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MR perfusion imaging using encapsulated laser‐polarized 3 He
Author(s) -
Callot Virginie,
Canet Emmanuelle,
Brochot Jean,
Viallon Magalie,
Humblot Hubert,
Briguet André,
Tournier Hervé,
Crémillieux Yannick
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.1224
Subject(s) - perfusion , microbubbles , biomedical engineering , in vivo , materials science , nuclear magnetic resonance , perfusion scanning , nuclear medicine , ultrasound , radiology , medicine , physics , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
In this work, the use of a new carrier agent for intravascular laser‐polarized 3 He imaging is reported. Lipid‐based helium microbubbles were investigated. Their average diameter of 3 μm, which is smaller than that of the capillaries, makes it possible to conduct in vivo studies. The NMR relaxation parameters T 1 , T 2 , and T * 2of a microbubble suspension were measured as 90 s, 300 ms, and 4.5 ms, respectively, and in vivo images of encapsulated 3 He with signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs) larger than 30 were acquired. Dynamic cardiac images and vascular images of encapsulated 3 He were obtained in rats using intravenous injections of microbubble suspensions. Excellent preservation of 3 He polarization through the lung capillaries and heart cavities was observed. The first images of 3 He microbubble distributions in the lungs were obtained. Additionally, the potential of this technique for lung perfusion assessment was validated through an experimental embolism model with the visualization of perfusion defects. Magn Reson Med 46:535–540, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.