Evaluation of epicardial and intra-myocardial fat in a patient with mitochondrial cardiomyopathy

Mitochondrial cardiomyopathy is one of the main manifestations in patients with primary mitochondrial respiratory chain disease characterized by mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) and carries a similar prognosis. The phenotype frequently includes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; dilated cardiomyopathy and left ventricular (LV) non-compaction are rarely present . Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium-based contrast agents has been widely used for evaluating the morphology and function of the left ventricle and injured myocardial tissue . Cine imaging with a standard steady state free precession sequence has been validated for accurate evaluation of epicardial fat , which is associated with coronary atherosclerosis and LV systolic dysfunction . Recent advances in magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) have enabled noninvasive measurement of intra-myocardial triglyceride content , which is increased and associated with LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus .
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Online letters to the editor Source Type: research