• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.512-521
• /
• 2023

Objective: There is increasing recognition that left atrial (LA) strain can be a prognostic marker of various cardiac diseases. However, its prognostic value in acute myocarditis remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived parameters of LA strain can predict outcomes in patients with acute myocarditis. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 47 consecutive patients (44.2 ± 18.3 years; 29 males) with acute myocarditis who underwent CMR in 13.5 ± 9.7 days (range, 0-31 days) of symptom onset. Various parameters, including feature-tracked CMR-derived LA strain, were measured using CMR. The composite endpoints included cardiac death, heart transplantation, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or pacemaker implantation, rehospitalization following a cardiac event, atrial fibrillation, or embolic stroke. The Cox regression analysis was performed to identify associations between the variables derived from CMR and the composite endpoints. Results: After a median follow-up of 37 months, 20 of the 47 (42.6%) patients experienced the composite events. In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, LA reservoir and conduit strains were independent predictors of the composite endpoints, with an adjusted hazard ratio per 1% increase of 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-0.96; P = 0.002) and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.84-0.98; P = 0.013), respectively. Conclusion: LA reservoir and conduit strains derived from CMR are independent predictors of adverse clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocarditis.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.158-165
• /
• 2002

Purpose : To evaluate the effect of Gd-DTPA on signal intensity of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance(MR) image and apparent diffuse coefficient (ADC) in dog brain with hype racute stroke. Materials and methods : Experimental canine model of hyperacute cerebral infarction was made by selective intraarterial embolization with particulate embolic material. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging was performed in five dogs at 1 hour after the embolization of internal carotid artery. After intravenous bolus injection of Gd- DTPA, additional 11 diffusion-weighted MR images were serially obtained from 2 minutes to 90 minutes after injection in each dog. The author evaluated findings of hyperacute cerebral infarction on diffusion-weighted MR imaging, and calculated mean signal intensity and mean ADC in infarcted region and contralateral normal region. Statistical analysis of mean signal intensity, mean ADC and contrast-noise ratio before and after Gd-DTPA injection was performed. Results : Hyperacute cerebral infarction developed in all five dogs on diffusion-weighted MR images obtained 1 hour after embolization. The area of hyperacute infarction had steady increase in signal intensity on diffusion-weighted MR image and decrease in ADC. In normal perfusion area, decrease in signal intensity was observed at 2 minutes the Gd-DTPA injection, whereas ADC did not changed. Conclusion : Intravenous injection of Gd-DTPA had no influence on ADC in both hyperacute infarction and normally perfused are a, but caused initial transient signal reduction in normally perfused area on diffusion-weighted MR image due to susceptibility effect of Gd-DTPA. It is important to calculate ADC in evaluating the effect of diffusion after injection of Gd-DTPA.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.441-446
• /
• 2009

Background: Side clamping of ascending aorta during proximal graft anastomosis in coronary bypassing surgery in-creases the risk of direct aortic injury as well as embolization of intimal atheroma. Heartstring proximal sealing system (Guidant Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif), developed to avoid aortic side clamping, may minimize risks of such complications. The aim of the current study is to compare the surgical outcomes of the two proximal anastomosis techniquesi.e., Heartstring system versus aortic side clamping in off pump coronary bypassing' surgery (OPCAB). Material and Method: From January 2003 to August 2008, 499 patients underwent OPCAB. Of them, proximal graft anastomosis was performed using Heartstring system in 182 patients (Group I) and conventional manual anastomosis in 317 patients (Group II). The two groups were compared for postoperative major complications and mortality. Result: Two groups showed similar characteristics in terms of preoperative demographic data, left ventricular ejection fraction, renal function and history of diabetes, hypertension and smoking. Although there was no inter-group difference in the history of cerebral ischemia (p=0.48), preoperative brain magnetic resonance angiography revealed greater incidence of severe carotid artery stenosis (>75% of lumen) in the Group I than in the. Group II (44.5% in the Group I and 30.0% in the Group II, p=0.003). There were no inter-group differences in postoperative mortality (p=0.40) and complications (p=0.47) including neurologic events (3 in the Group land 2 in the Group II, p=0.258). Whereas neurologic events all comprised transient ischemic attacks in the Group I, they comprised multiple embolic strokes in the Group II. One patient in the Group II experienced aortic dissection during proximal anastomosis which resulted in ascending aortic replacement. Conclusion: Although proximal anastomosis using Heartstring system did not show statistically significant benefit over aortic side clamping, the. absence of embolic stroke maybe a definite benefit which may be better defined through further studies over a larger cohort.