Comparison of Techniques for the Measurement of Tissue-Blood Partition Coefficients in Healthy and Infarcted Myocardium

James W. Goldfarb^1,2, Wenguo Zhao¹

The purpose of this study was to investigate the temporal dynamics a two-compartment tissue-blood partition coefficient and compare it to estimates using a three-compartment model. In 25 individuals with chronic myocardial infarctions, blood Gd-concentration was modeled with a bi-exponential and myocardial tissue Gd-concentration with a three-compartment model. It was found that the measurement of the tissue-blood partition coefficient based on the ratio of T1 relaxation time differences is time dependent.. The measurement of the tissue-blood partition coefficient using a three compartment model yields similar values between infarcted and viable myocardium. T1 relaxation differences are likely due to a third trapping compartment.