Evaluation of Cardiac Function by Magnetic Resonance Imaging During the Follow-Up of Patients With Kawasaki Disease

Background—Although histopathologic studies suggest persistent myocardial abnormalities after Kawasaki disease (KD), the long-term effects on cardiac function remain to be revealed. We investigated biventricular volumes, function, and the presence of myocardial fibrosis by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging during long-term follow-up of KD. Methods and Results—Sixty patients with a history of KD (mean age, 16.9 years; 67% men; median interval after KD onset, 11.6 years) and 20 healthy control subjects (mean age, 17.9 years; 55% men) 12 to 24 years of age underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Biventricular end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, stroke volume, and ejection fraction were determined. Volumetric measurements were indexed for body surface area. Late contrast enhancement was used to detect areas of myocardial fibrosis. Biventricular volumes and function did not differ significantly between patients and control subjects. There were also no significant differences between patients with...