An overview for current imaging diagnosis of myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) occurs due to interruption to blood supply to the heart. WHO estimated 12.2% of the world population to have died from the condition in 2008. Patients often present with signs and symptoms of crushing chest pressure, diaphoresis, malignant ventricular arrhythmias, heart failure, or shock; sometimes can manifest as sudden cardiac death. It can be silent in 25% of elderly patients. Haematologic pathology itself and or its treatment are known to cause MI. Cytotoxics such as 5-flurouracil, hydroxyurea, doxorubicin, cisplastin, vinca alkaloids and arsenic trioxide among others are known to cause MI, with higher incidences of MI seen in cancer patients. The current methods for diagnosing MI include chest x-ray, electrocardiography, echocardiography, positron-emission tomography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, nuclear imaging and optical imaging among others. Some have drawbacks and this review is aimed to explore various techniques, which are noninvasive and also give early diagnosis of myocardial infarction. Optical imaging, shows high sensitivity combined with high speed, low cost and noninvasive potentials, seems to be a preferred imaging method for the future. Optical imaging agents are non-invasive and non-toxic, do not decay and can be stored on the shelf.