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

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.