Rapid Detection of Myocardial Infarction by Subsecond, Free-Breathing Delayed Contrast-Enhancement Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance

Abstract
Background— An ultrafast, delayed contrast-enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance technique that can acquire subsecond, “snapshot” images during free breathing (subsecond) is becoming widely available. This technique provides myocardial infarction (MI) imaging with complete left ventricular coverage in 50% transmural extent of infarction) by the standard technique were considered viable (≤25% transmural extent of infarction) by the subsecond technique. Quantitative analysis demonstrated moderately reduced contrast-to-noise ratios for subsecond imaging between infarct and remote myocardium (12.0±7.2 versus 20.1±6.6; P P Conclusions— MI can be rapidly detected by subsecond delayed contrast-enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance during free breathing with high accuracy. This technique could be considered the preferred approach in patients who are more acutely ill or unable to hold their breath. However, compared with standard imaging, sensitivity is mildly reduced, and the transmural extent of infarction may be underestimated.