The aim of this study was to develop an ultra-short echo time 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method for imaging subacute myocardial infarction (MI) quantitatively and in an accelerated way. Here, we present novel 3D T1- and T1ρ -weighted Multi-Band SWeep Imaging with Fourier Transform and Compressed Sensing (MB-SWIFT-CS) imaging of subacute MI in mice hearts ex vivo.

Relaxation time-weighted and under-sampled 3D MB-SWIFT-CS MRI were tested with manganese chloride (MnCl2) phantom and mice MI model. MI was induced in C57BL mice, and the hearts were collected 7 days after MI and then fixated. The hearts were imaged with T1 and adiabatic T1ρ relaxation time-weighted 3D MB-SWIFT-CS MRI, and the contrast-weighted image series were estimated with a locally low-rank regularized subspace constrained reconstruction. The quantitative parameter maps, T1 and T1ρ , were then obtained by performing non-linear least squares signal fitting on the image estimates. For comparison, the hearts were also imaged using 2D fast spin echo-based T2 and T1ρ mapping methods. The relaxation rates varied linearly with the MnCl2 concentration, and the T1 and T1ρ relaxation time values were elevated in the damaged areas. The ischaemic areas could be observed visually in the 3D T1, 3D T1ρ , and 2D MRI maps. The scar tissue formation in the anterior wall of the left ventricle and inflammation in the septum were confirmed by histology, which is in line with the results of MRI.

MI with early fibrosis, increased inflammatory activity, and interstitial oedema were determined simultaneously with T1 and T1ρ relaxation time constants within the myocardium by using the 3D MB-SWIFT-CS method, allowing quantitative isotropic 3D assessment of the entire myocardium.

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and the cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) changes in people without clinically overt heart disease.

The study group consisted of 74 people (48.81 ± 11.35 years): 29 patients with RA, 23 patients with AS and 22 people from control group. Blood samples were taken to assess laboratory parameters, disease activity was determined using activity scales, and CMR was performed.

It was shown that the factors independently related to higher left ventricular mass index are AS occurrence, human B27 leukocyte antigen occurrence, higher neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin concentration (NGAL) and higher body mass index (BMI). The lower right ventricular ejection fraction is result of an independent effect of RA, AS and higher NGAL. RA presence, methotrexate use, higher rheumatoid factor titer, higher NGAL, older age and higher BMI should be considered independent risk factors for greater left ventricular myocardium water content. RA occurrence, AS occurrence, type 2 diabetes occurrence and a higher C-reactive protein concentration can be independently associated with a higher probability of non-ischemic left ventricular myocardium injury. Larger pericardial fluid volume is result of an independent effect of higher NGAL, higher anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies titer and higher DAS28 disease activity index. Use of steroids is protective factor against larger volume of pericardial fluid.

RA and AS in people without clinically apparent heart disease are associated with the occurrence of adverse changes in CMR. Key Points •RA and AS in people without clinically apparent heart disease are associated with the occurrence of adverse changes in CMR.. •The independent risk factors for higher LVEF are AS occurrence, human B27 leukocyte antigen occurrence, higher NGAL concentration and higher BMI.. •RA presence, methotrexate use, higher RF, higher NGAL, older age and higher BMI are independent risk factors for higher LV T2 ratio.. •RA occurrence, AS occurrence, type 2 diabetes occurrence and a higher CRP are independently associated with a higher risk of non-ischemic LV myocardium injury..

Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) may reveal myocardial fibrosis which is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients undergoing implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement. At the same time, transmural LGE in the posterolateral wall is related to nonresponse to conventional cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Herein, the aim was to assess the presence and determinants of LGE in CMR in heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction.

Sixty-seven patients were included (17.9% female, aged 45 [29-60] years), who underwent LGE-CMR and had left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as determined by echocardiography.

In HF patients with LVEF ≤ 35% (n = 29), ischemic and non-ischemic patterns of LGE were observed in 51.7% and 34.5% of patients, respectively. In controls (n = 38), these patterns were noted in 23.7% and 42.1% of patients, respectively. HF patients with LVEF ≤ 35% and transmural LGE in the posterolateral wall (31.0%) were characterized by older age, coronary artery disease (CAD) and previous myocardial infarction (MI) (61 ± 6 vs. 49 ± 16 years, p = 0.008, 100% vs. 40%, p = 0.003 and 78% vs. 25%, p = 0.014, respectively). In patients with LVEF ≤ 35%, LGE of any type, diagnosed in 86.2% of patients, was associated with CAD (68% vs. 0%, p = 0.02), while only trends were observed for its association with older age and previous MI (p = 0.08 and p = 0.12, respectively).

Among HF patients with LVEF ≤ 35%, clinical factors including older age, CAD, and previous MI are associated with transmural LGE in the posterolateral wall, while CAD is associated with LGE. This data may have potential implications for planning ICD and CRT placement procedures.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR), thanks to high spatial resolution and absence of ionizing radiation, has been widely used in myocardial infarction (MI) assessment to evaluate cardiac structure, function, perfusion and viability. Nevertheless, it suffers from limitations in tissue and assessment of myocardial pathophysiological changes subsequent to MI. In this issue, nanoparticle-based contrast agents offer the possibility to track biological processes at cellular and molecular level underlying the various phases of MI, infarct healing and tissue repair. In this paper, first we examine the conventional CMR protocol and its findings in MI patients. Next, we looked at how nanoparticles can help in the imaging of MI and give an overview of the major approaches currently explored. Based on the presentation of successful nanoparticle applications as contrast agents (CAs) in preclinical and clinical models, we discuss promises and outstanding challenges facing the field of CMR in MI, their translational potential and clinical application.

Exposure to tobacco smoke is a significant problem of environmental medicine. Tobacco smoke contains over one thousand identified chemicals including numerous toxicants. Cardiovascular system diseases are the major cause of general mortality. The recent development of diagnostic imaging provided methods which enable faster and more precise diagnosis of numerous diseases, also those of cardiovascular system. This paper reviews the most significant scientific research concerning relationship between environmental exposure to tobacco smoke and the morphology and function of cardiovascular system carried out using diagnostic imaging methods, i.e. ultrasonography, angiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. In the forthcoming future, the studies using current diagnostic imaging methods should contribute to the reliable documentation, followed by the wide-spreading knowledge of the harmful impact of the environmental tobacco smoke exposure on the cardiovascular system.

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a non-invasive, non-ionizing, diagnostic technique that uses magnetic fields, radio waves and field gradients to generate images with high spatial and temporal resolution. After administration of contrast media (e.g., gadolinium chelate), it is also possible to acquire late images, which make possible the identification and quantification of myocardial areas with scar/fibrosis (late gadolinium enhancement, LGE). CMR is currently a useful instrument in clinical cardiovascular practice for the assessment of several pathological conditions, including ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies and congenital heart disease. In recent years, its field of application has also extended to arrhythmology, both in diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of arrhythmic risk and in therapeutic decision-making. In this review, we discuss the possible useful applications of CMR for the arrhythmologist. It is possible to identify three main fields of application of CMR in this context: (1) arrhythmic and sudden cardiac death risk stratification in different heart diseases; (2) decision-making in cardiac resynchronization therapy device implantation, presence and extent of myocardial fibrosis for left ventricular lead placement and cardiac venous anatomy; and (3) substrate identification for guiding ablation of complex arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardias).

Combining the diagnostic utilities of cardiac structures, myocardial perfusion, and various tissue characterizing pulse sequence methods in matching scan planes within a single imaging session, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) provides a novel interrogation of myocardial physiology and abnormal anatomy from various forms of cardiomyopathy. Establishment of technical imaging standards and clinical adaptation in the past years has helped recognize the distinguishing features of different cardiomyopathies, with CMR currently assuming a pivotal role in the diagnosis of cases of new-onset cardiomyopathy in experienced centers. Quantitative measurements such as ventricular volumes, myocardial iron content, and extent of late gadolinium enhancement can effectively monitor disease status, guide medical therapy, and impact patient outcomes in specific clinical settings. This chapter will aim to summarize these current CMR applications with case examples.