Molecular Imaging of Healing After Myocardial Infarction

Nivedita K. Naresh, Tamar Ben-Mordechai, Jonathan Leor, Frederick H. Epstein

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

The progression from acute myocardial infarction (MI) to heart failure continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Potential new therapies for improved infarct healing such as stem cells, gene therapy, and tissue engineering are being investigated. Noninvasive imaging plays a central role in the evaluation of MI and infarct healing, both clinically and in preclinical research. Traditionally, imaging has been used to assess cardiac structure, function, perfusion, and viability. However, new imaging methods can be used to assess biological processes at the cellular and molecular level. We review molecular imaging techniques for evaluating the biology of infarct healing and repair. Specifically, we cover recent advances in imaging the various phases of MI and infarct healing such as apoptosis, inflammation, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix deposition, and scar formation. Significant progress has been made in preclinical molecular imaging, and future challenges include translation of these methods to clinical practice.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)63-76
Number of pages14
JournalCurrent Cardiovascular Imaging Reports
Volume4
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2011

Keywords

  • Infarct healing
  • Molecular imaging
  • Myocardial infarction

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
  • Cell Biology
  • Histology

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