Late Gadolinium Enhancement and Electrocardiographic Associations in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Background

Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is a well-established indicator of myocardial fibrosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, its association with electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities and the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains uncertain.

Objectives

To investigate the association between the presence and burden of LGE with ECG characteristics, including precordial voltage, depolarization and repolarization abnormalities, and the incidence of AF in adults with HCM.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 144 adults with HCM with CMR and 12-lead ECG within 30 days of each other. LGE was quantified as a percentage of LV mass and categorized as absent, < 5%, or ≥ 5%. ECG parameters, including QRS voltage, repolarization abnormalities, and LVH criteria, were analyzed. Incident AF was assessed during a median follow-up of 6.6 years.

Results

LGE was present in 96 (67%) patients, with 21 (22%) having ≥ 5% LGE. There were no significant differences in precordial voltage between patients with and without LGE across Sokolow-Lyon, Cornell, and Romhilt-Estes criteria. However, T-wave inversion was more common in leads I (41% vs. 19%, p = 0.009), aVL (50% vs. 31%, p = 0.033), and V4 (41% vs. 23%, p = 0.035) in patients with LGE. Patients with ≥ 5% LGE had a significantly lower median LVEF (64% vs. 74%, p = 0.003). Additionally, LGE presence was not associated with an increased risk of incident AF (HR 1.8, 95% CI 0.6–5.3, p = 0.308).

Conclusion

In contrast to pediatric HCM, LGE is associated with specific ECG repolarization abnormalities, particularly T-wave inversion in lateral leads, but does not significantly affect precordial voltage in adults.