Cyclic variation of myocardial signal intensity in real-time myocardial perfusion imaging.
BACKGROUND
The presence of cyclic intensity variation during real-time myocardial perfusion imaging (RTPI) has been controversially discussed. We investigated whether cyclic intensity variation is systematically found during RTPI and whether such variations are related to regional functional parameters.


METHODS
Intraoperative RTPI were obtained in 12 pigs before, during, and after left descending coronary artery occlusion with 60 mL/h SonoVue infusion. Furthermore, RTPI was performed in 14 patients after slow bolus injection of 0.7 mL of Optison. Instantaneous regional systolic to diastolic (S/D) myocardial intensity ratios were calculated after high mechanical index bubble destruction. S/D ratios were correlated with A- and beta-values, and fractional area shortening.


RESULTS
Systematic cyclic S/D changes were present in both experimental settings showing significantly higher systolic values (animals, S/D 1.28 +/- 0.44; patients, S/D 1.25 +/- 0.7). Cyclic S/D variation was not related to fractional area shortening, or A- or beta-values (all r < 0.3, not significant).


CONCLUSIONS
Consistent cyclic changes in myocardial contrast intensity can be measured both in intraoperative animals and in patients, showing higher systolic values. S/D ratios are not related to regional functional parameters.
Bekeredjian
Raffi
R
University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Hansen
Alexander
A
Filusch
Arthur
A
Dubart
Alain-Eric
AE
Da Silva
Kleber Gaspar Carvallho
KG
Hardt
Stefan S
SS
Korosoglou
Gregorius
G
Kuecherer
Helmut F
HF
D000368:Aged; D000418:Albumins; D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D001810:Blood Volume / Q000502:physiology; D003287:Contrast Media; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D011859:Radiography; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013552:Swine
D000418:Albumins; D003287:Contrast Media; C099458:FS 069; D005466:Fluorocarbons