MRI-derived cardiac mechanical dispersion for risk stratification in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy: a preliminary study

Background Prediction of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) after myocardial infarction remains challenging. There has been evidence that strain echocardiography can improve risk prediction. Patients with a high degree of contraction inhomogeneity are thought to be at increased risk of arrhythmic events. Mechanical dispersion may be due to inhomogeneous electrical activation and the resulting dyssynchronous contraction may further promote pathological remodelling. Aim of this study was to quantify mechanical dispersion, based on radial wall motion tracking from short-axis cine MRI, and its association with VAs and mortality.