Cardiac MR imaging of nonischemic cardiomyopathies.

Cardiomyopathies, diseases of the myocardium associated with cardiac dysfunction, include hypertrophic, restrictive, and dilated forms and rare entities, such as arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, ventricular noncompaction, and apical ballooning syndrome. Many have similar presentations, but the underlying condition determines prognoses and treatment. Cardiac MR imaging plays a role in characterizing the range of entities and is crucial for evaluation and management. In addition, delayed enhanced imaging can allow differentiation among the forms of cardiomyopathy and offer prognostic information. As the speed and technical ease of cardiac imaging improve, MR imaging will assume an increasing role in the care of patients who have cardiomyopathy.