In our small, pilot trial, administration of cyclosporine at the time of reperfusion was associated with a smaller infarct by some measures than that seen with placebo. These data are preliminary and require confirmation in a larger clinical trial.

Diffuse interstitial or replacement myocardial fibrosis are common features of a broad variety of cardiomyopathies. Myocardial fibrosis leads to impaired cardiac diastolic and systolic function and is related to adverse cardiovascular events. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) may uniquely characterize the extent of replacement fibrosis and may have prognostic value in various cardiomyopathies. Myocardial T1 mapping is an emerging technique that could improve CMR’s diagnostic accuracy especially for interstitial diffuse myocardial fibrosis. As such, CMR could be integrated in the monitoring and the therapeutic management of a large number of patients. This review summarizes the advantages and limitations of CMR for the assessment of myocardial fibrosis.

In contrast-enhanced MR images of 2-day-old reperfused canine infarcts, myocardial regions of hypoenhancement are related to the no-reflow phenomenon. Approximately 90% of the myocardium within hyperenhanced regions is nonviable.

No abstract

After a reperfused myocardial infarction (MI), dynamic tissue changes occur (edema, inflammation, microvascular obstruction, hemorrhage, cardiomyocyte necrosis, and ultimately replacement by fibrosis). The extension and magnitude of these changes contribute to long-term prognosis after MI. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the gold-standard technique for noninvasive myocardial tissue characterization. CMR is also the preferred methodology for the identification of potential benefits associated with new cardioprotective strategies both in experimental and clinical trials. However, there is a wide heterogeneity in CMR methodologies used in experimental and clinical trials, including time of post-MI scan, acquisition protocols, and, more importantly, selection of endpoints. There is a need for standardization of these methodologies to improve the translation into a real clinical benefit. The main objective of this scientific expert panel consensus document is to provide recommendations for CMR endpoint selection in experimental and clinical trials based on pathophysiology and its association with hard outcomes.

This randomized study demonstrated that post-conditioning reduced infarct size and edema in patients with reperfused STEMI.

No abstract

Cyclosporine used at the moment of acute myocardial infarction reperfusion persistently reduces infarct size and does not have a detrimental effect on LV remodeling. These results are preliminary and must be supported by further studies. (Ciclosporin A and Acute Myocardial Infarction; NCT00403728).