Among 1,053 Thai patients with BMI at least 25 kg/m2 who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance, 9.9% had scars consistent with previously unrecognized myocardial infarction. This group had more major cardiovascular events over a median 9.2 years, but most participants were selected for CMR because coronary disease was suspected, so this is not population prevalence among people with obesity.
Key findings
- UMI was found in 105 patients (9.9%). Over median 9.2-year follow-up, MACE rates were 2.58 versus 0.89 per 100 patient-years, with HR 2.86 (95% CI 1.68-4.88; p
Why this matters globally
The study adds long-term Asian evidence on occult infarct scars and risk stratification among clinically referred patients, but does not support population screening.
Thai researcher contribution
Siriraj cardiology researchers assembled a large Thai cohort with more than nine years of median follow-up, linking CMR findings to clinically meaningful cardiac outcomes.
Limitations to consider
This is a single-center observational cohort; 78.3% underwent CMR for suspected coronary disease, creating referral bias and residual confounding. BMI ≥25 follows an Asian threshold. Scar detection does not establish timing or cause, and no randomized evidence shows that learning UMI status or changing treatment reduces events.