The Emerging Role of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation of Patients with HFpEF

Purpose of Review

To give an update on the emerging role of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This is important as the diagnosis of HFpEF remains challenging and cardiac imaging is pivotal in establishing the function of the heart and whether there is evidence of structural heart disease or diastolic dysfunction. Echocardiography is widely available, although the gold standard in quantifying heart function is cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging.

Recent Findings

This review includes the recently updated 2016 European Society of Cardiology guidelines on diagnosing HFpEF that define the central role of imaging in identifying patients with HFpEF. Moreover, it includes the pathophysiology in HFpEF, how CMR works, and details current CMR techniques used to assess structural heart disease and diastolic function. Furthermore, it highlights promising research techniques that over the next few years may become more used in identifying these patients.

Summary

CMR has an emerging role in establishing the diagnosis of HFpEF by measuring the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and evidence of structural heart disease and diastolic dysfunction.