Delayed enhancement imaging: standardised segmental assessment of myocardial viability in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively compare a selective short axis slice positioning method (selective 3-of-5) used in combination with a single long-axis slice, to the conventional short axis multi-slice technique in the assessment of myocardial viability.


METHODS
Thirty-one patients with recent or chronic ST segment elevation myocardial infarct (STEMI) were recruited to undergo delayed enhancement (DE) cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). All patients underwent both methods of DE imaging, with subsequent review of both sets of data by two experienced observers. Sensitivity and specificity, as well as intra and interobserver reproducibility for both techniques were assessed.


RESULTS
There was good agreement between the selective 3-of-5 and the conventional multi-slice method for the assessment of viability, with no significant difference in results for sensitivity or reproducibility between the techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with STEMI, a selective 3-of-5 short axis slice acquisition used in combination with a single vertical long-axis slice can be utilised to produce a standard American Heart Association (AHA) 17-segment model for the assessment of myocardial viability.
Alfakih
Khaled
K
Cardiac MRI Unit, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK. khaled.alfakih@nhs.net
Sparrow
Patrick
P
Plein
Sven
S
Sivananthan
Mohan U
MU
Walters
Kevin
K
Ridgway
John P
JP
Messroghli
Daniel R
DR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA