Introduction:
Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging with quantitative T2-mapping allows identi[[Unable to Display Character: fi]]cation of myocardial edema, improving risk-stratification in acute coronary syndromes and myocarditis.
Hypothesis:
Global myocardial edema contributes to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in advanced decompensated heart failure (ADHF).
Methods:
CMR with quantitative T2-mapping was performed in consecutive ADHF patients (n=17) undergoing right heart catheterization for worsening dyspnea and volume overload. Patients received vasodilators and diuretics to achieve pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) ≤18 mmHg and central venous pressure (CVP) ≤10 mmHg, while maintaining mean arterial pressure ≥65 mmHg. After reaching hemodynamic targets, the pulmonary arterial catheter was removed and CMR imaging repeated. Changes in LV T2-values, hemodynamics, and CMR volumetric measurements were compared.
Results:
Study patients (64±11 years, male 88%, LV ejection fraction 23±8%, ischemic cardiomyopathy 50%) received decongestive treatment during 5±2 days. PCWP and CVP decreased from 25±7 to 17±4 mmHg and 13±6 to 7±3 mmHg, respectively (p<0.001 for both), while cardiac index increased from 2.14±0.60 to 2.58±0.49 L/min/m
2
(p=0.012). LV T2-values dropped consistently from 59.6±4.9 ms to 56.3±5.2 ms after decongestion (p=0.002; Figure). Decreasing LV T2-values correlated well to both decreasing PCWP (r=0.75; p=0.001) and increasing cardiac index (r=0.58; p=0.023). Although LV end-diastolic volume index (142±31 to 135±34 mL/m
2
; p=0.033) and end-systolic volume index (110±29 to 99±33 mL/m
2
; p=0.001) both decreased significantly, the extent of these changes were not correlated to changing T2-values (r=0 and 0.11, respectively; p=ns).
Conclusions:
Global LV myocardial edema is observed in ADHF and reversible with successful decongestive therapy. Relief of myocardial edema strongly correlates with improvements in systolic and diastolic function.
Relation of atrial natriuretic peptides to left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in heart failure
