Double-Contrast MR Imaging of Reperfused Porcine Myocardial Infarction

PURPOSE: Myocardial infarctions were induced in 12 pigs to investigate whether a double-contrast method, combining a positive and a negative MR contrast agent, could improve the visualization of reperfused myocardial infarctions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All 12 pigs were subjected to 80 min of occlusion followed by reperfusion. In the double-contrast group (6 pigs), Gd-DTPA-BMA (0.3 mmol/kg b.w.) and Dy-DTPA-BMA (1.0 mmol/kg b.w.) were administered i.v. after 30 min of reperfusion. In the remaining 6 pigs, a single injection of Gd-DTPA-BMA (0.3 mmol/kg b.w.) was given after 30 min of reperfusion. All pigs were sacrificed 10 min post-contrast injection, corresponding to a reperfusion time of 40 min. The hearts were excised and imaged with MR. The concentrations of GD and Dy were measured in infarcted and nonischaemic myocardium using ICP-AES. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Contrast media concentrations were more than 4-fold higher in infarcted compared with nonischaemic myocardium. The infarctions were best shown on T1-weighted images, and there were no differences between the double and single contrast groups. In the T2-weighted images, the infarctions were significantly better visualized in the double-contrast group, due to a Dy-induced signal intensity loss in nonischaemic myocardium.