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Advances in Cardiovascular Imaging—Computed Tomography (CT) Focus Issue
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Advances in Cardiovascular Imaging—Computed Tomography (CT) Focus Issue

A special issue of Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease (ISSN 2308-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Imaging".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 5763

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Gudrun Feuchtner

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Radiology, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
Interests: coronary CTA; coronary artery disease; computed tomography angiography
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cardiovascular diseases are a major global health concern, with imaging technologies playing a crucial role in their diagnosis and treatment. This Special Issue welcomes original articles addressing novel research in the field of cardiovascular imaging—with a focus on computed tomography (CT), advancing diagnosis, or addressing advances in technology (e.g., photon counting CT). MRI, 18FDG-PET or multimodality imaging studies may also be considered.

This Special Issue aims to cover a wide range of topics:

  • Coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, plaque imaging, CV risk prediction by novel imaging biomarkers (e.g., pericardial fat, high-risk plaque), artificial intelligence, cardiovascular inflammation;
  • Structural heart disease with a focus on advances in planning novel minimal invasive cardiovascular interventions (aortic, mitral, tricuspidal, and other devices);
  • Valvular heart disease, prosthetic valves and other cardiac devices;
  • Congenital heart disease, myocardial disease, and infarction.

Further, except for original research, we also encourage the submission of state-of-the-art reviews, case reports and short communications related to the topics listed above.

Prof. Dr. Gudrun Feuchtner
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cardiovascular imaging
  • structural heart disease
  • valvular heart disease
  • congenital heart disease
  • computed tomography (CT)
  • photon counting CT

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review, Other

18 pages, 9341 KiB  
Article
Automatic Aortic Valve Extraction Using Deep Learning with Contrast-Enhanced Cardiac CT Images
by Soichiro Inomata, Takaaki Yoshimura, Minghui Tang, Shota Ichikawa and Hiroyuki Sugimori
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2025, 12(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd12010003 - 25 Dec 2024
Viewed by 444
Abstract
Purpose: This study evaluates the use of deep learning techniques to automatically extract and delineate the aortic valve annulus region from contrast-enhanced cardiac CT images. Two approaches, namely, segmentation and object detection, were compared to determine their accuracy. Materials and Methods: A dataset [...] Read more.
Purpose: This study evaluates the use of deep learning techniques to automatically extract and delineate the aortic valve annulus region from contrast-enhanced cardiac CT images. Two approaches, namely, segmentation and object detection, were compared to determine their accuracy. Materials and Methods: A dataset of 32 contrast-enhanced cardiac CT scans was analyzed. The segmentation approach utilized the DeepLabv3+ model, while the object detection approach employed YOLOv2. The dataset was augmented through rotation and scaling, and five-fold cross-validation was applied. The accuracy of both methods was evaluated using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), and their performance in estimating the aortic valve annulus area was compared. Results: The object detection approach achieved a mean DSC of 0.809, significantly outperforming the segmentation approach, which had a mean DSC of 0.711. Object detection also demonstrated higher precision and recall, with fewer false positives and negatives. The aortic valve annulus area estimation had a mean error of 2.55 mm. Conclusions: Object detection showed superior performance in identifying the aortic valve annulus region, suggesting its potential for clinical application in cardiac imaging. The results highlight the promise of deep learning in improving the accuracy and efficiency of preoperative planning for cardiovascular interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cardiovascular Imaging—Computed Tomography (CT) Focus Issue)
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12 pages, 1708 KiB  
Article
Beyond the Obesity Paradox: Analysis of New Prognostic Factors in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Procedure
by Francesca Ricci, Leonardo Benelli, Monia Pasqualetto, Mario Laudazi, Luca Pugliese, Maria Volpe, Cecilia Cerimele, Carlo Di Donna, Francesco Garaci and Marcello Chiocchi
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2024, 11(11), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11110368 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 648
Abstract
Scope: The main purpose of our study was to collect computed tomography (CT) measurements of fat parameters that are significantly related to body mass index (BMI) and evaluate the associations of these measurements and sarcopenia with early and long-term complications after transcatheter aortic [...] Read more.
Scope: The main purpose of our study was to collect computed tomography (CT) measurements of fat parameters that are significantly related to body mass index (BMI) and evaluate the associations of these measurements and sarcopenia with early and long-term complications after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in order to investigate the existence of the so-called ‘obesity paradox’ and the role of sarcopenia in this phenomenon. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the significance of fat CT measurements in 85 patients undergoing the TAVI procedure and compared these with each other, as well as with quantified CT BMI and fat density measurements. Secondly, we evaluated the associations of BMI, CT measurements of fat, and CT evaluations of skeletal muscle mass with early and long-term complications after 24 months of post-TAVI follow-up. Results: We found positive and significant relationships between fat CT measurements with each other and with BMI and a negative and significant relation between fat density and fat quantity. By comparing the CT measurements of fat and skeletal muscle mass with early and long-term complications after TAVI, we confirmed the existence of the ‘obesity paradox’ and the poor effect of sarcopenia after the TAVI procedure. Conclusions: We confirm that overweight and obesity are good prognostic factors, and sarcopenia is a poor prognostic factor for outcomes following the TAVI procedure. We focused on the scientific validation of an easy and fast way to measure fat and skeletal muscle mass using CT to better predict the outcomes of patients undergoing TAVI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cardiovascular Imaging—Computed Tomography (CT) Focus Issue)
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12 pages, 2960 KiB  
Article
Indirect-Oscillation Sign Suggesting Infective Endocarditis on the Routine Chest CT
by Min Ji Son, Seung Min Yoo, Hwa Yeon Lee and Charles S. White
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2024, 11(10), 335; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11100335 - 21 Oct 2024
Viewed by 714
Abstract
Routine chest CT is not essential for the diagnostic workup for infective endocarditis (IE), but this type of study may be the initial imaging modality in the evaluation of patients ultimately proven to have IE who present to the emergency department with nonspecific [...] Read more.
Routine chest CT is not essential for the diagnostic workup for infective endocarditis (IE), but this type of study may be the initial imaging modality in the evaluation of patients ultimately proven to have IE who present to the emergency department with nonspecific clinical symptoms. Although routine chest CT cannot directly assess valvular oscillating motion due to the lack of cine images, we hypothesized that a combination of elongated nodular valve thickening and abnormal orientation to the normal valve with a blind end on routine CT (indirect-oscillation sign) might suggest movable vegetation indirectly. To evaluate this possibility, we studied 27 patients with IE and 35 controls who underwent both routine chest CT and echocardiography. CT scanning was initiated following a delay of 60–80 s after the administration of the contrast medium. Two cardiothoracic radiologists retrospectively analyzed the CT images to assess the indirect-oscillation sign with consensus. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the indirect-oscillation sign on routine chest CT were 29.6% (8/27), 100% (35/35), 100% (8/8), and 64.8% (35/54), respectively. Although uncommon, the presence of the indirect-oscillation sign involving the aortic or mitral valve on routine chest CT is a suggestive finding for IE. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cardiovascular Imaging—Computed Tomography (CT) Focus Issue)
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15 pages, 2794 KiB  
Article
Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) Findings in COVID-19
by Pietro G. Lacaita, Anna Luger, Fabian Plank, Fabian Barbieri, Christoph Beyer, Theresa Thurner, Yannick Scharll, Johannes Deeg, Gerlig Widmann and Gudrun M. Feuchtner
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2024, 11(10), 325; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11100325 - 14 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1542
Abstract
(1) Background: The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus infects the endothelium. Vasculitis may lead to specific coronary artery wall lesions. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) imaging findings have not been systematically reported. The aim of this study was to describe a case series using CTA. [...] Read more.
(1) Background: The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus infects the endothelium. Vasculitis may lead to specific coronary artery wall lesions. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) imaging findings have not been systematically reported. The aim of this study was to describe a case series using CTA. (2) Methods: Patients with recent RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection referred for coronary CTA for clinical indications (e.g., chest pain, troponin+, and ECG abnormalities) were included. Coronary CTA findings, such as atypical coronary lesions suggestive of vasculitis, perivascular inflammation measured by using pericoronary fat attenuation (PCAT) index, coronary artery disease, and extracoronary findings were collected. (3) Results: Results for 12 patients (54.8 ± 22 years; four females) with SARS-CoV-2 infection within 60 days (four acute care and eight stable patients) are reported. Time to positive RT-PCR was a mean of 15.1 days (range, 0–51). In four acute patients with signs of myocardial injury, plaque rupture (n = 1), hyperenhancing myocardium/MINOCA (n = 1), MINOCA (n = 1), and pericarditis with acute heart failure (LVEF 20%) (n = 1) were found. All (100%) had pericardial effusion and signs of perivascular inflammation. Among eight stable patients, pericardial effusion or perivascular inflammation were found in only two (25%). Coronary artery disease was ruled out in five (62.5%) (4) Conclusions: Coronary CTA is a useful imaging modality in the diagnostic work up of patients with COVID-19 infection, and is able to describe coronary and other cardiac abnormalities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cardiovascular Imaging—Computed Tomography (CT) Focus Issue)
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Review

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18 pages, 3401 KiB  
Review
Computed Tomography Angiography in the Catheterization Laboratory: A Guide Towards Optimizing Coronary Interventions
by Eirini Beneki, Kyriakos Dimitriadis, Nikolaos Pyrpyris, Alexios Antonopoulos, Konstantinos Aznaouridis, Panagiotis Antiochos, Christos Fragoulis, Henri Lu, David Meier, Konstantinos Tsioufis, Stephane Fournier, Constantina Aggeli and Georgios Tzimas
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2025, 12(1), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd12010028 - 16 Jan 2025
Viewed by 606
Abstract
Cardiac computed tomography (CT) has become an essential tool in the pre-procedural planning and optimization of coronary interventions. Its non-invasive nature allows for the detailed visualization of coronary anatomy, including plaque burden, vessel morphology, and the presence of stenosis, aiding in precise decision [...] Read more.
Cardiac computed tomography (CT) has become an essential tool in the pre-procedural planning and optimization of coronary interventions. Its non-invasive nature allows for the detailed visualization of coronary anatomy, including plaque burden, vessel morphology, and the presence of stenosis, aiding in precise decision making for revascularization strategies. Clinicians can assess not only the extent of coronary artery disease but also the functional significance of lesions using techniques like fractional flow reserve (FFR-CT). By providing comprehensive insights into coronary structure and hemodynamics, cardiac CT helps guide personalized treatment plans, ensuring the more accurate selection of patients for percutaneous coronary interventions or coronary artery bypass grafting and potentially improving patient outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cardiovascular Imaging—Computed Tomography (CT) Focus Issue)
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19 pages, 2762 KiB  
Review
The Role of Advanced Cardiac Imaging in Monitoring Cardiovascular Complications in Patients with Extracardiac Tumors: A Descriptive Review
by Annamaria Tavernese, Valeria Cammalleri, Rocco Mollace, Giorgio Antonelli, Mariagrazia Piscione, Nino Cocco, Myriam Carpenito, Carmelo Dominici, Massimo Federici and Gian Paolo Ussia
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2025, 12(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd12010009 - 29 Dec 2024
Viewed by 712
Abstract
Cardiac involvement in cancer is increasingly important in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients. A thorough cardiovascular evaluation using multimodal imaging is crucial to assess any direct cardiac involvement from oncological disease progression and to determine the cardiovascular risk of patients undergoing oncological [...] Read more.
Cardiac involvement in cancer is increasingly important in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients. A thorough cardiovascular evaluation using multimodal imaging is crucial to assess any direct cardiac involvement from oncological disease progression and to determine the cardiovascular risk of patients undergoing oncological therapies. Early detection of cardiac dysfunction, particularly due to cardiotoxicity from chemotherapy or radiotherapy, is essential to establish the disease’s overall prognostic impact. Comprehensive cardiovascular imaging should be integral to the clinical management of cancer patients. Echocardiography remains highly effective for assessing cardiac function, including systolic performance and ventricular filling pressures, with speckle-tracking echocardiography offering early insights into chemotoxicity-related myocardial damage. Cardiac computed tomography (CT) provides precise anatomical detail, especially for cardiac involvement due to metastasis or adjacent mediastinal or lung tumors. Coronary assessment is also important for initial risk stratification and monitoring potential coronary artery disease progression after radiotherapy or chemotherapeutic treatment. Finally, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the gold standard for myocardial tissue characterization, aiding in the differential diagnosis of cardiac masses. CMR’s mapping techniques allow for early detection of myocardial inflammation caused by cardiotoxicity. This review explores the applicability of echocardiography, cardiac CT, and CMR in cancer patients with extracardiac tumors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cardiovascular Imaging—Computed Tomography (CT) Focus Issue)
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Other

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14 pages, 2239 KiB  
Case Report
Clinical and CT Features, Clinical Management, and Decision on Sport Eligibility of Professional Athletes with Congenital Coronary Anomalies: A Case Series Study
by Gianluca Guarnieri, Edoardo Conte, Davide Marchetti, Matteo Schillaci, Eleonora Melotti, Andrea Provera, Marco Doldi, Maria Rosaria Squeo, Antonio Pelliccia, Viviana Maestrini and Daniele Andreini
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2025, 12(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd12010013 - 31 Dec 2024
Viewed by 478
Abstract
Background: Congenital coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) are a significant cause of sudden cardiac death and a key factor in determining athletes’ eligibility for competitive sports. Their prevalence varies with diagnostic modalities and may present as asymptomatic or with life-threatening ischemic or arrhythmic events. [...] Read more.
Background: Congenital coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) are a significant cause of sudden cardiac death and a key factor in determining athletes’ eligibility for competitive sports. Their prevalence varies with diagnostic modalities and may present as asymptomatic or with life-threatening ischemic or arrhythmic events. This case series highlights the diverse manifestations of CAAs and the clinical approaches used to determine sports eligibility. Cases description: Five competitive athletes with different CAAs are presented. These cases include anomalous coronary origins, intramyocardial bridges, and coronary fistulas. Diagnostic tools, including coronary CT angiography (CCTA), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), and stress tests, were essential in evaluating these anomalies and determining treatment strategies. In some cases, such as intramyocardial bridges, surgical intervention was necessary, while others required conservative management or exclusion from competitive sports. Conclusions: CAAs require individualized care based on risk stratification through advanced imaging techniques and functional assessment. Surgical interventions are reserved for high-risk anomalies, while others may be managed conservatively. Early detection and tailored management are crucial for ensuring athletes’ safety, and ongoing research is needed to optimize long-term outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cardiovascular Imaging—Computed Tomography (CT) Focus Issue)
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