Dose response of the intravascular contrast agent gadofosveset trisodium in MR perfusion imaging of the myocardium using a quantitative evaluation

This study was performed to determine the best concentration of gadofosveset at 1.5 and 3 T MRI for quantitative myocardial perfusion analysis. 18 healthy volunteers have been examined at a 1.5 and a 3 T MRI system assigned to one of three dose groups: low dose (0.00375 mmol/kg), medium dose (0.0075 mmol/kg), high dose (0.0150 mmol/kg). A T1-weighted saturation recovery turboFLASH sequence with parallel imaging was used. Two perfusion scans were performed for each field strength and volunteer. Peak signal-to-noise-ratio, maximum contrast-enhancement-ratio and myocardial blood flow (MBF) were calculated. MBF values were significantly higher at 1.5 T in the medium and the high dose groups than in the low dose group (p < 0.001). Higher MBF values could be found at 3 T for the second perfusion scan in the medium and both perfusion scans in the high dose group compared to the low dose group. Optimal dose of gadofosveset for quantitative perfusion analysis at 1.5 T is 0.00375 mmol/kg as higher doses caused overestimation of the MBF. At 3 T 0.0075 mmol/kg seems to be the best dose for a single perfusion scan, while for a second perfusion scan MBF may be overestimated.