Carlo Quaglia

Bio: Carlo Quaglia is an academic researcher from University of Milan. The author has contributed to research in topics: Coronary artery disease & Coronary arteries. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 4 publications receiving 241 citations.

Comparison of feasibility and accuracy of transthoracic echocardiography versus computed tomography in patients with known ascending aortic aneurysm.

Abstract: Aortic valve diseases, hypertension, and connective tissue disorders may be causes of ascending aortic aneurysms. Aortic enlargement monitoring is essential for surgical timing and for operative design. In this regard, several imaging techniques may have limitations: magnetic resonance is not widespread and is expensive, computed tomography uses radiation, and transesophageal echocardiography is a semi-invasive method. The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility of transthoracic echocardiography in the evaluation of aortic dimensions and its accuracy in comparison with multidetector computed tomography. In 44 patients with known ascending aortic aneurysms, transthoracic echocardiographic and computed tomographic measurements were obtained and compared at different levels: the annulus, sinuses of Valsalva, sinotubular junction, ascending aorta, and aortic arch. Transthoracic echocardiographic diameters were obtained in all patients, apart from the aortic arch, which was measured in 40 cases. Transthoracic echocardiographic and computed tomographic diameters correlated significantly (p <0.001), with very small SEEs: for the annulus, r = 0.846 (SEE 0.37); for the sinuses of Valsalva, r = 0.967 (SEE 0.35); for the sinotubular junction, r = 0.965 (SEE 0.33); for the ascending aorta, r = 0.976 (SEE 0.41); and for the aortic arch, r = 0.87 (SEE 0.50). In conclusion, transthoracic echocardiography is a feasible and accurate technique for the assessment and follow-up of thoracic aortic diameters in patients with ascending aortic aneurysms.

Feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of 16-slice multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography in 500 consecutive patients: critical role of heart rate.

Abstract: To evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography coronary (MDCT) angiography applied to an unselected heart-disease population, to identify all causes of unfeasibility of exams, the distribution of artifacts in every coronary segment and their influence on diagnostic accuracy of examination. We evaluated 500 patients with different indications for invasive coronary angiography. All underwent coronary MDCT and ICA. 215 patients were pre-treated with metoprolol intravenously. In the whole population we studied native coronary arteries and in 141 cases the patency of coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG). The quality of MDCT images was graded as good, sufficient and insufficient. We were able to evaluate the patency of all grafts, with the exception of 4 cases. Diagnostic accuracy of CABG evaluation was very high (sensitivity 100%, specificity 98.4%). In native coronary arteries the overall feasibility was 97.9%. The middle left circumflex artery, right coronary artery and posterior descending artery were the segments most often poorly visualized. The first cause of artifacts was misalignment related to high heart rate, followed by premature heart beats and calcified plaque. The population was separated into 3 groups: group 1: heart rate 65 bpm. In group 1, misalignment was significantly lower than in groups 2 and 3. On a segment-based analysis, overall feasibility was therefore significantly higher in group 1 vs group 2 and vs group 3. Images of good quality were significantly higher in group 1 (95.4%) than in group 2 (87%) and group 3 (71.8%). The higher image quality in group 1 impacts on the overall diagnostic accuracy of the exam. Indeed overall sensitivity is significantly higher in group 1 (89.5%) than in group 2 (86%) and group 3 (82.8%) and overall specificity is significantly higher in group 1 than in group 3. Multidetector computed tomography has a high feasibility and diagnostic accuracy for the evaluation of coronary artery disease in an unselected population. Good patient preparation (optimized beta-blocker therapy, correct breathing instructions) is essential for evaluating native coronary arteries while preparation with a beta-blocker is less relevant in bypass graft patients.

2014 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines

Abstract: Jeffrey L. Anderson, MD, FACC, FAHA, Chair , Jonathan L. Halperin, MD, FACC, FAHA, Chair-Elect , Nancy M. Albert, PhD, CCNS, CCRN, FAHA, Biykem Bozkurt, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA, Ralph G. Brindis, MD, MPH, MACC, Mark A. Creager, MD, FACC, FAHA[§§][1], Lesley H. Curtis, PhD, FAHA, David DeMets, PhD,

2014 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease: Executive Summary A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines

Abstract: Jeffrey L. Anderson, MD, FACC, FAHA, Chair , Jonathan L. Halperin, MD, FACC, FAHA, Chair-Elect , Nancy M. Albert, PhD, CCNS, CCRN, FAHA, Biykem Bozkurt, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA, Ralph G. Brindis, MD, MPH, MACC, Mark A. Creager, MD, FACC, FAHA[§§][1], Lesley H. Curtis, PhD, FAHA, David DeMets, PhD,

2014 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines Developed in Collaboration With the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, American Society of Echocardiography, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons WRITING COMMITTEE MEMBERS*

Abstract: Jeffrey L. Anderson, MD, FACC, FAHA, Chair , Jonathan L. Halperin, MD, FACC, FAHA, Chair-Elect , Nancy M. Albert, PhD, CCNS, CCRN, FAHA, Biykem Bozkurt, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA, Ralph G. Brindis, MD, MPH, MACC, Mark A. Creager, MD, FACC, FAHA[§§][1], Lesley H. Curtis, PhD, FAHA, David DeMets, PhD,