Late Gadolinium Enhancement on Cardiac MRI and the Prognosis of Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis

Purpose

Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is indicative of myocardial fibrosis and has been proposed as a prognostic marker in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, the strength and consistency of this association remain uncertain. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the relationship between LGE and adverse clinical outcomes in patients with PH.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched from the inception of each database through March 28, 2025, for longitudinal observational studies reporting on the prognostic value of LGE detected by cardiac MRI in PH. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a random-effects model to account for between-study heterogeneity.

Results

Ten studies involving 733 patients were included. The presence of LGE on cardiac MRI was associated with a nonsignificant trend toward increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes (RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.99–1.54; p = 0.07; I² = 40%). A similar result was observed in the sensitivity analysis restricted to high-quality studies (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.98–1.36; p = 0.10; I² = 14%). Subgroup analyses showed consistent trends across all stratifications, with no significant differences (all p > 0.05). No evidence of publication bias was detected.

Conclusion

LGE on cardiac MRI may be associated with adverse outcomes in patients with PH; however, the current evidence remains inconclusive. Further large-scale, prospective studies are warranted to clarify its prognostic value.