Berhhard Daniel Klumpp MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Michael C. Fenchel MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ulrich Kramer MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Norbert I. Stauder MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Stephan Miller MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Claus Detlef Claussen MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Myocardial viability determined by late enhancement (LE) MR imaging (MRI) is of increasing relevance in patients with coronary artery disease. Recently, whole body applications of 3.0 T systems including cardiac MRI have become available. Aim of this study was to investigate the potential benefit of LE MRI at 3.0T compared to 1.5T.

Cardiac MRI was performed in 15 patients with prior myocardial infarction at 1.5T and in five patients at 3.0T (Magnetom Sonata and Magnetom Trio, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). Myocardial function was assessed by cine trueFISP sequences (Sonata: TR 3.14, TE 1.57, flip angle 70°, matrix 200x256, Trio: TR 3.4, TE 1.7, flip angle 50°, matrix 127x192) acquired in long and short axes views. Delayed enhancement images were obtained after 15 minutes (0.15mmol GadoliniumDTPA/kg) using a segmented inversion recovery prepared Turbo FLASH sequence (Sonata: TR 600, TE 4.38, flip angle 25°, matrix 208x256, Trio: TR 750, TE 4.3, flip angle 30° matrix 166x256). Image analysis was performed by standardized measurement of signal to noise (SNR) and contrast to noise (CNR) ratios in infarcted and normal myocardial regions. In addition, image quality was rated on a 4-point scale (0=poor, 3=excellent) by two independent observers.

Average SNR of myocardial infarction was 47.3±13.5 at 3.0T versus 25.9±13.0 at 1.5T (p<0.001). In normal myocardium SNR was 6.6±2,4 at 3.0T and 7.48±2.6 at 1.5T (p=0.67 (non significant)). CNR was 40.6±13.1 at 3.0T and a CNR of 18.5±12,1 at 1.5T (p<0.001). Rating of image quality was 2.5±0.4 at 1.5T and 2.9±0.2 (p<0.05) at 3.0T.

Assessment of myocardial viability is feasible at 3.0T with high diagnostic quality compared to 1.5T. Our results show that contrast enhancement is markedly increased at 3.0T using identical contrast doses. The potential clinical benefit of LE MRI at 3.0T has to be investigated by further trials.

Klumpp, B, Fenchel, M, Kramer, U, Stauder, N, Miller, S, Claussen, C, MR Imaging of Myocardial Viability: Assessment of Late Enhancement at 3.0 Tesla vs 1.5 Tesla.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4416895.html