Cited 45 times since 2004 (2.3 per year) source: EuropePMC The American journal of cardiology, Volume 93, Issue 12, 1 1 2004, Pages 1461-1464 Head-to-head comparison between contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and dobutamine magnetic resonance imaging in men with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Kaandorp TA, Bax JJ, Schuijf JD, Viergever EP, van Der Wall EE, de Roos A, Lamb HJ

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can predict functional recovery after revascularization. Segments with small, subendocardial scars have a large likelihood of recovery, and segments with transmural infarction have a small likelihood of recovery. Segments with an intermediate extent of infarction have an intermediate likelihood of recovery, and therefore, additional information is needed. Accordingly, the transmurality of infarction on contrast-enhanced MRI was compared with low-dose dobutamine MRI to further define viability in 48 patients. Regional contractile dysfunction was determined by cine MRI at rest (17-segment model), and contractile reserve was determined using low-dose dobutamine infusion. Contrast-enhanced MRI was performed to assess the extent of scar tissue. A total of 338 segments (41%) were dysfunctional, with 61% having contractile reserve. Most segments (approximately 75%) with small, subendocardial scars (hyperenhancement scores 1 or 2) had contractile reserve, whereas contractile reserve was not frequently (17%) observed in segments with transmural infarction (hyperenhancement score 4) (p <0.05). Of segments with an intermediate infarct transmurality (hyperenhancement score 3), contractile reserve was observed in 42%, whereas 58% did not have contractile reserve. In conclusion, the agreement between contrast-enhanced MRI and low-dose dobutamine MRI is large in the extremes (subendocardial scars and transmural scars), and contrast-enhanced MRI may be sufficient to assess the likelihood of the recovery of function after revascularization. However, 61% of segments with an intermediate extent of scar tissue on MRI have contractile reserve and 39% lack contractile reserve. In these segments, low-dose dobutamine MRI may be needed to optimally differentiate myocardium with large and small likelihoods of functional recovery after revascularization.

Am J Cardiol. 2004 6;93(12):1461-1464