This article is part of the supplement: Abstracts of the 12th Annual SCMR Scientific Sessions – 2009 .

Oral presentation

Contrast enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging prior to prophylactic implantation of a cardioverter/defibrillator identifies patients with increased risk for ventricular arrhythmias

Philipp Boyé, Hassan Abdel-Aty, Udo Zacharzowsky, Alexander Schirdewan, Rainer Dietz and Jeanette Schulz-Menger

Franz-Volhard Clinic, Charite Campus Buch, Berlin, Germany

corresponding author email

from 12^th Annual SCMR Scientific Sessions
Orlando, FL, USA. 29 January–1 February 2009

Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 2009, 11(Suppl 1):O1doi:10.1186/1532-429X-11-S1-O1

Published:	28 January 2009

First paragraph (this article has no abstract)

Prophylactic implantation of a cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) has been shown to reduce mortality in patients with chronic myocardial infarction (CMI) and an increased risk for life threatening ventricular arrhythmia (VA). The use of ICDs in this large patient population is still limited by high costs and possible adverse events including inappropriate discharges and progression of heart failure. VA is related to infarct size and seems to be related to infarct morphology. Contrast enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (ceCMR) can detect and quantify myocardial fibrosis in the setting of CMI and might therefore be a valuable tool for a more accurate risk stratification in this setting.