Feasibility and Accuracy of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Whole-Heart Inverse Potential Mapping of Sinus Rhythm and Idiopathic Ventricular Foci

BACKGROUND: Inverse potential mapping (IPM) noninvasively reconstructs cardiac surface potentials using body surface potentials. This requires a volume conductor model (VCM), usually constructed from computed tomography; however, computed tomography exposes the patient to harmful radiation and lacks information about tissue structure. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not associated with this limitation and might have advantages for mapping purposes. This feasibility study investigated a magnetic resonance imaging–based IPM approach. In addition, the impact of incorporating the lungs and their particular resistivity values was explored. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three volunteers and 8 patients with premature ventricular contractions scheduled for ablation underwent 65‐electrode body surface potential mapping. A VCM was created using magnetic resonance imaging. Cardiac surface potentials were estimated from body surface potentials and used to determine the origin of electrical activation. The IPM‐defined origin of sinus rhythm corresponded well with the anatomic position of the sinus node, as described in the literature. In patients, the IPM‐derived premature ventricular contraction focus was 3‐dimensionally located within 8.3±2.7 mm of the invasively determined focus using electroanatomic mapping. The impact of lungs on the IPM was investigated using homogeneous and inhomogeneous VCMs. The inhomogeneous VCM, incorporating lung‐specific conductivity, provided more accurate results compared with the homogeneous VCM (8.3±2.7 and 10.3±3.1 mm, respectively; P=0.043). The interobserver agreement was high for homogeneous (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.862, P=0.003) and inhomogeneous (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.812, P=0.004) VCMs. CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance imaging–based whole‐heart IPM enables accurate spatial localization of sinus rhythm and premature ventricular contractions comparable to electroanatomic mapping. An inhomogeneous VCM improved IPM accuracy

Noninvasive Imaging of Cardiac Excitation: Current Status and Future Perspective

Noninvasive imaging of cardiac excitation using body surface potential mapping (BSPM) data and inverse procedures is an emerging technique that enables estimation of myocardial depolarization and repolarization. Despite numerous reports on the possible advantages of this imaging technique, it has not yet advanced into daily clinical practice. This is mainly due to the time consuming nature of data acquisition and the complexity of the mathematics underlying the used inverse procedures. However, the popularity of this field of research has increased and noninvasive imaging of cardiac electrophysiology is considered a promising tool to complement conventional invasive electrophysiological studies. Furthermore, the use of appropriately designed electrode vests and more advanced computers has greatly reduced the procedural time. This review provides descriptive overview of the research performed thus far and the possible future directions. The general challenges in routine application of BSPM and inverse procedures are discussed. In addition, individual properties of the biophysical models underlying the inverse procedures are illustrated

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for Evaluating Nonculprit Lesions After Myocardial Infarction: Comparison With Fractional Flow Reserve

Objectives: This study sought to determine the agreement between cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and invasive measurements of fractional flow reserve (FFR) in the evaluation of nonculprit lesions after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In addition, we investigated whether fully quantitative analysis of myocardial perfusion is superior to semiquantitative and visual analysis. Background: The agreement between CMR and FFR in the evaluation of nonculprit lesions in patients with STEMI with multivessel disease is unknown. Methods: Seventy-seven patients with STEMI with at least 1 intermediate (diameter stenosis 50% to 90%) nonculprit lesion underwent CMR and invasive coronary angiography in conjunction with FFR measurements at 1 month after primary intervention. The imaging protocol included stress and rest perfusion, cine imaging, and late gadolinium enhancement. Fully quantitative, semiquantitative, and visual analysis of myocardial perfusion were compared against a reference of FFR. Hemodynamically obstructive was defined as FFR ≤0.80. Results: Hemodynamically obstructive nonculprit lesions were present in 31 (40%) patients. Visual analysis displayed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.74 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62 to 0.83), with a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 70%. For semiquantitative analysis, the relative upslope of the stress signal intensity time curve and the relative upslope derived myocardial flow reserve had respective AUCs of 0.66 (95% CI: 0.54 to 0.77) and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.59 to 0.81). Fully quantitative analysis did not augment diagnostic performance (all p > 0.05). Stress myocardial blood flow displayed an AUC of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.64 to 0.85), with a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 77%. Similarly, MFR displayed an AUC of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.71 to 0.90), with a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 71%. Conclusions: CMR and FFR have moderate-good agreement in the evaluation of nonculprit lesions in patients with STEMI with multivessel disease. Fully quantitative, semiquantitative, and visual analysis yield similar diagnostic performance