Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathies: CT and MR from Basics to Advanced Imaging

Pierpaolo Palumbo1,2, Ester Cannizzaro1, Maria Michela Palumbo3

  • 1Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Area of Cardiovascular and Interventional Imaging, Abruzzo Health Unit 1, Via Saragat, Località Campo di Pile, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.

Insights

Heart failure (HF) is a complex epidemic requiring precise definitions. Understanding the link between HF and cardiomyopathies (CMs) is crucial for effective patient therapy and diagnosis using advanced cardiac imaging.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Research

Background:

  • Heart failure (HF) has been recognized as an epidemic since 1997.
  • Lack of a single definition and diverse clinical presentations complicate HF management.
  • HF is intrinsically linked to various cardiomyopathies (CMs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms driving HF in different CMs.
  • To review the diagnostic and prognostic value of advanced cardiac imaging in HF.
  • To emphasize the importance of accurate CM characterization for HF therapy.

Main Methods:

  • This study is a narrative review.
  • It synthesizes current literature on HF mechanisms and CMs.
  • It focuses on the role of advanced cardiac imaging.

Main Results:

  • HF arises from diverse mechanisms across different CMs.
  • Accurate CM characterization is vital for guiding HF treatment.
  • Advanced cardiac imaging offers significant diagnostic and prognostic benefits.

Conclusions:

  • A unified understanding of HF mechanisms in CMs is needed.
  • Advanced imaging techniques are essential tools for managing HF patients.
  • Precise characterization of cardiomyopathies improves therapeutic strategies for heart failure.

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