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In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
08:13

In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography

Published on: February 16, 2016

Improved functional cardiac MR imaging using the intravascular contrast agent CLARISCAN

I Paetsch1, H Thiele, B Schnackenburg

  • 1Clinic of Internal Medicine/Cardiology, German Heart Institute, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.

The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
|November 6, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Intravascular contrast agents significantly improve cardiac MRI visualization by increasing blood-myocardium contrast, especially for patients with reduced ejection fraction. This enhances the accuracy of left ventricular function assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Medical Imaging Techniques
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Segmented k-space turbo gradient echo (TGE) MR techniques often show reduced blood-myocardium contrast in long axis views.
  • This contrast reduction is particularly pronounced in patients with low ejection fraction, impacting endocardial border delineation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of intravascular contrast agents (CA) in improving endocardial border delineation and left ventricular function assessment using TGE MR.
  • To determine the optimal dose of CA for enhanced image quality and diagnostic accuracy.

Main Methods:

  • Cardiac cine loops were acquired in 15 patients using TGE sequences with varying doses of CA (0.75, 2.0, 5.0 mg Fe/kg).
  • Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and endocardial border delineation scores were assessed by two independent observers.
  • Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between blood and myocardium were quantified.

Main Results:

  • Endocardial border delineation scores significantly improved with increasing CA doses (p < 0.01).
  • Blood SNR increased significantly, while myocardial SNR slightly decreased, leading to a >2-fold increase in CNR blood/myocardium at 2.0 mg Fe/kg.
  • Inter- and intraobserver variability for LVEF determination was reduced, particularly for patients with LVEF <50%.

Conclusions:

  • Intravascular CA significantly enhances CNR between blood and myocardium, improving cardiac volume determination.
  • The accuracy of cardiac imaging and LVEF assessment is most improved in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction below 50%.
Abstract

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