Parallel imaging for first-pass myocardial perfusion.
Two parallel imaging methods used for first-pass myocardial perfusion imaging were compared in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and image artifacts. One used adaptive Time-adaptive SENSitivity Encoding (TSENSE) and the other used GeneRalized Autocalibrating Partially Parallel Acquisition (GRAPPA), which are both applied to a gradient-echo sequence. Both methods were tested on 12 patients with coronary artery disease. The order of perfusion sequences was inverted in every other patient. Image acquisition was started during the administration of a contrast bolus followed by a 20-ml saline flush (3 ml/s), and the next perfusion was started at least 15 min thereafter using an identical bolus. An acceleration rate of 2 was used in both methods, and acquisition was performed during breath-holding. Significantly higher SNR, CNR and image quality were obtained with GRAPPA images than with TSENSE images. GRAPPA, however, did not yield a higher CNR when applied after the second bolus. GRAPPA perfusion imaging produced larger differences between subjects than did TSENSE. Compared to TSENSE, GRAPPA produced significantly better CNR on the first bolus. More consistent SNR and CNR were obtained from TSENSE images than from GRAPPA images, indicating that the diagnostic value of TSENSE may be better.
Irwan
Roy
R
Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Groningen, State University Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. r.irwan@rad.umcg.nl
Lubbers
Daniël D
DD
van der Vleuten
Pieter A
PA
Kappert
Peter
P
Götte
Marco J W
MJ
Sijens
Paul E
PE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016477:Artifacts; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008536:Meglumine; C072417:gadoterate meglumine