Longitudinal study investigation of CMR measures and cardiac allograft vasculopathy over time

CAV is a leading cause of mortality in HTx patients. Diagnosis and grading of CAV is dependent on repeated ICA which carries risk of major complications. CMR has the potential to be useful in CAV surveillance without the risk of ICA. This study has demonstrated that in a group of long-term heart transplant patients with evidence of CAV progression who undergo serial CMR and ICA within a close timeframe, 2D global peak strain parameters and 2D systolic strain rate correlates with CAV severity grade. FTS may therefore prove useful for surveillance of patients for CAV.