Hassan Abdel-Aty

Jordin D Green

Matthias G Friedrich

Myra S Cocker

Oliver Strohm

Steven M Shea

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BioMed Central
Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic 
Resonance
ssOpen AcceMeeting abstract
1142 A new approach towards improved visualization of myocardial 
edema using T2-weighted imaging
Myra S Cocker*1, Oliver Strohm1, Jordin D Green2, Steven M Shea3, 
Hassan Abdel-Aty4 and Matthias G Friedrich1
Address: 1Libin Cardiovascular Institute at the University of Calgary, Stephenson Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada, 
2Siemens Medical Solutions, Calgary, Canada, Calgary, AB, Canada, 3Siemens Corporate Research, Evanston, IL, USA and 4Franz-Volhard Klinik, 
Charite Universitatsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
* Corresponding author    
Background
Imaging edema with T2-weighted STIR (Short T1 Inver-
sion Recovery) often results in poor image quality due to
low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and cardiac motion sensi-
tivity. An alternative option is to image with AASPIR
(Asymmetric Adiabatic Spectral Inversion Recovery) [1,2]
turbo spin echo (TSE). Non-selective spectral excitation of
only the fat signal may improve SNR and reduce motion
sensitivity. Therefore, we assessed image quality and sig-
nal intensity of AASPIR compared with STIR for cardiovas-
cular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging of the
myocardium.
Methods
We studied 30 patients (21 males, 46 ± 17 years), referred
for cardiovascular magnetic resonance scans for myocar-
dial tissue characterization using both STIR and AASPIR
preparations for T2-weighted TSE imaging. All images
were acquired with a 1.5 T scanner (Avanto, Siemens Med-
ical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany). Image acquisition
was performed in basal and mid-ventricular short axis
slices, and apical slices were acquired only if good image
quality could be obtained. Signal intensity (SI) of left ven-
tricular myocardium was normalized to skeletal muscle,
generating a T2 signal intensity ratio (SIR). Moreover, the
SI of myocardium was related to noise, as defined by the
mean SI of a region of interest anterior to the chest wall,
generating a SNR. Two independent observers assessed
image quality and artifact suppression using a 5-class
score system.
Results
AASPIR showed a higher SNR for basal (42.4 vs. 27.0, p <
0.001), and mid- (52.8 vs. 31.2, p < 0.001), and apical (55
vs. 27.0, p < 0.001) ventricular myocardium (Figure 1), a
higher image quality and a more consistent suppression
of artifacts (Figure 2). SIR did not differ between STIR and
AASPIR imaging (1.633 vs. 1.626, p = 0.845).
Conclusion
Our findings support the implementation of an AASPIR
instead of a STIR sequence for T2-weighted CMR imaging,
with increased SNR, and improved image quality.
References
1. Rosenfeld D, et al.: Magn Reson Med 1997, 37:793-801.
2. Shea SM, et al.: ISMRM 2007:2475.
from 11th Annual SCMR Scientific Sessions
Los Angeles, CA, USA. 1–3 February 2008
Published: 22 October 2008
Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 2008, 10(Suppl 1):A267 doi:10.1186/1532-429X-10-S1-A267
<supplement> <title> <p>Abstracts of the 11<sup>th </sup>Annual SCMR Scientific Sessions - 2008</p> </title> <note>Meeting abstracts – A single PDF containing all abstracts in this Supplement is available <a href="http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/files/pdf/1532-429X-10-s1-full.pdf">here</a>.</note> <url>http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1532-429X-10-S1-info.pdf</url> </supplement>
This abstract is available from: http://jcmr-online.com/content/10/S1/A267
© 2008 Cocker et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. Page 1 of 3
(page number not for citation purposes)
Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 2008, 10(Suppl 1):A267 http://jcmr-online.com/content/10/S1/A267Imrpoved signal-to-noise ratios for basal, mid- and apical myocardium with AASPIR T2-weighted imagingFigure 1
Imrpoved signal-to-noise ratios for basal, mid- and apical myocardium with AASPIR T2-weighted imaging. *p ≤ 0.05.Page 2 of 3
(page number not for citation purposes)
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Improved image quality with T2-weighted AASPIR imaging compared to STIRFigure 2
Improved image quality with T2-weighted AASPIR imaging compared to STIR.


1142 A new approach towards improved visualization of myocardial edema using T2-weighted imaging

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1142 A new approach towards improved visualization of myocardial edema using T2-weighted imaging

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