Islets of heterogeneous myocardium within the scar in cardiac magnetic resonance predict ventricular tachycardia after myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION: We assessed findings in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as predictors of ventricular tachycardia (VT) after myocardial infarction (MI), which could allow for more precise identification of patients at risk of sudden cardiac death. METHODS: Forty-eight patients after prior MI were enrolled and divided into 2 groups: with (n=24) and without (n=24) VT. VT was confirmed by electrophysiological study and exit site was estimated based on 12-lead ECG. All patients underwent CMR with late gadolinium enhancement. RESULTS: The examined groups did not differ significantly in clinical and demographical parameters (including LV ejection fraction). There was a significant difference in the infarct age between the VT and non-VT group (15.8+/-8.4 vs. 7.1+/-6.7yrs, respectively; p=0.002), with the cut-off point at the level of 12yrs. In the scar core, islets of heterogeneous myocardium were revealed. They were defined as areas of potentially viable myocardium within or adjacent to the core scar. The number of islets was the strongest independent predictor of VT (OR 1.42; CI 1.17-1.73), but total islet size and the largest islet area were also significantly higher in the VT group (OR 1.04; CI 1.02-1.07 and OR 1.16; CI 1.01-1.27, respectively). Myocardial segments with fibrosis forming 25-75% of the ventricular wall were associated with a higher incidence of VT (7.5+/-2.1 vs. 5.7+/-2.6; p=0.014). Three-dimension CMR reconstruction confirmed good correlation of the location of the islets/channels with VT exit site during electroanatomical mapping in five cases. CONCLUSIONS: The identification and quantification of islets of heterogeneous myocardium within the scar might be useful for predicting VT in patients after MI. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.