Cardiac Imaging Studies of Infarcted Heart with and without Cell Injections

Over the last few years cardiac imaging especially CT and MRI became leading imaging modalities in ischemic myocardial disease. Coronary artery disease and consequently myocardial infarct is one of the major causes of death in many western societies. Several tissue changes (myocardial scar (dead myocardium), microvascular obstruction, edema, hemorrhage) are associated with myocardial infarction and iron labeled cell injections. To monitor accurately these microscopic changes in the macroscopic level can be extremely important for patient management. In the present book several experimental methods are presented to monitor these tissue changes with contrast enhanced, cardiac CT and MRI. The book is also focusing on tissue changes associated with iron labeled cell injection. Cell therapy is a novel approach to repair infracted myocardium. Identification of grafted cells in the myocardium by non-invasive imaging approach enlightens the potential success of cell transplantation. This work should be a good asset to professionals, medical doctors, researchers and anyone else who may be interested in the present and future potentials of CT and MRI in monitoring myocardial infarct.