Incremental Values of T1 Mapping in the Prediction of Sudden Cardiac Death Risk in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A

Le Qin1, Jiehua Min1, Chihua Chen1

  • 1Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Insights

Native T1 mapping, a quantitative MRI measure, can predict major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients. This technique offers added value beyond current risk stratification guidelines.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Cardiology
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Quantitative MRI parameters like native T1 mapping and extracellular volume fraction (ECV) offer insights into myocardial tissue characteristics.
  • The predictive role of these quantitative MRI metrics for sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the capability of native T1 mapping and ECV values in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in HCM patients.
  • To assess the incremental predictive value of these parameters compared to existing 2014 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and enhanced American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) risk stratification guidelines.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective enrollment of HCM patients and matched healthy controls undergoing cardiac MRI between July 2016 and October 2020.
  • Measurement of native T1 and ECV parameters, alongside risk assessment using 2014 ESC and enhanced ACC/AHA guidelines.
  • MACE definition included cardiac death, transplantation, heart failure admission, and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation.

Main Results:

  • A total of 203 HCM patients and 101 controls were analyzed; 25 HCM patients (12.3%) experienced MACE during a median 15-month follow-up.
  • Global native T1 mapping (HR: 1.446) and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) (HR: 4.949) were independent predictors of MACE in multivariate analysis.
  • Native T1 mapping showed independent association with MACE in patients stratified as low-risk by current guidelines (HR: 1.532) and in those with conflicting guideline risk assessments.

Conclusions:

  • Global native T1 mapping demonstrates significant potential as an incremental prognostic marker for MACE in HCM.
  • Native T1 mapping can serve as a valuable supplement to current risk stratification guidelines, enhancing the prediction of adverse cardiovascular events in HCM.