Nonstress delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance imaging of the myocardium predicts improvement of function after revascularization for chronic ischemic heart disease with left ventricular dysfunction.

Background: The extent of myocardial scarring of the left ventricle (LV) is important in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease (CIHD). With delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI), scarred myocardium (hyper-enhanced) is easily distinguishable from viable (dark) myocardium. This investigation assessed the use of DE-MRI for predicting functional improvement after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with CIHD and significant LV dysfunction.

Methods: The patient population (n = 29) with CIHD and LV dysfunction (ejection fraction 28% +/- 10%) underwent both DE-MRI, to delineate scarred regions before revascularization, and echocardiography (Echo), to assess segmental function before and after CABG (interval 188 +/- 57 days). Using a 16-segment model, LV myocardium was semiquantitatively analyzed for scarring based on DE-MRI and for improvements in resting function by pre- and post-CABG Echo.

Results: Before CABG, 82% of targeted myocardial segments had abnormal contraction; 78% showed scarring, including 38% with greater than mild amounts (25%-100%). Normal contraction was found in 18% of segments before revascularization; scarred areas were identified in 42%, 84% of which had, at most, minimal amounts (0%-24%). Of segments with pre-CABG dysfunction, 82% with no evidence of scar recovered, compared to only 18% with > or =50% scarring. Amount of hyper-enhancement was a very good indicator of improvement of function, especially at the > or =50%/segment threshold; overall accuracy was 0.74 (95% CI 0.66-0.82, P <.001).

Conclusions: In patients with CIHD and significant LV dysfunction, DE-MRI can predict likelihood of functional improvement after revascularization.