18.1 Introduction Pericardial diseases represent a broad range of clinical syndromes and may be present in various associated diseases conveying significant morbidity and mortality [ , ]. The evaluation of pericardial conditions can be complex, and imaging techniques play a…
17.1 Introduction Cardiac tumours are a rare finding, with an autopsy prevalence of less than 0.5% [ , ]. However, even when pathologically benign, they can fatally compromise cardiac haemodynamics or lead to serious complications such as embolism or arrhythmia…
Aortic root V. Polsani X. Zhou M. Vannan Marcus Heart Valve Center, Piedmont Heart Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA Chinese PLA General Hospital Echocardiography has an established role in the morphological and hemodynamic assessment of the disorders of aortic root; hence, this section will…
15.1 Arterial systemic hypertension Arterial systemic hypertension is a well established, leading cardiovascular (CV) risk factor for morbidity and mortality in the general population. Myocardial infarction, heart failure, and sudden death are the main fatal and non-fatal complications in hypertensive…
13.1 Introduction 13.1.1 Definition and spectrum of disease The term cardiomyopathy refers to a diverse range of diseases of the heart muscle associated with mechanical and/or electrical dysfunction [ ]. These conditions are of particular importance due to their propensity…
12.1 Introduction Heart failure (HF) is a growing problem worldwide. Almost 6 million Americans and 15 million Europeans have HF [ , ]. Normal ventricular function requires coordinated electrical activation and contraction but also appropriate pre- and after-loads. Given the…
10.1 Introduction Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is defined as death of the myocytes (myocardial necrosis) in a clinical setting consistent with acute myocardial ischemia [ ]. Echocardiography, nuclear imaging techniques, CMR, and CT play an important role in detecting and…
Abbreviations BOLD blood–oxygen-level-dependent CAD coronary artery disease CFR coronary flow reserve CTCA computed tomography coronary angiography ECHO echocardiography FFR fractional flow reserve ICA invasive coronary angiography IHD ischemic heart disease IVUS intravascular ultrasound MR magnetic resonance MRA magnetic resonance imaging…
8.1 Introduction Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease [ ]. Although great strides have been made in the diagnosis and management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), overall mortality due to underlying atherosclerosis remains a leading cause of death in industrialized…
7.1 Introduction Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) is the gold standard for the identification of anatomically obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). However at many centers, ICA is a limited resource that is expensive and has periprocedural risks (death, cerebrovascular accident, myocardial…