Assessment of pulmonary perfusion using a subtracted HASTE image between diastole and systole

The MR signal intensity change in the pulmonary parenchyma during the cardi ac cycle was studied using HASTE sequence in volunteers. In addition, the p otential to assess pulmonary perfusion abnormality by subtraction between d iastolic and systolic HASTE images was tested in a pig model of pulmonary e mbolism. Signal intensity decreased in systole while it increased gradually in diastole. In a pig model with pulmonary embolism, subtracted images cou ld identify the perfusion abnormality. Thus, subtraction of diastolic and s ystolic HASTE images has the potential to detect pulmonary perfusion abnorm ality. The technique may provide a new simple method for evaluating pulmona ry pel-fusion. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.