J Korean Radiol Soc.  2007 Jan;56(1):25-31.

The Usefulness of Stress Perfusion MR using Steady State Free Precession Sequence for Depiction of Significant Coronary Artery Stenosis

• Chung SY
• Choi SI
• Kim DH
• Chang HJ
• Choi DJ
• Lim C
• Lee W
• Park JH

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the technical performance of stress myocardial perfusion magnetic resonance (MR) imaging using saturation-recovery steady-state free precession (SR- SSFP) and to assess the diagnostic accuracy of this examination for depiction of significant coronary artery stenosis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
167 patients underwent stress myocardial perfusion MR imaging at rest and adenosine-induced stress by using a 1.5-T cardiac MR imaging unit. The first-pass MR perfusion was performed using SR-SSFP sequence. Coronary angiography was performed in 113 patients. Image analysis was performed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of MR imaging with that of coronary angiography.
RESULTS
During the MR examination, minor side effects of adenosine-induced stress occurred, most commonly chest discomfort (29%), followed by dyspnea (4%), and facial flushing (0.8%). The overall sensitivity of MR imaging for depicting at least one coronary artery with significant stenosis was 91%. The sensitivities of MR imaging for depiction of stenoses were as follows: 80% for single-vessel stenosis, 81% for double-vessel stenosis, and 100% for triple-vessel stenosis.. The specificity of MR imaging for identification of patients with significant coronary artery stenosis was 78%.
CONCLUSION
Stress myocardial magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion imaging using SR-SSFP sequence is safe and useful for the detection of significant coronary artery disease.

Keyword

Myocardium; Magnetic resonance (MR); Coronary vessels, diseases

MeSH Terms

Constriction, Pathologic
Coronary Angiography
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary Stenosis*
Coronary Vessels*
Dyspnea
Flushing
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Myocardium
Perfusion Imaging
Perfusion*
Sensitivity and Specificity
Thorax