Frans P.P.J. Kremers1, Mark B.M. Hofman2, Jan G.J. Groothuis3, M Jerosch-Herold4, Aernout M. Beek3, Sven Zuehlsdorff5, Sonia Nielles-Vallespin6, Albert C. van Rossum3, Rob M. Heethaar1
1Physics & Medical Technology, ICaR-VU, VU University medical center, Amsterdam, Netherlands; 2Physics & Medical Technology, ICaR-VU, VU University medical center, Amsterdam, Netherlands; 3Cardiology, ICaR-VU, VU University medical center, Amsterdam, Netherlands; 4Radiology, Brigham & Womens Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; 5Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc., Chicago, IL, USA; 6Siemens AG Healthcare Sector, Erlangen, Germany
Quantitative analysis of myocardial perfusion using deconvolution with the arterial input assumes equal signal sensitivity over the heart. When surface coils are applied, correction for differences in spatial sensitivity is required. Originally, this is applied by using the baseline signal in the myocardium before arrival of the contrast agent. Here we tested an image normalization using a 3D proton-density weighted pre-scan. This was tested in patients without CAD. Using pre-scan normalization similar mean perfusion values were found, but with reduced spatial variance over the heart. Thus, pre-scan normalization proves to be a valuable addition to quantitative analysis of myocardial perfusion.