A single breath-hold multiecho T2*cardiovascular magnetic resonance technique for diagnosis of myocardial iron overload

Purpose: To assess tissue iron concentration by the use of a gradient echo T2* multiecho technique. Materials and Methods. We compared;the results of measurements of heart T2* from 32 patients using the established multiple-breath-hold variable TR technique with,a new multiecho-sequence that acquires all images within a single breath-hold with constant TR. Results: There was good agreement of myocardial T2* values between both methods in the abnormal range of T2* < 20 msec (mean difference 0.2msec, 95% CI - 1.3 to 0.9 msec, r = 0.97, P < 0.0001). The coefficient of variability between the methods was 3.5%. The interstudy reproducibility using the:multiecho sequence had a variability coefficient of 2.3% in the abnormal T2* range and 5.8% over all T2* values There was good agreement between the techniques for the liver T2* values Conclusions: The use of the single breath hold multiecho acquisition allowed reliable-quantification of, myocardial T2*. The good reproducibility speed and T1 independence of this technique allows greater accuracy faster, patient throughput, and; therefore reduced costs (which is important in developing countries where thalassemia is most prevalent).