CMR in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Review

Just out in Heart by A M Beek et al. The authors describe not only the already known use of CMR for viability but new concepts on use of CMR for indications of ICD/CRT, grey zone and reconstructive surgery.

Heart. 2010 Sep;96(18):1494-501. Link here.

What's going on at the ESC 2010 in CMR

From the topics listed below, the focus has been on hands-on sessions and the use of CMR in heart failure and myocarditis. Personally, a bit disappointed to see so little of CMR represented in the meeting.

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While talking about T2*

Its use represents one of the most significant reductions in death in particular patient groups. Luckily, most of our readers are already using it regularly, despite some only more rarely.

T2* LatAm Meeting

In August 16/17 Drs. Dudley Pennell, Gillian Smith and Taigang He from the Royal Bromptom lead a course for over 25 Latin American physicians on the use of CMR for T2* imaging of the heart and liver in Campinas, Brazil. The results of this course will lead to major standardizations of acquisitions and reading of these exams helping to augment the availability of CMR to thalassemia patients in the region.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy and CMR

A thorough review in Circulation regarding dilated cardiomyopathies covers in depth the use of CMR in these conditions. Interestingly the review is focused on clinicians but diagnostic approaches are very much covered by CMR. A definite citation article where CMR is regarded as having a central role.

Link to the manuscript: http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/122/5/527

SCMR/EuroCMR 2011 Abstract submisson is open

Abstract submission is open until September 30. Don't miss.

Submit here.

BioImage Study - role for CMR in primary prevention?

Part of the High-Risk Plaque (HRP) Initiative the BioImage study uses CMR to assess both atherosclerosis in the aorta and carotids. I also integrates CT, IMT, US and ABI markers and has already enrolled over 6800 patients.

The study is accepting new proposals from institutions to participate in the initiative. Further details can be found at:

http://www.hrpinitiative.com/hrpinit/bioimagerfp.jsp

Not unanimous but yet widely accepted

Most of the readers believe CMR should be performed in every patient with HCM. Based on the latest data published recently it is hard to argue against that.

CMR and aortic valve disease: new prognostic information

New prognostic information regarding CMR and severe aortic valve disease was published by a Brazilian group conducted by Dr. Clerio Azevedo. Should we only indicate aortic sugergy in patients with small amounts of fibrosis? A tough question that is raised by the paper and should generate more use of CMR in these conditions.

Azevedo CF et al. JACC 2010;56:278-87

Assessment of Myocardial Fibrosis Review

A paper in JACC commenting on how to measure myocardial fibrosis, a very important issue involving many cardiac diseases. CMR is represented by LGE, T1 mapping and tissue tagging.

Link here.