Perfusion imaging with arterial spin labeling (ASL)-MRI for non-invasive treatment monitoring of patients with acute pulmonary embolism

Motivation: Antithrombotic treatment of patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) is not monitored routinely and treatment effectiveness is often unknown. Goal(s): Our goal was to assess the feasibility of arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI to monitor treatment effects in patients with PE. Approach: 15 patients of initially 107 patients with PE underwent follow-up imaging with ASL-MRI. Results: A significant improvement in perfusion was observed in all patients after treatment. 8 of 15 patients showed remaining pulmonary perfusion defects. There was a significant correlation between remaining dyspnea and the detection of perfusion defects after treatment. Impact: Arterial spin labeling (ASL)- MRI demonstrates the potential to monitor pulmonary perfusion changes in patients with pulmonary embolism under therapy.