Three-Year Review of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Profiles in a Pakistani Cohort

Abstract

Objectives: This study evaluates Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR) imaging findings in a Pakistani cohort over a three-year period, focusing on the prevalence and characteristics of non-ischemic versus ischemic heart disease, gender-based differences in cardiovascular pathology, and the association between late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), left ventricular (LV) size, and systolic function. Methodology: A prospective analysis was conducted on CMR data from 306 participants, with a mean age of 41.62 years. Descriptive statistics summarized patient demographics and imaging characteristics, including ventricular size, thrombus location, infarct distribution, systolic function, presence of hyperenhancement on LGE, atrial septal defects (ASDs), and pericardial involvement. Chi-square tests and correlation analyses were employed to explore associations between gender, ventricular morphology, systolic function, and LGE findings. Results: The average left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 41.97%. Among participants, 82.4% had non-ischemic CMR findings, while 17.6% had ischemic involvement, suggesting that non-ischemic pathology predominated in this cohort. Significant gender differences were noted: 48.4% of males vs. 14.1% of females exhibited hyperenhancement, and 13.7% of males vs. 3.6% of females showed RV dilation. ASDs were detected in 1.0% of patients, aneurysms in 2.6%, and pericardial effusion in 6.9%. While no significant associations were found between gender and thrombus location or systolic function, strong correlations were observed between LV size, LGE hyperenhancement, and systolic performance. Conclusion: Non-ischemic cardiac pathology is prevalent in this Pakistani cohort, with marked gender-based differences in CMR findings. The correlation between ventricular size, systolic function, and LGE underscores the importance of precision imaging and tailored cardiovascular management in this population.