Quantitative Myocardial Perfusion Reserve by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance

Quantitative Myocardial Perfusion Reserve by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance

The purpose of this study is to validate a full-automated post-processing software for quantitative perfusion of the myocardium with magnetic resonance imaging.

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is a wide available technique for the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia. However, myocardial first-pass perfusion evaluation has been limited due to the moderate accuracy of the currently available qualitative and semiquantitative methods used to assess myocardial perfusion, and due to the lack of efficient absolute quantitative methods. Some CMR techniques and post-processing mathematical models have been developed for quantitative measurement of myocardial blood flow reserve with perfusion CMR under pharmacological stress. Measurement of these parameters with CMR have been shown to increase the accuracy of CMR in diagnosing myocardial ischemia, but most of these methods present technical challenges and have unreasonably time consuming post-processing. The aim of this study is to validate a full automated post-processing software for first pass perfusion CMR images that results in automated generated quantitative perfusion color maps.

Inclusion Criteria:

• healthy individuals with normal 12-lead electrocardiogram at rest.

Exclusion Criteria:

• systolic blood pressure below 90 mmHg;
• bradycardia (< 45 heart beats/minute);
• intake of caffeine or caffeine-containing drink/medicine 24 hours prior to the examination;
• impaired renal function assessed by venous blood sample.