Myocardial Salvage Assessed by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance - Impact on Outcome

Prognostic Significance and Determinants of Myocardial Salvage Assessed by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance in Acute Reperfused Myocardial Infarction

In acute myocardial infarction cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging can retrospectively detect the myocardium at risk and the irreversible injury. This allows for quantifying the extent of salvaged myocardium after reperfusion as a potential strong end point for clinical trials and outcome. The aim of the present study is to determine the prognostic significance and determinants of myocardial salvage assessed by CMR in reperfused ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Inclusion Criteria:

• ST-elevation myocardial infarction < 12 hours
• primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Exclusion Criteria:

• previous myocardial infarction
• prior fibrinolysis
• contraindications to CMR at study entry (such as implanted pacemakers, defibrillators, claustrophobia or metallic intracranial implants)