Intraindividual comparison of myocardial perfusion imaging at 3.0T and 1.5T

Purpose: Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) gets increasing attention for the evaluation of the functional relevance of coronary artery stenoses. With shortcomings of MPI regarding SNR and contrast between normal and mal-perfused myocardium at 1.5T, the implementation of MPI at 3.0T seems desirable. Aim of our study was the intraindividual comparison of MPI at 1.5T and at 3.0T. Methods: 20 patients with proven myocardial infarction were examined at 1.5T and at 3.0T. Myocardial perfusion was assessed using a 2D saturation-recovery turbo-FLASH sequence (1.5T/3.0T: TR 2.2/1.9, TE 1.08/1.04, flip angle 12°/12°, matrix 94×192/115×192) after injection of 0.05 mmol gadobenate dimeglumine/kg body-weight at 4ml/s (Multihance, Bracco-Altana). The perfusion series were assessed qualitatively for regional perfusion deficits. SNR and CNR were determined in pre-contrast and contrast enhanced myocardium. Image quality was rated by two independent observers on a four-point scale (score 0–3). Results: High image quality was achieved in all patients at both systems with a score of 3.60±0.60at 1.5T and 3.95±0.22at 3.0T (p0.05). Conclusion: SNR, CNR and image quality of MPI are significantly higher at 3.0T. Our results indicate a better discrimination between normal and mal-perfused myocardium and therefore higher sensitivity for perfusion defects at 3.0T.