Lee, Daniel

A 32-fold accelerated real-time cine MRI sequence (radial sampling) demonstrated better temporal resolution and image quality than a 16-fold sequence (Cartesian sampling) in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices and arrhythmias.

Background: The prevalence of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) is increasing, with over 300,000 new implants annually in the U.S. Stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has proven as a powerful modality for myocardial characterization, enabling accurate diagnosis of different cardiac conditions. In patients without devices, CMR findings have also demonstrated prognostic value for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and guide clinical decision-making. However, its use in CIED patients has historically been limited due to safety and image quality concerns. Hypothesis: We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of CMR imaging using wideband sequences in CIED patients. Methods: CIED patients referred for clinical CMR were included prospectively and retrospectively between January 2020 and February 2025. All patients underwent a stress CMR protocol, which included cine, wideband late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), wideband T1 mapping, and wideband stress/rest perfusion imaging. Clinical follow-up is ongoing. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of MACE, defined as the composite of myocardial infarction, heart failure hospitalization, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy, cardiac death, revascularization, or heart transplant. Results: A total of 89 patients were included (median age 69.0 [58.0–75.5] years; 62.9% male). Device types included pacemakers (33.7%), ICDs (48.3%), and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices (16.9%). Over a median of follow-up of 613 days [355-991], 21 patients experienced a MACE. In unadjusted models, higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (per 5%) was significantly associated with a lower risk of MACE (odds ratio [OR] 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65–0.95; p=0.016), as was higher stress myocardial blood flow (MBF) (per 0.25 mL/g/min increase: OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.60–0.98; p=0.05). In contrast, greater LV myocardial mass (per 10 g) was significantly associated with a higher risk of MACE (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.08–1.52; p = 0.006), figure 1. Conclusion: The use of wideband sequences enabled the assessment of prognostic imaging value in CIED patients. LVEF remains a strong and consistent predictor of MACE in this population and LV mass was significantly associated with higher rates of MACE reflecting the influence of underlying cardiomyopathy. While stress perfusion CMR imaging showed promising trends, further studies with longer follow-up are needed to clarify its prognostic value in this population.

AbstractPurposeOverall there is a lack of evidence on the accuracy and precision of phase‐contrast (PC) MRI in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). The purpose of this study is to determine whether aortic velocity measurements are influenced by a CIED.MethodsWe scanned 21 adult patients and 8 pediatric volunteers using clinical standard PC and real‐time PC (rt‐PC) sequences with and without a CIED generator taped on human subjects (below the left clavicle for adults and children; also on the abdomen for children) to mimic image artifacts. Peak and mean velocities above the aortic valve were calculated.ResultsThe Bland–Altman analyses on peak velocity measurements in pediatric subjects showed that both the accuracy and precision worsen as the distance between the CIED and aortic valve decreases (i.e., from abdomen to below the left clavicle). Specifically, both the bias and the coefficient of variation (CV) for both clinical PC and rt‐PC increased from the abdominal position (clinical: bias = −1.1%, CV = 4.3%; rt‐PC: bias = −0.3%, CV = 3.4%) to the clavicle position (clinical: bias = −4.0%, CV = 8.1%; rt‐PC: bias = 8.2%, CV = 7.3%). A similar trend was observed for mean velocity. The mean difference in peak and mean velocity measurements between rt‐PC with CIED (either position) and clinical standard PC with no CIED was within 7.5%. In adult patients, the mean difference between rt‐PC with CIED and clinical standard PC with CIED in peak velocity was 6.9%, and the CV was 7.9%.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that aortic velocity measurements are influenced by CIED in both adult and pediatric subjects.

Abstract Introduction: Black males face a higher incidence of prostate cancer compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Cardiovascular disorders, including hypertension and metabolic syndrome, are more frequently observed in black men with prostate cancer, significantly impacting their quality of life, treatment outcomes, and related challenges. Socioeconomic disparities and stress also pose significant challenges for black men who engage in substance use, such as tobacco or alcohol. The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of cardiovascular issues and substance abuse specifically among black males diagnosed with prostate cancer. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study examined associations between substance abuse, cardiovascular co-morbidities, and diagnoses of prostate cancer in men in Nigeria, Africa. It utilized data collected from the Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium (CaPTC) Familial Cohort Study, an ongoing longitudinal cohort study initiated in 2018 which explores risk factors of prostate cancer among African Black men in Nigeria, Cameroon, and the United States (U.S.). Descriptive statistics generated association tables for variables captured. Results: From 708 participants who resided in Nigeria, 117 reported prostate cancer diagnoses compared to 580 who denied any cancer diagnoses. Median age of participants was 50, most were married (98.1%), Christian (65.8%), college educated (29.4%), with professional occupations (29.4%) and an average household income of 1,000,000 + Naira (24.2%). Marijuana use and alcohol consumption were identified to have statistically significant associations with prostate cancer diagnoses (p=0.003, p<0.001, respectively), while smoking (p=0.13), weight (p=0.22), and annual physicals (p=0.39) were not found to be significant predictors of prostate cancer diagnoses. Conclusion: Both marijuana and alcohol use were found to have significant associations with prostate cancer diagnoses in Nigerian men. Further research is directed to explore similar associations in Black men of other locations to confirm. This study provides a glimpse of associations of substance use and cardiovascular concerns in black males with prostate cancer. It is crucial for interventions to identify and understand the role of substance dependence and cardiovascular disorders in black males with prostate cancer to effectively address all risk factors, implementing lifestyle modifications, and providing culturally appropriate care, ultimately improving outcomes and reducing health disparities. Citation Format: Brittany M. Norris, Marvin Fullwood, Daniel Lee, Folakemi Odedina. A descriptive study of substance use and cardiovascular issues among Nigerian men with prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B123.

Abstract The CaPTC prostate cancer (CaP) Familial Cohort study (CaPFCS) was launched in 2017 to explore the CaP risk factors of African Black men (ABM). The study design is a prospective study that observes and follows healthy ABM and ABM diagnosed with CaP. Aim: The specific aim is to provide recommendations on statistical considerations for cohort studies focused on cancer disparities, based on lessons learned from the CaPTC CaPFCS. Methodology: Study participants were ABM in Cameroon, Nigeria, and the US. Using validated measures, data were collected mostly by self-administered or research assistant administered survey using paper survey (especially in Cameroon and Nigeria) with the responses transferred to REDCap by research coordinators. The statistical analysis for the CaPTC CaPFCS focused on the baseline epidemiological, behavioral, clinical and anthropometric measures of Black men. A total of 819 participants were included in the analyses. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics (sample median, range, frequency and percentages) and unadjusted logistic regression models. Results: Data collection for the CaPTC CaPFCS were by multiple investigators/research coordinators at multiple sites in Cameroon, Nigeria, and the US. In preparation for the data analyses, we noted data entry errors and/or misinterpretation of data entry, which required extensive cleaning of the database prior to the analyses. The biostatisticians spent significant effort cleaning and ensuring data validity prior to the analyses. Confounding variables is another statistical consideration for cohort studies, such as the CaPTC CaPFCS. There was variability observed across age, education levels, employment status, household income and CaP diagnosis based on country of residence. CaP diagnosis was not reported by any of the ABM in the US, which may be due to the fact that they were all recruited within the community and no recruitment took place in the clinic. Finally, the CaPTC CaPFCS has several variables. Performing a lot of statistical tests may result in false-positive findings at P<0.05.Conclusion: The advantage of the CaPFCS is that it allows the CaPTC investigators to study epidemiological, behavioral, clinical and anthropometric variables associated with CaP over time. Being a longitudinal cohort study, investigators can track the changes in exposure and outcomes over time.However, statistical considerations need to be at the fore-front of multi-center, transatlantic cancer disparity studies such as the CaPTC CaPFCS, from data collection to data entry. The use of web-based survey with the ability to enter data directly into REDCaP will significantly reduce (if not totally eliminate) the need for database cleaning. There are multiple strategies that can be used to reduce confounder effect, including statistical adjustment and multivariate analysis to adjust for the confounders. The use of propensity score methods have especially been found to be effective in controlling baseline confounding factors. Citation Format: Daniel Lee, CaPTC Investigators, Jennifer Crook, Ruth Enuka, Fathi Parisa, Emeka Iweala Iweala, Oluwole Kukoyi, Ernest Kaninjing, Oluwaseyi Toye, Paul Jibrin, Folakemi Odedina. Importance of statistical considerations in multi-center, transatlantic cancer disparity studies: Lessons learned from the CaPTC prostate cancer familial cohort study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr C013.

Abstract Introduction: Black men are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer (CaP) and havebeen found to experience more aggressive forms of cancer. The Minority Prostate Cancer(MiCaP) Research Digest is a dissemination platform with the goal of spreading community-based and culturally relevant ways to provide prostate cancer discoveries, interventions, andclinical trials among Black men. In collecting pretest data, the MiCaP team was also able tocollect data on whether participants had been tested for CaP in the last year. We were also ableto collect data on various social determinant variables to test for association. Methods: Black men living in the United States ages 35 to 70 were recruited for this studythrough community-based methods. Participants were randomly assigned to an interventiongroup that received the MiCaP information material and a control group that watched a generalvideo. Both groups received baseline and follow-up surveys to assess their knowledge relatedto CaP clinical trials, testing, and treatment. Associations of characteristics from the baselinesurvey were evaluated using logistic regression models. Results: A total of 220 responses are included in this dataset. The majority of participants wereborn in the United States (93.06%), single (49.52%), attended/graduated college (35.65%),between 60 and 69 years (25.58%), had full-time employment (52.07%), and had a householdincome between 20,000 and 39,999 (21.66%). Only about 35% had read or heard about clinicaltrials within the last year. Logistic regression found a positive association between the followingvariables and getting tested for prostate cancer in the past year: if participants had heard ofcurrent prostate cancer research or discoveries, if an immediate family member had beendiagnosed with prostate cancer, age, and level of education. No association was found betweeninsurance status, utilization of healthcare, clinical trial participation, or clinical trial knowledge. Conclusion: There is an association between being aware of CaP discoveries, diagnosis of familymembers, education, and age with prostate cancer screening. Future work should be done tofurther explore this association and how to overcome the barriers those determinants mightprovide in screening. These data and future data on this can be used to further community-based interventions delivered in culturally relevant ways with the goal of encouraging positivehealth behaviors to reduce CaP in Black men. Citation Format: Jessica Otero Machuca, Parisa Fathi, Daniel Lee, Kim Walsh-Childers, Folakemi Odedina. Potential predictors of prostate cancer screening: Findings from the MiCaP research digest study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 1972.

Abstract Background: The CaPTC prostate cancer (CaP) Familial Cohort study (CaPFCS) was launched in 2017 to explore the CaP risk factors of African Black men (ABM). The study design is a prospective study that observes and follows healthy ABM and ABM diagnosed with CaP. Aim: The specific aim is to provide recommendations on statistical considerations for cohort studies focused on cancer disparities, based on lessons learned from the CaPTC CaPFCS. Methodology: Study participants were ABM in Cameroon, Nigeria, and the US. Using validated measures, data were collected mostly by self-administered or research assistant administered survey using paper survey (especially in Cameroon and Nigeria) with the responses transferred to REDCap by research coordinators. The statistical analysis for the CaPTC CaPFCS focused on the baseline epidemiological, behavioral, clinical and anthropometric measures of Black men. A total of 819 participants were included in the analyses. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics (sample median, range, frequency and percentages) and unadjusted logistic regression models. Results: Data collection for the CaPTC CaPFCS were by multiple investigators/research coordinators at multiple sites in Cameroon, Nigeria, and the US. In preparation for the data analyses, we noted data entry errors and/or misinterpretation of data entry, which required extensive cleaning of the database prior to the analyses. The biostatisticians spent significant effort cleaning and ensuring data validity prior to the analyses. Confounding variables is another statistical consideration for cohort studies, such as the CaPTC CaPFCS. There was variability observed across age, education levels, employment status, household income and CaP diagnosis based on country of residence. CaP diagnosis was not reported by any of the ABM in the US, which may be due to the fact that they were all recruited within the community and no recruitment took place in the clinic. Finally, the CaPTC CaPFCS has several variables. Performing a lot of statistical tests may result in false-positive findings at P<0.05. Conclusion: The advantage of the CaPFCS is that it allows the CaPTC investigators to study epidemiological, behavioral, clinical and anthropometric variables associated with CaP over time. Being a longitudinal cohort study, investigators can track the changes in exposure and outcomes over time.However, statistical considerations need to be at the fore-front of multi-center, transatlantic cancer disparity studies such as the CaPTC CaPFCS, from data collection to data entry. The use of web-based survey with the ability to enter data directly into REDCaP will significantly reduce (if not totally eliminate) the need for database cleaning. There are multiple strategies that can be used to reduce confounder effect, including statistical adjustment and multivariate analysis to adjust for the confounders. The use of propensity score methods have especially been found to be effective in controlling baseline confounding factors. Citation Format: Daniel Lee, Michael Heckman, Zhongwei Peng, Emeka Iweala, Ademola Popoola, Paul Jibrin, Mohammed Faruk, Anthonia Sowumi, Omolara Fatiregun, Nkegoum Blaise, Catherine Oladoyinbo, Ifeoma Okoye, Abdulkadir Ayo Salako, Abidemi Omonisi, Iya Eze Bassey, Kayode Adeniji, Nggada Haruna Asura, Ernest Kaninjing, Oluwole Kukoyi, Fathi Parisa, Ruth Enuka, Oluwaseyi Toye, Jennifer Crook, CaPTC Investigators, Folakemi Odedina. Importance of statistical considerations in multi-center, transatlantic cancer disparity studies: Lessons learned from the CaPTC prostate cancer familial cohort study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr C004.

AbstractIntroductionA recent study reported that diffuse left ventricular (LV) fibrosis is a predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence following catheter ablation, by measuring postcontrast cardiac T1 (an error prone metric as per the 2017 Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance consensus statement) using an inversion‐recovery pulse sequence (an error prone method in arrhythmia) in AF ablation candidates. The purpose of this study was to verify the prior study, by measuring extracellular volume (ECV) fraction (an accurate metric) using a saturation‐recovery pulse sequence (accurate method in arrhythmia).Methods and ResultsThis study examined 100 AF patients (mean age = 62 ± 11 years, 69 males and 31 females, 67 paroxysmal [pAF] and 33 persistent [peAF]) who underwent a preablation cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) exam. LV ECV and left atrial (LA) and LV functional parameters were quantified using standard analysis methods. During an average follow‐up period of 457 ± 261 days with 4 ± 3 rhythm checks per patient, 72 patients maintained sinus rhythm. Between those who maintained sinus rhythm (n = 72) and those who reverted to AF (n = 28), the only clinical characteristic that was significantly different was age (60 ± 12 years vs 66 ± 9 years); for CMR metrics, neither mean LV ECV (25.1 ± 3.3% vs 24.7 ± 3.7%), native LV T1 (1093.8 ± 73.5 ms vs 1070.2 ± 115.9 ms), left ventricular ejection fraction (54.1 ± 11.2% vs 55.7 ± 7.1%), nor LA end diastolic volume/body surface area (42.4 ± 14.8 mL/m2 vs 43.4 ± 19.6 mL/m2) were significantly different (P ≥ .23). According to Cox regression tests, none of the clinical and imaging variables predict AF recurrence.ConclusionNeither LV ECV nor other CMR metrics predict recurrence of AF following catheter ablation.