Right ventricular (RV) function is very important for patients with respiratory and cardiovascular disorders resulting in RV impairments. Since RV has complex geometry of the chamber, it is difficult to accurately measure the RV volumetric parameters with conventional imaging modalities, especially those with dilated and abnormal RV. With the emergence and wide use of new noninvasive imaging modalities in accessing the cardiac anatomy and function, real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE), multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) and new MRI sequences, noninvasive quantitative assessment of the RV function has attracted more and more worldwide attention.

With the development of life science and medical technology,myocardial fibrosis is being increasingly recognized as a new therapeutic target for heart diseases.However,traditional methods for detection of myocardial fibrosis,such as myocardial biopsy and laboratory assay of serum metabolites or enzymes,are not satisfactory in meeting the clinical demands because of their intrinsic limitations.Molecular imaging may non-invasively and quantitatively evaluate the presence/absence,degree and turnover of myocardial fibrosis in vivo with good specificity,thus being useful for clinical assessment and intervention.Currently,the commonly used molecular imaging modalities for evaluation of myocardial fibrosis include SPECT,PET and MRI.It is hopeful that the molecular probe for targeted ultrasound technology may also be developed in the near future.This review highlights the current status and future trends of molecular imaging in myocardial fibrosis.

Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)is a kind of non hematopoietic stem cell from the mesoderm, which can self renew, proliferate and perform multilineage differentiation. Due to the characteristics of acquiring easily and low immunogenicity, it has become the main cell for myocardial infarction. In this article, the biology and the immunology of the MSCs is reviewed, the safety and the validity of the therapy on myocardial infarction with MSCs and the HGF/MSCs is introduced. And furthermore, it also explains the possible mechanism and the problems of how to improve the cardial function.
Cell Differentiation ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy

0.05).Conclusion The segmental bronchus were visualized reliably by low-dose multi- detector-row CT with 17 mAs. Low-dose CT can be adapted to CT screening for early lung cancer.

Objective To determine the value of CT and MRI in the evaluation of littoral cell angioma(LCA) of spleen.Methods Two experienced radiologists retrospectively analyzed the clinical data,CT and MRI findings of 12 patients with pathology proven LCA of spleen.The patients underwent noncontrast enhanced CT scan,then enhanced CT (n =10) and MRI (n =3) were performed.Results The majority of patients (8/12) showed splenomegaly,with no obvious signs and symptoms of hypersplenism.The majority of patients (10/12) had the uncountable hypodense lesions,a few (2/12) had only a single lesion.None of the lesions contained any calcification or envelopement.On CT,the majority (7/10) of the lesions demonstrated well circumscribed border,with some lesions (3/10) demonstrating a less distinct border.The enhanced scan for low-density nodules demonstrated slow progressive enhancement.On MRI,all the LAC had well circumscribed borders,and demonstrated T1-hypointense and T2-hyperintense signalswith punctual hypointense in the T2 WI,and progressive enhancement on the post contrast images.DWI showed an increased diffusion of the lesions compared to the normal appearing splenic tissue.Conclusion CT and MR imaging of littoral cell angioma of spleen has certain imaging characteristics,those particular findings may potentially aid in the diagnosis.

Objective To evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of prospective electrocardiograph (ECG)-gating of CT cardiac angiography in congenital heart diseases of Chinese population through a Meta-analysis.Methods The articles were searched to study CT prospective ECG-gating in diagnosis of congenital heart disease from January 1995 to February 2016 in domestic and foreign publications.The study quality was assessed by the Quality Assessment for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies and the data extraction was performed.The software of Meta-disc1.4 was used for heterogeneity test.Different effect models were choosen according to the results of heterogeneity analysis.Meanwhile,this soft was used to calculate the sensitivity,specificity,likelihood ratio and its 95％ confidence interval (CI),respectively.The forest maps and summary receiver operator characteristic (SROC) curve were drawn.In addition,the area under curve (AUC) was calculated.Results Twelve articles were included in the Meta-analysis.The study included 1 431 congenital heart malformations confirmed by surgery or cardiac catheterization angiography.CT prospective ECG-gating technique had no heterogeneity in sensitivity and specificity of congenital heart disease.The total sensitivity,the total specificity,positive likelihood ratios,negative likelihood ratios and its 95％ CI of CT cardiac angiography were 96％ (95％ CI 94％ to 97％),100％ (95％ CI 100％ to 100％),365.94(95％ CI 231.18 to 579.26),0.04(95％ CI 0.03 to 0.05) with fixed effect model,respectively.The AUC of the SROC was 99.86％,Q =0.987 9.Conclusions Prospectively ECG-gating of CT cardiac angiography has high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of congenital heart diseases.Its AUC of the SROC is large.It has high diagnostic value in congenital heart diseases.

This study is designed to test the agreement in measuring left ventricular systolic function between transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography (2DTTE) and "gold standard" of non-invasive cardiac imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) and their impacts on the classification of patients according to the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF). 32 patients who were suspected with heart disease were evaluated by CMRI and 2DTTE examinations. End diastolic volume (EDV), end systolic volume (ESV), EF and left ventricular function category were then calculated and compared. There was no significant difference (P=0.504) for EDV, while ESV of CMRI was significantly higher than that of 2DTTE (P=0.049), and EF of CMRI was significantly lower than that of 2DTTE (P= 0.018). There was no significant difference (P=0.077) in left ventricular functional category. Bland-Altman analysis of LV volumetric data and EF measurements showed a good agreement between two methods. The 2DTTE over-estimated I (n=5) or II (n=1) degrees of functional classification when compared with the CMRI. Both CMRI and 2DTTE are of great clinical value in evaluating left ventricular systolic function, while CMR may be more beneficial to patients with abnormal LV functions.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Diseases ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Systole ; physiology ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology ; Young Adult

The objective of this study was to investigate the specific contrast-enhanced MSCT features and predominant anatomic distribution of mediastinal malignant lymphoma. Contrast-enhanced MSCT in 31 cases of mediastinal malignant lymphomas were retrospectively evaluated by analyzing the features of size, morphology, attenuation and anatomic distribution in accordance to the ATS classification of intrathoracic lymph nodes. Nine cases of Hodgkin Disease (HD) and 22 cases of Non-Hodgkin Disease (NHL) were included. The enlarged nodes were found to be homogeneous (HD 72.7%, NHL 88.9%) and partly homogeneous with necrosis (HD 27.3%, NHL 11.1%). HD involved predominantly the lymph nodes in the areas of 2R (77.8%), 3 (55.6%), 4R (88.9%), 4L (55.6%), 5 (66.7%), 6 (55.6%), 7 (66.7%) and 10R (55.6%), while NHL often involved the areas of 2R (68.2%), 3 (54.5%) 4R (59.1%), 4L (50%), 5 (54.5%), 6 (54.5%), 7 (54.5%) and 8 (50%). The following extranodal organs were involved: pericardium (19.4%), pleura (19.4%), great vessels (6.4%), lung (6.4%), chest wall (3.2%) and breast (3.2%). Mediastinal malignant lymphoma had some characteristic manifestations and predominant anatomic distribution shown on contrast-enhanced MSCT, which can provide imaging evidences for diagnosis and for determining the tumor stage.
Adult ; Aged ; Contrast Media ; Female ; Hodgkin Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

To elucidate the MR urography (MRU) features of ectopic ureter orifice in children and to explicate its advantages, the clinical data and MRU findings of 4 cases with ectopic ureter orifice were analyzed retrospectively. Among the 4 cases of ectopic ureter orifice, 2 were associated with dysplasia of kidneys, 1 was associated with duplex kidney, and the remaining 1 was associated with cross ectopic and dyplasia kidney. When combining the MRI and MRU examination, we could diagnose the ectopic orifice of the draining ureters. So we concluded that definitive diagnosis could be achieved in most of the cases by integrating clinical information with MRU findings.
Abnormalities, Multiple ; diagnosis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; abnormalities ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Ureter ; abnormalities ; Ureteral Diseases ; diagnosis

This is a retrospective study aimed at the clinical application of 64-slice computed tomography angiography (CTA) in evaluation the lumen before and after coronary artery stent implantation. We collected the coronary artery imaging data of 46 patients undergoing 64-slice CT before coronary artery stent implantation from July 2006 through May 2007; we also collected the data of 21 patients with 34 coronary artery stents in the same period to determine the diagnostic accuracy of CTA before and after coronary artery stent implantation. The results showed that, in 46 patients, 64-slice CT enabled the visualization of the entire coronary tree with diagnostic image quality. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the detection of stenosis > or = 50% were 92.11%, 95.64% and 94.97%, respectively. In 21 patients with 34 stents implanted, 23 (67.65%) stents showed no stenosis, 8 (23.53%) stents showed low degree of restenosis, and 3 (8.83%) stents showed high degree of restenosis. In conclusion, we can accurately evaluate the degree of stenosis of lumen before and after coronary artery stent implantation with the application of 64-slice CTA.
Adult ; Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Coronary Restenosis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stents ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods