Feasibility of Wave Intensity Analysis from 4D Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data.

Congenital heart defects (CHD) introduce haemodynamic changes; e.g., bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) presents a turbulent helical flow, which activates aortic pathological processes. Flow quantification is crucial for diagnostics and to plan corrective strategies. Multiple imaging modalities exist, with phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) being the current gold standard; however, multiple predetermined site measurements may be required, while 4D MRI allows for measurements of area (A) and velocity (U) in all spatial dimensions, acquiring a single volume and enabling a retrospective analysis at multiple locations. We assessed the feasibility of gathering hemodynamic insight into aortic hemodynamics by means of wave intensity analysis (WIA) derived from 4D MRI. Data were collected in n = 12 BAV patients and n = 7 healthy controls. Following data acquisition, WIA was successfully derived at three planes (ascending, thoracic and descending aorta) in all cases. The values of wave speed were physiological and, while the small sample limited any clinical interpretation of the results, the study shows the possibility of studying wave travel and wave reflection based on 4D MRI. Below, we demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of deriving wave intensity analysis from 4D flow data and open the door to research applications in different cardiovascular scenarios.

Sex differences in patients with acute coronary syndromes and non-obstructive coronary arteries: Presentation and outcome.

BACKGROUND: A substantial number of patients present with a suspected ACS and non-obstructive coronary arteries; sex differences in these patients are not well understood. This study aims to evaluate the impact of sex on clinical presentation and outcome in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and non-obstructive coronary arteries with a final diagnosis confirmed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). METHODS: Consecutive patients with ACS and non-obstructive coronary arteries (n = 719) with an unclear cause from a single tertiary centre who were referred for CMR were included. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. RESULTS: CMR was performed at a median time of 30 days after presentation and identified a diagnosis in 74% of patients. All-cause mortality was 9.5% over a median follow up of 4.9 years, with no significant difference between sexes (8.8% versus 10.1%; p = 0.456). Men were more likely to have non-ischaemic aetiology on CMR than women (55% v 41%, p < 0.001), but were equally likely to have an ischaemic cause (25% v 27%, p = 0.462). Age group (HR 1.58, p < 0.001) and LV ejection fraction (HR 0.98, p = 0.023) were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: There is no difference in all-cause mortality between sexes in patients presenting with suspected ACS and non-obstructive coronary arteries.

A Segmental Approach from Molecular Profiling to Medical Imaging to Study Bicuspid Aortic Valve Aortopathy.

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients develop ascending aortic (AAo) dilation. The pathogenesis of BAV aortopathy (genetic vs. haemodynamic) remains unclear. This study aims to identify regional changes around the AAo wall in BAV patients with aortopathy, integrating molecular data and clinical imaging. BAV patients with aortopathy (n = 15) were prospectively recruited to surgically collect aortic tissue and measure molecular markers across the AAo circumference. Dilated (anterior/right) vs. non-dilated (posterior/left) circumferential segments were profiled for whole-genomic microRNAs (next-generation RNA sequencing, miRCURY LNA PCR), protein content (tandem mass spectrometry), and elastin fragmentation and degeneration (histomorphometric analysis). Integrated bioinformatic analyses of RNA sequencing and proteomic datasets identified five microRNAs (miR-128-3p, miR-210-3p, miR-150-5p, miR-199b-5p, and miR-21-5p) differentially expressed across the AAo circumference. Among them, three miRNAs (miR-128-3p, miR-150-5p, and miR-199b-5p) were predicted to have an effect on eight common target genes, whose expression was dysregulated, according to proteomic analyses, and involved in the vascular-endothelial growth-factor signalling, Hippo signalling, and arachidonic acid pathways. Decreased elastic fibre levels and elastic layer thickness were observed in the dilated segments. Additionally, in a subset of patients n = 6/15, a four-dimensional cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) scan was performed. Interestingly, an increase in wall shear stress (WSS) was observed at the anterior/right wall segments, concomitantly with the differentially expressed miRNAs and decreased elastic fibres. This study identified new miRNAs involved in the BAV aortic wall and revealed the concomitant expressional dysregulation of miRNAs, proteins, and elastic fibres on the anterior/right wall in dilated BAV patients, corresponding to regions of elevated WSS.

Prospective multiparametric CMR characterization and MicroRNA profiling of anthracycline cardiotoxicity: A pilot translational study.

Background: Anthracycline cardiotoxicity is a significant clinical challenge. Biomarkers to improve risk stratification and identify early cardiac injury are required. Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study was to prospectively characterize anthracycline cardiotoxicity using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), echocardiography and MicroRNAs (MiRNAs), and identify baseline predictors of LVEF recovery. Methods: Twenty-four patients (age 56 range 18-75 years; 42 % female) with haematological malignancy scheduled to receive anthracycline chemotherapy (median dose 272 mg/m2 doxorubicin equivalent) were recruited and evaluated at three timepoints (baseline, completion of chemotherapy, and 6 months after completion of chemotherapy) with multiparametric 1.5 T CMR, echocardiography and circulating miRNAs sequencing. Results: Seventeen complete datasets were obtained. CMR left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) fell significantly between baseline and completion of chemotherapy (61 ± 3 vs 53 ± 3 %, p < 0.001), before recovering significantly at 6-month follow-up (55 ± 3 %, p = 0.018). Similar results were observed for 3D echocardiography-derived LVEF and CMR-derived longitudinal, circumferential and radial feature-tracking strain. Patients were divided into tertiles according to LVEF recovery (poor recovery, partial recovery, good recovery). CMR-derived mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) was significantly different at baseline in patients exhibiting poor LVEF recovery (11.7 ± 1.5 mm) in comparison to partial recovery (13.7 ± 2.7 mm), and good recovery (15.7 ± 3.1 mm; p = 0.028). Furthermore, baseline miRNA-181-5p and miRNA-221-3p expression were significantly higher in this group. T2 mapping increased significantly on completion of chemotherapy compared to baseline (54.0 ± 4.6 to 57.8 ± 4.9 ms, p = 0.001), but was not predictive of LVEF recovery. No changes to LV mass, extracellular volume fraction, T1 mapping or late gadolinium enhancement were observed. Conclusions: Baseline CMR-derived MAPSE, circulating miRNA-181-5p, and miRNA-221-3p were associated with poor recovery of LVEF 6 months after completion of anthracycline chemotherapy, suggesting their potential predictive role in this context. T2 mapping increased significantly on completion of chemotherapy but was not predictive of LVEF recovery.

Peak Troponin and CMR to Guide Management in Suspected ACS and Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries.

BACKGROUND: Patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and nonobstructive coronary arteries are a diagnostic dilemma. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has an overall diagnostic yield of ∼75%; however, in ∼25% of patients, CMR does not identify any myocardial injury. Identifying the underlying diagnosis has important clinical implications for patients' management and outcome. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to assess whether the combination of CMR and peak troponin levels in patients with ACS and nonobstructive coronary arteries would lead to increased diagnostic yield. METHODS: Consecutive patients with ACS and nonobstructive coronary arteries without an obvious cause underwent CMR. The primary endpoint of the study was the diagnostic yield of CMR. The Youden index was used to find the optimal diagnostic cut point for peak troponin T to combine with CMR to improve diagnostic yield. Logistic or Cox regression models were used to estimate predictors of a diagnosis by CMR. RESULTS: A total of 719 patients met the inclusion criteria. The peak troponin T threshold for optimal diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was 211 ng/L. Overall, CMR has a diagnostic yield of 74%. CMR performed <14 days from presentation and with a peak troponin of ≥211 ng/L (n = 198) leads to an improved diagnostic yield (94% vs 72%) compared with CMR performed ≥14 days (n = 245). When CMR was performed <14 days and with a peak troponin of <211 ng/L, the diagnostic yield was 76% (n = 86) compared with 53% (n = 190) when performed ≥14 days. An increase in 1 peak troponin decile increases the odds of the CMR identifying a diagnosis by 20% (OR: 1.20; P = 0.008, 95% CI: 1.05-1.36). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of CMR performed <14 days from presentation and peak troponin T ≥211 ng/L leads to a very high diagnostic yield (94%) on CMR. The diagnostic yield remains high (72%) even when CMR is performed ≥14 days from presentation, but reduces to 53% when peak troponin T was <211 ng/L.

Imaging Findings of COVID-19-Related Cardiovascular Complications.

Other than respiratory disease, patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) commonly have cardiovascular manifestations, which are recognized as significant risk factors for increased mortality. COVID-19 patients may present with a wide spectrum of clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic heart disease detected incidentally by cardiac investigations (troponin, BNP, and imaging) to cardiogenic shock and sudden cardiac death. In this broad clinical course, advanced imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis of different patterns of myocardial injury, risk stratification of COVID-19 patients, and in detecting potential cardiac side effects of the current treatments and vaccines against the severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Stone Heart.

We describe a rare case of infiltrative cardiomyopathy characterized by multiple low-signal myocardial lesions consistent with nodular calcifications. A retrospectively detailed clinical history and the use of multimodality imaging enabled us to identify the final diagnosis. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance characterisation of anthracycline cardiotoxicity in adults with normal left ventricular ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Anthracycline therapy may lead to changes in cardiac structure and function not detectable by solely evaluating left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) would identify structural and functional myocardial abnormalities in anthracycline-treated cancer survivors with normal LVEF, compared to a matched control population. METHODS: Forty-five cancer survivors (56 ± 16 yrs., 60% female) with normal LVEF (59.5 ± 4.1%) were studied a median of 11 months (range 3-36) following administration of 237 ± 83 mg/m2 anthracycline, and compared with forty-five healthy control subjects of similar age and sex (53 ± 16 yrs., 60% female) with normal LVEF (60.8 ± 2.4%) using 1.5 T CMR. RESULTS: Significantly smaller indexed left ventricular mass (45.6 ± 8.7 vs 50.3 ± 10.1 g/m2, p = 0.02) and indexed myocardial cell volume (30.5 ± 5.7 vs 34.8 ± 7.2 ml/m2, p = 0.002) were evident in cancer survivors and the latter was inversely associated with cumulative anthracycline dose (r = -0.31, p = 0.02). Surrogate CMR markers of myocardial fibrosis were significantly increased in cancer survivors (native myocardial T1: 1021 ± 40 vs 996 ± 35 ms, p = 0.002; extracellular volume: 29.5 ± 4.5 vs 27.4 ± 2.3%, p = 0.006). CMR-derived feature-tracking global longitudinal strain (GLS) was significantly impaired in cancer survivors (2D GLS -18.3 ± 2.6 vs -20.0 ± 2.0%, p < 0.001; 3D GLS -14.5 ± 2.3 vs -16.4 ± 2.6%, p < 0.001). Parameters exhibited good to excellent (ICC = 0.86-0.98) inter- and intra-observer reproducibility. CONCLUSIONS: Anthracycline-treated cancer survivors with normal LVEF have significant perturbations of LV mass, myocardial cell volume, native myocardial T1, ECV, CMR-derived 2D and 3D GLS, compared to controls, with good to excellent levels of inter- and intra-observer reproducibility.

Standard and emerging CMR methods for mitral regurgitation quantification.

BACKGROUND: There are several methods to quantify mitral regurgitation (MR) by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). The interoperability of these methods and their reproducibility remains undetermined. OBJECTIVE: To determine the agreement and reproducibility of different MR quantification methods by CMR across all aetiologies. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with MR were recruited (primary MR = 12, secondary MR = 10 and MVR = 13). Patients underwent CMR, including cines and four-dimensional flow (4D flow). Four methods were evaluated: MRStandard (left ventricular stroke volume - aortic forward flow by phase contrast), MRLVRV (left ventricular stroke volume - right ventricular stroke volume), MRJet (direct jet quantification by 4D flow) and MRMVAV (mitral forward flow by 4D flow - aortic forward flow by 4D flow). For all cases and MR types, 520 MR volumes were recorded by these 4 methods for intra-/inter-observer tests. RESULTS: In primary MR, MRMVAV and MRLVRV were comparable to MRStandard (P > 0.05). MRJet resulted in significantly higher MR volumes when compared to MRStandard (P < 0.05) In secondary MR and MVR cases, all methods were comparable. In intra-observer tests, MRMVAV demonstrated least bias with best limits of agreement (bias = -0.1 ml, -8 ml to 7.8 ml, P = 0.9) and best concordance correlation coefficient (CCC = 0.96, P < 0.01). In inter-observer tests, for primary MR and MVR, least bias and highest CCC were observed for MRMVAV. For secondary MR, bias was lowest for MRJet (-0.1 ml, PNS). CONCLUSION: CMR methods of MR quantification demonstrate agreement in secondary MR and MVR. In primary MR, this was not observed. Across all types of MR, MRMVAV quantification demonstrated the highest reproducibility and consistency.

Mitral regurgitation quantification by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains reproducible between software solutions.

Background: The reproducibility of mitral regurgitation (MR) quantification by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging using different software solutions remains unclear. This research aimed to investigate the reproducibility of MR quantification between two software solutions: MASS (version 2019 EXP, LUMC, Netherlands) and CAAS (version 5.2, Pie Medical Imaging). Methods: CMR data of 35 patients with MR (12 primary MR, 13 mitral valve repair/replacement, and ten secondary MR) was used. Four methods of MR volume quantification were studied, including two 4D-flow CMR methods (MR MVAV and MR Jet) and two non-4D-flow techniques (MR Standard and MR LVRV). We conducted within-software and inter-software correlation and agreement analyses. Results: All methods demonstrated significant correlation between the two software solutions: MR Standard (r=0.92, p<0.001), MR LVRV (r=0.95, p<0.001), MR Jet (r=0.86, p<0.001), and MR MVAV (r=0.91, p<0.001). Between CAAS and MASS, MR Jet and MR MVAV, compared to each of the four methods, were the only methods not to be associated with significant bias. Conclusions: We conclude that 4D-flow CMR methods demonstrate equivalent reproducibility to non-4D-flow methods but greater levels of agreement between software solutions.

Long-term outcome of myocardial scarring and deformation with cardiovascular magnetic resonance in out of hospital cardiac arrest survivors.

AIMS: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is increasingly recognized as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors. After assessing CMR findings early after ventricular fibrillation (VF) OHCA, we sought to explore the long-term outcome of myocardial scarring and deformation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included 121 consecutive VF OHCA survivors (82% male, median 62 years) undergoing CMR within 2 weeks from cardiac arrest. Late gadolinium-enhancement (LGE) was quantified using the full width at half maximum method and tissue tracking analysis software was used to assess myocardial deformation. LGE was found in 71% of patients (median LGE mass 6.2% of the left ventricle, LV), mainly with an ischaemic pattern. Myocardial deformation was overall impaired and showed a significant correlation with LGE presence and extent (P < 0.001). A composite end-point of all-cause mortality and appropriate ICD discharge/anti-tachycardia pacing was met in 24% of patients. Patients meeting the end-point had significantly greater LGE extent (8.6% of LV myocardium vs. 4.1%, P = 0.02), while there was no difference with regards to myocardial deformation. Survival rate was significantly lower in patients with LGE (P = 0.05) and LGE mass >4.4% of the LV identified a group of patients at higher risk of adverse events (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: We found a high prevalence of LGE, early after OHCA, and an overall impaired myocardial deformation. On long-term follow-up both LGE presence and extent showed a significant association with recurrent adverse events, while LV ejection fraction and myocardial deformation did not identify patients with an unfavourable outcome.

Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance of Myocardial Fibrosis, Edema, and Infiltrates in Heart Failure.

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is a unique imaging modality, which provides accurate noninvasive tissue characterization. Various CMR sequences can be utilized to identify and quantify patterns of myocardial edema, fibrosis, and infiltrates, which are important determinants for diagnosis and prognostication of heart failure. This article describes available methods of tissue characterization imaging applied in CMR. The presence and patterns of abnormal tissue characterization are related to common etiologies of heart failure and the techniques employed to demonstrate this. CMR provides the opportunity to identify the etiology of heart failure based on the recognition of different patterns of myocardial abnormalities.

Left thoracotomy approach for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery: 15 years of experience in 2500 consecutive patients.

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to describe the experience at 2 centres with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using a left thoracotomy. METHODS: From January 2002 to December 2017, a total of 2528 consecutive patients (578 women, mean age 62.3 ± 9.1 years) were operated on using this technique. Data were collected prospectively and analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: There were no conversions to median sternotomy and 6 patients (0.2%) were converted to on-pump CABG. The mean number of grafts per patient was 2.8 ± 0. 9. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.0% (25 patients). Most patients were extubated in the operating theatre (97.3%), and 47 patients (1.9%) needed re-exploration for bleeding. Seven patients (0.3%) experienced a cerebrovascular event; 4 (0.3%) had a postoperative myocardial infarction; and 84 (3.4%) had new-onset atrial fibrillation. A total of 1510 patients (61.1%) were discharged from the hospital in the first 48 h after surgery. Long-term survival rates were 98.8%, 93.6% and 69.1% at 1, 5 and 10 years, respectively (central image). During the follow-up period, 60 patients (2.9%) were re-examined for recurrence of angina with a new coronary angiogram; of those, 24 (1.2%) required percutaneous coronary intervention and 11 (0.5%) had redo surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A left thoracotomy is a safe alternative to a median sternotomy for coronary artery bypass grafting on the beating heart, with low early complications and good mid- and long-term results.

Long term cardiovascular magnetic resonance phenotyping of anthracycline cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Anthracycline cardiomyopathy contributes to the morbidity and mortality of cancer survivors but long-term data are lacking. This study sought to describe the phenotype of long-term anthracycline cardiomyopathy, the prevalence of myocardial fibrosis and its association with cardiac remodeling, systolic function and clinical outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: We undertook contrast-enhanced CMR in 81 cancer survivors at median 5 years after anthracycline (mean dose 279 SD 89 mg/m2). Participants were aged 55 SD 14 years; 68% were female. Mean LVEF was impaired (49 SD 12%), driven by a pathological increase in iLVESV (47 SD 23 ml/m2). 19% of participants exhibited LGE, which was associated with significant adverse left ventricular remodeling and reduced systolic function (iLVEDV: 102 SD 34 vs 83 SD 21 ml/m2, p = 0.03; iLVESV 61 SD 32 vs 43 SD 20 ml/m2, p = 0.03; LVEF: 43 SD 11 vs 50 SD 12%, p = 0.03). In subgroup analysis of 36 patients, 36% had elevated native T1 measurements, which was associated with significant adverse left ventricular remodeling (iLVEDV: 97 SD 22 vs 74 SD 19 ml/m2, p = 0.002; iLVESV: 56 SD 22 vs 35 SD 15 ml/m2, p = 0.005), reduced systolic function (LVEF 44 SD 13 vs 55 SD 9%, p = 0.01), and hospitalizations for heart failure (38% vs 9%, p = 0.03). Absolute native T1 measurements correlated significantly with iLVEDV (p ≤ 0.001, R2 0.33), iLVESV (p < 0.001, R2 0.36), LVEF (p < 0.001, R2 0.35), LAVi (p = 0.04, R2 0.12) and MAPSE (p = 0.02, R2 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term anthracycline cardiomyopathy is characterized by pathologically increased iLVESV. Both LGE and elevated native T1 measurements were associated with significant adverse cardiac remodeling and reduced systolic function, and the latter with heart failure hospitalizations.

Prognostic Role of CMR and Conventional Risk Factors in Myocardial Infarction With Nonobstructed Coronary Arteries.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess the prognostic impact of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and conventional risk factors in patients with myocardial infarction with nonobstructed coronaries (MINOCA). BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction with nonobstructed coronary arteries (MINOCA) represents a diagnostic dilemma, and the prognostic markers have not been clarified. METHODS: A total of 388 consecutive patients with MINOCA undergoing CMR assessment were identified retrospectively from a registry database and prospectively followed for a primary clinical endpoint of all-cause mortality. A 1.5-T CMR was performed using a comprehensive protocol (cines, T2-weighted, and late gadolinium enhancement sequences). Patients were grouped into 4 categories based on their CMR findings: myocardial infarction (MI) (embolic/spontaneous recanalization), myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, and normal CMR. RESULTS: CMR (performed at a median of 37 days from presentation) was able to identify the cause for the troponin rise in 74% of the patients (25% myocarditis, 25% MI, and 25% cardiomyopathy), whereas a normal CMR was identified in 26%. Over a median follow-up of 1,262 days (3.5 years), 5.7% patients died. The cardiomyopathy group had the worst prognosis (mortality 15%; log-rank test: 19.9; p < 0.001), MI had 4% mortality, and 2% in both myocarditis and normal CMR. In a multivariable Cox regression model (including clinical and CMR parameters), CMR diagnosis of cardiomyopathy and ST-segment elevation on presentation electrocardiogram (ECG) remained the only 2 significant predictors of mortality. Using presentation with ECG ST-segment elevation and CMR diagnosis of cardiomyopathy as risk markers, the mortality risk rates were 2%, 11%, and 21% for presence of 0, 1, and 2 factors, respectively (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In a large cohort of patients with MINOCA, CMR (median 37 days from presentation) identified a final diagnosis in 74% of patients. Cardiomyopathy had the highest mortality, followed by MI. The strongest predictors of mortality were a CMR diagnosis of cardiomyopathy and ST-segment elevation on presentation ECG.

Native T1 mapping to detect extent of acute and chronic myocardial infarction: comparison with late gadolinium enhancement technique.

Investigate whether native-T1 mapping can assess the transmural extent of myocardial infarction (TEI) thereby differentiating viable from non-viable myocardium without the use of gadolinium-contrast in both acute and chronic myocardial infarction (aMI and cMI). Sixty patients (30 cMI > 1 year and 30 aMI day 2 STEMI) and 20 healthy-controls underwent 1.5 T CMR to assess left ventricular function (cine), native-T1 mapping (MOLLI sequence 5(3)3, motion-corrected) and the presence and TEI from late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) images. Segments with TEI > 75% was considered non-viable. Gold-standard LGE-TEI was compared with corresponding segmental native-T1. Segmental native-T1 correlated significantly with TEI (R = 0.74, p < 0.001 in cMI and R = 0.57, p < 0.001 in aMI). Native-T1 differentiated segments with no LGE (1031 ± 31 ms), LGE positive but viable (1103 ± 57 ms) and LGE positive but non-viable (1206 ± 118 ms) in cMI (p < 0.01). It also differentiated segments with no LGE (1054 ± 65 m), LGE positive but viable (1135 ± 73 ms) and LGE positive but non-viable (1168 ± 71 ms) in aMI (p < 0.01). ROC analysis demonstrated excellent accuracy of native-T1 mapping compared to LGE-TEI (AUC - 0.88, p < 0.001 in cMI, vs AUC - 0.83, p < 0.001 in aMI). Native-T1 performed better in cMI than aMI (p < 0.01). In cMI a segmental T1 threshold of 1085 ms differentiated viable from non-viable segments with a sensitivity 88% and specificity of 88% whereas a T1 of 1110 ms differentiated viable from nonviable with 79% sensitivity and 79% specificity in aMI. Native-T1 mapping correlates significantly with TEI thereby differentiating between normal, viable, and non-viable myocardium with distinctive T1 profiles in aMI and cMI. Native T1-mapping to detect MI performed better in cMI compared to aMI due to absence of myocardial oedema. Native-T1 mapping holds promise for viability assessment without the need for gadolinium-contrast agent.

[When and how to investigate myocardial viability in clinical practice]. / Vitalità miocardica: quando e come indagarla nella pratica clinica.

The assessment of myocardial viability is a crucial step in the work-up of patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. Myocardial revascularization should be considered in patients with viable myocardium and LV systolic dysfunction, since this could improve LV function and outcomes.Noninvasive imaging plays a key role in the study of viability and different modalities are currently available, including cardiac magnetic resonance, stress echocardiography and nuclear imaging. The definition of myocardial viability is different, depending on the imaging technique used and it is important for cardiologists to know the information that each modality can offer in this setting.

59-year-old female with breathlessness.

CLINICAL INTRODUCTION: A 59-year-old female underwent an electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiographic screening. Her brother died at quite a young age of kidney failure. Resting ECG showed borderline voltage criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), with marked widespread T-wave inversion. Echocardiogram was normal, but in consideration of exertional breathlessness and abnormal baseline ECG, she underwent a coronary angiogram, which showed unobstructed coronaries. She was then referred to have a cardiac MR (CMR) for further characterisation. CMR images were acquired with a 1.5 T scanner and the imaging protocol included Steady-State Free Precession (SSFP) cine images (Figure 1A) as well as late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) images in the long-axis and short-axis planes covering the whole left ventricle (Figure 1B). In addition, native and postcontrast T1 mapping (Modified Look-Locker (MOLLI)) images were acquired for further tissue characterisation (Figure 1C and D, respectively). QUESTION: What is the most likely diagnosis based on CMR findings? Anderson-Fabry's disease (AFD)Cardiac amyloidosisGenotype (+), phenotype (-) hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)Myocardial iron overloadNormal heart.