Evaluation of reperfusion injury and left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction with MRI

Huiping SHI; Yuao GAO; Yuangui GAO

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The MRJ studies of acute myocardial infarction (AMI)were more frequently focused on the changes of myocardial perfusion.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the characteristics of infarction and myocardial reperfusion in MRI, and make comparison of them with the results of their staining pathologic sections.

DESIGN:

Completely randomized grouping design and randomized controlled study.

SETTING:

Magnetic Resonance Department of Air-force General Hospital of Chinese PLA and Radiological Department of General Hospital of Chinese PLA. MATERIALS The experiment was completed in the Medical Animal Experimental Center, General Hospital of Chinese PLA in December 2003.Fourteen miniature pigs were divided into 2 groups infarction group and reperfusion group with 7 pigs in each group. One-month before and after the operation, MRI was performed in order to strengthen the scanning examination. One-month after operation, axial plane pathologic slices, which were corresponding to the MRI, were given TTC and SE staining. According to the TTC staining results, samples of the infarcted myocardium (corresponding to the anterior wall of the left ventricular) and normal myocardium (corresponding to the posterior wall of the left ventricular) were taken and given HE staining to observe the extent of infracted myocardium. MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

The changes in cardiac shape and function and the changes of myocardial T1 and T2 relaxation time.

RESULTS:

Fourteen Chinese miniature pigs were used with 7 in each group. ①Relaxation time of T1 and T2 of infarcted myocardium in infarction group was obviously longer than that of thenormal myocardium [1 159.54±78.67, (60.15±6.31) ms, 1 056.15±70.95, (47.46±7.94) ms, t=2.63,5.38, P＜ 0.05, 0.01] and that of the infarcted myocardium in reperfusion group was also obviously longer than that of normal myocardium [1 171.14±139.98,(56.64±6.16) ms, 1 074.64±97.61, (44.57±4.25) ms, t=2.64, 6.24, P ＜ 0.05,0.01].②MRI in single infracted myocardium and reperfused infracted myocardium was both changed obviously,but without significant differences in relaxation time and stress.Dilatation of left ventricle in single infracted group was more obviously than that in the reperfusion infracted group.③Theresult of MRI was coincidence with that examinated with TTC staining

CONCLUSION:

①MRI is a useful imaging modality in the evaluation of AMI and the left ventricle remodeling after myocardial infarction.②It is significant for reperfusion to treat remodeling of left ventricle after acute myocardium infarction.③There is good correlation between MRI and pathological examination.