Myocardial infarction (MI)/Heart Attack refers to death of heart muscle (myocardium) due to the blockage of blood vessels which supply blood to the heart. The main cause of myocardial infarction is atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries. The myocardial infarction begins in the inner lining of the heart (endocardium) and spreads to the outer lining of the heart (epicardium).

Imaging techniques have been used to confirm the presence of acute infarction or ischemia, identifying nonischemic conditions causing chest pain and identifying mechanical complications of acute infarction. Echocardiography, radionuclide angiography and myocardial single-photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) perfusion imaging are used as imaging modalities.Echocardiography allows assessment of most nonischemic causes of acute chest pain, such as perimyocarditis, valvular heart disease (aortic stenosis), pulmonary embolism and aortopathies (aortic dissection).Radionuclide techniques provide simultaneous information on myocardial perfusion and function.An echocardiographic or radionuclide image early after the onset of symptoms is of great help in the assessment of patients with suspected acute MI.