Multidetector-row computed tomography diagnosis of coronary artery aneurysms and collateral vessel after Kawasaki disease in an adult

Noninvasive Evaluation of Myocardial Systolic Dysfunction in the Early Stage of Kawasaki Disease: A Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography Study

Background:

Evaluation of myocardial function by speckle-tracking echocardiography is a new method for the early diagnosis of systolic dysfunction.

Objectives:

We aimed to determine myocardial speckle-tracking echocardiography indices in Kawasaki Disease (KD) patients and compare them with the same indices in control subjects.

Patients and Methods:

Thirty-two patients (65.5% males) with KD and 19 control subjects with normal echocardiography participated in this study. After their demographic characteristics and clinical findings were recorded, all the participants underwent transthoracic echocardiography. Strain (S), Strain Rate (SR), Time to Peak Strain (TPS), and Strain Rate (TPSR), longitudinal velocity and view point velocity images in the two, three, and four-chamber views were semi-automatically obtained via speckle-tracking echocardiography.

Results:

Among the patients, Twenty-four cases (75%) were younger than 4 years. Mean global S and SR was significantly reduced in the KD patients compared to controls (17.03 ± 1.28 vs. 20.22 ± 2.14% and 1.66 ± 0.16 vs. 1.97 ± 0.25 1/second, respectively), while there were no significant differences regarding mean TPS, TPSR, longitudinal velocity and view point velocity. Using repeated measure of analysis of variances, we observed that S and SR decreased from base to apical level in both groups. The change in the pattern of age adjusted mean S and SR across levels was significantly different between the groups (P < 0.001 for both parameters).

Conclusions:

We showed changes in S and SR assessed in KD patients versus control subjects in the acute phase of KD. However, we suggest that further studies be undertaken to compare S and SR in the acute phase and thereafter in KD patients.

Korean guidelines for the appropriate use of cardiac CT

The development of cardiac CT has provided a non-invasive alternative to echocardiography, exercise electrocardiogram, and invasive angiography and cardiac CT continues to develop at an exponential speed even now. The appropriate use of cardiac CT may lead to improvements in the medical performances of physicians and can reduce medical costs which eventually contribute to better public health. However, until now, there has been no guideline regarding the appropriate use of cardiac CT in Korea. We intend to provide guidelines for the appropriate use of cardiac CT in heart diseases based on scientific data. The purpose of this guideline is to assist clinicians and other health professionals in the use of cardiac CT for diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases, especially in patients at high risk or suspected of heart disease.

Usefulness of 64-slice MDCT for follow-up of young children with coronary artery aneurysm due to Kawasaki disease: initial experience

To evaluate the initial application and value of 64-slice multidetector computed tomography as an alternative diagnostic modality in the follow-up of young children with coronary artery aneurysm due to Kawasaki disease. Twelve boys (mean age 5.1 years, range 1.8-7.8 years) for follow-up (time range from 1.1 to 5.1 years) of known Kawasaki disease and coronary artery aneurysm underwent 64-slice MDCT ECG-gated coronary angiography. All data were acquired without breath holding. Two pediatric radiologists independently assessed image quality and the diameter of all coronary segments were measured for each patient. The number, position, shape and size of each coronary artery aneurysm were observed and compared with those of ECHO performed previously. A total of 118/156 segments permitted visualization with diagnostic image quality, the CT measurements showed good inter-observer and intra-observer reliability, coefficients were 0.93 and 0.88, respectively. A total of 30 coronary artery aneurysms were identified with measured mean of 7.5+/-3.8 mm in diameter, and of 12.4+/-9.1 mm in longitudinal lengths.10 tumors were small, 8 tumors were medium and 12 tumors were giant aneurysm. The affected segments included LM7/12(58.3%), 9/12(75%) of LAD1, 4/12(33.3%) of LAD2, 2/12(16.7%) of LCX1; 6/12(50%) of RCA1, 9/12(75%) of RCA2 and 4/12(33.3%) of RCA3, including affected two segments in 9 tumors and three segments in 1 tumor. Calcifications were found in 5 aneurysms and 3/5 with thrombosis; six stenotic segments were found. ECHO failed to detect 8 tumors with 2/8 in LAD, 1/8 in LCX and 5/8 in RCA, and those included 4 small aneurysms. The use of 64-slice MDCT angiography proved valuable for monitoring young children with Kawasaki disease. However, further study is necessary to specify the sensitivity and specificity of MDCT in the follow-up.