Gd-BOPTA transport into rat hepatocytes: pharmacokinetic analysis of dynamic magnetic resonance images using a hollow-fiber bioreactor.

Rationale And Objectives: To investigate the transport of the hepatobiliary magnetic resonance (MR) imaging contrast agent Gd-BOPTA into rat hepatocytes.

Materials And Methods: In a MR-compatible hollow-fiber bioreactor containing hepatocytes, MR signal intensity was measured over time during the perfusion of Gd-BOPTA. For comparison, the perfusion of an extracellular contrast agent (Gd-DTPA) was also studied.

Comparison between tagged MRI and standard cine MRI for evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction.

Global left ventricular function is a prognostic indicator and is used to evaluate therapeutical interventions in patients with heart failure. Regional left ventricular function can be determined with tagged MRI. Assessment of global left ventricular function using the tagging data may have additional clinical value without incurring extra scanning time, which is currently a limiting factor in cardiac imaging.

Improvement in the quantification of myocardial perfusion using an automatic spline-based registration algorithm.

Purpose: To improve the quantification of myocardial perfusion by registering the time series of magnetic resonance (MR) images with injection of gadolinium.

Materials And Methods: Eight patients underwent MR scans to perform myocardial perfusion exam. Two short axis views of the left ventricle (LV) were acquired in free breathing.