Evaluation of elevated left ventricular end diastolic pressure in patients with preserved ejection fraction using cardiac magnetic resonance

ObjectivesThis study aims to validate the reliability of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters for estimating left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and compare their accuracy to conventional echocardiographic ones, with reference to left heart catheterisation.MethodsSixty patients with exertional dyspnoea (New York Heart Association function class II to III) were consecutively enrolled. CMR-derived time-volume curve and deformation parameters, conventional echocardiographic diastolic indices as well as LVEDP evaluated by left heart catheterisation were collected and analysed.ResultsFifty-one patients, who accomplished all three examinations, were divided into HFpEF group and non-HFpEF group based on LVEDP measurements. Compared to the non-HFpEF group, CMR-derived time-volume curve showed lower peak filling rate adjusted for end diastolic volume (PFR/EDV, p=0.027), longer time to peak filling rate (T-PFR, p<0.001), and increased T-PFR in one cardiac cycle (%T-PFR, p<0.001) in HFpEF group. In multivariable linear regression analysis, %T-PFR (=0.372, p=0.024), left ventricular global peak longitudinal diastolic strain rate (LDSR, =-0.471, p=0.006), and E/e' (=0.547, p=0.001) were independently associated with invasively measured LVEDP. The sensitivity and specificity of E/e' and LDSR for predicting the elevated LVEDP were 76%, 92% and 76%, 89%, respectively.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that CMR-derived time-volume curve and strain indices could predict HFpEF patients. Not only E/e' assessed by echocardiography but also the CMR-derived %T-PFR and LDSR correlated well with LVEDP. These non-invasive parameters were validated to evaluate the left ventricular diastolic function.Key Points center dot The abnormal time-volume curve revealed insufficient early diastole in HFpEF patients.center dot Non-invasive parameters including E/e', %T-PFR, and LDSR correlated well with LVEDP.