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In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
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Evidence of myocardial edema in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy

Michael Jeserich1, Daniela Föll, Manfred Olschewski

  • 1Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. info@praxis-jeserich.de

Clinical Cardiology
|March 31, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Myocardial edema, a sign of inflammation, is present in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This finding, detected via cardiovascular magnetic resonance, suggests a link between inflammation and DCM progression.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) presents significant mortality and morbidity risks.
  • Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) noninvasively assesses cardiac function, morphology, and myocardial edema.
  • Inflammatory pathways are implicated in the etiology and progression of chronic DCM.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of myocardial edema in patients with nonischemic DCM.
  • To evaluate myocardial edema as a potential marker of myocardial inflammation in DCM.

Main Methods:

  • 31 patients with idiopathic DCM and 39 matched controls underwent CMR.
  • Electrocardiogram-triggered, T2-weighted imaging was used to assess myocardial edema.
  • Left ventricular function and volumes were analyzed; patient and control variables were compared using t tests and chi-squared tests.

Main Results:

  • Patients with DCM exhibited significantly higher global myocardial edema (increased signal intensity ratio) compared to controls (P = 0.0006).
  • Ejection fraction was markedly reduced in DCM patients (40.3%) versus controls (62.6%) (P < 0.0001).
  • A moderate negative correlation was observed between myocardial edema and ejection fraction (r = -0.39, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Myocardial edema is demonstrably associated with idiopathic nonischemic DCM.
  • These findings highlight the role of inflammation in DCM.
  • Further research is warranted to clarify the clinical and prognostic significance of myocardial edema in DCM.
Abstract

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