Validation of a Dynamic T2 Preparation Pulse for Assessing Blood Oxygenation in a Clinical Setting

Purpose:Here, we used dynamic T2 preparation pulse in weighted subtraction magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) among adult patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and children with congenital heart disease (CHD) to develop a new imaging method to non-invasively evaluate blood oxygenation, improve vascular imaging and provide additional functional information about CHD.Methods:Thirty-one patients (mean age 75, range ±10 years) with CAD and 11 children (mean age 3, range ± 6.4 years) with CHD were enrolled. Results: In images acquired with a T2 preparation pulse, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the right atrium and oxygen saturation were well correlated (r=0.674, p<0.0326). The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the pulmonary artery was comparable to invasive blood oxygenation measurements with a subtraction factor of 1.5 (indicated as B-1.5A, p<0.08). The SNR of the pulmonary artery was comparable to invasive blood oxygenation measurements with a subtraction factor of 1.8 (indicated as B-1.8A, p<0.03). The CNR of the ascending aorta was comparable to invasive blood oxygenation measurements with a subtraction factor of B-1.8A (p<0.05).Conclusion:Dynamic T2 MRI is a feasible, competitive non-invasive imaging method to detect oxygenation levels without the use of a contrast agent in the clinical setting.