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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
Published on: February 16, 2016
Volumetric assessment of myocardial viability in rats using 3D double contrast enhanced T1 and T2-weighted MRI
C Chapon1, F Franconi, L Lemaire
1INSERM U 646, Ingénierie de la Vectorisation Particulaire, 10, rue André Boquel, 49100, Angers, France.
Objective:
Volumetric evaluation of the myocardial viability post-infarction in rats using 3D in vivo MR imaging at 7 T using injection of an extracellular paramagnetic contrast agent and intravascular superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in the same imaging session.
Materials And Methods:
Five hours after induction of permanent myocardial infarction in rats (n=6), 3D in vivo T1- and T2-weighted MR Imaging was performed prior to and after Gd-DOTA injection (0.2 mmol/kg) and prior to and after nanoparticle injection (5 mg Fe/kg) to assess infarct size and myocardial viability.
Results:
3D MR Imaging using a successive contrast agent injection showed a difference of infarct size after Gd-DOTA injection on T1-weighted images compared to the one measured on T2-weighted images after Gd-DOTA and nanoparticle injection.
Conclusion:
The use of 3D T1- and T2-weighted MR Imaging using a double contrast agents protocol made possible the accurate characterization of myocardial infarction volume and allowed the detection of myocardial viability post-infarction in rats.
Insights
This study used 3D MRI with two contrast agents to accurately measure heart attack size and assess heart muscle viability in rats after infarction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Experimental Cardiology
Background:
- Myocardial infarction (MI) assessment requires accurate volumetric evaluation.
- Distinguishing scar tissue from viable myocardium is crucial for treatment planning.
- Advanced MRI techniques can improve infarct characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate myocardial viability post-infarction in rats using 3D in vivo MRI at 7 T.
- To assess the utility of combining extracellular paramagnetic contrast agents and intravascular superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.
- To compare infarct size measurements using different contrast agents and imaging sequences.
Main Methods:
- Permanent myocardial infarction was induced in rats (n=6).
- 3D in vivo T1- and T2-weighted MRI was performed before and after Gd-DOTA and nanoparticle injections.
- Infarct size and myocardial viability were assessed using successive contrast agent injections.
Main Results:
- A difference in infarct size was observed between T1-weighted images (Gd-DOTA) and T2-weighted images (Gd-DOTA + nanoparticles).
- 3D MRI with dual contrast agents enabled volumetric assessment of infarction.
- The protocol allowed for the detection of myocardial viability post-infarction.
Conclusions:
- 3D T1- and T2-weighted MRI with a double contrast agent protocol accurately characterizes myocardial infarction volume.
- This approach facilitates the detection of myocardial viability in post-infarction rats.
- Dual contrast agent MRI offers enhanced characterization of myocardial injury.
