title: An improved MR imaging technique for the visualization of myocardial infarction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To design a segmented inversion-recovery turbo fast low-angle shot (turboFLASH) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging pulse sequence for the visualization of myocardial infarction, compare this technique with other MR imaging approaches in a canine model of ischemic injury, and evaluate its utility in patients with coronary artery disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six dogs and 18 patients were examined. In dogs, infarction was produced and images were acquired by using 10 different pulse sequences. In patients, the segmented turboFLASH technique was used to acquire contrast material-enhanced images 19 days +/- 7 (SD) after myocardial infarction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Myocardial regions of increased signal intensity were observed in all animals and patients at imaging. With the postcontrast segmented turboFLASH sequence, the signal intensity of the infarcted myocardium was 1,080% +/- 214 higher than that of the normal myocardium in dogs-nearly twice that of the next best sequence tested and approximately 10-fold greater than that in previous reports. All 18 patients with myocardial infarction demonstrated high signal intensity at imaging. On average, the signal intensity of the high-signal-intensity regions in patients was 485% +/- 43 higher than that of the normal myocardium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The segmented inversion-recovery turboFLASH sequence produced the greatest differences in regional myocardial signal intensity in animals. Application of this technique in patients with infarction substantially improved differentiation between injured and normal regions.
authors.affiliation: Siemens Medical Systems, 448 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. orlando.simonetti@sms.siemens.com
authors.forename: O P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Simonetti
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Fieno
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Hillenbrand
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bundy
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Finn
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Judd
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000473:pathology*