Utility of cardiac MRI in the assessment of myocardial viability: Evaluating its role using 3-T machine in correlation with SPECT

Abstract Background Assessment of viable myocardium has important prognostic value in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to compare 3 T cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Methods Thirty-three patients with coronary artery disease were involved in this study. All patients were examined using coronary angiography to determine the degree of the coronary artery disease. Then, they underwent 3 T CMR examination, after administration of intravenous gadolinium and the segmental extent of myocardial enhancement was determined, followed by SPECT evaluation. Comparison of myocardial viability was performed in 99 coronary territories. Results Agreement between two modalities was obtained in 88 segments (88.9%), resulting in a kappa value of 0.725. In 99 segments, we had eleven discordant results. Eleven SPECT viable segments were non-viable according to CMR. Conclusion SPECT was comparable to 3 T CMR for myocardial viability assessment, C-MRI detected more non-viable segments with high definition to the thickness of the myocardial scar tissue than the SPECT.