Quantitative T2 mapping for detecting myocardial edema after reperfusion of myocardial infarction: validation and comparison with T2-weighted images

This study evaluates the clinical usefulness of T2 mapping for the detection of myocardial edema in the re-perfused acute myocardial infarction (MI). Cardiac MRIs were reviewed in 20 patients who had acute MI after reperfusion therapy. The regional T2 values and T2-weighted image (T2WI) signal intensities (SI) were measured in the infarcted and remote zones of the myocardium. Patients were divided into three groups according to the signal patterns of the infarcted myocardium on the T2WIs. The T2 values of the infarcted zones were compared on the T2 maps among the three groups. Validation of the T2 values was performed in the normal myocardium of seven healthy volunteers. There were no significant differences in mean T2WI-SI or T2 values in the normal myocardium of healthy volunteers compared to the remote myocardium of acute MI patients ( p > 0.05). Mean SI on the T2WIs was significantly higher in the infarcted myocardium (81.3 ± 37.6) than in the remote myocardium (63.8 ± 18.1) ( p