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Updated: May 26, 2026

In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
08:13

In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography

Published on: February 16, 2016

Multimodality imaging for assessment of myocardial viability: nuclear, echocardiography, MR, and CT

James A Arrighi1, Vasken Dilsizian

  • 1Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA. jarrighi@lifespan.org

Current Cardiology Reports
|January 11, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Assessing myocardial viability using imaging techniques helps determine if patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction will benefit from revascularization, guiding crucial therapeutic decisions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Left ventricular dysfunction in coronary artery disease (CAD) can stem from irreversible myocardial infarction or reversible ischemic states like stunning and hibernation.
  • Accurate assessment of myocardial viability is crucial for guiding therapeutic decisions in patients with CAD and left ventricular dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To guide therapeutic decisions in patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction.
  • To determine which patients are most likely to benefit from revascularization by assessing myocardial viability.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing various imaging techniques to assess myocardial viability, including echocardiography, nuclear imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, and x-ray computed tomography.
  • Evaluating parameters such as left ventricular function, morphology, perfusion, and metabolism to assess viability.
  • Reviewing the strengths and limitations of each imaging modality for myocardial viability assessment.

Main Results:

  • Each imaging technique offers the ability to assess one or more parameters of myocardial viability (function, morphology, perfusion, metabolism).
  • The article details the application of echocardiography, nuclear imaging, MRI, and CT in assessing myocardial viability.
  • A comparative review of the strengths and limitations of these diverse imaging modalities is provided.

Conclusions:

  • Myocardial viability assessment is a key component in managing patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction.
  • Imaging modalities provide essential tools for differentiating between reversible and irreversible myocardial damage.
  • Informed therapeutic decisions, particularly regarding revascularization, can be made based on comprehensive viability assessment.

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