Low-intensity late gadolinium enhancement predominates in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

AimAssess the extent of low- versus high-intensity late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).MethodsLow- versus high-intensity LGE indexed volumes in 19 HCM patients were compared to 23 myocardial infarction (MI) patients.ResultsTotal, low-, and high-intensity LGE volumes in HCM vs. MI were 7.6 ml/m2, 4.7, and 2.4 vs. 11.2, 2.5, and 7.1, respectively. Total LGE volume did not differ (P= .13), though low- and high-intensity did (P= .05, .004). 67% versus 26% of all LGE was low-intensity in HCM versus MI (P< .001).ConclusionsLGE in HCM is predominantly low-intensity, so a low threshold may be the most appropriate.