Standardizing the definition of hyperenhancement in the quantitative assessment of infarct size and myocardial viability using delayed contrast-enhanced CMR.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a standardized definition of delayed hyperenhancement in the analysis of contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance (ceCMR) imaging.


METHODS
CeCMR was performed in 15 patients with chronic ischemic heart disease. Delayed hyperenhancement was analyzed both by visual analysis by an experienced team of observers, and after thresholding the window setting of the images at 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 SD above the mean signal intensity of remote, normal myocardium in the same slice. In each patient, total infarct size (TIS) and segmental infarct extent (SIE) were calculated.


RESULTS
TIS and SIE were 22.9 +/- 12.2 mL and 32 +/- 28% after visual analysis. Thresholding the window setting at 2, 3, 4, and 6 SD above signal intensity of remote caused a 40%, 31%, and 17% increase (p < 0.007) and a 7% decrease (p = NS) in TIS, and a 75%, 41%, and 16% increase and 22% decrease in SIE (p < 0.001), respectively. There was no difference between visual analysis and analysis after thresholding at 5 SD.


CONCLUSIONS
Analyzing ceCMR with a standardized definition of hyperenhancement related to the signal of remote, nonenhanced myocardium may result in considerable overestimation of infarct size at the usual cut-off of 2 SD.
Bondarenko
Olga
O
Department of Cardiology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. o.bondarenko@vumc.nl
Beek
Aernout M
AM
Hofman
Mark B M
MB
Kühl
Harald P
HP
Twisk
Jos W R
JW
van Dockum
Willem G
WG
Visser
Cees A
CA
van Rossum
Albert C
AC
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine / Q000379:methods*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000473:pathology*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D014022:Tissue Survival
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA