myocardial salvage index
Quantitative measure of myocardium rescued by reperfusion therapy, calculated as the difference between area at risk and final infarct size.
Full Definition
The myocardial salvage index quantifies the effectiveness of reperfusion therapy by measuring the proportion of ischemic myocardium that was successfully salvaged from infarction. It is calculated as (area at risk - final infarct size) divided by area at risk, expressed as a percentage. The area at risk represents the myocardial territory initially threatened by coronary occlusion, typically assessed using T2-weighted MRI for edema detection. Final infarct size is measured using late gadolinium enhancement imaging. A higher salvage index indicates more effective reperfusion and better tissue preservation, correlating with improved clinical outcomes and left ventricular function recovery.
Usage
Usage note: Express as percentage; specify imaging timing relative to intervention when reporting.
In Context
- "The myocardial salvage index was 68%, indicating successful preservation of threatened tissue." — Post-reperfusion MRI analysis
- "Patients with higher salvage indices demonstrated better functional recovery at six months." — Clinical research report