Bernhard Klumpp MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jörn Sandstede, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Eike Nagel, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Klaus-Peter Lodemann, Abstract Co-Author: Employee, Bracco ALTANA Pharma GmbH

Achim Seeger, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ulrich Kramer 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

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Delayed enhancement MR-imaging (DEMRI) is increasingly used for the determination of myocardial viability in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Theoretically, 3T should provide a significant improvement of signal intensity and image contrast compared to 1.5T. Aim of our study was the intraindividual comparison of DEMRI at 1.5T and 3T.

DEMRI was performed in 20 patients (60.211.5 years) at 1.5T and 3T in randomized order within 3-21 days (Magnetom Avanto and Magnetom Trio, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). Cine SSFP sequences were acquired in standard angulations for the evaluation of myocardial function. Segmented inversion recovery prepared turbo FLASH sequences (1.5T/3.0T: TR 11/9.9, TE 4.4/4.91, flip 30°/30°, slice thickness 6mm/6mm, matrix 160x256/154x256) were acquired 15 minutes after injection of 0.1 mmol gadobenate dimeglumine / kg body weight (Multihance, Bracco-Altana, Konstanz, Germany) in standard angulations. Standardized off-site analysis regarding SNR and CNR in infarcted and remote normal myocardium was performed by 3 experienced independent observers.

Despite high image quality at both systems observer 2 missed one myocardial infarction at 1.5T. Myocardial infarction could be diagnosed in consistently by all 3 observers in 100% at 3T and in 95% at 1.5T. SNR calculations revealed significantly higher SNR in infarcted myocardium at 3T (14.33±2.95/13.58±2.63/11.99±2.46 (observer 1/2/3) at 1.5T and 22.07±9.31/20.09±8.38/17.33±7.40 at 3T (p<0.05)) as well as markedly increased CNR (9.83±3.01/9.40±3.23/7.65±2.53 at 1.5T and 16.13±7.10/14.49±6.01/11.42±4.91 at 3T (p<0.05)).

3T provides significantly increased SNR and CNR in contrast enhanced myocardium. Our results indicate an increased sensitivity of DEMRI at 3T for more discrete findings. Options provided by increased SNR include higher spatial resolution, shorter acquisition times or reduced contrast dose.

DEMRI at 3T provides a significant improvement of signal intensity and image contrast and compared to 1.5T. Our results indicate increased sensitivity of DEMRI for myocardial infarction at 3T.

Klumpp, B, Sandstede, J, Nagel, E, Lodemann, K, Seeger, A, Kramer, U, Miller, S, Claussen, C, et al, , et al, , Comparison of Delayed Enhancement Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Multireader Analysis Approach.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5002247.html