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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Myocardial Infarction and Functional Outcome Assessment in Pigs
Published on: April 25, 2014
Quantification of resting myocardial blood flow in a pig model of acute ischemia based on first-pass MRI
Melanie Schmitt1, Georg Horstick, Steffen E Petersen
1Department of Radiology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
Abstract:
Qualitative and semiquantitative contrast-enhanced (CE) dynamic perfusion MRI techniques are established as noninvasive diagnostic means of assessing coronary artery disease. However, to date quantification of myocardial blood flow (MBF) has not reached the same acceptance as MBF quantification with nuclear techniques. To validate quantification of MBF at rest using the extracellular contrast agent (CA) Gd-DTPA, we performed an animal study in a pig model of acute myocardial ischemia. We quantified MBF from MRI data with a mathematical model (MMID4) of the underlying vasculature. These MBF results were subsequently compared with the results from fluorescent microspheres. The study showed a correlation of r = 0.66 between MBF estimates obtained with MRI and those obtained with fluorescent microspheres. The correlation for ischemic and nonischemic myocardium was r = 0.86 and r = 0.47, respectively. In conclusion, quantification of resting MBF using MMID4 is a valid method under conditions of acute myocardial ischemia.
Insights
This study validates magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for quantifying myocardial blood flow (MBF) at rest during acute ischemia. MRI MBF measurements showed good correlation with microsphere data, supporting its clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Medical Physics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Contrast-enhanced (CE) dynamic perfusion MRI is established for noninvasive coronary artery disease assessment.
- Quantification of myocardial blood flow (MBF) using MRI has not achieved the same acceptance as nuclear techniques.
- Validation of MRI-based MBF quantification is crucial for clinical adoption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the quantification of resting myocardial blood flow (MBF) using the extracellular contrast agent Gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA).
- To assess the accuracy of a mathematical model (MMID4) for MBF quantification in a pig model of acute myocardial ischemia.
Main Methods:
- An animal study was conducted using a pig model of acute myocardial ischemia.
- Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was quantified from MRI data using the mathematical model (MMID4).
- MRI-derived MBF results were compared with measurements obtained using fluorescent microspheres.
Main Results:
- A correlation of r = 0.66 was observed between MBF estimates from MRI and fluorescent microspheres.
- Higher correlation was found for ischemic myocardium (r = 0.86) compared to nonischemic myocardium (r = 0.47).
Conclusions:
- Quantification of resting myocardial blood flow (MBF) using the MMID4 model is a valid method under acute myocardial ischemia.
- The findings support the potential of MRI for accurate MBF assessment in ischemic heart conditions.
