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Two-component diffusion tensor MRI of isolated perfused hearts.
E W Hsu1, D L Buckley, J D Bui
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0281, USA. Edward.Hsu@duke.edu
Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
|May 30, 2001
Summary
High diffusion-weighting strengths reveal two distinct anisotropic diffusion components in myocardial magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging. This finding aids in understanding tissue compartments and improving myocardial fiber orientation mapping.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Cardiovascular Research
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Background:
- Nonmonoexponential MR diffusion decay is observed in tissues like the myocardium at high diffusion-weighting strengths.
- The implications for myocardial MR diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) remain largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the underlying diffusion characteristics in myocardial tissue using a two-component diffusion tensor model.
- To explore the potential of this model for myocardial fiber orientation mapping.
Main Methods:
- A slow-exchange-limit, two-component diffusion tensor model was applied.
- Diffusion-weighted images were acquired from isolated, perfused rat hearts.
Main Results:
- At least two distinct anisotropic diffusion components were identified.
- A 'fast' component with diffusivity similar to the perfusate and a highly anisotropic 'slow' component were characterized.
- These components likely correspond to different tissue compartments (vascular, intracellular, interstitial) and align with myocardial fiber orientations.
Conclusions:
- The study identifies distinct diffusion components in the myocardium, suggesting contributions from vascular, intracellular, and interstitial spaces.
- These findings have implications for enhancing myocardial fiber orientation mapping using MR diffusion tensor imaging.
- Limitations of the current two-component model were also discussed.