MRI manifestations of persistent microvascular obstruction and acute left ventricular remodeling in an experimental reperfused myocardial infarction.

PURPOSE

To investigate varied manifestations of persistent microvascular obstruction (PMO) and acute left ventricular (LV) remodeling in an experimental reperfused myocardial infarction (MI) using MRI.

METHODS

In eleven Yorkshire pigs an acute MI was produced through a 90-minute balloon occlusion of the middle left anterior descending coronary artery, followed by reperfusion. All animals underwent MRI examinations on a 1.5T system including a SSFP functional study, first pass myocardial perfusion (FPMP), T1 preparation Look-Locker and delayed contrast-enhanced MRI (DE-MRI). Imaging was performed immediately post-intervention (day 0) and at days 7-9. In four animals a repeat MRI examination was performed at day 2 as well. Upon study completion, animals underwent histological analysis including infarct assessment with triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC).

RESULTS

Following reperfusion, Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) Flow grade 3 was achieved in all animals, demonstrated by repeat angiography following balloon deflation (day 0). Various MR appearances of PMO were noticed including predominance in the subendocardial region, a central core within the infarcted tissue and also multiple separate clusters. In ten of eleven animals PMO was demonstrated as a persistent hypo-enhanced area in FPMP and DE-MRI, and identified as bright regions in later T1 difference images. In one animal PMO was identified only at day 2. At day 7-9 PMO could be identified on early DE-MRI at 5-15 minutes post Gd injection but not on late DE-MRI and T1 difference images after 45-60 minutes post-contrast. A larger volume of PMO and MI at day 2 was noted in comparison to data from day 0 but the difference was not statistically significant. An increased end-diastolic LV volume (EDV) without changes in end-systolic LV volume (ESV) and LV mass at end-diastolic phase (LVM) was observed at day 7-9 in comparison to data from day 0. There was good correlation between the relative extent of persistent MO in the infarcted myocardium (% MO/MI) and EDV at day 7-9 (r=0.83, n=10, P=0.003). MI was confirmed in all animals by TTC staining and/or histology.

CONCLUSION

A variable MR appearance of persistent microvascular obstruction is observed during a short time course MRI study of reperfused acute MI. Acute negative LV remodeling was closely related to the relative extent of persistent microvascular obstruction within the infarct myocardium.