Novel contributions of multimodality imaging in hypertension:A narrative review

Hypertension is currently one of the most prevalent il nesses worldwide,and is the second most common cause of heart failure,only behind ischemic cardiomyopathy.The development of novel multimodality imaging techniques in recent years has broadened the diagnostic methods,risk stratification and monitoring of treatment of cardiovascular diseases available for clinicians.Cardiovascular magnetic resonance(CMR) has a great capacity to evaluate cardiac dimensions and ventricular function,is extremely useful in ruling-out ischemic cardiomyopathy,the evaluation of the vascular system,in making the differential diagnosis for resistant hypertension and risk stratification for hypertensive cardiomyopathy and constitutes today,the method of choice to evaluate left ventricular systolic function.Computed tomography(CT) is the method of choice for the evaluation of vascular anatomy,including coronary arteries,and is also able to provide both functional and structural information.Finally,nuclear cardiology studies have been traditionally used to evaluate myocardial ischemia,along with offering the capacity to evaluate ventricular,endothelial and cardiac innervation function;information that is key in directing the treatment of the patient.In this narrative review,the most recent contributions of multimodality imaging to the patient with hypertension(CMR,CT and nuclear cardiology) will be reviewed.

Compression of Left Main Coronary Artery in Patients with Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm and Pulmonary Hypertension

Background: Pulmonary artery aneurysm (PAA) is an unusual finding and its association with left main coronary (LMCA) compression is even more infrequent. Cardiac CT evaluates of presence and size of PAA and the degree of LMCA compression. The aim of this study is to describe two cases of adults with compression of LMCA with PAA associated with PDA and pulmonary hypertension. Case presentation: The first case is a 27-year-old man with PAA (78 mm diameter) and LMCA compression of 70% between the aortic sinus and the PAA. He presented angina as a manifestation of the LMCA compression. During follow-up the patient died. The second case is a 28-year-old man with PAA (110 mm diameter) that compresses LMCA in 55%, he rejected surgical treatment, but he is in close follow-up with medical treatment. Conclusion: Cardiac computed tomography played an important role both in the diagnosis and identification of high-risk PAA patients.

Natural History of a Transitional Atrioventricular Septal Defect in an Adult Patient with Down Syndrome

Background: Atrioventricular septal defects (AVSD) are caused by a lack of development in atrioventricular endocardial cushions. Its spectrum varies from partial to transitional, or intermediate forms with a common AV valve and 2 orifices, or even the complete form. Aim: The aim of this study is to present a case of a woman in the fifth decade of life with Down syndrome and a transitional AVSD, diagnosed with echocardiography. Case presentation: This is a patient in the fifth decade of life with Down syndrome, transitional AVSD, and severe pulmonary hypertension. Her vital signs were normal, oxygen saturation of 89% on room air. Auscultation revealed pronounced pulmonary component of the second heart sound, diastolic murmur in second left intercostal space, and moderate holosystolic heart murmur that radiated to axilla. The diagnosis was made with a transthoracic echocardiogram. The patient is receiving only medical treatment and since her last consult she has New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II. Conclusion: This case demonstrates the natural history of a patient in her fifth decade of life with down syndrome and complex congenital heart disease, despite having received only medical treatment, she is in functional class II. Echocardiography is the noninvasive technique of choice in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with congenital heart diseases, as seen in this case.