PAPER OF THE WEEK

Value of scar imaging and inotropic reserve combination for the prediction of segmental and global left ventricular functional recovery after revascularisation (Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 2011, 13:35)

Dr. Glaveckaite and cols compared three cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) viability parameters: inotropic reserve (IR) during low-dose dobutamine (LDD) administration, late gadolinium enhancement transmurality (LGE) and thickness of the non-contrast-enhanced myocardial rim surrounding the scar (RIM) and concluded that LDD-CMR is superior to LGE-CMR as a predictor of segmental recovery. They show that the advantage is greatest in the segments with an LGE from 26% to 75%. The RIM cut-off value of 4 mm had no superiority over the LGE cut-off value of 50% in predicting the segmental recovery. Patients with [greater than or equal to]50% of viable segments from all dysfunctional and revascularised had a tendency to improve LVEF by [greater than or equal to]5% after revascularisation.