Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging reveals early decrease of transmural extent of reperfused acute myocardial infarction

In patients with myocardial infarction infarct size and transmural extent are of high prognostic value for clinical outcome and recovery of contractile function of the affected myocardium either spontaneously or after revascularisation. Delayed contrast-enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is a non-invasive imaging technique of high accuracy for determination of myocardial infarct size and transmural extent. As decisions whether revascularisation procedures are promising in patients with coronary artery disease are increasingly based on the transmural infarct extent assessed by DCE-MRI we sought to examine whether the timing of MRI after acute myocardial infarction would influence the transmural extent. We performed DCE-imaging on a clinical 1.5 T scanner in patients at day-1 and day-7 after reperfused STEMI. We assessed the total number of segments displaying DCE as well as differentiated by the transmural infarct extent. The total number of affected segments as well as the number of segments with only subendocardial DCE did not change between day-1 and day-7. In contrast, we observed a significant decrease of the number of segments with DCE of ≥75% transmurality and a significant increase of segments with DCE grade III (51%–75% transmurality). We conclude that the transmural infarct extent is not stable over the first days after STEMI which should be taken into account when assessing viability in clinical and research settings. C. Merten and H. Steen contributed equally     

A pregnant woman with acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery dissection: pre-hospital and in-hospital management

A young pregnant woman (32nd week of gestation) presented with acute chest pain due to right coronary artery dissection (CAD) in a pre-hospital setting. The pre-hospital diagnosis by the ambulance staff of an acute myocardial infarction in the antenatal period based on a 12-lead ECG combined with successful treatment by percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting is novel.     

Diagnostic value of routine clinical parameters in acute myocardial infarction: a comparison to delayed contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

Aims: Contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (ceMRI) has been shown to reliably identify irreversible myocardial injury. The aim of this study was to compare the findings on ceMRI with routine clinical markers of myocardial injury in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). Methods and results: Twenty-four patients with acute MI were investigated at 1.5 T. The global myocardial function was analysed with a standard cine MR protocol and a stack of short axis slices encompassing the entire left ventricle. Corresponding short axis slices were acquired for delayed ceMRI 15–20 min after the administration of 0.2 mmol gadolinium–DTPA/kg body weight. Mass of hyperenhancement and peak creatine kinase release (peak CK) was determined for each patient. The presenting 12-lead ECG was analysed for ST-elevation on admission and later development of Q-waves. Mass of hyperenhancement correlated moderately well to peak CK (r = 0.65, p < 0.01) and endsystolic volume index (r = 0.55, p < 0.01). Mass of hyperenhancement was inversely correlated to ejection fraction (r = –0.50, p = 0.02). Neither the presence of ST elevation on the admission ECG nor the later development of Q-waves did relate to the transmural extent of hyperenhancement and to the mass of hyperenhancement. Conclusion: Mass of hyperenhancement significantly correlates to global myocardial function and to peak CK. However, there is no relationship between the findings in ceMRI and 12-lead ECG abnormalities on admission suggesting an advantage of ceMRI in defining transmural extent and depicting small areas of necrosis.     

Amphetamine-related acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery spasm

A 27-year-old man developed acute myocardial infarction after intravenous amphetamine use. A coronary angiogram showed plaques in the mid-portion of the left anterior descending artery which developed coronary artery spasm after administration of intracoronary ergonovine. The findings in this case suggest that these coronary artery plaques played a role in the endothelial dysfunction resulting from amphetamine use, and that induction of coronary arterial spasm was the likely mechanism of amphetamine-related acute myocardial infarction.     

心脏MR研究冠状动脉微循环功能障碍进展

冠状动脉微循环功能障碍(CMD)主要累及冠状动脉循环小动脉及前小动脉,与患者生活质量和预后密切相关。心脏MR(CMR)检查具有多模态、多参数等优势。本文就CMR评估CMD进展进行综述。     

儿童冠状动脉MRI研究进展

冠状动脉疾病危害儿童健康。MR无创、无电离辐射,具有软组织对比较好、可多平面三维成像等特点,用于儿童群体具有一定潜力。呼吸门控和运动校正、心电门控、设备和扫描序列等方面的优化和改进在缩短扫描时间的同时提高了空间分辨率,使MR血管成像（MRA）用于检查儿童先天和后天冠状动脉异常取得了一定成果。本文对冠状动脉MRA用于儿童的研究进展进行综述。     

Cardiac magnetic resonance simultaneously evaluates Leriche syndrome and prior inferior myocardial infarction

A woman with ECG findings suspicious of ischemic heart disease was referred for coronary angiography, but this was impossible via the left or right iliac arteries because of total occlusion. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed to assess the anatomy of the abdominal aorta, cardiac function, and myocardial viability in a single study. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) revealed Leriche syndrome resulting from occlusion of the infrarenal aorta and common iliac arteries. Delayed contrast enhancement indicated full thickness nonviable myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography via the right radial artery revealed proximal occlusion of the right coronary artery. This is the first case that illustrates the value of CMR as a time-saving non-invasive imaging technique with the ability to do in a single study what might otherwise take two studies.     

Inflammatory responses after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction or stable angina pectoris

Objective. To investigate the profile of circulating inflammatory markers after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with AMI or stable angina pectoris (AP). Material and methods. Twenty patients with AMI and 10 with stable AP were treated with PCI of a central coronary artery. Blood samples were drawn immediately before PCI, in the AP group and after 3 and 12?h, days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 in both groups. Results. Interleukin 6 increased in both groups to time‐point 12?h and day 1 (peak), being significantly higher in the AMI group compared to the AP group at 3 and 12?h, and also at days 1 and 3. A similar profile was demonstrated for CRP with significantly higher levels in the AMI group at days 1, 3 and 5 compared to the AP group. A slightly different pattern was shown for Interleukin 10 (IL‐10) with significantly higher levels in the AMI group at 3 and 12?h, days 1 and 14 compared to the AP group. Conclusion. AMI patients treated with PCI experienced a marked short‐term increase in pro‐inflammatory mediators as well as IL‐10 compared to patients with stable angina pectoris treated with PCI.     

心脏磁共振在急性冠状动脉综合征中的应用

急性冠状动脉综合征（ACS）的诊断主要依靠传统心电图及心肌酶学改变,有其局限性,心脏磁共振成像（CMRI）以其巨大的潜力在ACS的诊断、指导治疗、预后分析方面具有重大应用价值。本文围绕心脏磁共振在急性冠状动脉综合征中的应用进行综述。     

Delayed contrast enhancement in a patient with perimyocarditis on contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI: case report

The findings of contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging of a 19-year-old man with perimyocarditis in the subacute and chronic stage are presented. In perimyocarditis., it is useful to check the presence of delayed contrast enhancement to confirm the presence of the lesion and to evaluate the severity of inflammation in the acute stage as well as to determine the extent of fibrosis in the pericardium and myocardium in the chronic stage.     

基于临床及高分辨率血管壁MRI分析颈部动脉夹层患者发生急性缺血性脑卒中危险因素

目的 基于临床及高分辨率血管壁MRI(HRMR-VWI)分析颈部动脉夹层(CAD)患者发生急性缺血性脑卒中(AIS)的危险因素。方法 回顾性分析48例经头颈动脉HRMR-VWI诊断的CAD患者，观察其头部弥散加权成像，将27例梗死灶位于夹层血管供血区域者纳入AIS组，其余21例纳入非AIS组。采用单因素及多因素logistic回归分析评估CAD患者发生AIS的临床及HRMR-VWI相关危险因素。结果 组间男性、糖尿病及HRMR-VWI显示双腔征、腔内血栓占比，以及管壁强化程度、管腔狭窄程度差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。男性、糖尿病、HRMR-VWI显示双腔征、腔内血栓、管壁2级强化及管腔重度狭窄/闭塞是CAD患者发生AIS的危险因素(P均<0.05)。男性(OR=8.77)、糖尿病(OR=21.01)及HRMR-VWI显示管壁2级强化(OR=4.21)均为CAD患者发生AIS的独立危险因素(P均<0.05)。结论 男性、糖尿病及HRMR-VWI显示管壁2级强化均为CAD患者发生AIS的独立危险因素。     

Infarct healing is a dynamic process following acute myocardial infarction

Background

The role of infarct size on left ventricular (LV) remodeling in heart failure after an acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is well recognized. Infarct size, as determined by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), decreases over time. The amount, rate, and duration of infarct healing are unknown.

Methods

A total of 66 patients were prospectively enrolled after reperfusion for an acute STEMI. Patients underwent a CMR evaluation within 1 week, 4 months, and 14 months after STEMI.

Results

Mean infarct sizes for the 66 patients at baseline (acute necrosis), early follow-up (early scar), and late follow-up (late scar) were 25 ± 17 g, 17 ± 12 g, and 15 ± 11 g, respectively. Patients were stratified in tertiles, based on infarct size, with the largest infarcts having the greatest absolute decrease in mass at early and late scar. The percent reduction of infarct mass was independent of initial infarct size. There was an 8 g or 32% decrease in infarct mass between acute necrosis and early scar (p < 0.01) with a 2 g or 12% additional decrease in infarct mass between early and late scar (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Infarct healing is a continuous process after reperfusion for STEMI, with greatest reduction in infarct size in the first few months. The dynamic nature of infarct healing through the first year after STEMI indicates that decisions based on infarct size, and interventions to reduce infarct size, must take into consideration the time frame of measurement.     

A case of myocardial infarction due to acute left main coronary artery occlusion presenting with peculiar electrocardiographic changes

Myocardial infarction (MI) due to acute obstruction of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) occlusion is a medical emergency, requiring early and prompt diagnosis and revascularization, and unless it is treated, it will frequently result in cardiogenic shock, which has a high fatality rate. Our case focused on a patient, who was transferred to our hospital relatively late due to peculiar ECG. He had acute MI, and was in cardiogenic shock. ECG is the easiest diagnostic method in the early diagnosis of the acute coronary syndromes and in deciding on the early invasive intervention in the high risk group. Before he was sent to us, the patient had an ECG showing right bundle branch block (RBBB) and a AVR ST segment elevation. At the time of the urgent coronary angiography, it was noticed that the LMCA was totally occluded. This case has been presented in order to emphasize that peculiar changes might bring about devastating consequences as in our rare case, showing acute left main coronary artery occlusion, and ST segment elevation only in the AVR on the 12-lead ECG along with upward deflection of ST segment vector might be critical for accurate diagnosis.     

磁共振多序列诊断评价急性心肌梗死的应用进展

磁共振心血管检查技术为深入了解心脏结构和功能提供了无创的方法,具有较高诊断准确性,并且无电离辐射。灌注增强后的延迟显像技术能够对心肌梗死提供有价值的诊断和预后信息,但是对于心肌梗死的程度以及心肌弥漫性改变无法准确地评价。T1 mapping技术是一种能够定量评估心肌局限及弥漫性病变的新技术,其能定量地评估心肌梗死的程度及心肌水肿的范围,具有良好的诊断及预后价值,在临床实践中有更好的应用前景。     

心脏磁共振延迟强化成像定量评价心肌梗死的研究

目的 研究计算机辅助测体积法(CAVM)与视觉评分法(VSM)在心脏磁共振延迟强化成像上评价梗死心肌大小的相关性,并探讨梗死心肌质量与室壁运动异常、左室功能的相关性.方法 采用多次屏气平衡稳态自由进动快速成像(FIESTA)序列,对21例心肌梗死患者行心脏电影MRI及钆喷替酸葡甲胺(Gd-DTPA)增强的延迟强化成像.①用CAVM及VSM分别评价患者的梗死心肌质量及梗死心肌范围程度.用VSM评价时根据延迟强化的透壁程度分为0～4分;0＝无强化,1＝1%～25%强化,2＝26%～50%强化,3=51%～75%,4=76%～100%强化;②评价患者的室壁运动异常及左室功能.结果 两种方法评价梗死心肌高度相关(r=0.825,P＜0.001);梗死心肌质量与室壁运动异常(r=0.740)、射血分数(r=-0.733)、收缩末期容积指数(r=0.702)、收缩末期容积(r=0.698)、舒张末期容积指数(r=0.657)、舒张末期容积(r=0.648)均密切相关(P≤0.001).结论 计算机辅助测体积法及视觉评分法均可准确定量梗死心肌,梗死心肌质量与室壁运动异常、左室功能有高度相关性.     

心脏MRI评估急性心肌梗死危险区的研究进展

急性心肌梗死（AMI）的危险区（AAR）指梗死相关动脉所支配的心肌缺血区域，其最主要的组织学特点为水肿。准确评估AAR并推算可挽救心肌指数对于治疗AMI及评估预后有重要意义。心脏磁共振成像（CMRI）具有多参数、多模态的成像特点，可定性及定量评估心肌水肿和AAR。本文对CMRI评估AMI后AAR的研究进展进行综述。     

心脏磁共振心肌灌注成像在冠心病患者冠状动脉病变及微循环梗阻中的临床应用价值

目的  探讨心脏磁共振（CMR）心肌灌注成像在冠心病冠状动脉病变及微循环梗阻（MVO）中的临床应用价值。方法  选取2020年1月~2022年12月我院收治的106例冠心病患者,均在经皮冠状动脉介入治疗前和治疗后行CMR心肌灌注成像。以冠状动脉造影诊断结果为金标准,对比经皮冠状动脉介入治疗前CMR心肌灌注成像中延迟强化透壁局部室壁异常运动及病变区与正常心肌区CMR心肌灌注成像参数。分析CMR心肌灌注成像对冠心病冠状动脉病变的诊断效能。经皮冠状动脉介入治疗后根据患者是否存在MVO将其分为MVO组（n=29）和无MVO组（n=77）,对比两组CMR心肌灌注成像参数,并采用ROC曲线分析CMR心肌灌注成像参数对MVO的诊断价值。结果  106例患者中的1802个心肌节段被纳入评价。CMR心肌灌注成像显示106例患者共有147个延迟强化的心肌节段（每个患者至少有1个心肌节段延迟强化）,其中68个透壁强化,79个非透壁强化。病变心肌首过灌注时间、首过灌注最大上升斜率（Slope_max）、心肌延迟强化信号值与正常心肌间对比有统计学差异（P < 0.05）。以冠状动脉造影结果为金标准,CMR心肌灌注成像对左前降支、右冠状动脉、左回旋支病变的诊断敏感度分别为94.12%、88.64%、88.89%,特异性分别为95.00%、96.55%、94.74%,准确度分别为94.66%、93.89%、93.13%。经皮冠状动脉介入治疗后有MVO者29例,无MVO者77例。MVO组中首过灌注时间、Slope_max、心肌延迟强化信号值与无MVO组的差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。ROC曲线显示,CMR心肌灌注成像参数中首过灌注时间、Slope_max、心肌延迟强化信号值对冠心病患者MVO诊断的曲线下面积分别为0.803、0.718、0.851,敏感度分别为82.76%、72.41%、86.21%,特异性分别为66.23%、68.83%、67.53%,准确度分别为70.75%、69.81%、72.64%。结论  CMR心肌灌注成像可显示冠心病心血管病变区域的变化,对诊断冠心病冠状动脉病变及MVO情况有较高的诊断价值。     

Large atherosclerotic plaque related severe right coronary artery dissection during coronary angiography

Catheter-induced coronary artery dissection and occlusion is a rare but serious complication of diagnostic cardiac angiography. A 50 year-old man presented with unstable angina. ECG, exceptional of bradycardia, was normal (57 beat/min). Selective coronary angiography demonstrated 98% narrowing in the mid-portion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). During the right coronary angiography, following catheter manipulation in the vicinity of the aortic valve, the patient complained of severe chest discomfort, and he had electrocardiographic evidence of acute inferior wall myocardial infarction. Right coronary artery (RCA) was free of the significant obstruction, and it was observed to be having a dominant artery with a spiral dissection (NHLBI Grade IV) located between ostium and the proximal portion of the posterior descending and posterolateral artery bifurcation. The patient was immediately operated with off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Consequently, iatrogenic right coronary dissection that is a very rare condition as a cause of myocardial infarction, is discussed in this case report.     

Coronary stenting after failure of conservative treatment for spontaneous coronary dissection: Usefulness of the intravascular ultrasound

Spontaneous coronary dissection of a coronary artery is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome. Optimal treatment has not yet been established. We describe a woman with spontaneous dissection of the left anterior descending artery who presented transitory angina and electrocardiographic ST segment elevation in precordial leads. Conservative treatment was carried out. The angina and electrocardiographic changes recurred 3 days later. An intravascular vascular ultrasound was performed and the patient was stabilized following stenting. Stress testing was negative at 6-month follow-up and she remained asymptomatic at 18 months. We discuss the usefulness of an intravascular ultrasound study to establish the therapeutic strategy.     

Spontaneous dissection in the left main coronary artery

We present two cases of spontaneous left main stem coronary artery dissection. One was underdiagnosed with suboptimal percutaneous coronary artery intervention followed by acute vessel occlusion again during the hospitalization. The other one was identified and confirmed by intravascular ultrasound, followed by conservative medical treatment, with completed healing of SCAD during two-month follow up.