Assessment of myocardial response to pharmacologic interventions using an improved MR imaging technique to estimate T2* values

OBJECTIVE. Our objective was to improve a previously developed MR imaging sequence for the in vivo estimation of the myocardial T2* value and to evaluate, in healthy human subjects, the response of myocardial T2* value to two different pharmacologic interventions. CONCLUSION. The modified technique improved the quality of the images obtained and increased the reliability of myocardial T2* measurements. Using the modified technique, the myocardial T2* value increased significantly over baseline values after the administration of dipyridamole but did not significantly change after the administration of dobutamine. These observations are consistent with the expected response of myocardial venous blood oxygen saturation levels to the infusion of the two pharmacologic agents.