What does valve, not myocardial LGE mean? Could it portend post-MI emergence of mitral regurgitation?

Methods Presence or absence of MVE was noted in patients presenting for routine CMR with MI and non-MI indications requiring LGE. Chi square analysis was performed for non-contiguous variables and SPSS, Chicago software was utilized for statistical analysis. We hypothesize the presence of mitral valve enhancement (MVE) on LGE imaging in post-MI patients is associated with an increased incidence of MR. Results Patients (87; M = 54, F = 33) underwent LGE-CMR studies utilizing 1.5T GE (Milwaukee, WI) scanner with MultiHance (Bracco, Princeton, NJ) gadolinium contrast administration. LGE+ (present) in 68 and LGE(absent) in 19 studies. Post-MI patterns of LGE+ in 51 and LGEin 36 pts. MVE+ in 39, MVEin 48. MR+ present in 67 and MRin 20 studies. MVE was observed chiefly in post-MI patients (33 of 51; 65%) and infrequently in non-post-MI patients (6 of 36; 17%); c2 = 17.8, p < 0.001, power = 0.995. Further, MR was present more frequently in patients with MVE (36 of 39; 92%) compared to patients without MVE (31 or 48; 65%); c2 = 7.8, p = 0.005, power = 0.814 (see Figure 1).