Role of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation of MINOCA

Abstract

Myocardial infarction with Non Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA) is defined by patients presenting with signs and symptoms similar to acute myocardial infarction, but are found to have non-obstructive coronary arteries angiography. What was once considered a benign phenomenon, MINOCA has been proven to carry with it significant morbidity and worse mortality when compared to the general population. As the awareness for MINOCA has increased, guidelines have focused on this unique situation. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has proven to be an essential first step in the diagnosis of patients with suspected MINOCA. CMR has also been shown to be crucial when differentiating between MINOCA like presentations such as myocarditis, takotsubo and other forms of cardiomyopathy. The following review focuses on demographics of patients with MINOCA, their unique clinical presentation as well as the role of CMR in the evaluation of MINOCA.