Relationship of cardiac biomarkers and reversible and irreversible myocardial injury following acute myocardial infarction as determined by cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can accurately depict myocardial oedema, haemorrhage, infarction and microvascular obstruction. The purpose of this study was to establish the relationships between cardiac biomarkers and reversible and irreversible myocardial injury following AMI, as determined by CMR. METHODS: Forty-eight patients admitted with AMI and successfully treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention were studied. A comprehensive CMR protocol was performed at day 2, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after presentation. Blood samples were taken at the same intervals and analysed for highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), Troponin I, N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) and Heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP). The CMR end points were the extent of myocardial oedema, haemorrhage and infarction as well as left ventricular function and volumes. RESULTS: Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that hs-CRP on 'day 2' was the strongest independent predictor of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p=0.007) and left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) (p=0.002) at 3 months. Troponin I level on 'day 2' was the only independent predictor of infarct size (p=0.002) at 3 months. Patients with haemorrhagic infarctions had significantly higher biomarker levels at 'day 2'. NT-pro-BNP levels were significantly greater in patients with myocardial haemorrhage at all four time points. CONCLUSIONS: C-reactive protein measured two days after reperfusion was the strongest independent predictor of left ventricular remodelling at three months. Elevated biomarker levels in patients with haemorrhagic infarction suggest that reperfusion haemorrhage is a marker of more severe myocardial injury and may be associated with adverse ventricular remodelling.

Timing of cardiovascular MR imaging after acute myocardial infarction: effect on estimates of infarct characteristics and prediction of late ventricular remodeling.

PURPOSE: To define the evolution of infarct characteristics with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and to assess which of the cardiovascular MR data acquired at day 2 or at 1 week after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), is the stronger predictor of infarct size and left ventricular (LV) function measured at 3 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the local research ethics committee, and written informed consent was obtained. Forty-eight patients with reperfused AMI underwent cine, T2-weighted, and late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular MR imaging at days 2, 7, 30, and 90 after index presentation. Continuous data between times were compared by using paired t tests or one-way analysis of variance. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to predict linear end points. RESULTS: Infarct size and extent of myocardial edema decreased significantly between day 2 and 1 week: Mean scar as a percentage of LV mass and standard deviation (SD), respectively, were 27.2 and 13.9 versus 21.6 and 14.1 (P < .001), and myocardial edema as a percentage of LV mass and SD, respectively, were 37.9 and 15.2 versus 32.3 and 14.3 (P = .003). These changes were accompanied by a significant improvement in LV ejection fraction (LVEF): Mean percentage of LVEF and SD, respectively, were 41.7 and 9.6 versus 44.6 and 10.1 (P < .001). When comparing data acquired at day 2 and 1 week, only cardiovascular MR data acquired at 1 week were independent predictors of LVEF and infarct size at 3 months. CONCLUSION: LVEF, infarct size, and extent of myocardial edema changed significantly during the 1st week after AMI. Overall, cardiovascular MR measurements acquired after 1 week have greater predictive value for infarct size and LV function at 3 months than data acquired at day 2.

Percutaneous closure of postinfarction ventricular septal defect: cardiac magnetic resonance-guided case selection and postprocedure evaluation.

Despite modern surgical techniques, complications and early mortality remain high following postinfarction ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair. It is now possible to close these acquired defects percutaneously using, for example, the Amplatzer postinfarct muscular VSD device. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance is an important tool in determining appropriate case selection and device sizing as it can provide a multicomponent assessment of the VSD anatomy, ventricular volumes and function, infarct extent, and left-to-right shunt calculations.

Short-axis 2D strain from speckle tracking predicts echocardiographic response to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

AIMS: Two-dimensional (2D) strain imaging from speckle tracking is a Doppler independent technique allowing assessment of left ventricular (LV) strain (ɛ); systolic strain rate (SRs') and early diastolic strain rate (SRe') in the radial and circumferential planes. We set out to investigate whether (i) these parameters facilitated assessment of dyssynchronous contraction and (ii) these measures could predict response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-one patients with severe, symptomatic heart failure on optimal medical therapy were recruited. Thirty-two healthy subjects were used as controls. Time to peak ɛ, SRs', and SRe' of 6 LV segments were measured in the parasternal short axis prior to and 6 weeks post CRT implantation. Time delays between segments were then calculated and ANOVA assessed for prediction of response, classified as reduction in LV end systolic volume of >15%. 2D strain demonstrated significantly more dyssynchronous contraction in the heart failure population at baseline compared to healthy controls. Significant reduction in dyssynchrony was seen in ɛ and SRs' following CRT, largely confined to those with evidence of remodeling. The time delay between peak circumferential SRs' of opposing walls was the best predictor of reverse remodeling. CONCLUSION: 2D strain imaging appears to be a useful measure to predict response to CRT. The time to peak circumferential SR is a new predictor of response.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging of a patient with an magnetic resonance imaging conditional permanent pacemaker.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly used as the optimum modality for cardiac imaging. An aging population and rising numbers of patients with permanent pacemakers means many such individuals may require cardiac MRI scanning in the future. Whilst the presence of a permanent pacemaker is historically regarded as a contra-indication to MRI scanning, pacemaker systems have been developed to limit any associated risks. No reports have been published regarding the use of such devices with cardiac MRI in a clinical setting. We present the safe, successful cardiac MRI scan of a patient with an MRI-conditional permanent pacing system.