AimsFor many years, visual assessment has been the mainstay of detecting obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) by stress perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance (S-CMR). Recently, fully automated quantitative assessment of myocardial blood flow (MBF) has been introduced. The value of MBF quantification in patients with coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) is unknown. In this study, we sought to investigate the diagnostic performance of CMR-derived fully automated quantitative MBF assessment in patients with CTO.Methods and resultsConsecutive patients who underwent S-CMR, as well as coronary angiography at our institution between February 2023 and November 2024 were included. S-CMR perfusion imaging was evaluated visually and quantitatively. Stenosis severity was assessed angiographically and >70% was considered severe stenosis. One hundred thirty patients [age 66.7 (59.7–75.2) years, 79.2% male] were included in this analysis. Patients were grouped according to CAD severity (non-obstructed coronary arteries <70%, n = 57; severe stenosis >70%, n = 37; CTO, n = 36). Stress MBF (SMBF) and myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) were significantly reduced in patients with CTO compared with those with severe stenosis and non-obstructed coronary arteries, respectively. Segmental SMBF <1.02 mL/g/min differentiated CTO from severe stenosis with a good predictive power [area under the curve: 0.792 (95% confidence interval: 0.678–0.887)]. Moreover, integrated visual and quantitative perfusion assessment provided high sensitivity in detecting additional severe stenosis in CTO patients (91.3%).ConclusionAddition of fully automated MBF quantification to clinical routine visual S-CMR reading facilitates non-invasive differentiation between CTO and severe stenosis and provides higher sensitivity regarding true ischaemic burden in patients with CTO and multi-vessel disease, thereby aiding clinical decision-making.

Current guideline criteria for surgical intervention in chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) rely on fixed thresholds of left ventricular size and ejection fraction, but these metrics may overlook early myocardial injury and under-appreciate patient heterogeneity, particularly in women and older adults. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) offers robust quantification of regurgitant volume, three-dimensional ventricular volumes, and both focal (late gadolinium enhancement) and diffuse (T1-mapping–derived extracellular volume) fibrosis. Observational studies have linked CMR-detected fibrosis to worse clinical outcomes and less favourable reverse remodelling after valve intervention, suggesting that fibrosis may mark the transition from compensated overload to irreversible myocardial damage. In this narrative review, we appraise the limitations of current guidelines, compare echocardiographic and CMR approaches to AR assessment, and summarize the evidence supporting myocardial fibrosis as a potential imaging biomarker for risk stratification. We discuss how integrating CMR-derived fibrosis metrics with volumetric and functional data could personalize timing of aortic valve intervention. While prospective studies are needed to validate fibrosis-guided decision-making, this evolving paradigm holds promise for earlier identification of patients at risk for irreversible myocardial injury, with the ultimate goal of preserving ventricular function and improving long-term outcomes.

AimsCardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a significant complication that contributes to both morbidity and mortality after heart transplantation. The aim of this study was to (i) assess if quantitative cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) myocardial perfusion could detect different stages of CAV and (ii) establish a myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) cut-off for significant CAV.Methods and resultsPatients with a heart transplant who had performed a clinical CMR scan and invasive angiography at two centres in Sweden were included in the study (n = 110). Quantitative short-axis perfusion maps were acquired using single-bolus gadolinium contrast, dual-sequence perfusion imaging at rest and during stress. Global myocardial perfusion (MP) was averaged across all segments at rest and stress and MPR was defined as the ratio between stress and rest MP. All invasive angiographies were reported according to the International Heart and Lung Transplantation CAV classification. Patients were classified as follows: 53% (58/110) as CAV0, 38% (42/110) as CAV1, and 9% (10/110) as CAV2–3. There was a gradual decrease of stress MP and MPR with increased CAV grade. The MPR could discriminate CAV2–3 with an area under the curve-receiver operating characteristic of 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.78–0.98, and using a cut-off of 2.2, the sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 68%, and positive and negative predictive values were 21 and 100%.ConclusionIn this multi-centre retrospective study, MPR assessed by CMR could discriminate CAV2–3 with both high sensitivity and negative predictive value and a cut-off of MPR 2.2 is suggested.

AimsThis study aimed to compare the association between measures of left atrial (LA) structure and function, derived from cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), with cardiovascular death or non-fatal heart failure events in patients with non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).Methods and resultsCMR studies of 580 prospectively recruited patients with DCM in sinus rhythm [median age 54 (interquartile range 44–64) years, 61% men, median left ventricular ejection fraction 42% (30–51%)] were analysed for measures of LA structure [LA maximum volume index (LAVImax) and LA minimum volume index (LAVImin)] and function (LA emptying fraction, LA reservoir strain, LA conduit strain (LACS), and LA booster strain]. Over a median follow-up of 7.4 years, 103 patients (18%) met the primary endpoint. Apart from LACS, each measure of LA structure and function was associated with the primary endpoint after adjusting for other important prognostic variables. The addition of each LA metric to a baseline model containing the same important prognostic covariates improved model discrimination, with LAVImin providing the greatest improvement [C-statistic improvement: 0.702–0.738; χ2 test comparing likelihood ratio P < 0.0001; categorical net reclassification index: 0.210 (95% CI 0.023–0.392)]. Patients in the highest tercile of LAVImin had similar event rates to those with persistent atrial fibrillation. Measures of LA strain did not enhance model discrimination above LA volumetric measures.ConclusionMeasures of LA structure and function offer important prognostic information in patients with DCM and enhance the prediction of adverse outcomes. LA strain was not incremental to volumetric analysis for risk prediction.

Traditionally, congestive heart failure (HF) was phenotyped by echocardiography or other imaging techniques according to left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF). The more recent echocardiographic modality speckle tracking strain is complementary to LVEF, as it is more sensitive to diagnose mild systolic dysfunction. Furthermore, when LV systolic dysfunction is associated with a small, hypertrophic ventricle, EF is often normal or supernormal, whereas LV global longitudinal strain can reveal reduced contractility. In addition, segmental strain patterns may be used to identify specific cardiomyopathies, which in some cases can be treated with patient-specific medicine. In HF with preserved EF (HFpEF), a diagnostic hallmark is elevated LV filling pressure, which can be diagnosed with good accuracy by applying a set of echocardiographic parameters. Patients with HFpEF often have normal filling pressure at rest, and a non-invasive or invasive diastolic stress test may be used to identify abnormal elevation of filling pressure during exercise. The novel parameter LV work index, which incorporates afterload, is a promising tool for quantification of LV contractile function and efficiency. Another novel modality is shear wave imaging for diagnosing stiff ventricles, but clinical utility remains to be determined. In conclusion, echocardiographic imaging of cardiac function should include LV strain as a supplementary method to LVEF. Echocardiographic parameters can identify elevated LV filling pressure with good accuracy and may be applied in the diagnostic workup of patients suspected of HFpEF.

AimsCardiac computed tomography (CT) is increasingly utilized during follow-up after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC). Hypoattenuated thickening (HAT) is a common finding and might represent either benign device healing or device-related thrombosis (DRT). The appearance and characteristics of HAT associated with the Watchman FLX have not been previously described. Therefore, we sought to investigate cardiac CT findings during follow-up after Watchman FLX implantation with a focus on HAT and DRT.Methods and resultsRetrospective single-centre, observational study including all patients with successful Watchman FLX implantation and follow-up cardiac CT between March 2019 and September 2021 (n = 244). Blinded analysis of CT images was performed describing the localization, extent, and morphology of HAT and correlated to imaging and histology findings in a canine model. Relevant clinical and preclinical ethical approvals were obtained.Overall, HAT was present in 156 cases (64%) and could be classified as either subfabric hypoattenuation (n = 59), flat sessile HAT (n = 78), protruding sessile HAT (n = 16), or pedunculated HAT (n = 3). All cases of pedunculated HAT and five cases of protruding sessile HAT were considered as high-grade HAT (n = 7). Subfabric hypoattenuation and flat sessile HAT correlated with device healing and endothelialization in histological analysis of explanted devices.ConclusionSubfabric hypoattenuation and flat sessile HAT are frequent CT findings for Watchman FLX, likely representing benign device healing and endothelialization. Pedunculated HAT and protruding HAT are infrequent CT findings that might represent DRT.