Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Alcohol-Related Myocardial Injury: A Comprehensive Review

Alcoholic myocardial injury is a well-defined cardiac pathological condition associated with prolonged heavy alcohol use, characterized mainly by myocardial dilation and impaired contractile function, and may ultimately progress to heart failure. An early diagnosis and an accurate assessment of this condition are fundamental. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a multiparametric imaging modality that offers high soft-tissue contrast resolution and can accurately quantify cardiac chamber volumes and functional parameters. CMR also enables visualization of pathological myocardial changes, including edema, inflammation, and fibrosis, through multimodal imaging techniques. This article reviews the clinical application of CMR in the evaluation of alcoholic myocardial injury, highlighting the advantages of this technique in the quantitative assessment of myocardial structural and functional abnormalities, detection of myocardial edema and fibrosis, and prognostic stratification. Overall, this study aimed to provide an evidence-based reference to support early diagnosis and timely therapeutic intervention in this condition.