Left atrial volume index and non-ischemic myocardial contrast pattern as a predictor of continued left ventricular remodeling in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy: magnetic resonance imaging data

Aim . To evaluate the heart morphological features and the significance of the non-ischemic myocardial contrast pattern in medium-term prognosis of continued left ventricular (LV) remodeling after surgery in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Material and methods . The results of paramagnetic contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were analyzed in 31 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy with an average age of 58,4±7,6 years before complex surgical treatment. The heart morphological features and non-ischemic contrast pattern in the myocardial segments remote from the infarction area according to contrast-enhanced MRI were assessed. Results . Patients with a non-ischemic contrast pattern had higher left atrial volume index (p=0,02), LV end-systolic index (p=0,03), and right ventricular sizes (p=0,01). A relationship was found between the left atrial volume index and cardiac remodeling in the postoperative period (p<0,005, correlation coefficient r=0,53). Conclusion . Non-ischemic myocardial contrast pattern is accompanied by an increase in the left atrial volume, which in turn is a predictor of continued LV remodeling in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy in the postoperative period.