Rapid Initial Reduction of Hyperenhanced Myocardium After Reperfused First Myocardial Infarction Suggests Recovery of the Peri-Infarction Zone

• DOI: 10.1161/circimaging.108.802199
• Publication Date: 2009-01-20T23:28:34Z
• Authors: Henrik Engblom; Erik Hedström; Einar Heiberg; Galen S. Wagner; Olle Pahlm; Håkan Arheden
• Keywords: Adult; Heart Ventricles; Myocardium; Myocardial Infarction; Contrast Media; Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine; Gadolinium; Myocardial Reperfusion; Stroke Volume; Middle Aged; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Ventricular Function, Left; Electrocardiography; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Heterocyclic Compounds; Organometallic Compounds; Humans; Female; Aged

Background— The time course and magnitude of infarct involution, functional recovery, normalization infarct-related electrocardiographic (ECG) changes after acute myocardial infarction (MI) are not completely known in humans. We sought to explore these processes early MI during infarct-healing using cardiac MRI. Methods Results— Twenty-two patients with reperfused first-time were examined by MRI ECG at 1, 7, 42, 182, 365 days infarction. Global left ventricular function regional wall thickening assessed cine MRI, injured myocardium was depicted delayed contrast-enhanced Infarct size estimated QRS scoring. reduction hyperenhanced occurred predominantly the first week (64% 1-year reduction). Furthermore, amount nonhyperenhanced increased significantly ( P <0.001), although mass remained unchanged. Left ejection fraction gradually, whereas greater transmural extent hyperenhancement day later recovery thickening. Regional decreased progressively increasing initial trend <0.0001). decrease score corresponded myocardium. Conclusions— may reflect hyperenhanced, reversibly myocardium, which must be considered when predicting from findings Also, for associated changes.