Patterns of late gadolinium enhancement in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Objectives: The aim of this work was to characterize patterns of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in a hemodialysis population at high risk for cardiovascular events.

Background: The prevalence and distribution of LGE and its relationship to left ventricular mass (LVM) and function in this population is unknown.

Methods: Chronic hemodialysis patients at high risk for cardiovascular events-age >50 years, diabetes, or known cardiovascular disease-were enrolled prior to concerns regarding nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.