Potential utility of non-gated enhanced computed tomography for an early diagnosis of myocardial infarctions

Abstract

The diagnosis of acute myocardial infarctions (MIs) is challenging when no significant ischemic STsegment changes are noted on a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). We herein report two patients suffering from chest pain in whom non-gated enhanced computed tomography (CT) images were used to rule out aortic dissection and pulmonary embolism, aiding in the early diagnosis of an acute MI. Subsequently, urgent revascularization was successfully performed in these patients. In non-gated enhanced CT imaging, the infarcted myocardium is initially visible as a focal myocardial perfusion defect.