NOVEL USES OF CARDIAC MRI FOR NON-ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE


Robert W. W. Biederman, M.D., Carnegie Mellon University, PA, USA

While the evaluation of ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICMX) has been well defined via Cardiovascular MRI (CMR), less is understood how the application of similar approaches can be incorporated for the identification non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICMX), often defining many obscure diagnoses. The utility for accurate, rapid, inexpensive and robust technique not requiring biopsy confirmation has particular value in the armamentarium of informed clinicians. Herein we shall define the current role of non-invasive CMR to diagnose NICMX patients. Examples include: cardiac sarcoid, hemochromatosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, viral cardiomyopathy, neuro-muscular disease, thalassemia’s and ARVD will be presented along with relevant evidence-based medicine supporting CMR’s early promise. Additionally, considerations for cost-effective strategies, discussion of CMR’s additive value as well as risk-stratification and prognostication will be examined. We will propose that, similar to CMR’s role as the ‘gold-standard’ for ICMX, this path may well be in establishment for NICMX.