Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Indices of Myocardial Fibrosis in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Abstract

In this thesis, we will evaluate the association of Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 (FGF-23) with myocardial fibrosis using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging techniques. Higher levels of Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 (FGF-23) have been linked to increased risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure. Histologic studies on rats suggest an association between higher levels of FGF-23 with myocardial fibrosis. However, it is unknown whether such relationship exists in humans.