Is there an alternative explanation to post-MI emergence of mitral regurgitation; a CMR-LGE observational study

Background Multiple factors contribute to the mechanisms for postMI mitral regurgitation. It is postulated that a passive process primarily drives remodeling of adjacent myocardium. However, non-geometric, i.e. active mechanisms have not been considered as potential contributors to mitral valve pathology. Standard CMR late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) delineates multiple LV myocardial histopathologies and may also be sensitive to non-myocardial pathology involving the mitral valve leaflets. We hypothesize that LGE may detect a unique reactive process of the mitral valve; MVE (mitral valve enhancement) in post-MI patients and the incidence of MR may correlate with the presence of MVE.