Prognostic value of left ventricular blood stasis in patients with acute myocardial infarction: A cardiac magnetic resonance study

• Published in: International journal of cardiology 2022-07, Vol.358, p.128-133
• Main Authors: Massussi, Mauro, Cipriani, Alberto, Meneghin, Samuele, De la Cruz, Nicola, Cecere, Annagrazia, D'Amico, Gianpiero, Cacciavillani, Luisa, De Conti, Giorgio, Motta, Raffaella, Tarantini, Giuseppe, Zorzi, Alessandro, Iliceto, Sabino, De Lazzari, Manuel, Perazzolo Marra, Martina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blood stasis; Cardiac magnetic resonance; Ischemic stroke
• ISSN: 0167-5273; 1874-1754
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2022.04.012

Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) can complicate the follow-up of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Intracavitary blood stasis evaluation can be useful to stratify cardioembolic risk and optimize medical therapy. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is increasingly used in AMI patients for prognostic purposes. Slow-flow artefact is common on T2-weighted images in presence of left ventricular (LV) blood stasis. In this observational retrospective study, all patients with AMI undergoing CMR in our hospital were included. T2-weighted images were used to assess the presence of LV blood stasis. Among the 209 patients enrolled (males 72%, mean age 61 ± 12 years), LV blood stasis was detected in 48 (23%) and was significantly more prevalent in patients with extensive anterior or antero-apical AMI, lower LV ejection fraction, greater infarct size and microvascular obstruction. During follow-up (54 months, IQR 41–70), 8 CVAs and 6 cardiovascular deaths occurred. LV blood stasis emerged as a significant risk factor for both endpoints (logRank p