Alexander D Rodway, Rachael Jarrett, Darren Cheal, Gary D Maytham, Benjamin C T Field, Martin B Whyte, Justin Read, Philip J Aston, Simon S Skene, Jenny Harris, Christian Heiss
{"title":"Estimation of toe brachial index based on forefoot Doppler waveforms.","authors":"Alexander D Rodway, Rachael Jarrett, Darren Cheal, Gary D Maytham, Benjamin C T Field, Martin B Whyte, Justin Read, Philip J Aston, Simon S Skene, Jenny Harris, Christian Heiss","doi":"10.1093/ehjimp/qyaf057","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ehjimp/qyaf057","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>The toe brachial index (TBI) is a standard diagnostic tool for assessing distal perfusion in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) but has several limitations. Doppler waveform characteristics of forefoot arteries, such as acceleration index (AccI), peak systolic velocity (PSV), and acceleration time (AT), present a potentially reliable and more accessible alternative for estimating TBI. This study evaluated the association between Doppler waveform characteristics and standard TBI, developed empirical equations for estimating TBI (eTBI), and assessed their accuracy, reproducibility, and clinical applicability.</p><p><strong>Methods and results: </strong>This study presents a prospective analysis of angle-corrected Doppler AccI, PSV, and AT in forefoot metatarsal arteries together with standard automated TBI in 155 limbs of PAD patients treated at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Redhill, UK. Doppler-derived AccI, PSV, and AT were significantly associated with standard TBI (<i>R</i> <sup>2</sup> = 0.88, 0.58, 0.62; each <i>P</i> < 0.001). Empirical equations for eTBI calculation demonstrated excellent agreement with standard TBI, with minimal average deviations [-0.01 ± 0.10 (SD) for AccI]. Multivariable analysis confirmed that eTBI derived from AccI predicted TBI largely independent of age, sex, diabetes mellitus, Fontaine stage, diastolic blood pressure, and kidney function (<i>R</i> <sup>2</sup> = 0.89). After revascularization, both eTBI and standard TBI increased significantly, with strong correlation (<i>r</i> = 0.95, <i>P</i> < 0.001). Inter- and intra-observer and inter-device variability for eTBI measurements was low, outperforming standard TBI.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Doppler waveform-derived eTBI, particularly using AccI, provides a reproducible, accurate, and clinically responsive alternative to standard TBI. These findings support its integration into routine vascular diagnostics, enhancing accessibility and diagnostic precision in PAD care. Automated eTBI acquisition could enhance screening efficiency in non-specialist settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":94317,"journal":{"name":"European heart journal. Imaging methods and practice","volume":"3 2","pages":"qyaf057"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12241854/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144610856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jennifer Erley, Corinna Else, Wiebke Dieckhoff, Paulius Bucius, Patrick Doeblin, Collin Götze, Katja Berkmann, Christian Stehning, Sebastian Kelle
{"title":"How we scan cardiac anatomy and function using cardiovascular magnetic resonance: a practical video guide.","authors":"Jennifer Erley, Corinna Else, Wiebke Dieckhoff, Paulius Bucius, Patrick Doeblin, Collin Götze, Katja Berkmann, Christian Stehning, Sebastian Kelle","doi":"10.1093/ehjimp/qyaf090","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjimp/qyaf090","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>Fast Strain-encoding (fSENC) is a pulse sequence that enables the acquisition of cardiovascular magnetic resonance images within a few heartbeats and at free breathing to quantify myocardial strain, a deformation parameter of the heart muscle. Strain is gaining importance in heart failure diagnostics, but implementing fast strain-encoding into a routine magnetic resonance protocol has not been thoroughly explored from a practical viewpoint. This video manuscript aims to provide a simple guide for the acquisition of cardiovascular magnetic resonance exams in cardiac patients and to determine the scan-rescan reproducibility of segmental strain analyses.</p><p><strong>Methods and results: </strong>A volunteer was scanned for demonstration purposes on a 1.5T MRI Scanner ('Ingenia, Philips Healthcare, Best, The Netherlands'). The acquisition of cine steady-state free precession (SSFP) and fSENC sequences is demonstrated in a step-by-step fashion, accompanied by a multilingual video tutorial and an image guide. Scan-rescan reproducibility of acquisition-based strain values was excellent between subsequent scans for segmental longitudinal (SLS) [0.93 (0.91-0.95) and circumferential strain (SCS) [0.78 (0.73-0.82) to 0.84 (0.80-0.87)], and good to excellent between scans that were interrupted by a break for SLS [0.80 (0.74-0.85) to 0.84 (0.79-0.87)] and SCS [0.57 (0.46-0.66) to 0.65 (0.56-0.77)].</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This multilingual video manuscript provides a practical guide to conducting cardiovascular magnetic resonance exams including SSFP and fSENC, useful for further quantitative analysis to grasp heart function on a global and regional basis.</p>","PeriodicalId":94317,"journal":{"name":"European heart journal. Imaging methods and practice","volume":"3 2","pages":"qyaf090"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12287925/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144710440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sanjeev Bhattacharyya, Simona Beatrice Botezatu, Giulia Elena Mandoli, Giulia Vinco, Tor Biering-Sørensen, Robert Manka, Emmanuel Androulakis, Jose Rodriguez-Palomares, Jadranka Separovic Hanzevacki, Jolien Geers, Maria Lembo, Anna Baritussio, Tomaž Podlesnikar, Marc R Dweck
{"title":"EACVI survey on evaluation and quantification of aortic regurgitation by multi-modality imaging.","authors":"Sanjeev Bhattacharyya, Simona Beatrice Botezatu, Giulia Elena Mandoli, Giulia Vinco, Tor Biering-Sørensen, Robert Manka, Emmanuel Androulakis, Jose Rodriguez-Palomares, Jadranka Separovic Hanzevacki, Jolien Geers, Maria Lembo, Anna Baritussio, Tomaž Podlesnikar, Marc R Dweck","doi":"10.1093/ehjimp/qyaf058","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ehjimp/qyaf058","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>To investigate the real-world, current clinical practice of the assessment and management of aortic regurgitation (AR).</p><p><strong>Methods and results: </strong>An electronic survey was distributed to cardiovascular imaging specialists by the European Society Association of Cardiovascular Imaging Scientific Initiatives Committee. Three hundred respondents from 66 countries completed the survey. In patients where initial qualitative evaluation suggested moderate AR, regurgitation severity was further characterized using vena contracta in 83%, pressure half-time in 70%, jet width/outflow tract diameter in 59%, regurgitant volume/effective orifice area 57% and three-dimensional vena contract in 20% of respondents. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was used by 72% of respondents when transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) image quality was poor and 74% of respondents when there was discordance between Doppler findings and ventricular assessments. CMR 4-dimensional flow was performed by 19% of respondents. Left ventricular (LV) diameters were measured at the mitral valve level by 52% and at the mid LV by 43% of respondents. LV volumes were measured using TTE by 70%, with CMR by 40% and with CT by 2% of respondents.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There is heterogeneity in the echocardiographic methods used to quantify AR. The vena-contracta is the most commonly used for assessment of AR severity with relative underutilisation of quantitative methods. CMR is widely used to assess AR severity when echocardiographic assessments are uncertain. There is variation in the anatomical location to measure LV dilatation and variable use of LV volumes which may impact decision making for intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":94317,"journal":{"name":"European heart journal. Imaging methods and practice","volume":"3 1","pages":"qyaf058"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12204183/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144532356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Thomas Lindow, Aristomenis Manouras, Geoff Strange, Per Lindqvist, David Playford, Odd Bech-Hanssen, Martin Ugander
{"title":"Echocardiography can accurately estimate pulmonary artery wedge pressure without left atrial volume information-diagnostic and prognostic performance.","authors":"Thomas Lindow, Aristomenis Manouras, Geoff Strange, Per Lindqvist, David Playford, Odd Bech-Hanssen, Martin Ugander","doi":"10.1093/ehjimp/qyaf082","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ehjimp/qyaf082","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>A quantitative estimate of pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) can be obtained using echocardiography, but including left atrial (LA) volume (ePAWP-LA) in the estimation may be misleading. We aimed to derive and validate a new estimate without LA volume information (ePAWP-NOLA) and compare its performance to the ASE/EACVI algorithms for diastolic dysfunction.</p><p><strong>Methods and results: </strong>ePAWP-NOLA was derived and validated in separate datasets of patients who had undergone right heart catheterization and echocardiography. The prognosis was assessed in the validation cohort and the National Echocardiography Database Australia (NEDA) using Cox regression adjusted for age, sex, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). In the derivation cohort (60 ± 15 years, 40% males, 31% with LVEF < 50%), ePAWP-NOLA was derived from mitral (E), and pulmonary vein systolic (S) and diastolic (D) Doppler velocities (<i>n</i> = 134, mean difference ± SD vs. PAWP: 0.0 ± 5.5 mmHg). In the validation cohort (<i>n</i> = 116, 51 ± 14 years, 69% males, 89% with LVEF < 50%), PAWP agreed with both ePAWP-NOLA and ePAWP-LA (difference 1.3 ± 6.1, 3.2 ± 6.3 mmHg, respectively). PAWP > 15 mmHg was accurately detected by both ePAWP-NOLA and ePAWP-LA [area under the curve: AUC (95%CI): 0.84 (0.76-0.92), 0.80 (0.72-0.88)]. AUC for the ASE/EACVI algorithm was lower [0.69 (0.61-0.77)]). ePAWP-NOLA and ePAWP-LA correlated with right ventricular afterload and were associated with death or implantation of left ventricular assist device, and with cardiovascular death in NEDA.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>ePAWP-NOLA has diagnostic and prognostic performance comparable to ePAWP-LA, and improved diagnostic performance compared to the ASE/EACVI diastolic dysfunction algorithm.</p>","PeriodicalId":94317,"journal":{"name":"European heart journal. Imaging methods and practice","volume":"3 2","pages":"qyaf082"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12213055/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144556368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Danish Saleh, Ellis Y Kim, Kifah Hussain, Vinesh Appadurai, Kayla Mueller, Abigail Garza, Baljash Cheema, Dominic E Fullenkamp, Vera H Rigolin, Akhil Narang, Paul C Cremer, Lubna Choudhury
{"title":"Anterior mitral valve leaflet length and response to mavacamten in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.","authors":"Danish Saleh, Ellis Y Kim, Kifah Hussain, Vinesh Appadurai, Kayla Mueller, Abigail Garza, Baljash Cheema, Dominic E Fullenkamp, Vera H Rigolin, Akhil Narang, Paul C Cremer, Lubna Choudhury","doi":"10.1093/ehjimp/qyaf081","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ehjimp/qyaf081","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study examines whether anterior mitral valve leaflet (AMVL) length is associated with response to mavacamten in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>Obstruction of the left-ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) in HCM has been associated with asymmetric septal hypertrophy and abnormalities of the mitral valve and sub-valvular apparatus. Mavacamten is a myosin-inhibitor shown to decrease LVOT gradient and improve functional status in patients with obstructive HCM.</p><p><strong>Methods and results: </strong>Measurements of cardiac structural elements were obtained from magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography data among patients with obstructive HCM treated with mavacamten. Endpoints were effective mavacamten dose, defined as the dose required to achieve a Valsalva LVOT gradient <30 mmHg, and rapid response to mavacamten therapy, defined as achieved Valsalva LVOT gradient <20 mmHg within 8 weeks of initiation. Among 33 patients, patients with an effective dose of 5 mg (<i>n</i> = 13) had a shorter AMVL length [20.00 (18.50, 20.80) mm] compared with patients with a dose of 10 mg (<i>n</i> = 12) [23.30 (22.45, 26.10) mm] and 15 mg (<i>n</i> = 8) [25.45 (24.20, 26.85) mm] (<i>P</i> < 0.001). After adjusting for age and sex, the 5 mg dose was associated with a shorter AMVL length (<i>P</i> = 0.003). AMVL length was shorter in rapid responders [20.9 (19.9, 22.5) mm] compared with patients without a rapid response [24.9 (23.3, 26.5) mm] (<i>P</i> = 0.006).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Shorter AMVL length is associated with a lower effective dose and a rapid response to mavacamten. If confirmed in larger studies, AMVL length may inform optimal dosing of myosin inhibitors in obstructive HCM.</p>","PeriodicalId":94317,"journal":{"name":"European heart journal. Imaging methods and practice","volume":"3 2","pages":"qyaf081"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12214459/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144556367","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"High levels of pericoronary adipose tissue inflammation are associated with coronary atherosclerosis independent of epicardial adipose tissue volume in patients with chronic coronary syndrome.","authors":"Hiroki Yamaura, Kenichiro Otsuka, Hirotoshi Ishikawa, Kana Hojo, Kotaro Matsumoto, Naoki Fujisawa, Akihiro Okamoto, Tomohiro Yamaguchi, Shunsuke Kagawa, Takenobu Shimada, Atsushi Shibata, Asahiro Ito, Takanori Yamazaki, Kenei Shimada, Noriaki Kasayuki, Daiju Fukuda","doi":"10.1093/ehjimp/qyaf079","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ehjimp/qyaf079","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>This study aimed to assess clinical risks and coronary atherosclerotic burden in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) stratified by pericoronary artery adipose tissue (PCAT) composition and epicardial adipose tissue volume (EAV).</p><p><strong>Methods and results: </strong>We retrospectively included 410 CCS patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography. Patients were divided into four groups based on an EAV index ≥ 73.5 mL/mm<sup>2</sup> and PCAT attenuation (PCATA) in the right coronary artery (PCATA<sub>RCA</sub>) ≥ -76.6 HU (above median); Groups A (low EAV index and low PCATA<sub>RCA</sub>), B (low EAV index and high PCATA<sub>RCA</sub>), C (high EAV index and low PCATA<sub>RCA</sub>), and D (high EAV index and high PCATA<sub>RCA</sub>). Multivariable models assessed the relative risk of coronary artery calcium score (CACS) > 400 and coronary artery disease (CAD), and predictors of coronary plaque volume. The log-transformed CACS increased progressively, with Group D showing the highest values. Group D had the highest prevalence of Hisayama risk score of 10-year risk > 10%, CACS > 400, and CAD. The high EAVi group (C and D) showed increased risks of CACS > 400 [Group C: adjusted odds ratio, 6.30; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.39-28.6; Group D: adjusted odds ratio, 9.13; 95% CI, 2.00-41.5] and CAD (Group C: adjusted odds ratio, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.13-4.83; Group D: adjusted odds ratio, 9.13; 95% CI, 2.00-41.5). Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that PCATA<sub>RCA</sub> was associated with a greater plaque volume independent of EAV index.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Elevated PCAT inflammation is associated with the coronary plaque burden independent of EAV index in patients with CCS.</p><p><strong>Lay summary: </strong>• This study demonstrates that distinct phenotypes based on ectopic fat volume and composition-the volume of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and the inflammation status of pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT)-can characterize coronary atherosclerotic disease burden in patients with chronic coronary syndrome.• While both increased EAT volume and PCAT inflammation have been reportedly associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and cardiovascular events, evidence investigating the association of EAT volume and PCAT inflammation with CAD disease burden is limited.• Patients with increased EAT volume are at an elevated risk for coronary artery calcification and increased plaque burden, regardless of PCAT inflammation. In contrast, among patients without increased EAT volume, increased PCAT inflammation is correlated with an increased risk of coronary artery calcification and plaque burden.</p>","PeriodicalId":94317,"journal":{"name":"European heart journal. Imaging methods and practice","volume":"3 2","pages":"qyaf079"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12238945/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144602748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hatem Soliman-Aboumarie, Christophe Vandenbriele, Luca Baldetti, Tim Balthazar, Sascha Ott, Jaime Hernandez-Montfort, Alina Nicoara
{"title":"Echocardiography for short-term mechanical circulatory support: a trans-Atlantic practical guide.","authors":"Hatem Soliman-Aboumarie, Christophe Vandenbriele, Luca Baldetti, Tim Balthazar, Sascha Ott, Jaime Hernandez-Montfort, Alina Nicoara","doi":"10.1093/ehjimp/qyaf067","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ehjimp/qyaf067","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Short-term mechanical circulatory support (stMCS) devices are increasingly utilized for haemodynamic stabilization in patients with cardiogenic shock. Echocardiography plays a pivotal role across the continuum of stMCS use-from patient selection and device implantation to monitoring, troubleshooting, and weaning. This review provides a comprehensive, practical guide for clinicians on the echocardiographic assessment of commonly used stMCS devices, including intra-aortic balloon pump, Impella, ProtekDuo, and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. We outline device-specific contraindications, key imaging views for guiding placement, and parameters for monitoring device performance and detecting complications. The paper also introduces structured echocardiographic criteria to support decision-making during weaning and explantation. Finally, we explore emerging tools such as speckle-tracking echocardiography, 3D imaging, and artificial intelligence that may further optimize stMCS management. Through an international, multidisciplinary collaboration, this guide aims to standardize echocardiographic practice in stMCS and improve clinical outcomes in critically ill cardiac patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":94317,"journal":{"name":"European heart journal. Imaging methods and practice","volume":"3 1","pages":"qyaf067"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12150027/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144268337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chiara Bernelli, Stefania Angela Di Fusco, Roxana Mehran, Furio Colivicchi
{"title":"Radioprotection in interventional cardiology: a step-by-step 'call to action' to promote gender equity.","authors":"Chiara Bernelli, Stefania Angela Di Fusco, Roxana Mehran, Furio Colivicchi","doi":"10.1093/ehjimp/qyaf074","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ehjimp/qyaf074","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94317,"journal":{"name":"European heart journal. Imaging methods and practice","volume":"3 1","pages":"qyaf074"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12163311/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144304252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}