MRI BASED CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROVASCULAR OBSTRUCTION IN RESPONSE TO THERAPEUTIC HYPOTHERMIA FOLLOWING ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

摘要

Methods for reducing microvascular obstructions, reducing hemorrhagic microvascular obstructions and/or reducing ischemia- reperfusion injury in a subject in need thereof use therapeutic hypothermia and monitoring the outcome of the intervention with a non¬ invasive imaging standard. A method for reducing microvascular obstructions in a subject in need thereof comprising establishing therapeutic hypothermia by cooling blood prior to reperfusion and performing an angioplasty to re-establish perfusion to an ischemic area in the subject using the cooled blood so as to reduce microvascular obstruction, thereby reducing microvascular obstructions in a subject in need thereof. The subject is a myocardial infarction patient whose treatment is initiated at least 6 hours after the onset of symptoms of myocardial infarction. The method further comprises monitoring microvascular obstructions using magnetic resonance imaging during reperfusion and post reperfusion.