19F-MRI of inhaled perfluoropropane (PFP) can be used to assess pulmonary ventilation. PFP has a short in vivo T2* (~2ms) arising from magnetic field inhomogeneity in the lung, reflecting the different magnetic susceptibilities of adjacent alveolar walls and gas components. Intravenous injection of a paramagnetic contrast agent to the pulmonary circulation can transiently reduce these magnetic susceptibility gradients, raising the T2* of inhaled PFP in regions directly adjacent to well-perfused lung. We present the first in man demonstration of combined pulmonary ventilation and perfusion assessment using 19F-MRI of inhaled PFP with concurrent administration of a gadolinium-based contrast agent.
This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.