Abstract:
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to examine the correlation
between ventricular function and the extracellular volume
fraction (ECV) in patients with non-ischemic dilated
cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) using 3.0 T magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI). We also hypothesized that native T1 and
ECV values would be increased in patients with NIDCM,
independent of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).
The findings of our study could lead to further studies of
the follow-up protocols. Materials and methods In total, 53 consecutive dilated
cardiomyopathy patients who had undergone cardiac
MRI were functionally evaluated and underwent tissue
characterization.
Results The mean native T1 value was 1235 ± 10 ms, and
the mean ECV value was 35.4 ± 2.7% in the myocardia.
The LVEF values ranged from 29 to 44%. No significant
correlations were observed between functional analysis
measurements and native T1 or ECV values.
Conclusions Our results showed that myocardial fibrosis is
unrelated to cardiac functional findings in NIDCM patients.
Therefore, we propose that these patients should be evaluated
using MRI and tissue characterization techniques, in
addition to cardiac functional analysis.
