In cardiology,<unk>  is a state when some segments of the<unk>  exhibit abnormalities of contractile function. These abnormalities can be visualised with echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), nuclear medicine (PET) or ventriculography. Echocardiography: A wall motion abnormality at rest which improves during a low-dose dobutamine stress test is classified as<unk> ." Low dose dobutamine stimulates contractile function and thus helps to predict functional recovery after revascularization. Cardiac magnetic resonance: The most frequently used MR contrast agents based on Gd-chelates accumulate in the extracellular space which is increased in scarred<unk> . This leads to a signal increase which can be visualised with the "late gadolinium enhancement technique." This is probably the most accurate way to visualise scarred<unk> . An alternative (or additional) technique with CMR is the use of low dose dobutamine similar to echocardiography. PET: The finding of a perfusion or metabolic mismatch between PET-FDG and PET-NH3 is indicative of decreased metabolism. The wall of the affected segments is hypo-, a-, or dyskinetic. The phenomenon is highly significant clinically because it usually manifests itself in the setting of chronic ischemia, that is potentially reversible by revascularisation via cardiac catheterization. The regions of<unk>  are still viable and can return to normal function. There develops a new steady state between myocardial blood flow (MBF) and myocardial function, MBF reduced and in consequence function is reduced too. The clinical situations where one can expect<unk>  are: * chronic stable angina * unstable angina * silent ischemia * after AMI
Hibernating myocardium
Coronary steal
Myocardial stunning
Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy
Myocardial scarring
Pacemaker crosstalk
Cardiac fibrosis
Coxsackievirus-induced cardiomyopathy