BACKGROUND: We tested the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the follow-up of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy after septal artery embolization. MRI provides a noninvasive visualization of transplanar turbulent flow in order to quantify left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. METHODS AND RESULTS: We followed 10 patients who were treated with septal artery embolization for 12 months. We used gradient echo sequences to document continuous improvement of the outflow tract area and T1- and T2-weighted spin echo sequences to visualize myocardial infarction. A continuous, but not linear, improvement of the outflow tract area occurred after septal artery embolization during the 12-month follow-up period. The improvement of the outflow tract area correlated well with the amelioration of symptoms (r(2)=0.86). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that MRI reliably detects the degree of obstruction in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. This modality may be especially useful for follow-up after septal artery embolization.
BACKGROUND: We tested the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the follow-up of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy after septal artery embolization. MRI provides a noninvasive visualization of transplanar turbulent flow in order to quantify left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. METHODS AND RESULTS: We followed 10 patients who were treated with septal artery embolization for 12 months. We used gradient echo sequences to document continuous improvement of the outflow tract area and T1- and T2-weighted spin echo sequences to visualize myocardial infarction. A continuous, but not linear, improvement of the outflow tract area occurred after septal artery embolization during the 12-month follow-up period. The improvement of the outflow tract area correlated well with the amelioration of symptoms (r(2)=0.86). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that MRI reliably detects the degree of obstruction in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. This modality may be especially useful for follow-up after septal artery embolization.
Authors: Danita M Yoerger; Catherine A Best; Brendan M McQuillan; Gregory E Supple; J Luis Guererro; Joanne E Cluette-Brown; Ali Hasaba; Michael H Picard; James R Stone; Michael Laposata Journal: Am J Pathol Date: 2006-05 Impact factor: 4.307