Quantitative myocardial perfusion analysis with a dual-bolus contrast-enhanced first-pass MRI technique in humans.
OBJECTIVE
To compare fully quantitative and semiquantitative analysis of rest and stress myocardial blood flow (MBF) and myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) using a dual-bolus first-pass perfusion MRI method in humans.


METHODS
Rest and dipyridamole stress perfusion imaging was performed on 10 healthy humans by administering gadolinium contrast using a dual-bolus protocol. Ventricular and myocardial time-signal intensity curves were generated from a series of T1-weighted images and adjusted for surface-coil intensity variations. Corrected signal intensity curves were then fitted using fully quantitative model constrained deconvolution (MCD) to quantify MBF (mL/min/g) and MPR. The results were compared with semiquantitative contrast enhancement ratio (CER) and upslope index (SLP) measurements.


RESULTS
MBF (mL/min/g) estimated with MCD averaged 1.02 +/- 0.22 at rest and 3.39 +/- 0.59 for stress with no overlap in measures. MPR was 3.43 +/- 0.71, 1.91 +/- 0.65, and 1.16 +/- 0.19 using MCD, SLP, and CER. Both semiquantitative parameters (SLP and CER) significantly underestimated MPR (P < 0.001) and failed to completely discriminate rest and stress perfusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Rest and stress MBF (mL/min/g) and MPR estimated by dual-bolus perfusion MRI fit within published ranges. Semiquantitative methods (SLP and CER) significantly underestimated MPR.
Hsu
Li-Yueh
LY
Laboratory of Cardiac Energetics, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health/DHHS, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Rhoads
Kenneth L
KL
Holly
Jessica E
JE
Kellman
Peter
P
Aletras
Anthony H
AH
Arai
Andrew E
AE
D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D004176:Dipyridamole / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012146:Rest
D003287:Contrast Media; D004176:Dipyridamole; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA