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Published in:

01-07-2011

Multimodality imaging in the assessment of myocardial viability

Authors: Sara L. Partington, Raymond Y. Kwong, Sharmila Dorbala

Published in: Heart Failure Reviews | Issue 4/2011

Abstract

The prevalence of heart failure due to coronary artery disease continues to increase, and it portends a worse prognosis than non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. Revascularization improves prognosis in these high-risk patients who have evidence of viability; therefore, optimal assessment of myocardial viability remains essential. Multiple imaging modalities exist for differentiating viable myocardium from scar in territories with contractile dysfunction. Given the multiple modalities available, choosing the best modality for a specific patient can be a daunting task. In this review, the physiology of myocardial hibernation and stunning will be reviewed. All the current methods available for assessing viability including echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear imaging with single photon emission tomography and positron emission tomography imaging and cardiac computed tomography will be reviewed. The effectiveness of the various techniques will be compared, and the limitations of the current literature will be discussed.

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Title: Multimodality imaging in the assessment of myocardial viability
Authors: Sara L. Partington
Raymond Y. Kwong
Sharmila Dorbala
Publication date: 01-07-2011
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Heart Failure Reviews / Issue 4/2011
Print ISSN: 1382-4147
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7322
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10741-010-9201-7

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