title: Magnetic resonance myocardial perfusion imaging-First experience at 3.0T.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  MR myocardial perfusion imaging (MRMPI) is an established technique for the evaluation of the hemodynamical relevance of coronary artery disease. Perfusion imaging at 3.0T provides certain advantages compared to 1.5T. Aim of this study was to evaluate myocardial MR perfusion imaging at 3.0T.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients with stable Angina pectoris and known or suspected coronary artery disease were examined at 3.0T. Myocardial perfusion was assessed using a saturation recovery gradient echo 2D sequence (TR 1.9ms, TE 1.0ms, FA 12 degrees ) with 0.05mmol Gd-DTPA per kg body weight at stress during injection of 140microg adenosine/kg body weight/min and at rest in short axis orientation. Perfusion analysis was based on a least square fit of the signal/time curve (peak signal intensity, slope). Perfusion series were assessed by two independent observers. Reference for the presence of relevant coronary artery stenoses was invasive coronary angiography. Two experienced observers evaluated the coronary angiograms in biplane projections for the presence and grade of stenoses. Results were compared with the MR perfusion analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All MR examinations could be safely performed and yielded high image quality. In eight patients stress-induced hypoperfusion was detected (stenosis >70% in coronary angiography). In four patients myocardial hypoperfusion was ruled out (stenosis <70%). The myocardial perfusion reserve index was significantly reduced in hypoperfused myocardium with 1.9+/-1.6 compared to 2.5+/-1.6 in regularly perfused myocardium (p<0.05). In coronary angiography, eight patients were found to suffer from coronary artery disease, whereas in four patients coronary artery disease was ruled out.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our initial results show that MRMPI at 3.0T provides reliably high-image quality and diagnostic accuracy.
authors.affiliation: Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, University Hospital Tuebingen, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany. bernhard.klumpp@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Klumpp
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hoevelborn
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fenchel
authors.forename: N I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Stauder
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Gawaz
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Claussen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity