title: Comparison of different contrast agents and doses for quantitative MR myocardial perfusion imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate three different contrast agents at different injection volumes for repetitive quantitative multislice myocardial perfusion imaging using the prebolus technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two consecutive prebolus perfusion measurements were performed on a 1.5 T scanner using identical injection volumes for the first and second examination to test the reproducibility for possible rest and stress examination in normal volunteers. Either 1-8 mL, 1-12 mL Gd-DTPA, 1-4 mL, 1-6 mL, 1-9 mL Gd-BOPTA, or 1-4 mL, 1-6 mL gadobutrol were applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In cases where injection volumes were sufficiently small, there was no indication of significant differences in quantitative perfusion values with respect to the different contrast agents. Increasing the bolus volume improved the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) but led to saturation effects and underestimation of the true perfusion. The highest CNR was measured for gadobutrol (6 mL, p < 0.0005 compared to 8 mL Gd-DTPA). The smallest difference of perfusion values between the first and the second prebolus examination was found for Gd-BOPTA (p < or = 0.006 compared Gd-DTPA).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prebolus examinations for quantitative myocardial perfusion imaging are possible with all three contrast agents for sufficient small injection volumes. Gd-BOPTA was found to be advantageous for a combined quantitative rest and stress examination.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Röntgendiagnostik der Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. koestler@roentgen.uni-wuerzburg.de
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Köstler
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ritter
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lipp
authors.forename: Meinrad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beer
authors.forename: Dietbert
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: Jörn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sandstede
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C064572:gadobenic acid; C090600:gadobutrol; D008536:Meglumine; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA