In this study, the pulmonary gas-exchange function was quantitatively evaluated globally and regionally by hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI using the method of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST). A new parameter, named as pulmonary gas consumption time constant (Toc), was proposed to characterize the gas exchange function. The parameter showed significant difference between the COPD and healthy rats, and we believe it will be a useful parameter in evaluating the pulmonary function.
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