This study looked at how the shape of the left ventricle (LV) in the heart, as seen on MRI scans, relates to future heart problems. They used advanced computer techniques to create personalized LV shape models for over 5000 participants without previous heart disease. Then, they tracked these participants for 10 years to see if certain LV shapes were linked to heart failure, coronary heart disease, or other cardiovascular issues.
The results showed that the specific LV shape was more accurate in predicting future heart problems than standard measurements like LV mass and volumes. Adding information about LV shape to traditional risk factors improved the accuracy of predicting heart issues over the next 10 years. For instance, those with high-risk LV remodeling signatures had a lower survival rate compared to those with low-risk signatures.
This study suggests that analyzing the shape of the left ventricle through MRI scans could be a helpful way to predict and monitor cardiovascular problems and improve personalized medicine approaches in the future.
Source: Mauger CA, Gilbert K, Suinesiaputra A, Bluemke D, Wu CO, Lima JAC, Young AA, Ambale-Venkatesh B. Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis: Relationship between Left Ventricular Shape at Cardiac MRI and 10-year Outcomes: Radiology. 2022 306(2).