Gulnora Rozikhodjaeva

Importance: In recent decades, there has been marked worldwide growth in diagnostic testing for coronary artery disease (CAD), with several common imaging modalities exposing patients to ionizing radiation. Objective: To examine worldwide radiation doses for patients undergoing noninvasive CAD diagnostic testing. Design, Setting, and Participants: This worldwide, cross-sectional study was conducted of radiation dose from noninvasive CAD imaging in 2023, using a consecutive sample of all 19 302 adults undergoing noninvasive CAD diagnostic testing at 742 centers in 101 countries during a single week in October to December 2023. Exposures: Participants underwent CAD testing with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) nuclear cardiac imaging, cardiac computed tomography for coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS), or coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcomes were radiation effective dose to patients and the percentage of centers with median effective dose less than or equal to 9 mSv, as recommended in guidelines. Results: Of 19 302 patients, 8515 (44%) were females and the median (IQR) age was 63 (54-71) years. Effective dose varied considerably across diagnostic modalities, with median (IQR) effective dose of 1.2 (0.7-2.2) mSv for CACS, 2.0 (1.6-2.4) mSv for PET, 6.5 (3.9-8.6) mSv for SPECT, and 7.4 (3.5-15.5) mSv for CCTA. Significantly more centers performing nuclear cardiology than CCTA (81% vs 56%; P < .001) and patients undergoing nuclear cardiology studies than CCTA (79% vs 56%; P < .001) achieved median dose of less than or equal to 9 mSv. Doses for the same procedure differed significantly between world regions, being lowest in Western Europe (median [IQR], 4.8 [2.3-7.3] mSv for nuclear cardiology and 4.6 [2.4-9.8] mSv for CCTA) and highest in Latin America for nuclear cardiology (median [IQR], 7.8 [5.3-9.7] mSv) and Africa (median [IQR], 25.2 [14.7-35.3] mSv) for CCTA (P < .001 for all). In regression modeling, there was an inverse relationship between country income level and dose. Patient dose was 20% (95% CI, 3.6%-38.4%) higher in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries for nuclear cardiology, and as much as 96% (95% CI, 41.7%-170.8%) higher in low- and lower-middle-income countries than in high-income countries for CCTA (P < .001). Marked variation was observed within income levels and world regions. Conclusions and Relevance: Given increasing rates of CAD worldwide, these findings of marked variation in radiation dose to patients from diagnostic testing identify a critical need for training, standardized protocols, and updated equipment to reduce radiation worldwide. This especially affects patients in low- and middle-income countries and patients undergoing CCTA. There are therefore important opportunities to improve the quality of CAD diagnosis for patients across the globe.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains challenging to diagnose due to the complexity of diastolic function assessment during stress echocardiography, where multiple hemodynamic parameters must be evaluated under time pressure. Explainable artificial intelligence, specifically rule-based Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS), offers promising improvements in reproducibility and interpretability. Methods: A rule-based CDSS was developed and clinically validated to automate left ventricular diastolic function assessment during semi-supine bicycle stress echocardiography. A prospective cohort of 134 patients (mean age 61.3 ± 8.7 years) with exertional dyspnea and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF >50%) was enrolled, excluding individuals with significant valvular pathologies, arrhythmias, or unstable ischemia. Echocardiographic and Doppler data were collected using Toshiba Aplio500 and Esaote MyLabSIGMA systems. The algorithm incorporated manual input of measurements, computed derived indices (e.g., diastolic reserve index, myocardial stiffness, vascular resistance), and applied rule-based logic in accordance with ASE/EACVI (2016/2022) guidelines and the ESC HFpEF consensus. Results: The CDSS generated diagnostic conclusions within 3 min per case, matching expert assessments in 93% of cases and correctly identifying stress-induced diastolic dysfunction in 85%. It demonstrated high diagnostic agreement (ICC > 0.94) and discrimination (AUC = 0.92). Rule-based outputs, such as "Impaired diastolic reserve" or "Right ventricular dysfunction under load," were based on combinations of parameters (e.g., E/e' > 15, Δe' ≤ 0, TAPSE < 17 mm, PCWR > 12 mmHg). Conclusion: The explainable, guideline-compliant CDSS enables real-time, transparent analysis of diastolic function, supporting improved diagnostic consistency and augmented physician decision-making in cardiovascular care.

BACKGROUND: Understanding pandemic-related reductions and subsequent recovery of cardiovascular testing in Asia is important for guiding regional public health efforts. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the recovery of cardiovascular testing in Asia 1 year into the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: In this subanalysis of a worldwide survey on the impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular diagnostic care in April 2020 and April 2021, recovery of testing volume in Asia was compared among subregions, World Bank income groups and imaging modalities. RESULTS: Of 669 sites worldwide, 164 sites were in 33 Asian countries. Cardiovascular testing volumes in Asia decreased by 53% from March 2019 to April 2020, then recovered 96% of this decrease by April 2021, compared with 98% recovery in the rest of the world. Eastern Asia and Western and Central Asia reported recovery rates of 123% and 110%, compared with 50% and 80% recovery in Southern and South-eastern Asia. Testing volumes among high-income and upper-middle-income Asian countries recovered to 117% and 121% but remained depressed at 49% and 14% recovery in lower-middle and low-income countries, respectively. Stress ECG, stress echo and stress positron emission tomography studies experienced median reductions of 48%, 35% and 57% in testing volume between March 2019 and April 2021, while volumes of coronary artery calcium, coronary CT angiography and cardiac MR remained stable during this period. CONCLUSIONS: The recovery of cardiovascular testing in Asia 1 year into the COVID-19 pandemic lagged in the Southern and South-eastern subregions, as well as in lower-income countries. Recovery favoured advanced cardiac imaging modalities over standard stress testing modalities.

The article describes the content and comparative characteristics of zinc level in the hair, biopsies of carotid atherosclerotic plaques (AP) and serum in patients with carotid atherosclerosis. The highest concentration of zinc is found in hair compared to the AP and serum. Zinc levels is higher in AP than in the serum. It is noteworthy that the level of zinc in biopsies of unstable AP was lower compared to the level of zinc in hair.

BACKGROUND: The extent to which health care systems have adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic to provide necessary cardiac diagnostic services is unknown. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the pandemic on cardiac testing practices, volumes and types of diagnostic services, and perceived psychological stress to health care providers worldwide. METHODS: The International Atomic Energy Agency conducted a worldwide survey assessing alterations from baseline in cardiovascular diagnostic care at the pandemic's onset and 1 year later. Multivariable regression was used to determine factors associated with procedure volume recovery. RESULTS: Surveys were submitted from 669 centers in 107 countries. Worldwide reduction in cardiac procedure volumes of 64% from March 2019 to April 2020 recovered by April 2021 in high- and upper middle-income countries (recovery rates of 108% and 99%) but remained depressed in lower middle- and low-income countries (46% and 30% recovery). Although stress testing was used 12% less frequently in 2021 than in 2019, coronary computed tomographic angiography was used 14% more, a trend also seen for other advanced cardiac imaging modalities (positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance; 22%-25% increases). Pandemic-related psychological stress was estimated to have affected nearly 40% of staff, impacting patient care at 78% of sites. In multivariable regression, only lower-income status and physicians' psychological stress were significant in predicting recovery of cardiac testing. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac diagnostic testing has yet to recover to prepandemic levels in lower-income countries. Worldwide, the decrease in standard stress testing is offset by greater use of advanced cardiac imaging modalities. Pandemic-related psychological stress among providers is widespread and associated with poor recovery of cardiac testing.

Background: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly affected management of cardiovascular disease around the world. The effect of the pandemic on volume of cardiovascular diagnostic procedures is not known. Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the effects of the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular diagnostic procedures and safety practices in Asia. Methods: The International Atomic Energy Agency conducted a worldwide survey to assess changes in cardiovascular procedure volume and safety practices caused by COVID-19. Testing volumes were reported for March 2020 and April 2020 and were compared to those from March 2019. Data from 180 centers across 33 Asian countries were grouped into 4 subregions for comparison. Results: Procedure volumes decreased by 47% from March 2019 to March 2020, showing recovery from March 2020 to April 2020 in Eastern Asia, particularly in China. The majority of centers cancelled outpatient activities and increased time per study. Practice changes included implementing physical distancing and restricting visitors. Although COVID testing was not commonly performed, it was conducted in one-third of facilities in Eastern Asia. The most severe reductions in procedure volumes were observed in lower-income countries, where volumes decreased 81% from March 2019 to April 2020. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic in Asia caused significant reductions in cardiovascular diagnostic procedures, particularly in low-income countries. Further studies on effects of COVID-19 on cardiovascular outcomes and changes in care delivery are warranted.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-U.S. institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. RESULTS: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection.

Data mining is one of the newest analytical methods that have been used to serve medical science research and has been shown to be a valid, sensitive, and reliable method to discover patterns and relationships. The article considers the possibility of using data mining techniques to search for hidden patterns in health databases for the purpose of filling the knowledge base in medical diagnostic systems. The formation of fuzzy inference rules is made on the basis of two methods for splitting the values of quantitative features in the description of objects (patients) of the sample into intervals. The methodology of using these rules is described by the example of diagnosing instability of a carotid atherosclerotic plaque.

Poster: ECR 2013 / C-0505 / Correlation of ultrasonic morphology of atherosclerotic plaques with degree of carotid stenosis by: G. Rozikhodjaeva, K. Yokubov; Tashkent/UZ

Purpose: Aim of our study was to investigate the possibilities of ultrasonic densitometry in patients with carotid atherosclerosis.

Poster: ECR 2013 / C-0509 / Structural-functional parameters of cardiovascular system and distance of 6-minute walk in patients with coronary heart disease by: F. Rozikhodjaeva, G. Rozikhodjaeva, S. Mirzaeva; Tashkent/UZ