Magnetic resonance perfusion imaging with gadolinium-DTPA. A quantitative approach for the kinetic analysis of first-pass residue curves.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To present a mathematic approach for the analysis of first-pass gadolinium (Gd)-DTPA kinetics and to validate the numerical tools using simulated and measured kinetics.

METHODS

In a capillary plasma filter, pulsatile flow was varied between 7.4 and 12.6 mL/second. After contrast bolus injection, the arterial input curve and the residue curve were recorded simultaneously. Signal intensity versus time curves were converted to concentration versus time curves. By deconvolution of these curves and tracer kinetic analysis, the mean transit time of the contrast medium through the organ model was calculated.

RESULTS

A satisfactory correlation (r = 0.98) between the inverse of mean transit time and flow measured volumetrically was demonstrated.

CONCLUSIONS

The kinetic analysis of first-pass curves in an organ model indicates that this approach might be useful for in vivo assessment of organ blood flow.