Prognostic value of non-ischemic ring-like left ventricular scar pattern in patients with apparently idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias: a CMR imaging study

Abstract Background The presence of left ventricular (LV) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) at cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has been correlated to life-threatening arrhythmic events in patients with apparently idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). Aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic significance of a specific LV-LGE phenotype characterized by a subepicardial/midmyocardial “ring-like” pattern of fibrosis. Methods Out of a total of 518 consecutive patients with apparently idiopathic VAs who underwent CMR study, 79 (15%) had evidence of LV-LGE. Of these, 23 (4%) patients had LV LGE with ring-like pattern, defined as subepicardial or midmyocardial LGE involving at least 3 contiguous segments in the same slice (group A), while 56 (11%) patients had LV LGE with no ring-like pattern (group B). The remaining 439 patients had no LGE (group C). The end-point of the study was a composite SCD, resuscitated cardiac arrest and nonfatal episodes of ventricular fibrillation or documented sustained ventricular tachycardia. Results Group A patients were more frequently males compared to groups B and C (96% vs. 79% vs. 52%; p