Dynamic contrast-enhanced myocardial perfusion imaging using saturation-prepared TrueFISP.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and test a saturation-recovery TrueFISP (SR-TrueFISP) pulse sequence for first-pass myocardial perfusion imaging.


METHODS
First-pass magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of Gd-DTPA (2 mL) kinetics in the heart was performed using an SR-TrueFISP pulse sequence (TR/TE/alpha = 2.6 msec/1.4 msec/55 degrees ) with saturation preparation TD = 30 msec before the TrueFISP readout. Measurements were also performed with a conventional saturation-recovery TurboFLASH (SRTF) pulse sequence for comparison.


RESULTS
SR-TrueFISP images were of excellent quality and demonstrated contrast agent wash-in more clearly than SRTF images. The signal increase in myocardium was higher in SR-TrueFISP than in SRTF data. Precontrast SNR and peak CNR were not significantly different between both sequences despite 57% improved spatial resolution for SR-TrueFISP.


CONCLUSIONS
SR-TrueFISP first-pass MRI of myocardial perfusion leads to a substantial improvement of image quality and spatial resolution. It is well suited for first-pass myocardial perfusion studies at cardiovascular MR systems with improved gradient hardware.
Schreiber
Wolfgang Günther
WG
Department of Radiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany. wolfgang.schreiber@radiologie.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Schmitt
Melanie
M
Kalden
Peter
P
Mohrs
Oliver Klaus
OK
Kreitner
Karl-Friedrich
KF
Thelen
Manfred
M
D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008833:Microcirculation; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA