Korean J Radiol.  2001 Mar;2(1):21-27. 10.3348/kjr.2001.2.1.21.

Evaluation by Contrast-Enhanced MR Imaging of the Lateral Border Zone in Reperfused Myocardial Infarction in a Cat Model

• Jeong AK
• Choi SI
• Kim DH
• Park SB
• Lee SS
• Choi SH
• Lim TH

• KMID: 754119
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2001.2.1.21

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To identify and evaluate the lateral border zone by comparing the size and distribution of the abnormal signal area demonstrated by MR imaging with the infarct area revealed by pathological examination in a reperfused myocardial infarction cat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In eight cats, the left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded for 90 minutes, and this was followed by 90 minutes of reper-fusion. ECG-triggered breath-hold turbo spin-echo T2-weighted MR images were initially obtained along the short axis of the heart before the administration of contrast media. After the injection of Gadomer-17 and Gadophrin-2, contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MR images were obtained for three hours. The size of the abnormal signal area seen on each image was compared with that of the infarct area after TTC staining. To assess ultrastructural changes in the myocardium at the infarct area, lateral border zone and normal myocardium, electron microscopic examination was performed. RESULTS: The high signal area seen on T2-weighted images and the enhanced area seen on Gadomer-17-enhanced T1WI were larger than the enhanced area on Gadophrin-2-enhanced T1WI and the infarct area revealed by TTC staining; the difference was expressed as a percentage of the size of the total left ventricle mass (T2= 39.2 %; Gadomer-17 =37.25 % vs Gadophrin-2 = 29.6 %; TTC staining = 28.2 %; p < 0.05). The ultrastructural changes seen at the lateral border zone were compatible with reversible myocardial damage. CONCLUSION: In a reperfused myocardial infarction cat model, the presence and size of the lateral border zone can be determined by means of Gadomer-17- and Gadophrin-2-enhanced MR imaging.

Keyword

Magenit Resonance (MR),contrast agent; Heart, MR; Myocardium, infarction,gadolinium

MeSH Terms

Animal
Cats
Contrast Media
Gadolinium
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods
Mesoporphyrins/diagnostic use
Metalloporphyrins/diagnostic use
Myocardial Infarction/*pathology
Myocardial Reperfusion
Myocardium/pathology
Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Comparison between the abnormal signal areas depicted by MRI and the infarct area revealed by TTC staining.

• 

  Fig. 2 MR images and the corresponding TTC-stained slice of reperfused myocardium in a cat model. A. T2-weighted MRI shows high signal intensity in the territory of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Gadomer-17(B) and Gadophrin-2(C)-enhanced T1-weighted images demonstrate enhancement in the corresponding area. The high signal intensity area on the T2-weighted image and the enhanced area on the Gadomer-17-enhanced T1-weighted image are significantly larger than the enhanced area on Gadophrin-2-enhanced T1-weighted images and the infarct area revealed by TTC staining (p < 0.05). D. Macroscopic photograph of TTC-stained myocardial specimen taken at the same level as the MR images. The area of infarct corresponds to the non-stained area seen in the territory of the LAD artery.

• 

  Fig. 3 The ultrastructural features of cat myocardium after 90 minutes of LAD occlusion followed by 90 minutes of reperfusion. A. Ultrastructures of the infarct area. The sarcolemma is markedly disrupted (arrowheads), the mitochondria are swollen and contain electron-opaque dense granular bodies (arrows), and contraction bands (asterisk) are also seen. B. Ultrastructure of the lateral border zone (peri-infarct area) shows interfiber and intramitochondrial edema, and prominent I-bands (arrows). The sarcolemma is intact (arrowheads). These findings are consistent with the ultrastructural changes seen in reversibly injured myocardium. C. Ultrastructure of normal myocardium. Myocardial cells are surrounded by an intact sarcolemma with abundant mitochondria.

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