The diagnostic accuracy of quantitative CMR perfusion imaging may not be the same for all coronary arteries

Abstract

Background Absolute quantification of myocardial perfusion with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is an emerging technique and its diagnostic accuracy remains to be fully established. Furthermore it is not known whether there are any differences in the accuracy of coronary artery disease (CAD) detection between coronary arteries. Methods 41 patients with known or suspected CAD underwent 1.5T perfusion imaging prior to coronary angiography. Perfusion imaging k-t balanced Turbo Field Echo sequence, shortest TE (range 1.35-1.54ms), shortest TR (range 2.64-3.12ms), 50°flip angle; 90° prepulse, 100ms prepulse delay and typical acquired resolution 1.7x1.9x10mm. 3 short axis slices were acquired every heartbeat. Stress imaging preceded rest by 14±2 minutes. A dual bolus (0.01mmol/kg then 0.1mmol/kg 20 seconds later) of contrast agent was used. Blinded experts performed all data analysis. Mean segmental perfusion values were obtained using dedicated prototype Philips ViewForum software and Fermi deconvolution. Each segment was assigned to a perfusion territory according to standard definitions. Myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) was defined as stress perfusion divided by rest perfusion. The mean of the 2 lowest MPR for each perfusion territory was used for analysis. X-ray angiography Quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) was performed on all arteries ≥2mm and a mean diameter stenosis ≥70% regarded as significant. The accuracy of MPR to detect significant CAD as defined by QCA was determined by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results