Theory-based signal calibration with single-point T1 measurements for first-pass quantitative perfusion MRI studies

The aim of the study is to develop a theory-based signal calibration approach to be used for the conversion of signal-time curves to absolute contrast concentration-time curves for first-pass contrast-enhanced quantitative myocardial perfusion studies.

A normalization procedure was used to obtain a theoretical relationship between image signal and T1 and perform rapid single-point T1 measurements. T1 measurements were compared with reference T1 measurements. The method also was used in preliminary in vivo contrast-enhanced first-pass perfusion studies, and its applicability for dual-delay-time acquisitions was shown. A theory-based error sensitivity analysis was used to characterize the robustness of the method.

The normalization procedure was implemented with minimal noise enhancement and insensitivity to small misregistrations through postprocessing techniques. The rapid T1 measurements are in excellent agreement with the reference measurements (R = 0.99, slope = 1.05, bias = -5.96 milliseconds). For in vivo studies, it is possible to simultaneously calibrate the arterial input function and myocardial enhancement curves acquired with different effective trigger delays through appropriate use of the theory-based signal calibration model. With this method, errors of in vivo baseline T1 estimates are large, but the effect of these large errors on the accuracy of contrast agent concentration estimates is limited.

This theory-based signal calibration approach can be used to perform rapid T1 mapping and provides flexibility for in vivo calibration of signal-time curves resulting from dual-delay-time first-pass contrast-enhanced acquisitions.