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Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
06:29

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques

Published on: June 11, 2019

Acute myocarditis: diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced cine steady-state free precession MRI sequences

Jean-François Deux1, Mezri Maatouk, Pascal Lim

  • 1Radiology Department, Henri Mondor Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, University Paris Est, Créteil, France. jean-francois.deux@hmn.aphp.fr

AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|October 25, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Contrast-enhanced cine MRI effectively detects acute myocarditis lesions, offering a valuable alternative to traditional late gadolinium-enhanced sequences. This method improves lesion visualization and should be integrated into routine clinical practice for better cardiac assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Myocardial Inflammation

Background:

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is crucial for diagnosing myocardial inflammation in acute myocarditis.
  • Late gadolinium-enhanced (LGE) sequences offer optimal diagnostic performance.
  • Cine balanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) MRI is standard for cardiac function assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the diagnostic utility of unenhanced and contrast-enhanced cine SSFP MRI.
  • To compare these sequences with LGE sequences in patients with acute myocarditis.
  • To assess the effectiveness of cine SSFP MRI for detecting myocardial inflammation.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study involving 18 patients with confirmed acute myocarditis.
  • 1.5-T cardiac MRI including unenhanced cine SSFP, contrast-enhanced cine SSFP, and LGE sequences.
  • Qualitative and quantitative image analysis with statistical evaluation.

Main Results:

  • High signal intensity areas detected in 94% of patients on contrast-enhanced cine SSFP versus 89% on LGE.
  • Contrast-enhanced cine SSFP identified lesions not visible on LGE in one patient.
  • High correlation (r=0.91) in lesion location and transmurality between contrast-enhanced cine SSFP and LGE.
  • Significantly higher contrast-to-noise ratio on contrast-enhanced cine SSFP compared to LGE (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Contrast-enhanced cine MRI is highly effective for detecting acute myocarditis lesions.
  • This technique provides superior contrast-to-noise ratio compared to LGE.
  • Contrast-enhanced cine MRI is recommended for routine clinical use in suspected acute myocarditis.

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