Diagnostic and prognostic role of cardiac magnetic resonance in acute myocarditis

Cardiac PET/MRI: Recent Developments and Future Aspects

Positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MRI) hybrid imaging is now available for over a decade and although the quantity of installed systems is rather low, the number of emerging applications for cardiovascular diseases is still growing. PET/MRI provides integrated images of high quality anatomical and functional assessment obtained by MRI with the possibilities of PET for quantification of molecular parameters such as metabolism, inflammation, and perfusion. In recent years, sequential co-registration of myocardial tissue characterization with its molecular data had become an increasingly helpful tool in clinical practice and an integrated device simplifies this task. This review summarizes recent developments and future possibilities in the use of the PET/MRI in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disorders.

Current barriers and recommendations on the diagnosis of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy: a Delphi study

Objectives

This study has been conducted to investigate the non-invasive diagnostic journey of patients with a transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (aTTR-CM) in Turkey, identify the challenges and uncertainties encountered on the path to diagnosis from the perspectives of expert physicians, and develop recommendations that can be applied in such cases.

Methods

This study employed a three-round modified Delphi method and included 10 cardiologists and five nuclear medicine specialists. Two hematologists also shared their expert opinions on the survey results related to hematological tests during a final face-to-face discussion. A consensus was reached when 80% or more of the panel members marked the "agree/strongly agree" or "disagree/strongly disagree" option.

Results

The panelists unanimously agreed that the aTTR-CM diagnosis could be established through scintigraphy (using either 99mTc-PYP, 99mTc-DPD, or 99mTc-HMPD) in a patient with suspected cardiac amyloidosis (CA) without a further investigation if AL amyloidosis is ruled out (by sFLC, SPIE and UPIE). In addition, scintigraphy imaging performed by SPECT or SPECT-CT should reveal a myocardial uptake of Grade ≥2 with a heart-to-contralateral (H/CL) ratio of ≥1.5. The cardiology panelists recommended using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and a detailed echocardiographic scoring as a last resort before considering an endomyocardial biopsy in patients with suspected CA whose scintigraphy results were discordant/inconclusive or negative but still carried a high clinical suspicion of aTTR-CM.

Conclusion

The diagnostic approach for aTTR-CM should be customized based on the availability of diagnostic tools/methods in each expert clinic to achieve a timely and definitive diagnosis.

Significance of Anteroseptal Late Gadolinium Enhancement Among Patients With Acute Myocarditis

Anteroseptal location of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in patients with acute myocarditis (AM) detected by cardiovascular magnetic resonance may indicate an independent marker of unfavorable outcomes according to recent data. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, management, and inhospital outcomes in patients with AM with positive LGE based on its presence in the anteroseptal location. We analyzed data from 262 consecutive patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of AM with positive LGE within 5 days of hospitalization (n = 425). Patients were divided into 2 groups: those with anteroseptal LGE (n = 25, 9.5%) and those with non-anteroseptal LGE (n = 237, 90.5%). Except for age that was higher in patients with anteroseptal LGE, the demographic and clinical characteristics did not differ significantly between both groups including past medical history, clinical presentation, electrocardiogram parameters, and lab values. Moreover, patients with anteroseptal LGE were more likely to present with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and to receive congestive heart failure treatments. Although univariate analysis showed that patients with anteroseptal LGE were more likely to have inhospital major adverse cardiac events (28% vs 9%, p = 0.003), there was no difference inhospital outcomes on multivariable analysis between both groups (hazard ratio, 1.17 [95% confidence interval, 0.32 to 4.22], p = 0.81). A higher left ventricular ejection fraction in either echocardiography or cardiovascular magnetic resonance corresponded to better inhospital outcomes regardless of the presence or absence of anteroseptal LGE. In conclusion, the presence of anteroseptal LGE did not confer additional prognostic value for inhospital outcomes.

Positive Predictive Value of ICD-10-CM Codes for Myocarditis in Claims Data: A Multi-Institutional Study in Taiwan

Purpose

The validity of the diagnosis codes to identify myocarditis cases in healthcare databases research remains unclear, and this study aimed to determine the coding accuracy of myocarditis in Taiwan.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study based on Taiwan's largest multi-institutional healthcare system to identify inpatients newly diagnosed with ICD-10-CM myocarditis codes at discharge between January 1st, 2017 and March 31st, 2022. We ascertained the myocarditis diagnosis by a gold standard biopsy or by review of electronic medical records, and the positive predictive values (PPV) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the ICD-10-CM codes for myocarditis were determined.

Results

We included a total of 498 inpatients (mean age: 33.8 years old; female: 38.8%) with new myocarditis diagnosis at discharge. Codes I409 (30.1%) and I514 (45.4%) constituted the majority of myocarditis diagnostic codes in any coding position, and the overall PPV of the myocarditis codes was 73.5% (95% CI: 69.6-77.4%). However, the highest PPV (96.6%) for myocarditis diagnosis was noted with code I409 as the primary diagnosis. We found 132 inpatients (26.5%) who were false-positive myocarditis cases, identified by the ICD-10-CM codes, and potential reasons for misclassification included other inflammation diseases (n=35, 26.5%), pre-existing heart failure (n= 25, 18.9%) and acute myocardial infarction (n=16, 12.1%).

Conclusion

The PPV of ICD-10-CM codes for myocarditis in Taiwan was acceptable, but some other inflammation diseases and pre-existing heart diseases may be falsely coded as myocarditis. Our results may serve future secondary database studies as a fundamental reference on the validity of myocarditis diagnosis codes.

Parametric Mapping Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Diagnosis of Myocarditis in Children in the Era of COVID-19 and MIS-C

Myocarditis comprises many clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic to sudden cardiac death. The history, physical examination, cardiac biomarkers, inflammatory markers, and electrocardiogram are usually helpful in the initial assessment of suspected acute myocarditis. Echocardiography is the primary tool to detect ventricular wall motion abnormalities, pericardial effusion, valvular regurgitation, and impaired function. The advancement of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has been helpful in clinical practice for diagnosing myocarditis. A recent Scientific Statement by the American Heart Association suggested CMR as a confirmatory test to diagnose acute myocarditis in children. However, standard CMR parametric mapping parameters for diagnosing myocarditis are unavailable in pediatric patients for consistency and reliability in the interpretation. The present review highlights the unmet clinical needs for standard CMR parametric criteria for diagnosing acute and chronic myocarditis in children and differentiating dilated chronic myocarditis phenotype from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Of particular relevance to today’s practice, we also assess the potential and limitations of CMR to diagnose acute myocarditis in children exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infections. The latter section will discuss the multi-inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and mRNA coronavirus disease 19 vaccine-associated myocarditis.

Follow-up cardiac magnetic resonance in children with vaccine-associated myocarditis

Myocarditis is a rare complication of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. We previously reported a case series of 15 adolescents with vaccine-associated myocarditis, 87% of whom had abnormalities on initial cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), including late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in 80%. We performed follow-up CMRs to determine the trajectory of myocardial recovery and better understand the natural history of vaccine-associated myocarditis. Case series of patients age < 19 years admitted to Boston Children's Hospital with acute vaccine-associated myocarditis following the BNT162b2 vaccine who had abnormal CMR at the time of initial presentation, and underwent follow-up testing. CMR assessment included left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, T2-weighted myocardial imaging, LV global native T1, LV global T2, extracellular volume (ECV), and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Ten patients (9 male, median age 15 years) with vaccine-associated myocarditis underwent follow-up CMR at a median of 92 days (range 76-119) after hospital discharge. LGE was persistent in 80% of patients, though improved from prior in all cases. Two patients (20%) had abnormal LV global T1 at presentation, which normalized on follow-up. ECV decreased between acute presentation and follow-up in 6/10 patients; it remained elevated at follow-up in 1 patient and borderline in 3 patients.

CONCLUSION

CMR performed ~3 months after admission for COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis showed improvement of LGE in all patients, but persistent in the majority. Follow-up CMR 6-12 months after acute episode should be considered to better understand the long-term cardiac risks.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Myocarditis is a rare side effect of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. •Late gadolinium enhancement is present on most cardiac magnetic resonance at the time of acute presentation.

WHAT IS NEW

•Late gadolinium enhancement improved on all repeat cardiac magnetic resonance at 3-month follow-up. •Most patients still had a small amount of late gadolinium enhancement, the clinical significance of which is yet to be determined.

COVID-19-Vaccination-Induced Myocarditis in Teenagers: Case Series with Further Follow-Up

Presently, the whole globe is struggling the tough challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccination remains the most effective and safe COVID-19 weapon for adults and in the paediatric population. Aside from possible mild and moderate post-vaccination side effects, more severe side effects may occur. We retrospectively analysed a group of 5 teenagers aged from 15 to 17 years with obesity/overweight (BMI ranging from 24.8 to 30) who presented typical myocarditis symptoms following the first or second dose (3 and 2 patients, respectively) of the COVID-19 vaccine. In the whole study group, a significant increase in troponin serum concentration was observed (1674–37,279.6 ng/L) with a further quick reduction within 3–4 days. In all patients, ST segments elevation or depression with repolarisation time abnormalities in electrocardiography were noticed. Chest X-ray results were within normal limits. Echocardiography showed normal left ventricular diameter (47–56.2 mm) with ejection fraction between 61–72%. All patients were diagnosed with myocarditis based on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. During further hospitalisation, swift clinical improvement was notable. Follow-up in the whole study group was obtained after 106–134 days from initial CMR, revealing no myocarditis symptoms, proper troponin level, and no ECG or echocardiographic abnormalities. At the same time, persistent myocardium injury features were detected in the whole study group, including ongoing myocarditis. COVID-19-vaccine-induced myocarditis seems to be a mild disease with fast clinical recovery, but the complete resolution of the inflammatory process may last over 3 months. Further follow-up and investigation for assessing subsequent implications and long-term COVID-19-vaccine-induced myocarditis is required.

Emerging Role of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Diagnosing Myocarditis: A Blunder or The Way To Get the Problem Sorted?

Acute myocarditis is a disease affecting the myocardial tissue, which is caused by infections, rheumatic diseases, especially sarcoidosis, or certain therapies. Its diagnosis may be difficult, owing to its variable clinical presentation. In this setting, cardiac magnetic resonance plays a pivotal role in detecting myocardial inflammation through qualitative, semiquantitative, and quantitative parameters, in particular with the new quantitative techniques such as T1 and T2 mapping, combined or not with late gadolinium enhancement evaluation. This is in accordance with the revised Lake Louise criteria. In this review, the emerging role of the new cutting-edge cardiac magnetic resonance imaging techniques in diagnosing myocarditis is extensively presented.

2021 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure: Developed by the Task Force for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). With the special contribution of the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the ESC

Document Reviewers: Rudolf A. de Boer (CPG Review Coordinator) (Netherlands), P. Christian Schulze (CPG Review Coordinator) (Germany), Magdy Abdelhamid (Egypt), Victor Aboyans (France), Stamatis Adamopoulos (Greece), Stefan D. Anker (Germany), Elena Arbelo (Spain), Riccardo Asteggiano (Italy), Johann Bauersachs (Germany), Antoni Bayes-Genis (Spain), Michael A. Borger (Germany), Werner Budts (Belgium), Maja Cikes (Croatia), Kevin Damman (Netherlands), Victoria Delgado (Netherlands), Paul Dendale (Belgium), Polychronis Dilaveris (Greece), Heinz Drexel (Austria), Justin Ezekowitz (Canada), Volkmar Falk (Germany), Laurent Fauchier (France), Gerasimos Filippatos (Greece), Alan Fraser (United Kingdom), Norbert Frey (Germany), Chris P. Gale (United Kingdom), Finn Gustafsson (Denmark), Julie Harris (United Kingdom), Bernard Iung (France), Stefan Janssens (Belgium), Mariell Jessup (United States of America), Aleksandra Konradi (Russia), Dipak Kotecha (United Kingdom), Ekaterini Lambrinou (Cyprus), Patrizio Lancellotti (Belgium), Ulf Landmesser (Germany), Christophe Leclercq (France), Basil S. Lewis (Israel), Francisco Leyva (United Kingdom), AleVs Linhart (Czech Republic), Maja-Lisa Løchen (Norway), Lars H. Lund (Sweden), Donna Mancini (United States of America), Josep Masip (Spain), Davor Milicic (Croatia), Christian Mueller (Switzerland), Holger Nef (Germany), Jens-Cosedis Nielsen (Denmark), Lis Neubeck (United Kingdom), Michel Noutsias (Germany), Steffen E. Petersen (United Kingdom), Anna Sonia Petronio (Italy), Piotr Ponikowski (Poland), Eva Prescott (Denmark), Amina Rakisheva (Kazakhstan), Dimitrios J. Richter (Greece), Evgeny Schlyakhto (Russia), Petar Seferovic (Serbia), Michele Senni (Italy), Marta Sitges (Spain), Miguel Sousa-Uva (Portugal), Carlo G. Tocchetti (Italy), Rhian M. Touyz (United Kingdom), Carsten Tschoepe (Germany), Johannes Waltenberger (Germany/Switzerland) All experts involved in the development of these guidelines have submitted declarations of interest. These have been compiled in a report and published in a supplementary document simultaneously to the guidelines. The report is also available on the ESC website www.escardio.org/guidelines For the Supplementary Data which include background information and detailed discussion of the data that have provided the basis for the guidelines see European Heart Journal online.

Early Myocardial Changes in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis without Known Cardiovascular Diseases-A Comprehensive Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Study

Clinically silent cardiac disease is frequently observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of mortality in RA. We sought to evaluate the myocardium of young RA patients without known cardiac disease using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), including T1/T2 mapping sequences. Eighteen RA patients (median age 41 years, 83% females) mainly with low disease activity or in remission and without any known cardiovascular disease were prospectively included to undergo CMR. A control group consisted of 10 sex- and age-matched patients without RA or any known structural cardiovascular disease. Heart chambers size and left/right ventricular systolic function were similar in patients with RA and controls. Signs of myocardial oedema were present in up to 39% of RA patients, including T2 time above cut-off value in 7 patients (39%) in comparison to none of the controls (p = 0.003) and T2 signal intensity ratio above the cut-off value in 6 patients (33%) and in none of the controls (p = 0.06). Extracellular volume was similar in both groups signifying a lack of diffuse fibrosis in studied group of RA patients. There were also no signs of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in either group except for one patient with RA who was found to have prior silent myocardial infarction. No correlation was found between markers of disease severity and markers of oedema observed on CMR in patients with RA. Nevertheless, patients with increased T2 time (≥50 ms) were more likely to have X-ray erosions (p = 0.02) and a longer duration between symptom onset and diagnosis (p = 0.02). Finally, there were no significant arrhythmias on 24-h ECG Holter monitoring in RA patients. CMR features of myocardial oedema without signs of myocardial fibrosis were found in 39% of young RA patients without known heart disease or cardiac symptoms. Presence of myocardial oedema was associated with X-ray erosions and a longer duration between symptom onset and diagnosis. The clinical significance of the observed early myocardial changes accompanying RA requires additional studies.

Oxidative stress and inflammation: determinants of anthracycline cardiotoxicity and possible therapeutic targets

Chemotherapy with anthracycline-based regimens remains a cornerstone of treatment of many solid and blood tumors but is associated with a significant risk of cardiotoxicity, which can manifest as asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction or overt heart failure. These effects are typically dose-dependent and cumulative and may require appropriate screening strategies and cardioprotective therapies in order to minimize changes to anticancer regimens or even their discontinuation. Our current understanding of cardiac damage by anthracyclines includes a central role of oxidative stress and inflammation. The identification of these processes through circulating biomarkers or imaging techniques might then be helpful for early diagnosis and risk stratification. Furthermore, therapeutic strategies relieving oxidative stress and inflammation hold promise to prevent heart failure development or at least to mitigate cardiac damage, although further evidence is needed on their efficacy, either alone or as part of combination therapies with neurohormonal antagonists, which are the current adopted standard.

Diagnosis and Management of Myocarditis: An Evidence-Based Review for the Emergency Medicine Clinician

BACKGROUND

Myocarditis is a potentially fatal condition that can be misdiagnosed in the emergency department (ED) setting.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this narrative review article is to provide a summary of the background, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of myocarditis, with a focus on emergency clinicians.

DISCUSSION

Myocarditis occurs when inflammation of the heart musculature causes cardiac dysfunction. Symptoms may range from mild to severe and are often preceded by a viral prodrome. Laboratory assessment and an electrocardiogram can be helpful for the diagnosis, but echocardiography is the ideal test in the ED setting. Some patients may also require advanced imaging, though this will often occur during hospitalization or follow-up. Treatment is primarily focused on respiratory and hemodynamic support. Initial hemodynamic management includes vasopressors and inotropes, whereas more severe cases may require an intra-aortic balloon pump, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or a ventricular assist device. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided while intravenous immunoglobulin is controversial.

CONCLUSION

Myocarditis is a serious condition with the potential for significant morbidity and mortality. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the current evidence regarding the diagnosis, management, and disposition of these patients.

Cardiac involvement in consecutive elite athletes recovered from Covid-19: A magnetic resonance study

Magnetic resonance (MR) studies suggested cardiac involvement post-Covid-19 in a significant subset of affected individuals, including athletes. This brings serious clinical concerns regarding the potential need for in-depth cardiac screening in athletes after Covid-19 before return to play. The aim of this study was to gain further insight into the relation between Covid-19 and cardiac involvement in professional athletes. This was a retrospective cohort study, in which 26 consecutive elite athletes (national team, Olympians, top national league players; median age 24 years, interquartile range [IQR] 21-27, 81% female) were included. At 1.5 T including balanced steady-state free precession cine imaging, T1 and T2-mapping using Myomaps software (Siemens), dark-blood T2-weighted images with fat suppression, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) with phase-sensitive inversion recovery sequence were used. The athletes had mainly asymptomatic or mild course of the disease (77%). They were scanned after a median of 32 days (IQR 22-62 days) from the diagnosis. MR data were reviewed by three independent observers, each with >10 years cardiac MR experience. Native T1, T2, extracellular volume, and T2 signal intensity ratio were calculated. Diagnosis of acute myocarditis was based on modified Lake Louise criteria. Statistical analyses used were Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman repeatability analysis. At the time of MR the athletes had no pathologic electrocardiogram abnormalities or elevated troponin levels. MR did not reveal any case of acute myocarditis. Cardiac abnormalities were found in five (19%) athletes, including four athletes presenting borderline signs of isolated myocardial edema and one athlete showing nonischemic LGE with pleural and pericardial effusion. Another athlete had signs of persistent lung congestion without cardiac involvement. We have shown that in a small group of elite athletes with mainly asymptomatic to mild Covid-19, lack of electrocardiographic changes, and normal troponin concentration 1-2 months after the diagnosis, there were no signs of acute myocarditis, but 19% of athletes had some abnormalities as assessed by cardiac MR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 3.

Multiparametric cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric and adolescent patients with acute myocarditis

BACKGROUND

The diagnostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) employing the 2018 Lake Louise criteria in pediatric and adolescent patients with acute myocarditis is undefined.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the diagnostic value of the Lake Louise criteria in pediatric and adolescent patients with suspected acute myocarditis and to show the utility of cardiac MRI for follow-up in this patient cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-three patients (age range: 8-21 years) with suspected acute myocarditis and 13 control patients who underwent cardiac MRI were retrospectively analyzed. T2-weighted and late gadolinium enhancement imaging were performed in all patients. T1 and T2 mapping were available in 26/43 patients (60%). The Lake Louise criteria were assessed. In 27/43 patients (63%), cardiac MRI follow-up was available. Receiver operating characteristic analysis, Pearson's correlation coefficient and paired Student's t-test were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

In the total cohort, the Lake Louise criteria achieved a sensitivity of 86% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 72-95%) and a specificity of 100% (95% CI: 79-100%) for the diagnosis of acute myocarditis. In the subgroup of patients with available mapping parameters, the diagnostic performance of the Lake Louise criteria was higher when mapping parameters were implemented into the score (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.944 vs. 0.870; P=0.033). T2 relaxation times were higher in patients with admission to the intermediate care unit and were associated with the length of intermediate care unit stay (r=0.879, P=0.049). Cardiac MRI markers of active inflammation decreased on follow-up examinations (e.g., T1 relaxation times: 1,032±39 ms vs. 975±33 ms, P<0.001; T2 relaxation times: 58±5 ms vs. 54±5 ms, P=0.003).

CONCLUSION

The Lake Louise criteria have a high diagnostic performance for the diagnosis of acute myocarditis and are a valuable tool for follow-up in pediatric and adolescent patients. The mapping techniques enhance the diagnostic performance of the 2018 Lake Louise criteria.

A rare case of myocardial calcification secondary to acute myocarditis due to an Escherichia coli infection

Myocardial calcification secondary to acute myocarditis is a rare but possibly life-threatening complication.

We report a 43-year-old woman with minimal change nephrotic syndrome who developed sepsis caused by Escherichia coli. We simultaneously detected the complication of acute myocarditis in the patient.

Although echocardiography showed hypokinesis of the apical segment when acute myocarditis was diagnosed, no sign of myocardial calcification was observed.

After two weeks, a CT showed myocardial calcification in the same area. Although myocardial calcification was still observed 12 months later, the patient’s cardiac function had improved.

Comparison of 3D and 2D late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging in patients with acute and chronic myocarditis

We compared a fast, single breath-hold three dimensional LGE sequence (3D LGE) with an established two dimensional multi breath-hold sequence (2D LGE) and evaluated image quality and the amount of myocardial fibrosis in patients with acute and chronic myocarditis. 3D LGE and 2D LGE (both spatial resolution 1.5 × 1.5 mm², slice-thickness 8 mm, field of view 350 × 350 mm²) were acquired in 25 patients with acute myocarditis (mean age 40 ± 18 years, 7 female) and 27 patients with chronic myocarditis (mean age 44 ± 22 years, 9 female) on a 1.5 T MR system. Image quality was evaluated by two independent, blinded readers using a 5-point Likert scale. Total myocardial mass, fibrotic mass and total fibrotic tissue percentage were quantified for both sequences in both groups. There was no significant difference in image quality between 3D und 2D acquisitions in patients with acute (p = 0.8) and chronic (p = 0.5) myocarditis. No significant differences between 3D and 2D acquisitions could be shown for myocardial mass (acute p = 0.2; chronic p = 0.3), fibrous tissue mass (acute p = 0.7; chronic p = 0.1) and total fibrous percentage (acute p = 0.4 and chronic p = 0.2). Inter-observer agreement was substantial to almost perfect. Acquisition time was significantly shorter for 3D LGE (24 ± 5 s) as compared to 2D LGE (350 ± 58 s, p < 0.001). In patients with acute and chronic myocarditis 3D LGE imaging shows equal diagnostic quality compared to standard 2D LGE imaging but with significantly reduced acquisition time.

The Role of MRI in Prognostic Stratification of Cardiomyopathies

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

The aim of this review was to discuss the role of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for the prognostic stratification of cardiomyopathies, highlighting strengths and limitations.

RECENT FINDINGS

CMR is considered as a diagnostic pillar in the management of non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. Over the last years, attention has shifted from CMR's diagnostic capability towards prognostication in the various settings of cardiomyopathies. CMR is considered the gold standard imaging technique for the evaluation of ventricular volumes and systolic function as well as providing non-invasive virtual-histology by means of specific myocardial tissue characterization pulse sequences. CMR is an additive tool to risk stratifying patients and to identify those that require strict monitoring and more aggressive treatment.

The best way to assess oedema using T1, T2 mapping or three-dimensional T2-weighted fast-spin-echo triple inversion recovery sequences via cardiovascular MRI in outpatients with suspected myocarditis

AIM

To evaluated T1-, T2 mapping, and a three-dimensional (3D) T2-weighted fast-spin-echo triple inversion recovery sequences (3D STIR) for diagnosing myocardial oedema in patients with suspected early myocarditis and at follow-up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen patients with suspected myocarditis and 15 controls matched for gender and age were examined prospectively. To evaluate oedema, an electrocardiogram-triggered T1 and T2 mapping with a gradient spin echo technique and 3D STIR sequences were used to cover the entire left ventricle. The signal intensity ratio (heart muscle in relation to skeletal muscle) was calculated (3D STIR ratio). All patients underwent repeat examinations at follow-up.

RESULTS

The mean 3D-STIR ratio was 2.14±0.45 at the patients' initial examination as compared to the control patients' 1.54±0.18 in (p=0.0001) and 1.75±0.16 in patients at follow-up (p=0.002 versus first visit). The 3D STIR ratio of the septum, anterior, lateral, and inferior wall also differed significantly between patients and controls. No significant difference was observed in T1 and T2 mapping between patients and controls at baseline and patients at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

A significantly higher global signal intensity ratio with 3D-STIR was identified in patients with suspected myocarditis compared to controls, and a significant change during follow-up. No significant difference was detected in T1-, T2 mapping between patients and controls, or between the initial examination and follow-up of patients. The global 3D-STIR ratio may therefore be useful for the diagnosis of myocarditis and should be explored further.

Cardiovascular immune-related adverse events: Evaluation, diagnosis and management

Cardiotoxicities are associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Recent case series and retrospective studies have shown that cardiac immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) are rare but potentially fatal complications of immunotherapy, with various underlying risk factors such as combinations of different ICIs. High mortality rates and overreactive inflammation have been observed with ICI‐associated cardiotoxicities, highlighting the necessity of baseline and serial evaluations and the identification and management of cardiac irAEs as early as possible. The clinical presentations of irAEs range from asymptomatic cardiac biomarker elevation, myocarditis and pericardial diseases to heart failure and mild to fatal arrhythmia. Troponin measurement and electrocardiogram are sensitive initial tests, whereas cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and endomyocardial biopsy are both gold standard components of the diagnostic criteria. Close monitoring and timely consultation with a cardiologist are important for the diagnosis of ICI‐related cardiotoxicities, with decisions of stopping or rechallenging ICIs and strategies to manage heart injuries. Treatment principles are made according to risk stratifications. The first‐line medication is glucocorticoids of various doses, and the second‐line immunosuppression includes intravenous immunoglobin, antithymocyte globulin and other immunosuppressants, which are recommended in life‐threatening cases or in cases of resistance/no response to steroids.

3D modeling: a future of cardiovascular medicine

Cardiovascular disease resulting from atypical cardiac structures continues to be a leading health concern despite advancements in diagnostic imaging and surgical techniques. However, the ability to visualize spatial relationships using current technologies remains a challenge. Therefore, 3D modeling has gained significant interest to understand complex and atypical cardiovascular disorders. Moreover, 3D modeling can be personalized and patient-specific. 3D models have been demonstrated to aid surgical planning and simulation, enhance communication among surgeons and patients, optimize medical device design, and can be used as a potential teaching tool in medical schools. In this review, we discuss the key components needed to generate cardiac 3D models. We highlight prevalent structural conditions that have utilized 3D modeling in pre-operative planning. Furthermore, we discuss the current limitations of routine use of 3D models in the clinic as well as future directions for utilization of this technology in the cardiovascular field.