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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

Myocardial contrast echocardiography in acute myocardial infarction. Pathophysiological background and clinical

S Iliceto1, V Marangelli, A Marchese

  • 1Institute of Cardiology, University of Bari, Italy.

European Heart Journal
|March 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Myocardial contrast echocardiography visualizes blood flow in the heart muscle. This technique helps assess myocardial infarction size and microvascular integrity, crucial for understanding heart attack recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Echocardiography

Background:

  • Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) visualizes intramyocardial perfusion patterns.
  • In myocardial infarction, MCE identifies areas at risk and infarct size.
  • Arterial reopening doesn't guarantee microvascular reperfusion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the role of MCE in assessing microvascular integrity and reflow post-myocardial infarction.
  • To determine if MCE can detect impaired microvascular function, including reduced vasodilating reserve.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing intracoronary injection of sonicated contrast medium during MCE.
  • Assessing microvascular integrity and effective intramyocardial reflow.
  • Evaluating microvascular function by observing echocontrast signal intensity changes with vasodilator administration.

Main Results:

  • MCE effectively delineates the area at risk and infarct size in acute myocardial infarction.
  • Intracoronary MCE provides information on microvascular integrity and reflow.
  • MCE can detect reduced microvascular vasodilating reserve in areas with compromised coronary flow.

Conclusions:

  • MCE is valuable for assessing microvascular integrity and reflow after myocardial infarction.
  • The technique can identify functional microvascular impairment, not just anatomical integrity.
  • MCE offers potential for evaluating microvascular function and guiding treatment strategies.

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