Quantitative pixelwise myocardial perfusion maps from first-pass perfusion MRI.
OBJECTIVE
To calculate and evaluate absolute quantitative myocardial perfusion maps from rest first-pass perfusion MRI.


METHODS
10 patients after revascularization of myocardial infarction underwent cardiac rest first-pass perfusion MRI. Additionally, perfusion examinations were performed in 12 healthy volunteers. Quantitative myocardial perfusion maps were calculated by using a deconvolution technique, and results were compared were the findings of a sector-based quantification.


RESULTS
Maps were typically calculated within 3 min per slice. For the volunteers, myocardial blood flow values of the maps were 0.51 ± 0.16 ml g(-1) per minute, whereas sector-based evaluation delivered 0.52 ± 0.15 ml g(-1) per minute. A t-test revealed no statistical difference between the two sets of values. For the patients, all perfusion defects visually detected in the dynamic perfusion series could be correctly reproduced in the maps.


CONCLUSIONS
Calculation of quantitative perfusion maps from myocardial perfusion MRI examinations is feasible. The absolute quantitative maps provide additional information on the transmurality of perfusion defects compared with the visual evaluation of the perfusion series and offer a convenient way to present perfusion MRI findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Voxelwise analysis of myocardial perfusion helps clinicians to assess the degree of tissue damage, and the resulting maps are a good tool to present findings to patients.
1 Institute of Radiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
A M
AM
Weng
C O
CO
Ritter
M
M
Beer
D
D
Hahn
H
H
Köstler
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D055414:Myocardial Perfusion Imaging / Q000379:methods*