardiography (STE) of RV septal and lateral walls were performed in 52 IPF patients (66.5 ± 8.5 years; 27 males) and in 45 age- and sex-comparable controls using a commercial US system (MyLab Alpha, Esaote). Pulmonary artery mean pressure (mPAP) was estimated by standard echo Doppler. RV global longitudinal strain (RV GLS) was calculated by averaging RV local strains. The IPF patients were divided into 2 groups by noninvasive assessment of PH: no PH (mPAP&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;25 mmHg; 36 pts) and PH (mPAP ≥25 mmHg; 16 pts). Left ventricular diameters and ejection fraction were comparable between controls and IPF, while GLS was impaired in IPF (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.01). RV end-diastolic diameters, wall thickness andmPAP were increased in IPF patients with PH. In addition, pulsed DMI detected in PH IPF impaired myocardial RV early diastolic (Em) peak velocity. Also peak systolic RV strain was reduced in basal and middle RV lateral free walls in IPF, as well as RV GLS (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.0001). The impairment in RV wall strain was more evident when comparing controls with the no PH group than comparing the no PH group with the PH group. By multivariate analysis, independent association of RV strain with both six-minute walking test distance (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001), mPAP (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.0001), as well as with forced vital capacity (FVC) % (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.005) in IPF patients were observed. Impaired RV diastolic and systolic myocardial function were present even in IPF patients without PH, which indicates an early impact on RV function and structure in patients with IPF.

Research paper thumbnail of Persistent myocardial damage late after cardiac contusion: depiction by cardiac magnetic resonance

Journal of cardiovascular medicine (Hagerstown, Md.), 2008

Cardiac contusion is a potential complication of blunt chest trauma and can be detected in a vari... more Cardiac contusion is a potential complication of blunt chest trauma and can be detected in a variable percentage of cases, depending on the method of diagnosis employed. Mechanical and/or ischemic mechanisms may be involved in the occurrence of myocardial injury in patients with cardiac contusion. In the reported case, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed late after chest trauma in a 17-year-old man involved in a car accident 4 years earlier. CMR images documented the persistence of severe regional dysfunction involving the left ventricle, associated with a large area of post-contrast myocardial enhancement (representing necrosis and/or fibrosis). Functional and morphologic information derived from CMR appears theoretically to be helpful in defining the nature and severity of myocardial involvement at presentation, as well as during follow-up of patients with cardiac contusion.

Research paper thumbnail of Multimodality Imaging in Pulmonary Hypertension

Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2015

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a pathophysiological condition defined as an increase in mean pulm... more Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a pathophysiological condition defined as an increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure of ! 25 mm Hg at rest. Although right heart catheterization remains an essential step in the diagnostic algorithmdparticularly for pulmonary arterial hypertensiondnoninvasive multimodality imaging plays an important role in defining the cause, assessing outcome, monitoring the efficacy of specific therapeutic interventions, and detecting the preclinical stage of disease. We review the role of multimodality imaging in the evaluation of PHdincluding echocardiography, chest computed 5 groups based on specific pathogenesis and clinical characteristics . PH results in impedance to right ventricular (RV) ejection associated with varying degrees of functional or pathologic changes in small pulmonary arterioles (100-300 m), pulmonary capillaries, or pulmonary venous vasculature. Incremental afterload may cause RV dysfunction that, regardless of the cause or pathogenesis, can ultimately lead to progressive right ventricular failure, disability, and death. The early clinical symptoms of PH are often subtle or nonspecific and include unexplained fatigue, exertional Canadian Journal of Cardiology 31

Research paper thumbnail of Non-imaging nuclear monitoring of left ventricular function: twenty-five years of technical development and clinical experience

Italian heart journal : official journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology, 2002

Although the first non-imaging nuclear probe for clinical application was already available 25 ye... more Although the first non-imaging nuclear probe for clinical application was already available 25 years ago, this technique is still underused for the assessment of ventricular function. Over the years substantial technological progress rendered nuclear probes more accurate and easier to use, and so far the applicability of these devices has been evaluated in several experimental and clinical contexts. Bedside devices can be used in the evaluation of hemodynamically unstable patients and of drug therapy. In patients with several heart diseases, particularly with ischemic cardiomyopathy, accurate information on the changes in ventricular function occurring during routine activities, as well as during structured activities, can be provided using the ambulatory probes. This review will focus on the development and clinical application of these diagnostic tools.

Research paper thumbnail of Coronary computed tomography: Current role and future perspectives for cardiovascular risk stratification

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. More than ... more Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. More than 50% of CAD deaths occur in previously asymptomatic individuals at intermediate cardiovascular risk, highlighting the need of more accurate individual risk assessment to decrease cardiovascular events. Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) has emerged as a valuable technique for risk stratification in asymptomatic subjects and in symptomatic patients without known CAD. The absence of coronary artery calcium (CAC) identifies asymptomatic subjects at very low cardiac risk and is reasonable in intermediate risk individuals, in whom CAC measurement reclassifies a substantial number of subjects to different risk categories. In symptomatic patients with suspected CAD, detection of non-obstructive or obstructive CAD by CCT angiography is associated with increased all-cause mortality, and provides incremental risk stratification to CAC. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of CCT on clinical outcomes and its cost-effectiveness in different clinical settings.

Research paper thumbnail of Cardiac magnetic resonance for the assessment of myocardial viability: from pathophysiology to clinical practice

Journal of cardiovascular medicine (Hagerstown, Md.), 2013

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is commonly applied for the assessment of myocardial viability i... more Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is commonly applied for the assessment of myocardial viability in patients with ischemic ventricular dysfunction, and it holds potential advantages over more traditional imaging modalities, including single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). CMR-based techniques for viability assessment include the evaluation of transmural extent of the scar using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) images, the evaluation of end-diastolic wall thickness from resting cine images and the study of inotropic reserve during low-dose dobutamine infusion. During the past decade, the diffusion of the use of CMR for viability assessment confirmed the clinical strengths of this modality and, at the same time, helped to use old techniques with an increased level of awareness. With LGE CMR, both viable and nonviable dysfunctional myocardium can be visualized in a single image, allowing a direct quantification of the amount of ...

Research paper thumbnail of Magnetic resonance imaging of a bioprosthetic mitral valve: a smiling heart

Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, 2007

... Magnetic resonance imaging of a bioprosthetic mitral valve: a smiling heart. Dellegrottaglie,... more ... Magnetic resonance imaging of a bioprosthetic mitral valve: a smiling heart. Dellegrottaglie, Santoa; Einstein, Andrew Ja; Sanz, Javiera; Zucker, Mark Jb; Fuster, Valentina; Rajagopalan, Sanjaya. Collapse Box ... b Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Pulmonary Hypertension: Accuracy of Detection with Left Ventricular Septal-to–Free Wall Curvature Ratio Measured at Cardiac MR 1

Radiology, 2007

To retrospectively evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of the cardiac magnetic resonance (M... more To retrospectively evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of the cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-derived left ventricular septal-to-free wall curvature ratio for prediction of the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) in patients clinically known to have or suspected of having pulmonary hypertension (PH), with same-day right-side heart catheterization (RHC) as the reference standard. Institutional review board approval was received for this HIPAA-compliant study. Sixty-one patients clinically known or suspected of having PH underwent cardiac MR and RHC on the same day. Interventricular septal curvature (C(IVS)) and left ventricular free wall curvature (C(FW)) measured at end systole were used to derive the curvature ratio (C(IVS)/C(FW)). Effective distending transmural pressure (dP(FW)) and transseptal pressure gradient (dP(IVS)) were assumed to be equivalent, respectively, to the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the difference between SBP and RVSP. Curvature ratio and SBP were used to noninvasively estimate RVSP. Linear regression analysis was performed to assess the difference between curvature ratio and rate of pressure rise (dP) ratio (dP(IVS)/dP(FW)). The accuracy of the dichotomized curvature ratio in PH detection was analyzed by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. PH, defined as RVSP higher than 40 mm Hg, was confirmed with RHC in 46 patients. A direct linear correlation between dP ratio and curvature ratio was observed (r = 0.85, P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .001). Bland-Altman analysis revealed moderate agreement between cardiac MR- and RHC-derived RVSPs (mean difference, -1.1 mm Hg +/- 15.9 [standard deviation]). ROC analysis of the accuracy of the curvature ratio for detection of increased RVSP revealed 87% sensitivity and 100% specificity (area under ROC curve, 0.95; P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .001). Intraobserver (r = 0.97) and interobserver (r = 0.95) curvature ratio measurements were closely correlated. In patients clinically known to have or suspected of having PH, cardiac MR-derived curvature ratio, as compared with RHC measurement, was an accurate and reproducible index for estimation of RVSP.

Research paper thumbnail of The identification of reversible dysfunctional myocardium is influenced by the severity of contractile dysfunction and by the length of follow-up

Nuclear Medicine Communications, 2005

Objectives To evaluate the influence of the severity of regional myocardial dysfunction and of th... more Objectives To evaluate the influence of the severity of regional myocardial dysfunction and of the length of follow-up on the identification of myocardial viability with rest-redistribution 201 Tl single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and low-dose dobutamine echocardiography (LDDE).

Research paper thumbnail of Myocardial perfusion imaging in very elderly patients with suspected coronary artery disease: Never too late!

Journal of Nuclear Cardiology, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Prediction of long-term effects of revascularization on regional and global left ventricular function by dobutamine echocardiography and rest Tl-201 imaging alone and in combination in patients with chronic coronary artery disease

Journal of Nuclear Cardiology, 2002

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of low-dose dobutamine echocardiog... more Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of low-dose dobutamine echocardiography (DE) and resting thallium 201 single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) alone and in combination for prediction of functional recovery at late follow-up (1 year) after revascularization.

Research paper thumbnail of Prognostic role of myocardial single photon emission computed tomography in the elderly

Journal of Nuclear Cardiology, 2010

The increase in average life expectancy will move the burden of coronary artery disease (CAD) to ... more The increase in average life expectancy will move the burden of coronary artery disease (CAD) to older patients. Myocardial perfusion imaging by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has been extensively validated for diagnosis and prognostic evaluation in large population series. Yet, its use is usually limited in elderly patients in whom, despite increased absolute cardiovascular risk, diagnostic and therapeutic work-up is often underperformed. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines recommend exercise ECG testing as the initial noninvasive method for assessment of CAD in patients with a normal or near-normal resting ECG, regardless of age. However, a considerable proportion of elderly patients is unable to reach an adequate workload during the exercise test and the majority of those undergoing for standard exercise treadmill score are classified as intermediate risk. In elderly patients, SPECT imaging may provide valuable diagnostic and prognostic information for clinical management. In particular, normal or near normal SPECT identifies elderly patients at low risk of major adverse cardiac events at the short-term follow-up.

Research paper thumbnail of Radiation dose and cancer risk estimates in 16-slice computed tomography coronary angiography

Journal of Nuclear Cardiology, 2008

Background-Recent advances have led to a rapid increase in the number of computed tomography coro... more Background-Recent advances have led to a rapid increase in the number of computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) studies performed. While several studies have reported effective dose (E), there is no data available on cancer risk for current CTCA protocols.