Computed tomography for localization and sizing of experimental acute myocardial infarcts

Computed tomography (CT) has been used to quantitate acute myocardial infarct size in isolated, arrested canine hearts. Acute myocardial infarcts were produced in 20 hearts by either left anterior descending (13 dogs) or circumflex coronary artery ligation (seven dogs). Each animal was given iodinated contrast media intravenously immediately before sacrifice 24--72 hours postinfarction. All infarcts greater than 1 g and one of three infarcts 0.5 g or less were detected by CT imaging. Infarct volume determined by CT correlated with gross infarct weight (r=0.83). CT imaging, however, consistently underestimated infarct volume; underestimation was largest in a group of patchy, predominantly subendocardial infarcts. As adequate equipment and techniques for in vivo studies are developed, CT imaging of the heart may become important in clinical evaluation of myocardial infarction.