Contrast enhanced CMR in acute myocarditis: what is the optimal moment for imaging?
2011

Optimal Timing for Imaging in Acute Myocarditis

Sample size: 99 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Jacquier Alexis, Amabile Nicolas, Gaubert Jean Yves, Carta Francesca, Flavian Antonin, Maurel Boris, Moulin Guy

Primary Institution: CHU La Timone, Marseille, France

Hypothesis

What is the optimal moment for imaging acute myocarditis compared to myocardial infarction?

Conclusion

DCE images acquired 5 minutes after contrast injection provide better image quality in acute myocarditis than those taken later.

Supporting Evidence

  • A faster decline in R’1 value was measured in myocarditis compared to myocardial infarction.
  • Myocarditis patients showed a significant decrease in CNR over time.
  • Image quality in myocarditis was significantly better at 5 minutes after contrast injection.

Takeaway

Doctors found that taking pictures of the heart 5 minutes after giving a special dye is best for spotting heart problems in patients with myocarditis.

Methodology

Ninety-nine patients underwent a 1.5T CMR examination with Look-Locker sequences and DCE images taken at different time intervals after contrast injection.

Participant Demographics

17 patients with acute myocarditis and 12 with acute myocardial infarction.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.0001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1532-429X-13-S1-O36

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