Retrospective analysis of Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI Gas Exchange Images in Healthy and Post-COVID-19 Individuals acquired at Three Sites

Gas exchange hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI (Xe-MRI) is increasingly being considered as an outcome measure in multi-site clinical trials, but there is limited evidence of between-site comparability. In this study, we analyzed 121 gas exchange Xe-MRI images in healthy and post-acute COVID-19 participants independently acquired at three sites. In healthy volunteers, quantitative Xe-MRI measures are indistinguishable across sites. In post-acute COVID-19, cross-site differences in Xe-MRI measures are evident but appear to be driven by differences in patient population. Moreover, Xe-MRI measures across sites correlate strongly with pulmonary function testing. These results support the feasibility of multi-site trials using gas exchange Xe-MRI.