[The utility of magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy].

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the utility of magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

METHODS

16 patients with suspicious ARVC joined this study from January 2005 to May 2008. CMR was performed on a 1.5 Tesla GE signa scanner. Short axis view, four-chamber view and long axis view of tow ventricle were acquired by white blood technique (Fast cine sequence). Short axis view and long axis view of right ventricle were acquired by black blood techniques (Double IRFSE and Triple IRFSE). The ARVC was diagnosed by MRI and golden criteria respectively.

RESULTS

Of the 16 patients, 11 were diagnosed ARVC by MRI, 9 were by golden criteria. 9 ARVC patients were manifested by thinning of RV wall, dilatation of the RV (8 cases) trabecular hypertrophy and disarray (6 cases), fat signal intensity of right ventricular(RV)wall in DIRFSE,irregular insular pieces or continuity breaking of myocardium in TIRFSE (3 cases) dilatation of the LV (2cases), a bit thickening of ventricular septum (1case), enlargement of the outflow of the right ventricular(RV) (2 cases) and ventricular aneurysm formation (2 cases).And the positions including apex of the right ventricle (4 cases), facies diaphragmatica (6 cases), anterior ventricle (4 cases), infundibulum (4 cases) and the papillary muscle of the RV (1case) were involved.

CONCLUSION

CMR is a specific and sensitive examination technique in diagnosing of ARVC, which could present structural, functional changes and the quality, degree, range of the disease. We should take this examination as the routine method if suspect ARVC in clinical.