Acquiring Hyperpolarized 129Xe Magnetic Resonance Images of Lung Ventilation.

Hyperpolarized Xe MRI comprises a unique array of structural and functional lung imaging techniques. Technique standardization across sites is increasingly important given the recent FDA approval of Xe as an MR contrast agent and as interest in Xe MRI increases among research and clinical institutions. Members of the Xe MRI Clinical Trials Consortium (Xe MRI CTC) have agreed upon best practices for each of the key aspects of the Xe MRI workflow, and these recommendations are summarized in a recent publication.

Characterisation of gas exchange in COPD with dissolved-phase hyperpolarised xenon-129 MRI.

To investigate whether hyperpolarised xenon-129 MRI (HXeMRI) enables regional and physiological resolution of diffusing capacity limitations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), we evaluated 34 COPD subjects and 11 healthy volunteers. We report significant correlations between airflow abnormality quantified by HXeMRI and per cent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s; HXeMRI gas transfer capacity to red blood cells and carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (%DLCO); and HXeMRI gas transfer capacity to interstitium and per cent emphysema quantified by multidetector chest CT. We further demonstrate the capability of HXeMRI to distinguish varying pathology underlying COPD in subjects with low %DLCO and minimal emphysema.