Non-contrast myocardial perfusion assessment in porcine acute myocardial infarction using arterial spin labeled CMR

Background Following acute myocardial infarction (AMI), microvascular integrity and function may be compromised as a result of microvascular obstruction (MVO) and vasodilator dysfunction [1,2]. It has been observed that both infarct and remote myocardial territories may exhibit impaired myocardial blood flow (MBF) patterns associated with abnormal vasodilator response [3]. Arterial spin labeled (ASL) CMR is a novel non-contrast technique that can quantitatively measure MBF [4-6]. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of ASL-CMR in assessing MBF in a porcine model of AMI.