The detection of normal, ischemic and infarcted myocardial tissue using MRI M. Breeuwer a, * , I. Paetsch b , E. Nagel b , R. Muthupillai c,d , S. Flamm d , S. Plein e , J. Ridgway e a Philips Medical Systems, Medical IT-Advanced Development, Building QV1, P.O. Box 10.000, 5680 DA Brest, The Netherlands b Department of Cardiology, German Heart Institute Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany c Philips Medical Systems, 6270 Bertner Avenue, MC 2-270, Houston TX 77030-0270, USA d Texas Heart Institute, 6270 Bertner Avenue, MC 2-270, Houston TX 77030-0270, USA e Leeds General Infirmary, Cardiac MR Unit, Great George Street, Leeds LS1 3EX, UK Received 25 March 2003; received in revised form 25 March 2003; accepted 25 March 2003 Abstract A partial occlusion of one or more of the coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis leads to an insufficient supply of blood to the myocardium and as a result to the reduction of its functioning (myocardial ischemia). A total occlusion blocks the blood supply completely, which generally leads to starvation of myocardial tissue (myocardial infarction). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has proven to be a powerful technique for the imaging of cardiac diseases. This papers describes an integrated image analysis approach for the detection of normal, ischemic and infarcted myocardial tissue from cardiac images acquired with MRI. D 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. Keywords: Coronary – artery disease; Ischemia; Quantitative analysis 1. Introduction One of the major diseases currently afflicting the western society is the coronary – artery disease, i.e. the occlusion of one or more of the coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis. A partial occlusion limits the supply of blood to the myocardium and will therefore hamper its functioning (myocardial ischemia). A total occlusion blocks the blood supply completely, which generally leads to starvation of myocardial tissue (myocardial infarction). 0531-5131/03 D 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. doi:10.1016/S0531-5131(03)00405-9 * Corresponding author. Tel.: +31-40-2762456; fax: +31-40-2762379. E-mail address: Marcel.Breeuwer@philips.com (M. Breeuwer). International Congress Series 1256 (2003) 1153– 1158