Increased signal intensity in T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a typical finding in acute myocardial infarction. In an animal model a strong correlation between the area of increased T2 signal and the perfusion defect (area at risk) could be demonstrated, but clinical data for the role of T2 imaging as a marker for the area at risk are limited.

22 patients with acute myocardial infarction (interval between start of symptoms and intervention below 24 h) underwent both myocardial single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with 99 mTc-Sestamibi applied before coronary intervention and cardiac MRI with fat suppressed T2-weighted turbo spin echo sequences 3 ± 2 days after intervention. The area of increased T2 signal was quantified visually. In SPECT the area of risk was defined as area of intensity below 50% of maximum. Both values were expressed as fraction of left ventricular myocardial volume.

Although the number of patients is small, this study clearly demonstrates the potential of T2 weighted MRI as a marker for the area at risk in acute myocardial infarction avoiding the radiation associated with conventional SPECT imaging.