Coronary disease & ACS

Myocardial Fibroblast Activation After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Study

J Am Coll CardiolPublished Prospective observational imaging study

Authors' conclusion

Myocardial fibroblast activation peaks within a week of acute myocardial infarction and extends beyond the infarct region. It declines slowly with time, persists for years, and is associated with subsequent left ventricular remodeling.

Study context

Population
Patients with acute MI
Participants
40 / 19 / 20
Exposure
Acute MI vs chronic MI vs matched controls
  • Acute MIn = 40
  • Controln = 19reference
  • Chronic MIn = 20
Outcome
Intensity, distribution and time-course of fibroblast activation ([68Ga]FAPI-46 TBRmax; burden as % myocardial involvement)
Methodological detailshybrid PET-CMR, matched controls
  • Hybrid PET-CMR
  • Matched controls

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

[68Ga]FAPI-46 burden vs late gadolinium enhancement burden (acute MI)
27.8% ± 12.4% vs 15.2% ± 10.6%; P < 0.001
Right ventricular involvement
One-third of patients
TBRmax at 1, 2, 4 and 12 weeks
4.0 ± 1.1, 3.7 ± 1.0, 3.1 ± 0.8, and 2.7 ± 0.7; P < 0.001
TBRmax Controls vs Chronic MI vs Acute MI
1.2 ± 0.1 vs 1.7 ± 0.5 vs 4.0 ± 1.1; P < 0.001

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

Baseline [68Ga]FAPI-46 burden vs remodelling · 1 year

Correlation with lower LVEF
r = −0.606
Correlation with higher indexed LV end-diastolic volume
r = 0.572
Correlation with higher scar burden
r = 0.871
  • P < 0.001 for all

Remote myocardial [68Ga]FAPI-46 uptake

Increased remote uptake associated with LV dilatation and systolic dysfunction

Original publication

Myocardial Fibroblast Activation After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Study. J Am Coll Cardiol. Published 8 January 2025. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2024.10.103

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