Echocardiography for risk stratification of myocardial infarction in the reperfusion era.
The prediction of functional recovery or ventricular remodeling plays a central role in the prognostic assessment of acute myocardial infarction (MI) in the reperfusion era. This article reviews the advances of echocardiographic techniques, focusing on the role of low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography, contrast echocardiography, transthoracic Doppler of the left anterior descending coronary artery, and transmitral Doppler in detecting myocardial viability and predicting outcome after an acute MI. Moreover, the definition of risk for further ischemic events is another major objective in conservatively managed patients post infarction. As such, the prognostic and economic implication of stress echocardiography compared with that of traditional exercise electrocardiography was considered.
Cortigiani
Lauro
L
Cardiovascular Division, Campo di Marte Hospital, Lucca, Italy. lacortig@tin.it
Desideri
Alessandro
A
Bigi
Riccardo
R
D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D004452:Echocardiography; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014022:Tissue Survival; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling / Q000502:physiology*