All gray-scale thresholds were significantly correlated with visual assessment. The 6-SD threshold had the strongest correlation (r = 0.913, P < .0001) ABT-263 mw compared with thresholds of 2 SDs (r = 0.81) and
4 SDs (r = 0.91) above the mean and 2 SDs above noise (r = 0.53) (P < .001 for all comparisons). In addition, compared with visual assessment, the 6-SD threshold yielded less intraobserver variability (difference, 0.6 g +/- 8, kappa = 0.66 [P < .0001] vs 1.4 g +/- 9, kappa = 0.49 [P < .0001]) and less interobserver variability (difference, 5.4 g +/- 18, kappa = 0.20 [P < .0001] vs – 18.4 g +/- 18, kappa = 0.08 [P < .0001]).
Conclusion: Semiautomated LGE cardiovascular MR gray-scale thresholding with 6 or more SDs
above the mean signal intensity for the visually normal remote myocardium yields the closest approximation of the extent of LGE identified with visual assessment SCH 900776 and is highly reproducible. This objective method should be considered for quantifying LGE in patients with HCM. (C) RSNA, 2010″
“Background: We studied the impact of lifestyle, body composition, different insulin sensitivity indices and the first insulin response in healthy pre- and post-menopausal women with a low cardiovascular risk profile (the EU-RISC study, ‘Relationship between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular Disease’ (n = 51, 47 +/- 4 years, body mass index 23.6 +/- 3.7 kg/m(2), waist girth 79.2 +/- 10.3 cm) on endothelial function (flow mediated arterial dilatation (FMD)), an early marker for atherosclerosis.
Results: Waist circumference (p = 0.06), tobacco consumption (p = 0.02) and leucocyte count (p = 0.09) were inversely related with FMD in both pre- and post-menopausal women. Neither insulin sensitivity nor first insulin response indices were correlated with FMD. In pre-menopausal women
selleck (n = 24), waist (p < 0.02), waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.02), HDL cholesterol (p < 0.01) and smoking habits (p < 0.03) were significantly correlated with endothelial function. In postmenopausal women (n = 27) age (r = -0.17, p = 0.04) was related with FMD.
Conclusion: Smoking and waist circumference, a simple marker of visceral adiposity, were related with endothelial function in healthy pre- and post-menopausal women.”
“Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a disorder characterized by presence of an accessory pathway that predisposes patients to tachyarrhythmias and sudden death. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is both effective and safe for patients with symptomatic tachyarrhythmias mediated by accessory atrioventricular pathways. During the procedure, fatal complications may occur but it is considered low in relation to the morbidity associated with the WPW syndrome. Coronary artery occlusion, as a complication of an RF catheter ablation, is quite rare.