[A correlative study of the evolution of myocardial infarction using 131Cs scintigraphy and ecocardiography (author's...

21 patients with acute myocardial infarction (A.M.I.) were studied by echocardiography (Echo) and 131CS myocardial scintigraphy (M.S.). Some months after discharge from Hospital (mean value = 10 months), the echocardiograms and myocardial scintigrams were taken again. M.S. resulted modified in 13 patients (62%); in 7 of these there was a reduction of the "cold" area due to M.I.; in 6 an extension with scintigraphic pattern of left ventricular aneurysm was shown. Echo showed in the first group of 7, with normal ventricular cavity (L.V.C.), dimension and good movement of the walls affected by A.M.I. In the second group of 6, L.V.C. dilatation (mean value = 5,6 cm) and reduction of L.V. walls movements gave noticeable results. In the patients (8 = 38%) with unchanged M.S., Echo showed an L.V.C. dimensions increase and L.V. wall movement reduction. The most important results of the present study is the sensitivity of the M.S. and Echo to picking up left ventricular aneurysm by means of non-invasive techniques. The Authors emphasize the availability of Echo and M.S. in the follow up of M.I.