Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the minimum iodine delivery rate (IDR) and contrast media (CM) volume required for diagnostic contrast enhancement of 350 HU (Hounsfield units) in the ascending aorta at different kV settings. Methods Dynamic computed tomography acquisitions from 70 to 150 kV were performed in a circulation phantom. First, injections with IDR ranging from 0.1 to 2.0 g I/s were tested for each kV. In the second part, the IDR was held constant, whereas the CM volume was reduced from 50 to 10 mL. Diagnostic aortic peak enhancement for each kV was compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The mean aortic peak enhancement for all diagnostic IDRs was 368.7 ± 11.1 HU. Diagnostic IDRs returned similar aortic peak enhancement values for all protocols (all P ≥ 0.18). For the second part of the study, a diagnostic enhancement was yielded by using a minimum of 30 mL of CM for 110 kV, 25 mL for 100 and 90 kV, and 15 mL for 80 and 70 kV. Conclusion Our study suggests that a differentiated approach reducing the CM volume for tube voltages of less than 120 kV and increasing the IDR for higher kV settings seems to be the most effective approach.

To evaluate the use of dual-energy CT imaging of the lung perfused blood volume (PBV) for the detection of pulmonary fat embolism (PFE).

To determine the optimal window setting for displaying virtual monoenergetic reconstructions of third generation dual-source, dual-energy CT (DECT) angiography of the abdomen.

The purpose of this study was to investigate patterns in the amygdala-based emotional processing circuit of hemodialysis patients using resting-state functional MR imaging (rs-fMRI). Fifty hemodialysis patients (25 with depressed mood and 25 without depressed mood) and 26 healthy controls were included. All subjects underwent neuropsychological tests and rs-fMRI, and patients also underwent laboratory tests. Functional connectivity of the bilateral amygdala was compared among the three groups. The relationship between functional connectivity and clinical markers was investigated. Depressed patients showed increased positive functional connectivity of the left amygdala with the left superior temporal gyrus and right parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) but decreased amygdala functional connectivity with the left precuneus, angular gyrus, posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), and left inferior parietal lobule compared with non-depressed patients (P < 0.05, AlphaSim corrected). Depressed patients had increased positive functional connectivity of the right amygdala with bilateral supplementary motor areas and PHG but decreased amygdala functional connectivity with the right superior frontal gyrus, superior parietal lobule, bilateral precuneus, and PCC (P < 0.05, AlphaSim corrected). After including anxiety as a covariate, we discovered additional decreased functional connectivity with anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) for bilateral amygdala (P < 0.05, AlphaSim corrected). For the depressed, neuropsychological test scores were correlated with functional connectivity of multiple regions (P < 0.05, AlphaSim corrected). In conclusion, functional connectivity in the amygdala-prefrontal-PCC-limbic circuits was impaired in depressive hemodialysis patients, with a gradual decrease in ACC between controls, non-depressed, and depressed patients for the right amygdala. This indicates that ACC plays a role in amygdala-based emotional regulatory circuits in these patients.

To evaluate the correlation between aortic root calcification (ARC) markers and coronary artery calcification (CAC) derived from coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) and their ability to predict obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).

We read the meta-analysis by Gonzalez et al, published in the November issue of the American Journal of Cardiology. This meta-analysis compared the diagnostic performances of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), computed tomography perfusion, and computed tomography–based fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR). 1 Gonzalez J.A. Lipinski M.J. Flors L. Shaw P.W. Kramer C.M. Salerno M. Meta-analysis of diagnostic performance of coronary computed tomography angiography, computed tomography perfusion, and computed tomography-fractional flow Reserve in functional myocardial ischemia assessment versus invasive fractional flow reserve. Am J Cardiol. 2015; 116: 1469-1478 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (97) Google Scholar Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Performance of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography, Computed Tomography Perfusion, and Computed Tomography-Fractional Flow Reserve in Functional Myocardial Ischemia Assessment Versus Invasive Fractional Flow ReserveAmerican Journal of CardiologyVol. 116Issue 9PreviewWe sought to compare the diagnostic performance of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), computed tomography perfusion (CTP), and computed tomography (CT)-fractional flow reserve (FFR) for assessing the functional significance of coronary stenosis as defined by invasive FFR in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). CCTA has proved clinically useful for excluding obstructive CAD because of its high sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV); however, the ability of CTA to identify functionally significant CAD has remained challenging. Full-Text PDF

Atherosclerosis and its related complications represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Morbidity and mortality rates for cardiovascular disease actually increase with age, which is an issue considering the growing geriatric population. In recent years, non-invasive diagnostic imaging—mainly CT and MRI—has seen an increasingly important role in diagnosing atherosclerosis early, improving risk assessment, and preventing complications. These findings are mainly from studies focusing on adult populations. Furthermore, as these techniques evolve and prove themselves to be extremely useful in this regard, the knowledge gap specific to geriatric patients remains significant. We provide an overview on the techniques and applications of MRI and CT in the diagnosis of atherosclerosis both in general, and for geriatric populations, in particular.