Coronary artery malformations are rare congenital abnormalities, which present non-specific symptoms such as atypical chest pain, malignant arrhythmia, or sudden cardiac death. The proper diagnosis of these abnormalities in emergency conditions can be very difficult, and noninvasive imaging techniques, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, along with the gold standard represented by invasive coronary angiography, remain the most frequently used modalities for diagnosing these rare cases. We present four cases of coronary anomalies represented by an abnormal origin of the coronary arteries from the coronary ostium, presenting in emergency conditions with symptoms of acute myocardial infarction, which were diagnosed by urgent angiography.

AbstractSince the introduction of the new concepts of plaque vulnerability and patient vulnerability, many researchers have focused on different biomarkers that can represent predictors for coronary plaque instability. One of the features that characterize the vulnerable coronary plaque is positive remodeling, which can be easily identified by computed tomography angiography, a noninvasive procedure, or by other invasive methods such as intravascular ultrasound. This review aims to describe the assessment of positive remodeling as a marker of coronary plaque instability and the differences between computed tomography angiography and intravascular ultrasound in investigating this new biomarker.

Hematological conditions and their treatments have an increased risk of cardiovascular events, and invasive interventions have a higher risk of periprocedural complications in this group of patients. The aim of this review was to evaluate the risk of invasive interventions in patients with hematologic disorders and to underline the role of noninvasive cardiovascular screening in patients with hematological disorders such as Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, anemia, hemophilia, thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera, and leukemia. Based on present knowledge in the field, our opinion is that the screening of patients with hematological diseases is very important to reduce the morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular events. Noninvasive assessments are suitable for this purpose with a significantly lower risk compared to invasive interventions.

Abstract Coronary artery fistulas, a rare anomaly, are represented by an abnormal communication between the coronary arteries and other vascular structures or cardiac chambers and, in most cases, are detected incidentally. Regularly, they do not cause important pathological changes, but if the symptoms persist, they need to be treated. The hemodynamic impact depends on the localization and size of the fistulas. Noninvasive imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging and multislice computed tomography, are widely used for the detection of coronary anomalies. The presence of symptoms (angina, dyspnea) is the primary indication for the surgical or percutaneous closure of the communications; therefore, a systematic follow-up is indicated in all cases. We present four cases of coronary artery fistulas, without important hemodynamic complications, detected by multislice computed tomography coronary angiography.

Abstract One of the most significant causes of heart failure is coronary heart disease and subsequent left ventricular dysfunction. The prognosis and perioperative mortality are influenced by left ventricular function, which is also an important predictor marker following revascularization. The evaluation of myocardial perfusion is of utmost importance in patients who present several symptoms before choosing cardiac catheterization as treatment. The evaluation of myocardial perfusion and myocardial viability leads to superior diagnostic and treatment algorithms, thus resulting in an important improvement in the outcomes of patients with coronary artery disease. Color Doppler myocardial imaging, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), contrast perfusion echocardiography, positron emission computed tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are currently used methods for assessing myocardial perfusion. This review aims to summarize the benefits and disadvantages of each of these techniques.

DOI: 10.1515/jim-2016-0042 We report the case of a 23-year-old young male adult, without any previous personal or family medical history, who was admitted to our department with excessive fatigue, shortness of breath and a presyncope. The physical examination revealed peripheral edemas and bilateral fine basal crackles, cyanosis and hypotension. The resting ECG showed sinus rhythm, 130 bpm, with negative T waves in II, aVF, V4–V6. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed significant left ventricle (LV) enlargement (75/64 mm), with moderate left atrium (LA, 53 mm) and right ventricle (RV, 44 mm) enlargement and significant systolic dysfunction (LV ejection fraction 30%). LV noncompaction (LVNC) was also revealed by echocardiography (Panel A) with prominent trabeculation of the LV (green arrow) and deep recesses (red arrow), with a relatively mobile 13/15mm echo-dense mass at the apex of the LV, highly specific for thrombus. Transesophageal echocardiography (Panel B) identified an apical thrombus (red arrow). As LVNC is frequently associated with other congenital abnormalities, computed tomography (CT) was performed (Panel C), which revealed a ratio of 2.41 of the noncompacted to compacted layer, with no other structural or coronary artery origin abnormality (Panel D).1,2 The apical thrombus (red arrow) and the midand apical segment noncompaction (blue arrows) were also noted. LVNC is a rare genetic cardiomyopathy, with possible late onset of the symptoms and it has to be considered at any age.3 Proper imaging techniques must be used for correct diagnosis, management and prevention of complications.

Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) completed by fractional flow reserve (FFR) assessment represents the main procedure that is performed in the decision process for coronary revascularization. Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) is an effective method used in the noninvasive anatomic assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, CCTA tends to overestimate and does not offer hemodynamic data about the coronary lesions. Recent progresses made in the research involving computational fluid dynamics and image modeling permit the evaluation of FFRCT noninvasively, using data obtained in a standard CCTA. Studies have shown an improved precision and discrimination of FFRCT compared to CCTA for the diagnosis of significant coronary artery stenosis. In this review, we aimed to summarize the role of CCTA in CAD evaluation, the impact of FFRCT, the scientific basis of this novel method and its potential clinical applications.

Abstract Background: The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has suffered a dramatic increase and is a serious worldwide issue. Diabetes causes microvascular and macrovascular complications including coronary artery disease (CAD) that ultimately contributes to a high rate of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Study aim: The aim of this study was to assess the factors associated with the atherosclerotic involvement of small coronary arteries as compared to large vessel disease, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus undergoing percutaneous stent coronary angioplasty. Material and methods: Thirty-one patients who underwent Multislice 64 CT assessment of coronary lesions and stent implantation at the level of the significant coronary lesion were included in the study. CT-based Calcium Score was determined in all patients. Group 1 included patients with coronary lesions located on a vessel with a reference diameter above 3 mm (n = 24) and Group 2 included patients with a coronary lesion located on a vessel with a reference diameter below 3 mm (n = 7). Results: The mean age of the study population was 62.25 ± 2.59 years in Group 1 and 64.28 ± 9.18 years in Group 2. Female gender was recorded in 38% of cases in Group 1 and in 14% of cases in Group 2. The left ventricular ejection fraction was below 45% in 13% of cases in Group 1 and in 29% of patients in Group 2. Bioabsorbable stents were implanted in 57% of coronary arteries suffering from small vessel disease, compared to 4% in the rest of the coronary arteries (p = 0.005). The Calcium Score was 552.45 ± 545.79 (95% CI: 354.41–694.64) in Group 1 compared to 1387 ± 1830.3 (95% CI: 305.85–3079.9) (p = 0.014). Conclusions: The location of the atherosclerotic process at the level of the small coronary arteries is associated with a significantly higher Calcium Score at the level of the coronary tree, and with a higher rate of bioabsorbable stent implantation.

An unstable plaque has a high risk of thrombosis and at the same time for a fast progression of the stenosis degree. Also, “high-risk plaque” and “thrombosis-prone plaque” are used as synonym terms for characterization of a vulnerable plaque. The imaging biomarkers for vulnerable coronary plaques are considered to be spotty calcifications, active remodeling, low-density atheroma and the presence of a ring-like attenuation pattern, also known as the napkin-ring sign. Computed cardiac tomography can determine the plaque composition by assessing the plaque density, which is measured in Hounsfield units (HU). The aim of this manuscript was to provide an update about the most frequently used biomarkers of vulnerability in a vulnerable plaque with the help of computed cardiac tomography.

Abstract Background: Epicardial fat has been recently identified as a major player in the development of the atherosclerotic process. Study aim: The aim of this study was to correlate the epicardial fat volume (EFV), determined by Multisclice CT, and the severity of the coronary lesions, expressed by the Coronary Calcium Score (CCS) and Syntax Score (SxS) in patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD). Material and methods: One-hundred-twenty-six patients underwent Multisclice 64 CT assessment of coronary lesions and epicardial fat quantification. Calculation of CCS was performed on all the three coronary vessels and was followed by determination of SxS according to guidelines. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 – patients with CCS >400 (n = 26), and Group 2 — patients with CaS <400 (n = 100). Results: The mean age of the study population was 65.32 years for Group 1 and 54 years for Group 2 (p <0.0001). However, patients >65 years of age had a high CCS in a more significant extent than younger patients (50% in Group 1 vs. 17% in Group 2, p = 0.0115). Female gender was recorded in 48% of cases in Group 2 and in 19% of cases in Group 1 (p = 0.008). Several factors were identified in a higher extent in the group with high CCS as compared with the group with low CCS, such as the presence of significant stenosis (>50%) of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) (46% vs. 9%, p <0.0001), the presence of multi-vessel coronary disease (50% vs. 5%, p <0.0001) and a high SxS, above 23 (23% vs. 4%, p = 0.006). The epicardial fat volume was 117.81 ± 40.4 ml (95% CI: 97.98–138.2 ml) in Group 2 and 89.77 ± 37.7 ml (95% CI: 80.4–101.5 ml) in Group 1 (p = 0.0033). Conclusions: Epicardial fat volume could represent a new imaging-derived biomarker, useful for classification of the severity of coronary artery disease, increased values of EFV being associated with other biomarkers of disease severity, such as calcium score.

Abstract Background: The acute loss of myocardium, following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) leads to an abrupt increase in the loading conditions that induces a pattern of left ventricular remodeling (LVR). It has been shown that remodeling occurs rapidly and progressively within weeks after the AMI. Study aim: The aim of our study was to identify predictors for LVR, and find correlations between them and the cardiovascular (CV) risk factors that lead to remodeling. Material and methods: One hundred and five AMI patients who underwent primary PCI were included in the study. A 2-D echocardiography was performed at baseline (day 1 ± 3 post-MI) and at 6 months follow-up. The LV remodeling index (RI), was defined as the difference between the Left Ventricular End-Diastolic diameter (LVEDD) at 6 months and at baseline. The patients were divided into 2 groups, according to the RI: Group 1 – RI >15% with positive remodeling (n = 23); Group 2 – RI ≤15% with no remodeling (n = 82). Results: The mean age was 63.26 ± 2.084 years for Group 1 and 59.72 ± 1.267 years for Group 2. The most significant predictor of LVR was the female gender (Group 1 – 52% vs. Group 2 – 18%, p <0.0001). Men younger than 50 years showed a lower rate of LVR (Group1 – 9% vs. Group 2 – 20%, p = 0.0432). In women, age over 65 years was a significant predictor for LVR (Group 1 – 26% vs. Group 2 – 9%, p = 0.0025). The CV risk factors associated with LVR were: smoking (p = 0.0008); obesity (p = 0.013); dyslipidemia (p = 0.1184). The positive remodeling group had a higher rate of LAD stenosis compared to the no-remodeling group (48% vs. 26%, p = 0.002). The presence of multi-vessel disease was shown to be higher in Group 1 (26% vs. 9%, p = 0.0025). The echocardiographic parameters that predicted LVR were: LVEF <45% (p = 0.048), mitral regurgitation (p = 0.022), and interventricular septum hypertrophy (p <0.0001). Conclusions: The CV risk factors correlated with LVR were smoking, obesity and dyslipidemia. A >50% stenosis in the LAD and the presence of multi-vessel CAD were found to be significant predictors for LVR. The most powerful predictors of LVR following AMI were: LVEF <45%, mitral regurgitation, and interventricular septum hypertrophy.

Abstract Radiofrequency catheter ablation of parahisian accessory pathways in pre-excitation syndrome is a challenging task, due to the extremely high risk of complete atrioventricular block. In this brief report we describe the case of a 32 year-old man presenting a parahisian accessory pathway, who has been successfully treated by radiofrequency ablation. Radiofrequency catheter ablation using low-power radiofrequency current is considered to be the most appropiate method of ablation in adult patients.

Introduction: Percutaneous coronary intervention is the first therapeutic choice in the treatment of symptomatic coronary artery disease and Multi-Slice Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography (MSCT-CA) is a new non-invasive diagnostic tool in the follow-up of these patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the rate of in-stent restenosis (ISR), to identify the predictive factors for ISR at 1 year after PCI and to assess the progression of non-culprit lesions, using a MSCT-CA follow-up.

Persistent left superior vena cava is an anomalous vein that derives from a malfunction of obliteration of the left common cardinal vein during intrauterine life. The diagnosis can be suggested by a dilated coronary sinus as seen in echocardiography, or other imagistic methods. Due to the lack of hemodynamic impairment, and consequently with few or no symptoms, this vascular anomaly is frequently discovered incidentally. In this brief report we present the case of a 35-year-old male known with a complex congenital cardiovascular malformation that included atrial septum defect, persistent left superior vena cava and anomalous right pulmonary vein drainage in the PLSVC, diagnosed with sinoatrial block that required pacemaker implantation. Due to the patient’s medical history, investigations to decide the best approach needed for pacemaker implantation were performed, including a thoracic CT that incidentally found additional anomalies — the hemiazygos vein draining in PLSVC and the lack of the left brachiocephalic vein.

Aortic intramural haematoma (AIH) is a rarely recognized disease characterized by a sudden haemorrhage into aortic media in the absence of any intimal tear. The clinical evolution and mortality rates of AIH are similar to those of acute aortic dissection. However, in the acute clinical care of patients presenting with chest pain of aortic origin, it is important to differentiate intramural haematoma from aortic dissection. A case of an elderly patient with an intramural hematoma (IMH), which progressed to very large dimensions and involved the entire aortic wall, resulting in fatal complications is presented here.