Gadolinium-based contrast agent and stimulated echo acquisition mode cardiac diffusion-weighted imaging: preliminary results

Motivation: Advanced cardiac sequences, such as stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), preferably scan during the interval between gadolinium-based contrast agent (Gd) injection and late gadolinium enhancement to shorten the examination time if possible. Goal(s): We sought to reveal whether STEAM-DWI could be performed after Gd injection. Approach: We performed STEAM-DWI on phantoms with different Gd concentrations and heart rates (HRs) and on patients before and after Gd injection. Results: The signal intensity of STEAM-DWI was affected by both Gd concentration and HR, and the mean apparent diffusion coefficient was less affected by Gd. Impact: Although the signal intensity of stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) and the precision of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were reduced with gadolinium-based contrast agent (Gd), STEAM diffusion-weighted imaging after Gd injection might be feasible regarding the calculation of mean ADC.