First-pass myocardial perfusion MR imaging with outer-volume suppression and the intravascular contrast agent NC1001150 injection: Preliminary results in eight patients

The authors evaluated the feasibility of combining single-shot T2-weighted turbo spin-echo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and first-pass myocardial p erfusion MR imaging with an intravascular ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) contrast agent, NC100150 Injection (3 mg of iron per kilogra m of body weight). Eight patients with coronary vessel disease underwent T2 -weighted turbo spin-echo MR imaging (inplane resolution, 1-2 mm) during th e first pass of the USPIO contrast agent. The mean decrease in signal inten sity in myocardium perfused by a nonstenotic coronary artery was 59% +/- 13 (SD) (P < .012) This method is feasible for imaging of myocardial perfusio n.