Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for Risk Stratification: The Sudden Death Risk Portrayed

Risk stratification of patients with structural heart disease remains problematic. While patients with low ejection fractions have been shown to be at significant risk for sudden cardiac death, a risk that can be decreased by ICD implantation, the sensitivity and specificity of ejection fraction for predicting sudden death are sub-optimal. Contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) has been shown to carefully delineate the extent and morphology of myocardial scar. Recent studies have suggested that the extent of myocardial scar and potentially its heterogeneity can help risk stratify patient with coronary artery disease. Ongoing clinical studies will help determine the utility of incorporating CMRI into a risk prediction algorithm.