Purpose:To compare signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrastto-noise (CNR) ratio, and diagnostic accuracy of a newly developed saturation recovery (SR)-TrueFISP-two-dimensional (2D) sequence with an SR-TurboFLASH-2D sequence. Materials and Methods:In seven healthy subjects and nine patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), contrastenhanced perfusion imaging (with Gd-DTPA) was performed with SR-TrueFISP and SR-TurboFLASH sequences. Hypoperfused areas were assessed qualitatively (scale ϭ 0 -4). Furthermore, SNR and CNR were calculated and semiquantitative perfusion parameters were determined from signal intensity (SI) time curves. Standard of reference for patient studies was single-photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) and angiography. Results:The perception of perfusion deficits was superior in TrueFISP images (2.6 Ϯ 1.0) than in TurboFLASH (1.4 Ϯ 0.6) (P Ͻ 0.001). Phantom measurements yielded increased SNR (143 Ϯ 34%) and CNR (158 Ϯ 64%) values for True-FISP. In patient/volunteer studies SNR was 61% to 100% higher and signal enhancement was 110% to 115% higher with TrueFISP than with TurboFLASH. Qualitative and semiquantitative assessment of perfusion defects yielded higher sensitivities for detection of perfusion defects with TrueFISP (68% to 78%) than with TurboFLASH (44% to 59%). Conclusion:SR-TrueFISP-2D perfusion imaging provides superior SNR and CNR than TurboFLASH imaging. Moreover, the dynamic range of SIs was found to be higher with TrueFISP, resulting in an increased sensitivity for detection of perfusion defects.

Delayed enhancement MRI at 3.0 T is feasible and provides superior image quality compared with 1.5 T. Furthermore, using identical contrast doses, increased SNR and CNR values were recorded at 3.0 T.

Although preoperative cardiopulmonary capacity in adult patients with nonrestrictive ASD was significantly decreased, some improvement was seen at 4 months postoperatively, with complete restitution to normal at 10 years after shunt closure.

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