T2* effects in the dual-sequence method for high-dose first-pass myocardial perfusion

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular MRI
• Medical Imaging Physics

Background:

• Accurate arterial input function (AIF) measurement is crucial for quantitative analysis of myocardial perfusion MRI.
• The dual-sequence method is a common technique for AIF estimation, but its accuracy may be affected by T2* effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of T2* effects on the accuracy of AIF measurement using the dual-sequence method in perfusion MRI.

Main Methods:

• The dual-sequence method was modified to assess T2* effects in the low-resolution AIF image.
• T1 weighting was minimized in the AIF sequence while maintaining T1 weighting in the myocardial sequence.
• Blood signal in the left ventricle was measured at bolus peak in 10 patients undergoing perfusion MRI and compared to pre-contrast signal.

Main Results:

• The measured bolus peak was 98% +/- 4% of the pre-contrast signal.
• This indicates a minimal deviation from the expected signal intensity.

Conclusions:

• T2* effects introduce insignificant errors in AIF measurement with the dual-sequence method under the specified imaging parameters.
• The dual-sequence method remains a reliable technique for AIF quantification in perfusion MRI.