Technical note--approach to myocardial perfusion with echo planar imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of MRI-based myocardial first-pass contrast perfusion imaging with a multi-shot echo planar imaging (EPI) technique.


METHODS
A non-sequential (ECG-triggered) gradient echo two-shot EPI acquisition strategy capable of covering the entire heart in contiguous 10-mm sections every two cardiac cycles with an in-plane resolution of 1.56 X 1.56 mm was implemented on a 1.5-T Signa Advantage Scanner equipped with prototype hardware for non-resonant EPI in the transverse plane. The heart of a single volunteer was studied prior to and following the intravenous bolus application of a paramagnetic contrast agent (Gd-DOTA, 0.2 mmol/kg).


RESULTS
Twelve contiguous transaxial 10-mm EPI images were obtained every two RR intervals for a total of 40 s. The myocardial contrast perfusion study was technically adequate. Contrast caused a signal loss of 87% in the right and 67% in the left ventricle and 59% in the myocardium.


CONCLUSIONS
First-pass myocardial perfusion imaging with a gradient echo, two-shot echo planar imaging strategy is feasible.
Debatin
J F
JF
McKinnon
G C
GC
von Schulthess
G K
GK
D000328:Adult; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010477:Perfusion