Transmural ischemia visualized using routine Chest CTA

Radiology Case Reports, vol. 17, pp. 1734–1736

Abstract

Chest computed tomography (CT) is not routinely used for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction. However, there have been some reports of patients undergoing chest CT for other indications in which ultimately MI was diagnosed due to the presence of areas of myocardial hypoperfusion. The authors present the case of a 60-years old male who is referred due to acute chest pain radiating between the scapulae. Thoracic computed tomography angiography to rule out an aortic dissection revealed an occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery with an area of relative hypoperfusion. Hence, the present case demonstrates how using routine thoracic computed tomography angiography, transmural ischemia can be visualized in the setting of an acute myocardial infarction. It should make clinicians aware of the fact it may be beneficial to look for myocardial perfusion abnormalities when assessing chest CT's.

Authors 5

1. Finn Y. van Driest Aachen Department of Cardiology, Leiden Heart-Lung Center

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Cardiology, Leiden Heart-Lung Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands

2. Omar Hertgers Aachen Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

3. Arthur J.H.A. Scholte Aachen Department of Cardiology, Leiden Heart-Lung Center

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Cardiology, Leiden Heart-Lung Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands

4. J. Wouter Jukema Aachen Department of Cardiology, Leiden Heart-Lung Center

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Cardiology, Leiden Heart-Lung Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands

5. Michiel Alexander De Graaf corresponding Aachen Department of Cardiology, Leiden Heart-Lung Center

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Cardiology, Leiden Heart-Lung Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands