Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Perfusion MRI

Myocardial perfusion MRI is acquired with a T1-weighted dynamic MRI sequence. Fully quantitative analysis of myocardial perfusion MRI allows the absolute quantification of myocardial blood flow (MBF) through the use of complex mathematical modeling. There are essentially two main methods for quantification of absolute MBF: the linear time-invariant model and the compartment model. Maximized contrast-to-noise ratio and the reasonable linearity of signal intensity in blood and myocardium are crucial for the accuracy of absolute MBF quantification by MRI. Quantitative assessment of MBF permits an accurate and objective assessment of myocardial perfusion and perfusion reserve in patients. This is of particular significance in patients with coronary artery disease but will also provide a means for investigating globally altered MBF in patients with microvascular disease of the heart. Furthermore, quantification of MBF with magnetic resonance can provides us with an important tool for monitoring disease progression and measuring the response to therapeutic interventions.