Myocardial infarct sizing and assessment of reperfusion by magnetic resonance imaging: a review.

Early thrombolytic therapy restores patency of thrombotic coronary artery occlusion in many patients. Intravenous streptokinase appears to be effective in achieving recanalization of the occluded infarct-related artery, thereby reducing myocardial infarct size. However, it may be difficult to assess non-invasively the relative value of different reperfusion therapies. MR imaging with or without the use of contrast agents may become a reliable non-invasive technique to assess infarct size after reperfusion therapy. There are indications that early MR imaging after administration of Gd-DTPA is able to differentiate reperfused from non-reperfused infarcts. Furthermore, MR infarct sizing using Gd-DTPA can demonstrate infarct size reduction in patients with successful reperfusion. The availability of ultrafast imaging methods and MR contrast agents may allow assessment of myocardial perfusion in the near future. This article reviews the current status of MR imaging for evaluating ischemic myocardial disease.