Cine delayed-enhancement MR imaging of the heart: initial experience.

Abstract

This study was performed by using an institutional review board-approved protocol, with waived informed consent and HIPAA compliance. The purpose of this study was to preliminarily evaluate a cine delayed-enhancement (DE) pulse sequence for depiction of wall motion and myocardial scar extent during a single acquisition. The technique is based on inversion-recovery single-shot balanced steady-state free precession magnetic resonance imaging. Cine DE images were acquired in 26 patients (18 men, eight women; age range, 25-84 years; mean age, 61 years+/-13 [standard deviation]). Image contrast was consistent throughout each series. Overall (ie, with both readers' scores averaged), the cine DE imaging-depicted wall motion was scored correctly in 71% of myocardial segments. Scar extent was scored correctly in 76% of segments; in no patient was scarring missed. Cine DE imaging is a promising technique for simultaneous visualization of wall motion and myocardial scar extent.