The gray zone of myocardial fibrosis is a better predictor of ventricular arrhythmias than total myocardial fibrosis in patients with previous myocardial infarction

Abstract

Abstract Background Current sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk stratification relies heavily on the assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), but markers that could refine risk assessment are needed. Total fibrosis mass (TFM) and “gray zone” of myocardial fibrosis (GZF) on late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) have been proposed as potential arrhythmogenic substrates. The aim of our study was to determine whether TFM and GZF can predict the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with previous myocardial infarction. Methods We performed a single centre retrospective study enrolling all consecutive patients with previous myocardial infarction undergoing LGE-CMR before implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation for primary or secondary prevention. TFM and GZF were defined as myocardial tissue with signal-intensities >6 SD and 2–6 SD above the mean of reference myocardium, respectively. The primary endpoint was a composite of sudden arrhythmic death, appropriate ICD shock, ventricular fibrillation (VF), or sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) as detected by the device. Results A total of 55 patients (mean age 62±12 years, 87% male, mean LVEF 30% ± 8%) were included. During a mean follow-up period of 34±15 months, 10 patients reached the primary endpoint (8 appropriate ICD shock, 2 sustained VT or VF). Patients who attained the primary endpoint had similar TFM (28.6g ± 14.5 vs. 23.1g ± 14.5; P=0.283) but larger GZF (25.3g ± 11.0 vs 15.6g ± 7.3; P=0.001). After adjustment for LVEF, GZF remained independently associated with the composite arrhythmic endpoint (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.03–1.17; P=0.005), whereas TFM did not (aHR: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.98–1.06; P=0.394). Decision tree analysis identified 16.4g of GZF as the best cut-off to predict life-threatening arrhythmic events. The primary endpoint occurred in 9 out of the 22 patients (41%) with GZF >16.4g, but in only 1 of the 33 patients (3%) with GZF ≤16.4g – Figure. Conclusions The extent of GZF seems to be a better predictor of ventricular arrhythmias than TFM. This LGE-CMR parameter may be useful to identify a subgroup of patients with previous myocardial infarction at an increased risk of life-threatening arrhythmic events. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.