Performance of CMR Methods for Differentiating Acute From Chronic MI.

objectivesThe purpose of this study was to assess the performance of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) methods for discriminating acute from chronic myocardial infarction (MI).

backgroundAlthough T2-weighted CMR is thought to be accurate in differentiating acute from chronic MI, few studies have reported on diagnostic accuracy, and these generally compared extremes in infarct age (e.g., <1 week old vs. more than 6 months old) and did not evaluate other CMR methods that could be informative.

methodsA total of 221 CMR studies were performed at various time points after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in 117 consecutive patients without a history of MI or revascularization enrolled prospectively at 2 centers. Imaging markers of acute MI (<1 month) were T2 hyperintensity on double inversion recovery turbo spin echo (DIR-TSE) images, microvascular obstruction (MO) on delayed-enhancement CMR, and focally increased end-diastolic wall thickness (EDWT) on cine-CMR.

resultsThe prevalence of T2-DIR-TSE hyperintensity decreased with infarct age but remained substantial up to 6 months post-MI. In contrast, the prevalence of both MO and increased EDWT dropped sharply after 1 month. T2-DIR-TSE sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for identifying acute MI were 88%, 66%, and 77% compared with 73%, 97%, and 85%, respectively, for the combination of MO or increased EDWT. On multivariable analysis, persistence of T2-hyperintensity in intermediate-age infarcts (1 to 6 months old) was predicted by larger infarct size, diabetes, and better T2-DIR-TSE image quality score. For infarct size ≥ 10% of the left ventricle, a simple algorithm incorporating all CMR components allowed classification of infarct age into 3 categories (<1 month old, 1 to 6 months old, and ≥ 6 months old) with 80% (95% confidence interval: 73% to 87%) accuracy.

conclusionsT2-DIR-TSE hyperintensity is specific for infarcts <6 months old, whereas MO and increased EDWT are specific for infarcts <1 month old. Incorporating multiple CMR markers of acute MI and their varied longevity leads to a more precise assessment of infarct age.