semi-automatic-graphical-tool-for-measuring-coronary-artery-spatially

Semi-Automatic Graphical Tool for Measuring Coronary Artery Spatially Weighted Calcium Score from Gated Cardiac Computed Tomography Images

The current standard for measuring coronary artery calcification to determine the extent of atherosclerosis is by calculating the Agatston score from ...

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

To demonstrate feasibility of vessel wall imaging of the superficial palmar arch using high frequency micro-ultrasound, 7T and 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Feasibility of imaging superficial palmar arch using micro-ultrasound, 7T and 3T magnetic resonance imaging.

To examine effects of computed tomography (CT) image acquisition/reconstruction parameters on clot volume quantification  for research method validation purposes.

Effect of varying computed tomography acquisition and reconstruction parameters on semi-automated clot volume quantification.

To evaluate reproducibility of pulmonary embolism (PE) clot volume quantification using computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) in a multicenter setting.

Reproducibility of thrombus volume quantification in multicenter computed tomography pulmonary angiography studies.

Chronic cocaine use is associated with stroke, coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, resulting in severe impairments or sudden mortality. In the absence of clear cardiovascular symptoms, individuals with cocaine use disorder (iCUD) seeking addiction treatment receive mostly psychotherapy and psychiatric pharmacotherapy, with no attention to vascular disease (., atherosclerosis). Little is known about the pre-clinical signs of cardiovascular risk in iCUD and early signs of vascular disease are undetected in this underserved population.

Imaging plaque inflammation in asymptomatic cocaine addicted individuals with simultaneous positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging.

The purpose of this study is to review the published literature for the range of radiographic findings present in patients suffering from coronavirus disease 2019 infection. This novel corona virus is currently the cause of a worldwide pandemic. Pulmonary symptoms and signs dominate the clinical picture and radiologists are called upon to evaluate chest radiographs (CXR) and computed tomography (CT) images to assess for infiltrates and to define their extent, distribution and progression. Multiple studies attempt to characterize the disease course by looking at the timing of imaging relative to the onset of symptoms. In general, plain CXR show bilateral disease with a tendency toward the lung periphery and have an appearance most consistent with viral pneumonia. Chest CT images are most notable for showing bilateral and peripheral ground glass and consolidated opacities and are marked by an absence of concomitant pulmonary nodules, cavitation, adenopathy and pleural effusions. Published literature mentioning organ systems aside from pulmonary manifestations are relatively less common, yet present and are addressed in this review. Similarly, publications focusing on imaging modalities aside from CXR and chest CT are sparse in this evolving crisis and are likewise addressed in this review. The role of imaging is examined as it is currently being debated in the medical community, which is not at all surprising considering the highly infectious nature of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2.

Review of radiographic findings in COVID-19.

Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment. However, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) that target PD-1 (programmed cell death protein-1) and/or CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4) are commonly associated with acute immune-related adverse events. Accumulating evidence also suggests that ICIs aggravate existing inflammatory diseases.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy Aggravates T Cell-Driven Plaque Inflammation in Atherosclerosis.

To develop a novel non-invasive technique to quantify upper airway inflammation using positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Novel non-invasive assessment of upper airway inflammation in obstructive sleep apnea using positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging.

 There is upper airway inflammation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which reduces with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.  Validate the use of positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantify metabolic activity within the pharyngeal mucosa of patients with OSA against nasal lavage proteomics and assess the impact of CPAP therapy.  Adults with OSA underwent [18F]-Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose PET/MRI of the neck before and 3 months after initiating CPAP. Nasal lavage samples were collected. Inflammatory protein expression from samples was analyzed using the Olink platform. Upper airway imaging segmentation was performed. Target-to-background ratio (TBR) was calculated from target pharyngeal maximum standard uptake values (SUV) and personalized background mean SUV. Most-diseased segment TBR was identified per participant at locations with the highest PET avidity. Correlation analysis was performed between baseline TBR and nasal lavage proteomics. TBR was compared before and after CPAP using linear mixed-effect models.  Among 38 participants, the baseline mean age was 46.3 years (standard deviation [SD], 12.5), 21% were female, the mean body mass index was 30.9 kg/m (SD, 4.6), and the mean respiratory disturbance index measured by peripheral arterial tonometry was 31 events/h (SD, 16.4). There was a significant positive correlation between pharyngeal mucosa most-diseased segment TBR and nasal lavage proteomic inflammation ( = 0.41 [ < 0.001, false discovery rate = 0.002]). Primary analysis revealed a reduction in the most-diseased segment TBR after a median of 2.91 months of CPAP therapy (-0.86 [standard error (SE) ± 0.30;  = 0.007]). Stratified analysis by smoking status revealed a significantly decreased most-diseased segment TBR after CPAP therapy among never-smokers but not among ever-smokers (-1.01 [SE ± 0.39;  = 0.015] vs. -0.64 [SE ± 0.49;  = 0.201]).  CPAP therapy reduces metabolic activity measured by PET/MRI within the upper airway of adults with OSA. Furthermore, PET/MRI measures of upper airway metabolic activity correlate with a noninvasive marker of inflammation (i.e., nasal lavage inflammatory protein expression).

Audrey E. Kaufman

BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Semi-Automatic Graphical Tool for Measuring Coronary Artery Spatially Weighted Calcium Score from Gated Cardiac Computed Tomography Images