Left Ventricular Ring-like Pattern: The Arrhythmic Tale of a Scarred Heart
Vanda Parisi1,2,3, Claudio Bergami1,2,3, Ferdinando Pasquale1,3
1Cardiology Unit, Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Department, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease
|July 25, 2025
Summary
Cardiac MRI reveals a "ring-like" pattern of left ventricular (LV) scarring, often linked to genetic cardiomyopathies or inflammatory conditions like myocarditis. Identifying the cause is key for personalized treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Genetics
Background:
- Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is crucial for non-invasive cardiac disease diagnosis.
- A specific LGE "ring-like" pattern indicating circumferential LV scar is increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the diverse etiologies behind the "ring-like" LGE pattern in CMR.
- To emphasize the need for a multiparametric approach in diagnosing conditions presenting with this pattern.
Main Methods:
- Review of CMR findings, focusing on the "ring-like" LGE pattern.
- Integration of clinical, instrumental (CMR), and genetic data.
Main Results:
- The "ring-like" LGE pattern is associated with various conditions, predominantly genetic cardiomyopathies (involving desmosomal and non-desmosomal genes).
- Inflammatory diseases like myocarditis and sarcoidosis can also manifest with this pattern.
Conclusions:
- The "ring-like" LGE pattern is a heterogeneous finding with diverse underlying causes.
- A stepwise, multiparametric diagnostic strategy integrating clinical, imaging, and genetic information is essential for accurate etiology identification and tailored patient management.
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