Cardiac magnetic resonance simultaneously evaluates Leriche syndrome and prior inferior myocardial infarction

Abstract

A woman with ECG findings suspicious of ischemic heart disease was referred for coronary angiography, but this was impossible via the left or right iliac arteries because of total occlusion. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed to assess the anatomy of the abdominal aorta, cardiac function, and myocardial viability in a single study. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) revealed Leriche syndrome resulting from occlusion of the infrarenal aorta and common iliac arteries. Delayed contrast enhancement indicated full thickness nonviable myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography via the right radial artery revealed proximal occlusion of the right coronary artery. This is the first case that illustrates the value of CMR as a time-saving non-invasive imaging technique with the ability to do in a single study what might otherwise take two studies.