Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
Published on: February 16, 2016
Fully quantitative CMR rest perfusion reveals myocardial perfusion abnormality in Kawasaki disease: Association with
Zhongqin Zhou1, Pengfei Ye1, Chuan Wang2
1Department of Radiology, Medical Imaging Center, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education; Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province; Children's Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
Insights
Children with Kawasaki disease (KD) show reduced myocardial perfusion, particularly during the acute phase and in those with higher Z scores. This decreased blood flow is linked to left ventricular remodeling.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Kawasaki disease (KD) can lead to myocardial injuries, including abnormal heart muscle blood flow.
- Understanding these perfusion abnormalities is crucial for assessing left ventricular (LV) remodeling in KD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the distribution of myocardial perfusion abnormalities in children with Kawasaki disease.
- To investigate the relationship between myocardial perfusion and left ventricular remodeling in KD.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, single-center study involving children with KD undergoing quantitative cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) rest perfusion imaging.
- Measurement and heart rate-blood pressure product correction of myocardial blood flow (MBFcor).
- Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multivariable linear regression.
Main Results:
- Global MBFcor was lower in KD patients than controls, especially during the acute phase.
- Patients with a Z score ≥ 5 exhibited significant decreases in global and regional MBFcor (LAD, LCX territories).
- Z score and acute phase were independently associated with reduced global MBFcor, which correlated negatively with LV mass index.
Conclusions:
- Quantitative CMR perfusion imaging reveals diminished myocardial perfusion in children with Kawasaki disease.
- Decreased myocardial perfusion in KD is associated with higher Z scores and the acute phase of illness.
- Reduced MBFcor is linked to increased LV mass index, suggesting a connection to cardiac remodeling.
Background:
Kawasaki disease (KD) is associated with various myocardial injuries, including myocardial perfusion abnormality. This study aims to assess the distribution of myocardial perfusion abnormality in patients with KD and explore their relationships with left ventricular (LV) remodeling.
Methods:
This prospective single-center study enrolled children with KD who underwent fully quantitative CMR rest perfusion. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was measured and corrected based on the heart rate-blood pressure product (MBFcor). Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Pearson correlation and multivariate linear regression.
Results:
Eighty-seven patients with KD (mean age, 7.5 ± 2.2 years) and 33 age- and sex-matched controls (mean age, 8.2 ± 2.8 years) were included. Global MBFcor was lower in patients than in controls, especially among patients during the acute phase. Subgroup analysis showed that patients with Z score ≥ 5 had significant decreases in global MBFcor, as well as regional MBFcor in the territories of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and left circumflex artery (LCX) (p < 0.05 for all). Global MBFcor and regional MBFcor in the territories of the LAD and LCX were correlated with Z score among patients with KD. Covariate-adjusted multivariable regression analyses demonstrated that Z score and the acute phase were independently associated with global MBFcor. Furthermore, global MBFcor was negatively associated with increased LV mass index.
Conclusions:
Fully quantitative CMR rest first-pass perfusion revealed decreased myocardial perfusion in children with KD. Z score and the acute phase were independently associated with decreased myocardial perfusion; decreased MBFcor was associated with LV mass index.
