Incremental Value of Multiparametric Cardiac MRI for Non-invasive Identification of Significant Acute Cardiac Allograft Rejection

Motivation: Multiparametric cardiac MRI provides a potential alternative for identifying significant acute cardiac allograft rejection (SR). Goal(s): This study aimed to evaluate the association between CMR parameters and SR, and assess the incremental value of CMR parameters over conventional cardiac examinations for identifying SR. Approach: This study collected comprehensive laboratory parameters and CMR parameters, used multiple regression analysis to explore independent factors related to SR, and used likelihood test to quantify its incremental value. Results: Global longitudinal strain (OR=0.76, p=.03) and T2 value (OR=1.35, p=.01) were independently associated with SR and had incremental value over NT-proBNP for identifying SR ( p=.002, P<0.01, respectively). Impact: Global longitudinal strain should be considered in future prospective clinical trials for identifying significant acute cardiac allograft rejection in heart transplantation recipients.