Identification of cardiovascular abnormalities by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in end-stage renal disease patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

Our study aimed to evaluate myocardial strain and tissue characteristics by multiparametric cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on peritoneal dialysis with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). ESRD patients on peritoneal dialysis with echocardiographic LVEF > 50% and age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers underwent multiparametric CMR at 3 T. LV function, LV myocardial native T1 and T2, and biventricular strain were measured and compared between the patients and controls. Associations of LV myocardial mass index (LVMI) with tissue characterization and strain were evaluated by multiple linear regression. A total of 65 subjects (42 healthy volunteers and 23 ESRD patients) were enrolled. ESRD group demonstrated larger LVMI, higher native T1 and T2 (1301.9 ± 30.6 ms, 44.6 ± 2.6 ms) than those of the control group (1255.8 ± 45.2 ms, 40.5 ± 1.6 ms; both p < 0.001). Decreased LV strain and increased right ventricular circumferential strain were observed in the ESRD group. In ESRD patients with normal diastolic function on echocardiography, native T1 and T2 values were higher than those of the control group (p = 0.006, p = 0.001). Increased LVMI was associated with increased native T1 (p = 0.001) and T2 value (p < 0.001) after adjusting for age and sex. Increased myocardial native T1 value was associated with reduced LV strain after adjusting age, sex, and LVMI. ESRD patients on peritoneal dialysis with preserved LVEF demonstrated higher myocardial mass, higher native T1 and T2 values, decreased LV strain, and increased RVGCS compared with healthy controls. Increased myocardial T1 and T2 were found in ESRD even when no systolic or diastolic dysfunction was detected by routine echocardiography. • Even with preserved LVEF and no known cardiovascular diseases, ESRD patients on peritoneal dialysis demonstrated elevated myocardial T1 and T2 values and decreased left ventricular strain. • Subclinical changes in myocardial tissue composition may exist in ESRD patients on peritoneal dialysis even when no systolic or diastolic dysfunction was detected by routine echocardiography based on ejection fraction, left atrium size, and tissue Doppler. • Right ventricular free wall strain could be enhanced in response to subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in ESRD patients on peritoneal dialysis with preserved LVEF at an early stage.