Quantification of myocardial perfusion with FAST sequence and Gd bolus in patients with normal cardiac function

The present study reports on a new calibration of the magnetic resonance im aging (MRI) signal intensity of a fast gradient-echo sequence used for in v ivo myocardial perfusion quantification in patients. The signal from a FAST sequence preceded by a arrhythmia-insensitive magnetization preparation wa s calibrated in vitro using tubes filled with various gadolinium (Gd) solut ions. Single short-axis views of the heart were obtained in patients (n = 1 0) with normal cardiac function. Myocardial and blood signal intensity were converted to concentration of Gd according to the in vitro calibration cur ve and fitted by a one-compartment model, K-1 [first-order transfer constan t from the blood to the myocardium for the gadolinium-diethylenethylamine-p entaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA)] and V-d (distribution volume of Gd-DTPA in myoca rdium) obtained from the fit of the MRI-derived perfusion curves were 0.72 +/- 0.22 (mL/min/g) and 15.3 +/- 5.22%. These results were in agreement wit h previous observations on animals and demonstrated that a reliable measure ment of myocardial perfusion can be obtained by MRI in patients with an in vitro calibration procedure. J, Magn, Reson. Imaging 1999;9:197-203, (C) 19 99 Wiley-Liss, Inc.