Blood Stasis Imaging Predicts Cerebral Microembolism during Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

This study investigates the predictive value of left ventricular blood stasis imaging for cerebral microembolism during acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The researchers employed advanced color Doppler echocardiography to evaluate blood stasis by mapping intraventricular residence time (RT) in a controlled model. Their findings demonstrated a significant correlation between prolonged RT and the presence of cerebral microemboli, identified through high-intensity transient signals (HITS) detected via carotid Doppler ultrasound. These results highlight the potential of echocardiographic quantification of blood stasis as an effective tool for identifying patients at elevated risk of cardioembolic events during AMI, thereby supporting the development of more targeted anticoagulation strategies.