Prognostic significance of left ventricular mass by magnetic resonance imaging study in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease

Abstract

Objectives To study the prognostic value of left ventricular mass (LVM) assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. Methods We studied patients who were referred for cardiac magnetic resonance for the assessment of cardiac function, LVM and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Prognostic value was determined by the occurrence of hard cardiac endpoint, including death or nonfatal myocardial infarction and major adverse cardiac event, which also included hospitalization due to heart failure or unstable angina and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia. We analyzed prognostic value of LVM index stratified by quintiles and specific percentile ranges. Results A total of 2194 patients with the average age of 65 ± 11 years were enrolled. Average left ventricular ejection fraction and LVM index were 59.2 ± 19.4% and 56.6 ± 21.3 g/m2, respectively. LGE was present in 785 patients (35.8%). Average follow-up duration was 926 ± 582 days. Hard events and major adverse cardiac events occurred in 92 (4.2%) and 210 patients (9.6%). Cox regression analysis showed that left ventricular ejection fraction, LGE, and LVM index were independent predictors for clinical events. The highest quartile of LVM index had the greatest risk for clinical events independent of other factors, including left ventricular ejection fraction and LGE. Conclusion LVM index by cardiac magnetic resonance is an independent predictor for cardiovascular event in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health.