Myocardial phenotypes and dysfunction in HFpEF and HFrEF assessed by echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Heart failure (HF) is a growing global health concern, affecting both reduced and preserved ejection fraction.
• Accurate diagnosis of systolic and diastolic dysfunction is essential for effective patient management and tailored therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the roles of echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance in characterizing cardiac anatomy, function, and tissue in common heart failure phenotypes.
• To highlight the benefits of an integrated imaging approach for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance in heart failure diagnosis.
• Comparative analysis of the strengths and limitations of each imaging modality.

Main Results:

• Echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance are key imaging tools for evaluating heart failure.
• Each modality offers unique insights into cardiac structure, systolic/diastolic function, and myocardial tissue characteristics.
• An integrated approach may enhance diagnostic accuracy, particularly for HFpEF.

Conclusions:

• Cardiac imaging is indispensable for understanding the pathophysiology of diverse heart failure types.
• Optimizing the use of echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance, potentially in combination, can improve patient care and treatment strategies.