Heart MRI scar analysis to predict sudden cardiac death after a heart attack

Comprehensive Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of Myocardial Scar for Predicting Sudden Cardiac Death Post Myocardial Infarction

This study will see if detailed heart MRI scar pictures can predict out-of-hospital sudden cardiac death in people who have had a heart attack.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 1000 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 80 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Beijing Anzhen Hospital (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Beijing)
• Trial ID: NCT07137936 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This ambispective observational cohort uses cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) scar imaging, especially late gadolinium enhancement, to link scar characteristics with post‑MI sudden cardiac death. Phase 1 retrospectively enrolled patients treated for MI from 2015–2025 who had CMR at least one month after their MI and collected baseline clinical and imaging data. Phase 2 continues prospective follow-up from 2026–2036 with clinic visits and telephone check‑ins every six months to capture outcomes. The goal is to combine imaging and clinical data into a validated multimodal risk score to better identify high‑risk patients.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–80 who had a heart attack and completed a cardiac MRI at least one month later at Beijing Anzhen Hospital are the intended participants.

Not a fit: Patients who already have an ICD, have known primary arrhythmia syndromes, established non‑ischemic cardiomyopathy, significant valvular disease, or a life expectancy under one year are unlikely to benefit from the study findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help clinicians identify post‑MI patients at higher risk of sudden cardiac death so preventive treatments like ICDs can be targeted more accurately.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have suggested that CMR scar measures (LGE) relate to arrhythmic risk, but larger validated multimodal risk scores remain limited and need further confirmation.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age between 18 and 80 years.
2. Completion of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging at Anzhen Hospital during the stable phase (≥1 month) following an acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Prior implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) before the index MI.
2. Pre-existing diagnosis of a primary arrhythmia syndrome (e.g., long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome) before the index MI.
3. Concurrent end-stage disease (e.g., advanced malignancy) directly resulting in an estimated life expectancy of less than one year.
4. History of established non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (e.g., dilated, hypertrophic, or restrictive cardiomyopathy) before the index MI.
5. Significant concomitant valvular heart disease. Status post mechanical heart valve replacement.
6. Patients refuse to be followed up.

Where this trial is running

Beijing

• Beijing Anzhen Hospital — Beijing, China (Recruiting)

Conditions Sudden Death, Cardiac; Myocardial Scarring; Myocardial Infarction; sudden cardiac death; myocardial infarction; myocardial scar; Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging