late gadolinium enhancement
Pronunciation: gad-oh-LIN-ee-um
A cardiac MRI technique using gadolinium contrast to identify areas of myocardial scar or fibrosis.
Full Definition
Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) is a specialized cardiac MRI sequence acquired 10-20 minutes after gadolinium contrast administration to detect areas of myocardial scar, fibrosis, or inflammation. Normal myocardium rapidly clears gadolinium, while damaged tissue retains contrast, appearing bright on T1-weighted images. LGE patterns help differentiate ischemic from non-ischemic cardiomyopathies, assess myocardial viability, and quantify scar burden. The technique provides detailed tissue characterization that influences treatment decisions, particularly regarding revascularization and device therapy. Various enhancement patterns correspond to specific pathologies, making LGE interpretation crucial for accurate diagnosis.
Usage
Usage note: Gadolinium is not hyphenated. Always specify 'late' to distinguish from early or first-pass enhancement.
In Context
- "Late gadolinium enhancement revealed transmural scar in the inferior wall." — Cardiac MRI report
- "No late gadolinium enhancement was detected, suggesting preserved viability." — Viability study report