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Magnetic Resonance Derived Myocardial Strain Assessment Using Feature Tracking
07:21

Magnetic Resonance Derived Myocardial Strain Assessment Using Feature Tracking

Published on: February 12, 2011

Myocardial scars more frequent than expected: magnetic resonance imaging detects potential risk group

Charlotte Ebeling Barbier1, Tomas Bjerner, Lars Johansson

  • 1Department of Radiology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.

Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|August 15, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Unrecognized myocardial infarctions (UMIs) were common in 70-year-olds, detected by MRI. These individuals may face increased cardiovascular risk, highlighting a previously unknown risk group.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Radiology
  • Geriatrics

Background:

  • Late enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can identify myocardial scars, aiding in the detection of unrecognized myocardial infarctions (UMIs).
  • Assessing myocardial infarction (MI) prevalence in older adults is crucial for understanding cardiovascular disease burden.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of recognized (RMIs) and unrecognized myocardial infarctions (UMIs) in 70-year-olds using cardiac MRI.
  • To correlate MI findings with cardiac function (ejection fraction, LV mass) and morbidity.

Main Methods:

  • Cardiac MRI, including late enhancement and cine sequences, was performed on 259 randomly selected 70-year-old subjects.
  • Ejection fraction and left ventricular (LV) mass were calculated; MI scars were identified by subendocardial late enhancement.
  • Subjects were classified as RMI or UMI based on MI scars and hospital diagnosis records.

Main Results:

  • Myocardial infarction scars were detected in 24.2% of subjects, with UMIs accounting for 19.8%.
  • UMIs were significantly smaller than RMIs.
  • Subjects with MI scars (RMI or UMI) showed lower ejection fraction, larger LV mass, and increased chest pain symptoms compared to those without MI scars.

Conclusions:

  • Unrecognized myocardial infarction (UMI) is more prevalent than anticipated in 70-year-old individuals.
  • Individuals with UMIs identified by MRI may constitute a previously unrecognized risk group for future cardiovascular events.

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