Cor Vasa 2008, 50(12):470-472 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2008.171

Ischemic and non-ischemic myocardial injury: differential diagnosis using post-contrast delayed magnetic resonance imaging scans

Josef Vymazal^*, Jiří Weichet, Jan Balák

Radiodiagnostické oddělení, Nemocnice Na Homolce, Praha, Česká republika

The rapid development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has had an impact also in cardiology and cardiac surgery. Use of delayed scans following contrast agent administration allows to detect myocardial scars, distinguish subendo-cardial from transmural injury and, also, to detect non-ischemic myocardial injury. While non-ischemic myocardial injury tends to be central and non-coalescent, ischemic myocardial injury is either subendocardial or transmural in nature, very often combining both types, whereby a transmural scar turns into a subendocardial lesion. The ischemic nature of injury respects vascular territories. Non-ischemic myocardial injury, as evidenced by delayed scans following contrast agent administration, is exemplified by myocarditides, right ventricular arrhythmogenic dysplasias, and various forms of cardiomyopathies.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging; Contrast agent; Myocardium

Published: December 1, 2008  Show citation