Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries patients: A review

The diagnosis of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) necessitates documentation of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), non-obstructive coronary arteries, using invasive coronary angiography or coronary computed tomography angiography and no clinically overt cause for AMI. Historically patients with MINOCA represent a clinical dilemma with subsequent uncertain clinical management. Differential diagnosis is crucial to choose the best therapeutic option for ischemic and non-ischemic MINOCA patients. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is able to analyze cardiac structure and function simultaneously and provides tissue characterization. Moreover, CMR could identify the cause of MINOCA in nearly two-third of patients providing valuable information for clinical decision making. Finally, it allows stratification of patients with worse outcomes which resulted in therapeutic changes in almost half of the patients. In this review we discuss the features of CMR in MINOCA; from exam protocols to imaging findings.