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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
Published on: February 16, 2016
Heterogeneity of myocardial perfusion in distal coronary embolism with different particle sizes
Maki Akiyama1, Takashi Akasaka, Katsukuni Fujimoto
1Department of Cardiology, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Japan. ma@med.kawasaki-m.ac.jp
Background:
We hypothesized that altered myocardial perfusion distribution patterns could be seen with coronary distal emboli of different particle sizes using myocardial contrast echocardiography.
Methods:
In 16 open-chest anesthetized dogs, microsphere suspensions of 9 or 500 microm in diameter were injected into the left anterior descending coronary artery until the mean left anterior descending coronary artery flow rate was reduced to less than 30% of baseline flow. During baseline conditions and after maximal embolization, real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed by intravenous infusion of an echocontrast agent.
Results:
In animals infused with 9-microm microspheres, a transmural perfusion defect was seen at the time of maximal embolization. In contrast, in animals infused with 500-microm microspheres, a subendocardial perfusion defect was observed.
Conclusions:
The particle size of coronary distal emboli affects myocardial perfusion distribution.
