Professional
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
late gadolinium enhancement
MRI technique using gadolinium contrast to detect myocardial scar tissue and fibrosis.
Full Definition
Late gadolinium enhancement is a cardiac MRI technique that identifies areas of myocardial fibrosis or scar tissue by administering gadolinium-based contrast agents and imaging 10-20 minutes post-injection. Normal myocardium rapidly washes out gadolinium, while fibrotic tissue retains contrast, appearing bright on T1-weighted images. LGE patterns help differentiate ischemic from non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and can assess myocardial viability for revascularization decisions. The technique is highly sensitive for detecting even small areas of myocardial damage.
Usage
Usage note: Often abbreviated as LGE; distinguish from other enhancement patterns in MRI.
In Context
- "Late gadolinium enhancement showed a subendocardial pattern consistent with ischemic cardiomyopathy." — Cardiac MRI report
- "No late gadolinium enhancement was observed, suggesting preserved myocardial viability." — Imaging interpretation
Also known as
LGE
delayed enhancement
Don't confuse with
early gadolinium enhancement