Submit to Medicina Review for Medicina Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Application of Cardiac Imaging in Heart Disease

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Cardiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 February 2024) | Viewed by 4816

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Marco Fogante

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Radiological Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
Interests: cardiovascular radiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.

The technological improvements in diagnostic imaging modalities have significantly changed and increased the applications and clinical indications of cardiac imaging in the diagnosis and treatment of heart pathologies.

Echocardiography, cardiac CT, cardiac MRI, and nuclear medicine are consolidated diagnostic modalities, and the introduction of dual-source and dual energy CT, photon-counting CT, new MRI sequences and hybrid nuclear imaging has substantially improved the detection and evaluation of cardiac disease.

Moreover, the possibility to perform stress–rest imaging exams have enlarged the application of cardiac imaging in ischemic heart disease.

In addition, invasive imaging methods such as coronary angiography, transcatheter electrophysiological mapping and cardiac allow not only allow the diagnosis but also the therapeutic approach to ischemic and non-ischemic heart disease.

Finally, the introduction of artificial intelligence into clinical practice is modifying the diagnostic possibilities by assisting specialists in the detection and interpretation of images, improving the diagnostic performance.

For all of these reasons, it is necessary for specialists involved in the treatment of heart disease to remain constantly updated on the applications, clinical indications, and technological advances of cardiac imaging.

Therefore, the purpose of this Special Issue is to present a wide range of scientific papers including original articles, case reports, case series and reviews about the actual cardiac imaging modalities, the latest developments, their actual and future applications in the heart disease and interesting clinical cases of integrated use of the cardiac imaging modalities.

Dr. Marco Fogante
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

heart disease
cardiac disease
echocardiography
cardiac CT
cardiac MRI
cardiac nuclear imaging
stress–rest myocardial perfusion
cardiac electrophysiology
photon counting
artificial intelligence

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Review

12 pages, 1113 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Approach to Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Scar Characterization in Patients Affected by Cardiac Amyloidosis: A Pilot Study

by Michele Alfieri, Federico Guerra, Carla Lofiego, Marco Fogante, Giuseppe Ciliberti, Fabio Vagnarelli, Alessandro Barbarossa, Samuele Principi, Giulia Stronati, Giovanni Volpato, Paolo Compagnucci, Yari Valeri, Paolo Tofoni, Leonardo Brugiatelli, Irene Capodaglio, Paolo Esposto Pirani, Giulio Argalia, Nicolò Schicchi, Loredana Messano, Maurizio Centanni, Andrea Giovagnoni, Gian Piero Perna, Antonio Dello Russo and Michela Casella Show full author list Hide full author list

Medicina 2024, 60(4), 613; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60040613 - 8 Apr 2024

Viewed by 725

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has become an essential instrument in the study of cardiomyopathies; it has recently been integrated into the diagnostic workflow for cardiac amyloidosis (CA) with remarkable results. An additional emerging role is the stratification of the arrhythmogenic risk by scar analysis and the possibility of merging these data with electro-anatomical maps. This is made possible by using a software (ADAS 3D, Galgo Medical, Barcelona, Spain) able to provide 3D heart models by detecting fibrosis along the whole thickness of the myocardial walls. Little is known regarding the applications of this software in the wide spectrum of cardiomyopathies and the potential benefits have yet to be discovered. In this study, we tried to apply the ADAS 3D in the context of CA. Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospectively analysis of consecutive CMR imaging of patients affected by CA that were treated in our center (Marche University Hospital). Wherever possible, the data were processed with the ADAS 3D software and analyzed for a correlation between the morphometric parameters and follow-up events. The outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality, unplanned cardiovascular hospitalizations, sustained ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), permanent reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction, and pacemaker implantation. The secondary outcomes were the need for a pacemaker implantation and sustained VAs. Results: A total of 14 patients were deemed eligible for the software analysis: 8 patients with wild type transthyretin CA, 5 with light chain CA, and 1 with transthyretin hereditary CA. The vast majority of imaging features was not related to the composite outcome, but atrial wall thickening displayed a significant association with both the primary (p = 0.003) and the secondary outcome of pacemaker implantation (p = 0.003). The software was able to differentiate between core zones and border zones of scars, with the latter being the most extensively represented in all patients. Interestingly, in a huge percentage of CMR images, the software identified the highest degree of core zone fibrosis among the epicardial layers and, in those patients, we found a higher incidence of the primary outcome, without reaching statistical significance (p = 0.18). Channels were found in the scar zones in a substantial percentage of patients without a clear correlation with follow-up events. Conclusions: CMR imaging plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular diagnostics. Our analysis shows the feasibility and applicability of such instrument for all types of CA. We could not only differentiate between different layers of scars, but we were also able to identify the presence of fibrosis channels among the different scar zones. None of the data derived from the ADAS 3D software seemed to be related to cardiac events in the follow-up, but this might be imputable to the restricted number of patients enrolled in the study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Cardiac Imaging in Heart Disease)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 7358 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Left Atrial Area Derived Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Left Ventricular Filling Pressure Equation Shows Superiority over Integrated Echocardiography

by Ciaran Grafton-Clarke, Gareth Matthews, Rebecca Gosling, Peter Swoboda, Alexander Rothman, Jim M. Wild, David G. Kiely, Robin Condliffe, Samer Alabed, Andrew J. Swift and Pankaj Garg

Medicina 2023, 59(11), 1952; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59111952 - 4 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 996

Abstract

Background and objectives: Evaluating left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) plays a crucial role in diagnosing and managing heart failure (HF). While traditional assessment methods involve multi-parametric transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) or right heart catheterisation (RHC), cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has emerged as a valuable diagnostic tool in HF. This study aimed to assess a simple CMR-derived model to estimate pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) in a cohort of patients with suspected or proven heart failure and to investigate its performance in risk-stratifying patients. Materials and methods: A total of 835 patients with breathlessness were evaluated using RHC and CMR and split into derivation (85%) and validation cohorts (15%). Uni-variate and multi-variate linear regression analyses were used to derive a model for PCWP estimation using CMR. The model’s performance was evaluated by comparing CMR-derived PCWP with PCWP obtained from RHC. Results: A CMR-derived PCWP incorporating left ventricular mass and the left atrial area (LAA) demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy. The model correctly reclassified 66% of participants whose TTE was ‘indeterminate’ or ‘incorrect’ in identifying raised filling pressures. On survival analysis, the CMR-derived PCWP model was predictive for mortality (HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.04–1.28, p = 0.005), which was not the case for PCWP obtained using RHC or TTE. Conclusions: The simplified CMR-derived PCWP model provides an accurate and practical tool for estimating PCWP in patients with suspected or proven heart failure. Its predictive value for mortality suggests the ability to play a valuable adjunctive role in echocardiography, especially in cases with unclear echocardiographic assessment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Cardiac Imaging in Heart Disease)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1509 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bio-Humoral and Non-Invasive Haemodynamic Correlates of Renal Venous Flow Patterns across the Heart Failure Spectrum

by Lavinia Del Punta, Nicolò De Biase, Matteo Mazzola, Francesco Filidei, Alessio Balletti, Silvia Armenia, Valerio Di Fiore, Simona Buralli, Gian Giacomo Galeotti, Marco De Carlo, Cristina Giannini, Stefano Masi and Nicola Riccardo Pugliese

Medicina 2023, 59(10), 1704; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59101704 - 24 Sep 2023

Viewed by 950

Abstract

Background: We evaluated the bio-humoral and non-invasive haemodynamic correlates of renal congestion evaluated by Doppler renal venous flow (RVF) across the heart failure (HF) spectrum, from asymptomatic subjects with cardiovascular risk factors (Stage A) and structural heart disease (Stage B) to patients with clinically overt HF (Stage C). Methods: Ultrasound evaluation, including echocardiography, lung ultrasound and RVF, along with blood and urine sampling, was performed in 304 patients. Results: Continuous RVF was observed in 230 patients (76%), while discontinuous RVF (dRVF) was observed in 74 (24%): 39 patients had pulsatile RVF, 18 had biphasic RVF and 17 had monophasic RVF. Stage C HF was significantly more common among patients with dRVF. Monophasic RVF was associated with worse renal function and a higher urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR). After adjusting for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, the presence of Stage C HF and serum creatinine levels, worsening RVF patterns were associated with higher NT-proBNP levels, worse right ventricular–arterial coupling, larger inferior vena cava and higher echo-derived pulmonary artery wedge pressure. This trend was confirmed when only patients with HF Stage C were analysed after adjusting for the left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF). Conclusion: Abnormal RVF is common across the HF spectrum. Worsening RVF patterns are independently associated with increased congestion, worse non-invasive haemodynamics and impaired RV-arterial coupling. RVF evaluation could refine prognostic stratification across the HF spectrum, irrespective of LVEF. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Cardiac Imaging in Heart Disease)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

20 pages, 14099 KiB

Open AccessReview

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance and Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: Are They Truly Still “Enemies”?

by Marco Fogante, Giovanni Volpato, Paolo Esposto Pirani, Fatjon Cela, Paolo Compagnucci, Yari Valeri, Adelina Selimi, Michele Alfieri, Leonardo Brugiatelli, Sara Belleggia, Francesca Coraducci, Giulio Argalia, Michela Casella, Antonio Dello Russo and Nicolò Schicchi

Medicina 2024, 60(4), 522; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60040522 - 22 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1273

Abstract

The application of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in clinical practice has grown due to technological advancements and expanded clinical indications, highlighting its superior capabilities when compared to echocardiography for the assessment of myocardial tissue. Similarly, the utilization of implantable cardiac electronic devices (CIEDs) has significantly increased in cardiac arrhythmia management, and the requirements of CMR examinations in patients with CIEDs has become more common. However, this type of exam often presents challenges due to safety concerns and image artifacts. Until a few years ago, the presence of CIED was considered an absolute contraindication to CMR. To address these challenges, various technical improvements in CIED technology, like the reduction of the ferromagnetic components, and in CMR examinations, such as the introduction of new sequences, have been developed. Moreover, a rigorous protocol involving multidisciplinary collaboration is recommended for safe CMR examinations in patients with CIEDs, emphasizing risk assessment, careful monitoring during CMR, and post-scan device evaluation. Alternative methods to CMR, such as computed tomography coronary angiography with tissue characterization techniques like dual-energy and photon-counting, offer alternative potential solutions, although their diagnostic accuracy and availability do limit their use. Despite technological advancements, close collaboration and specialized staff training remain crucial for obtaining safe diagnostic CMR images in patients with CIEDs, thus justifying the presence of specialized centers that are equipped to handle these type of exams. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Cardiac Imaging in Heart Disease)

► Show Figures