Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in different stages of myocardial infarction using the contrast agent gadolinium‐DTPA

Abstract

Summary: We investigated 26 patients admitted to our catheterization laboratory with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. In each case acute revascularization was unsuccessful, but the diagnosis was confirmed by angiography. In 11 patients with an uncomplicated course of acute myocardial infarction magnetic resonance imaging was camed out within 7 days of the acute event. In three additional cases imaging was performed within 3 weeks, while a remaining 12 patients underwent studies more than 3 weeks after the onset of symptoms. We determined signal intensity at three points within the area of infarction and at three other points in adjacent myocardial tissue. Decreased signal intensity within the area of infarction was present in native scans in 60% of all cases. Application of 0. I mmol/kg body weight gadolinium-DTPA was followed by an average 70% increase in signal intensity within zones of acute infarction, as compared to a 20% increase in surrounding myocardial tissue. In cases of subacute and chronic infarction there was no significant signal enhancement after administration of gadolinium-DTPA. Uptake of gadolinium-DTPA in the area of acute myocardial infarction may be a positive marker of acute myocardial necrosis, which may be of potential clinical benefit.

Contrast-enhanced MRI for quantification of myocardial viability

“…They found that the partition coefficient was maximal (from 0.8 to 1.2) within the first week after infarction and progressively diminished thereafter, consistent with earlier studies of contrast enhancement timecourse in patients (19)(20)(21). Measured values of partition coefficient by MRI (17) agreed well with values obtained from 111 InDTPA.…”

Improved detection of acute myocardial infarction by magnetic resonance imaging using Gadolinium-DTPA

“…To our knowledge, only one clinical study has reported the effects of Gd-DTPA in patients after myocardial infarction. Eichstaedt et al [22] studied 26 patients with Gd-DTPA, of whom 11 patients underwent the earliest MRI procedure 5-10 days after the acute event. Signal intensities in the infarcted areas were increased with an average of 70% compared to the precontrast images.…”

Myocardial infarct sizing and assessment of reperfusion by magnetic resonance imaging: a review

“…The use of fast imaging and MR contrast agents for evaluating ischemic myocardial disease offers the potential to assess important parameters, such as myocardial blood flow and perfusion. Eichstaedt et al [10] examined 26 patients with acute myocardial infarction by MR imaging with the aid of 0.1mmol/kg body weight Gd-DTPA. MR imaging was performed in the acute phase (between 5-10 days), subacute (within 3 weeks), and chronic phase (after 3 weeks).…”