MRI对慢性高原病患者心脏结构和功能的评价研究

目的探讨心脏磁共振成像(CMRI)对慢性高原病(CMS)患者在心脏结构及功能方面的应用价值。方法选取分析30例CMS患者的CMRI影像学资料,另选取30例健康正常志愿者作为对照组。测定心脏结构参数:前室间隔厚度、左心室舒张末期内径、左心房内径、主动脉根部内径、主肺动脉内径、右心室流出道宽径、右心房横径、右心房长径、右心室横径、右心室长径;另测定左、右心室心功能参数:舒张末期容积(EDV)、收缩末期容积(ESV)、每搏输出量(SV)、射血分数(EF)和右心室心肌质量(RVMM),对两组参数进行对比分析。结果在心脏结构方面,CMS组前室间隔厚度、主肺动脉内径、右心室流出道宽径、右心房长径和右心室长径显著对照组(P 0.05);在左、右心功能方面,CMS组RVMM明显对照组(P 0.05),RVSV和RVEF明显对照组(P 0.05)。结论 CMRI可准确评价CMS患者心脏结构及功能,CMS患者以右心结构及功能改变为主。     

MRI评价原发性扩张型心肌病患者左、右心室功能的对照研究

目的:探讨磁共振成像技术在评价原发性扩张型心肌病(IDCM)患者左、右心室功能中的临床应用价值.方法:对42个原发性扩张型心肌病患者行磁共振检查,平均年龄(54.81±13.99)岁;纽约心脏协会(NYHA)心功分级Ⅰ～Ⅱ级者11例,Ⅲ级者16例,Ⅳ级者15例.同时选择44例志愿者作为止常对照组.采用GESign 1.5T超导MR机,应用心脏专用8通道阵列线圈,采用快速稳态进动成像序列(FIESTA)行左、右室短轴电影成像,用argus软件mass analysis分别描记左、右室心内、外膜界面,自动画出左、右室容积-时间变化曲线,测得左、右心窒舒张末期容积参数和功能参数,并对正常志愿者组与患者组临床资料及左、右两侧心室功能数据结果进行比较.结果:两组一般资料结果比较性别和心率差异有统计学意义;患者组与正常对照组的心功能参数差异有统计学意义(P<0.0001),患者组EF、LVPER和LVPFR比正常对照组比较减小,患者组EDV、ESV、LVEDD、LVLAD和MM与正常对照组比较扩大;IDCM组室壁增厚率明显小于正常对照组;患者组临床心功能分级与左室相关良好,与右室心功能部分参数差异有统计学意义.结论:磁共振电影成像可准确测定原发性扩张型心肌病的左、右室心功能参数,重复性好,与NYHA心功能分级有良好的相关性.     

双源CT在主动脉瓣置换术前左心功能评价中的应用

目的:以磁共振成像(MRI)为金标准,用双源CT(DSCT)定量评价左心功能,探讨DSCT在主动脉瓣置换术前左心功能评价中的应用价值.方法:选取临床诊断主动脉瓣病变欲行主动脉瓣置换术的患者21例,全部病例均行DSCT和MRI心功能分析检查.由有经验的2位放射科医生独立进行,结果以均数士标准差表示.两种仪器间测量值应用配对样本t检验及相关分析检验,同一仪器测量值的差异相互关系用组内相关系数描述,P ＜0.05为有统计学意义.结果:DSCT和MRI两种方法测量的心功能指标差异无统计学意义,舒张末期容积(EDV)、收缩末期容积(ESV)、每搏输出量(SV)、左室射血分数(EF)相关性高,r值(EDV)=0.93,r值(ESV)=0.94,r值(SV)=0.89,r值(EF)=0.85.EDV均值:DSCT＞ MRI;ESV均值:DSCT＞ MRI;SV均值:DSCT＞ MRI; EF均值:DSCT＞ MRI.同一仪器三次测量值的差异相互关系(ICC值):MRI测量的EDV、ESV、SV、EF值的ICC值在0.8～1之间;DSCT测量的EDV、ESV、SV、EF值的ICC值在0.6～0.75之间.结论:DSCT在左心室收缩功能定量评价方面准确、可靠,重复性好,并可在不增加放射剂量的前提下,一次DSCT冠状动脉造影检查同时评估冠状动脉狭窄情况和左心室收缩功能,能够为临床主动脉瓣置换术前评估及制订手术方案提供更多重要的参考信息.     

电影磁共振成像和超声心动图评价右心室功能的对比研究

目的 :了解BalancedFFE电影磁共振成像进行右心室功能分析的价值和限度。方法 :分别用BalancedFFE电影磁共振和二维超声、实时三维超声心动图对 2 5例健康志愿者进行右心室舒张末期容积、收缩末期容积 ,每搏输出量以及射血分数等功能指标的测定 ,并比较其测量值。结果 :BalancedFFE电影磁共振测量 2 5例健康志愿者右心室舒张末期容积为 (10 1.3 2± 6.77)ml ,收缩末期容积为 (5 4.3 7± 6.41)ml ,每搏输出量 (5 2 .47± 2 .98)ml ,射血分数为 (65 .44± 5 .17) % ,与实时三维超声心动图测量值相关性良好 (r值在 0 .74～ 0 .98)。结论 :BalancedFFE电影磁共振能够准确测量右心室容积变化情况 ,对右心室功能评价具有很高价值。     

时间-空间相关成像技术评估中孕期胎儿心功能的初步研究

目的 评估时间-空间相关成像( STIC)技术在中孕期胎儿心功能检查中的应用.资料与方法 110例孕20～27+6周胎儿常规超声筛查心脏无异常,用STIC技术扫描获得胎儿心脏整个心动周期的容积数据,存盘后采用体器官计算机辅助分析软件(VOCAL)进行脱机分析,手动描画出心室舒张末期容积(EDV)、收缩末期容积(ESV).计算心室的每搏量(SV)、心排血量(CO)、射血分数(EF),评价SV、CO、EF与孕龄的相关性.结果 110例胎儿中,94例(85.5％)获得满意的心脏容积数据.左、右心室SV从孕20周的(0.33±0.06) ml和(0.40±0.07) ml增加至孕27+6周的(1.13±0.11) ml和(1.29±0.11) ml,左、右心室CO从孕20周的( 49.66±8.10) ml/min和(59.96±9.43) ml/min增加至孕27+6周的(163.51±17.68) ml/min和(187.57±15.98) ml/min;左、右心室SV和CO随孕龄增加而增加,与孕龄呈正相关(左心室SV及CO r=0.93,P＜0.05.右心室:SV r =0.95,P＜0.05; CO r=0.94,P＜0.05).左、右心室EF分别为(49.48±4.12)％和(51.07±4.00)％,与孕龄无明显相关性(r=0.02、0.04,P＞ 0.05).结论 STIC技术能较为准确客观地测量胎儿心室容积,评价胎儿心功能,有望成为胎儿心功能检查的一种新方法.     

256层iCT评价正常升主动脉弹性与左心功能的相关性

目的 利用256层iCT探讨正常升主动脉弹性与左心功能的相关性.方法 收集行256层iCT冠状动脉CT血管成像(CTA)且冠状动脉正常,同时行超声检查无升主动脉粥样硬化的志愿者105例,分别按年龄分成3组、按性别分成2组,CT测量左室功能的诸参数:收缩末期容积(ESV)、舒张末期容积(EDV)、每搏输出量(SV)、射血分数(EF)、心输出量(CO)、心肌质量(MM);CT、超声2种方法测量冠状窦上方15 mm处升主动脉的最大及最小横断面积,计算主动脉弹性,评价升主动脉弹性与左心功能的相关性.结果 Bland-Altman图显示CT和超声测得升主动脉弹性值一致性良好(ICC=0.988,P<0.05);不同年龄组正常升主动脉弹性与EDV、ESV、SV、EF均有正相关关系,与MM有负相关关系,与CO没有相关性;与年龄呈负相关(r=-0.546,P<0.05).结论 正常升主动脉弹性与左心功能有一定的相关性,256层iCT能够准确测量升主动脉壁弹性并判断其与左心功能的关系,为临床评估心血管疾病的危险性提供了一定依据值.     

双源CT不同R-R间期间隔法在定量评估左心功能中的对比研究

目的 探讨双源CT(dual-source CT,DSCT)不同R-R间期间隔重组在测定评估左心功能时有无差异性.资料与方法 对正常组(24名)和冠心病患者组(26例)行DSCT冠状动脉造影,分别以2%、5%及10%R-R间期间隔重组,并测定各间期左室舒张末期容积(EDV)、收缩末期容积(ESV)、每搏输出量(SV)、左室射血分数(EF).对测得的数据行单因素方差分析.结果 以2%、5%及10%R-R间期间隔重组测定左心功能时,各参数间差异无显著统计学意义.结论 以2%、5%及10%R.R间期间隔重组测定左心功能各指标之间的相关性高,临床可以应用10%R-R间期间隔重组测定左心功能,相对方便、快捷、精确.     

屏气流速电影MRI评价左右心室功能的初步研究

目的:评价屏气相位流速电影法MRI(phase-velocitycineMRI,PVCMRI)测量心功能方面的价值。方法:应用PVCMRI检查了25例心脏病患者,将流速法测量的左心室搏出量(LVSV)、主动脉峰值流速(APV)、主动脉平均流速(AAV),分别与右心室搏出量(RVSV)、肺动脉峰值流速(PPV)、肺动脉平均流速(PAV)进行均值比较。结果:PVC法所测的左右心室搏出量均值比较差异无显著性,并且具有明显的直线相关关系。肺动脉AV均值要明显大于主动脉AV,并且具有明显的直线相关关系。主动脉PV要明显大于肺动脉PV,两者没有明显直线相关关系。结论:相位流速电影MRI成像可以无创监测心脏、大血管血流动力学改变,准确评价心功能,是一种有价值的检查方法。     

超声心动图评价妊娠期糖尿病胎儿心脏功能

目的 应用超声心动图评价妊娠期糖尿病(GDM)胎儿心脏构型及功能变化.资料与方法 48例GDM孕妇按照母体血糖水平分为GDM 1组和GDM 2组,应用超声心动图测量胎儿心脏二尖瓣环内径(MVA)、三尖瓣环内径(TVA)、主动脉瓣环内径(AVA)、肺动脉瓣环内径(PVA)、左/右室舒张末期内径(LVDd、RVDd)、左/右室收缩末期内径(LVDs、RVDs)、左/右室壁厚度(LVWT、RVWT)、室间隔舒张末期厚度(IVSd)、室间隔收缩末期厚度(IVSs)、左室射血分数(LVEF)、左/右室短轴缩短率(LVFS、RVFS)、二、三尖瓣E、A峰值速度比值(E/AMV、E/ATV)、左/右室Tei指数(LVMPI、RVMPI).选择同期96例正常妊娠孕妇作对照.结果 GDM 2组胎儿MVA、TVA、PVA、LV MPI、RV MPI均大于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).GDM 1组胎儿MVA、TVA、AVA、PVA和RV MPI均小于GDM2组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).GDM1组各瓣环内径与对照组差异无统计学意义(P＜0.05);LV MPI、RV MPI较对照组增大,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 母体血糖水平越高,胎儿心脏构型及功能改变越明显.超声心动图是评价妊娠期糖尿病胎儿心脏功能的重要方法.     

CT肺动脉造影结合心电门控技术评价急性肺栓塞患者右室功能

目的 应用CT肺动脉造影(CTPA)结合心电门控技术评价急性肺栓塞(APE)患者右室功能的改变情况.方法 应用256层CT对34例临床可疑APE患者行CTPA结合心电门控检查,男20例,女14例,平均年龄(49±10)岁.对照组16例,栓塞组18例,分别采用Simpson法和Segmentation法测量对照组和栓塞组的右室功能参数,包括舒张末容积(EDV)、收缩末容积(ESV)、每搏输出量(SV)及射血分数(EF).P＜0.05被认为统计学检验有显著性差异,按对照组、栓塞组分组,对Simpson法和Segmentation法测得的右室功能参数分别进行独立样本t检验;按Simpson法、Segmentation法分组,将对照组右室功能参数和栓塞组右室功能参数分别进行配对样本t检验和Pearson相关性分析.结果 无论使用Simpson法还是使用Segmentation法,对照组和栓塞组的右室功能参数均有显著差异(P＜0.05),栓塞组右室的EDV和ESV均大于对照组,而SV和EF则均小于对照组;无论是测量对照组的右室功能参数还是测量栓塞组的右室功能参数,Simpson法和Segmentation法2种方法的测量值之间没有显著差异(P＞0.05),且相关性较高(r=0.63～0.98).结论 CTPA结合心电门控技术在确诊APE的同时,可以直接分析并评价APE患者右室功能的改变情况;同时,256层CT提供的Simpson法和Segmentation法2种方法在测量右室功能方面相关性较高.     

Comparison of cardiac stroke volume measurement determined using stereological analysis of breath-hold cine MRI and phase contrast velocity mapping

Cine MRI of the heart using segmented k-space pulse sequences permits multiphase images to be acquired in a single breath-hold. Whilst image quality is improved compared with conventional (non-segmented) cine imaging, subsequent analysis can be relatively time consuming. In this study, multiple slice breath-hold cine imaging of the heart was performed in 11 normal volunteers. Left and right ventricular stroke volume (SV) was estimated from the images by application of the Cavalieri method of modern design stereology in combination with point counting. The measured SVs were compared with those obtained by cine phase contrast velocity mapping in the ascending aorta and main pulmonary artery. Excellent agreement was found between the SVs determined by the two techniques, with mean differences (+/- one SD) of 0.41 +/- 3.00 ml and 0.41 +/- 4.78 ml for left and right ventricles, respectively. Comparison of left and right ventricular SV using stereology yielded a mean difference of 0.84 +/- 5.70 ml. Breath-hold data acquisition together with stereological analysis is demonstrated to be an accurate and unbiased technique for the rapid assessment of cardiac function.     

屏气电影法MRI评价左心室功能的价值

目的：探讨MR屏气电影成像技术评价左室功能的价值。方法：应用屏气电影法MRI对18例健康成年志愿者和36例心脏病患者进行检查，并对左室容量和心肌质量进行测量，将屏气电影法MRI的结果与传统电影法MRI及超声心动图进行比较。结果：（1）屏气电影法与传统电影法MRI及超声心动图所得舒张末期容量（EDV）、收缩末期容量（ESV）、射血分数（EF）相关性良好，相关系数为0．52－0．96，3种方法所测各指标的均值间比较差异无显著性意义（P＞0．05）。（2）3种方法所测舒张末期心肌质量（EDM），收缩末期心肌质量（ESM）相关系数较前3个指标低，且MRI与超声心动图所测ESM的均值差异有显著性意义（P＜0．05），MRI与超声心动图ESM测量的一致性欠佳。结论：屏气电影法MRI与传统电影法MRI、超声心动图比较，各心功能指标测量准确，相关性好，且成像时间短，无呼吸运动伪影，是1种临床实用价值很高的技术。     

Determination of left ventricular volume and mass with use of biphasic spin-echo MR imaging: comparison with cine MR

In this study, the authors compared a new rapid spin-echo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging method, biphasic MR, with cine MR in the determination of left ventricular volume and mass in healthy volunteers. Biphasic spin-echo MR images covering the entire heart were obtained with use of the electrocardiogram R wave and the downslope of the T wave at both end diastole and end systole, respectively. Biphasic MR-determined values correlated well with small standard errors of the estimate (end-diastolic volume = 7.82 cm3, end-diastolic mass = 10.20 g, end-systolic mass = 10.08 g, ejection fraction = 2.62%) and were more reproducible. Cine MR-defined end-systolic volume was significantly larger (P less than .01) and ejection fraction was significantly smaller (P less than .005) than biphasic MR-determined values probably because of the uncertainty in isolating end systole with cine MR. Left ventricular volumes, mass, and ejection fraction are more accurately and reproducibly quantified in a more time-efficient manner with use of biphasic MR than with cine MR because of its significantly shorter image acquisition and reconstruction times.     

Cardiac function: MR evaluation in one breath hold with real-time true fast imaging with steady-state precession

In 12 healthy volunteers and eight patients with cardiac disease, cine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the heart was performed with real-time true fast imaging with steady-state precession (FISP), which permitted evaluation of the entire left ventricle in one breath hold (91 msec per frame, 13 frames per section position, nine short-axis section positions per breath hold). Contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) and left ventricular mass and function measurements with this technique were compared in all subjects with single-section true FISP imaging and, in the volunteers only, with segmented fast low-angle shot (FLASH) MR imaging. Myocardium-to-blood CNR was significantly higher for both true FISP sequences compared with the FLASH sequence. Measurements of resting left ventricular function with real-time true FISP imaging were comparable with those derived from a series of separate breath-hold single-section true FISP acquisitions.     

MR assessment of left ventricular function: quantitative comparison of fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) with fast gradient echo cine technique

PURPOSE: To evaluate the agreement of fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) cine technique with segmented k-space fast gradient echo (GRE) cine technique when using them for assessment of cardiac function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven MR cine studies were performed on six healthy volunteers and five patients, using FIESTA and fast GRE techniques. The quantitative measurements of ventricular function obtained from the two techniques were compared. The data analysis was performed by two observers independently. RESULTS: Compared to fast GRE cine technique, FIESTA cine technique consistently resulted in higher end-diastolic volume (10.2%) and end-systolic volume (21.6%), but lower myocardial mass of left ventricle (19.2%) and ejection fraction (9.9%). The stroke volume obtained from the two techniques was very close. The primary explanation for this variability is that the two techniques have different mechanisms on establishing signal contrast. CONCLUSION: Compared to fast GRE technique, FIESTA provides significantly different results when using it for assessment of left ventricular function. It is important to consider this difference in the assessment of cardiac function.     

Assessment of left ventricular function by breath-hold cine MR imaging: Comparison of different steady-state free precession sequences

PURPOSE: To compare steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequence protocols with different acquisition times (TA) and temporal resolutions (tRes) due to the implementation of a view sharing technique called shared phases for the assessment of left ventricular (LV) function by breath-hold cine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: End-diastolic and end-systolic volumes (EDV, ESV) were measured in contiguous short-axis slices with a thickness of 8 mm acquired in 10 healthy male volunteers. The following true fast imaging with steady-state precession (TrueFISP) sequence protocols were compared: protocol A) internal standard of reference, segmented: tRes 34.5 msec, TA 18 beats per slice; protocol B) segmented, shared phases: tRes 34.1 msec, TA 10 beats per slice; and protocol C) real-time, shared phases, parallel acquisition technique: tRes 47.3 msec, TA 24 beats for 12 slices covering the entire left ventricle. RESULTS: Phase sharing leads to a significant decrease in EDV, stroke volume (SV), and ejection fraction (EF) (median difference -7.0 mL [*], -9.6 mL, and -3.4%, respectively, for protocol B; -15.3 mL, -13.3 mL, and -2.4% for protocol C; P = 0.002, *P = 0.021). The observed median difference of real-time EDV and SV estimates is of clinical relevance. Real-time cine MR imaging shows a greater variability of EDV and SV. No relevant differences in ESV were observed. CONCLUSION: The true cine frame duration of both shared phases sequence protocols exceeds the period of isovolumetric contraction (IVCT) of the left ventricle resulting in a systematic and significant underestimation of EDV and consequently SV and EF. SSFP sequence protocol parameters, particularly tRes and use of view sharing techniques, should therefore be known at follow-up examinations in order to be able to assess LV remodeling in patients with heart failure.     

Quantification of regional pulmonary flow with 9mTc-MAA SPECT and cine phase contrast MR imaging

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between left and right pulmonary arterial flow measured by cine phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (cine PCMRI) and the distribution of perfusion on 99mTc-MAA SPECT and to determine whether the regional pulmonary flow quantification was feasible with the combined use of these techniques. Twenty patients with different pulmonary diseases were evaluated. Left and right lung counts on 99mTc-MAA SPECT images were separately summed and the left-to-total count ratio was calculated. The left-to-total pulmonary flow ratio was calculated from the left and right main pulmonary flows measured with cine PCMRI. We evaluated the correlation and agreement between the ratio determined with 99mTc-MAA SPECT and cine PCMRI by linear regression analysis and Bland-Altman analysis. The left-to-total ratios obtained by 99mTc-MAA and cine PCMRI were 52.0 +/- 22.1% and 52.2 +/- 20.8%, respectively, and showed a strong correlation (r = 0.99, p < 0.001). The mean difference between the two methods in the ratio was 0.25 +/- 2.3% with a 95% confidence interval from -0.84 to 1.34. The results showed that the regional pulmonary flow was calculated with both the left and right pulmonary flow measured with cine PCMRI and the ratio of regional distribution on 99Tc-MAA SPECT images.     

Comparison of cine MR imaging with Doppler echocardiography for the evaluation of aortic regurgitation

Regurgitant blood flow is associated with localized signal loss of the blood pool within the recipient chamber on cine MR images, which may be useful for assessing regurgitant valvular disease. To evaluate the potential of this technique for determining the severity of aortic regurgitation, multilevel cine MR imaging was performed in 10 normal volunteers and in 25 patients with aortic regurgitation documented and graded for severity by Doppler echocardiography. Cine MR images were analyzed to obtain cardiac chamber volumes and to measure the extent of the signal loss associated with regurgitation. All regurgitant lesions were visualized on cine MR images as areas of diastolic signal loss extending from the aortic valve into the left ventricle. The extent of signal loss and the regurgitant volume determined from analysis of MR images correlated with the echocardiographic severity of the lesion. The total area of diastolic left ventricular signal loss was 0 cm2 in 10 normal volunteers, 24 +/- 13 (+/- SD) cm2 in eight patients with mild aortic regurgitation, 49 +/- 11 cm2 in nine patients with moderate aortic regurgitation, and 62 +/- 20 cm2 in eight patients with severe aortic regurgitation (p less than .05 for moderate and severe vs mild). Left ventricular volumes calculated from MR images correlated well with echocardiographic volumes (r = .92, SEE = 30 ml, p less than .0001). Regurgitant fraction calculated from analysis of cine MR images was 4 +/- 7% in normal volunteers and 31 +/- 8% in mild, 45 +/- 11% in moderate, and 56 +/- 9% in severe aortic regurgitation (p less than .05 for moderate and severe vs mild and normal). Thus, cine MR imaging can provide useful qualitative and quantitative data regarding cardiac dimensions and regurgitant valvular flow in patients with aortic regurgitation.     

Real-time MR imaging of aortic flow: influence of breathing on left ventricular stroke volume in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

PURPOSE: To assess real-time changes of left ventricular stroke volume (SV) in relation to the breathing pattern in healthy subjects and in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Real-time magnetic resonance (MR) imaging flow measurements were performed in the ascending aorta of 10 healthy volunteers and nine patients with severe COPD. Breathing maneuvers were registered with an abdominal pressure belt, which was synchronized to the electrocardiographic signal and the flow measurement. Healthy subjects performed normal breathing, deep breathing, and the Valsalva maneuver. Patients with COPD performed spontaneous breathing. Paired two-tailed Student t tests were used in healthy volunteers to assess significant SV differences between normal breathing and deep breathing or the Valsalva maneuver. The results of measurements in the patients with COPD were compared with the results during normal breathing in healthy subjects with the unpaired two-tailed Student t test. RESULTS: In healthy subjects, SV decreased during inspiration and increased during expiration (r2 = 0.78, P <.05). When compared with the SV during normal breathing, mean SV did not change during deep breathing but declined during the Valsalva maneuver (P <.05). The difference between minimal and maximal SVs (ie, SV range) increased because of deep breathing or the Valsalva maneuver (P <.05). In normal and deep breathing, velocity of SV elevation and velocity of SV decrease were equal (which resulted in a ratio of 1), whereas during the Valsalva maneuver, this value increased (P <.05). Spontaneous breathing in COPD resulted in SV changes (P <.05) similar to those observed in healthy subjects who performed the Valsalva maneuver. CONCLUSION: Real-time MR imaging of aortic flow reveals physiologic flow alterations, which are dependent on variations in the breathing pattern.     

Detection and characterization of intracardiac thrombi on MR imaging

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy achieved using different MR techniques with the diagnostic accuracy achieved using transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography to detect intracardiac thrombi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with known or suspected intracardiac thrombi were examined using MR imaging and echocardiography. All MR examinations were performed on a 1.5-T MR scanner using dark-blood-prepared half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) sequences, fast imaging steady-state free precession (trueFISP) cine sequences, and inversion recovery gradient-echo fast low-angle-shot (inversion recovery turbo FLASH) sequences after injection of 0.2 mmol/kg of gadolinium diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid. RESULTS: MR imaging and echocardiography revealed 12 thrombi-two in the right atrium, one in the right ventricle, three in the left atrium, and six in the left ventricle. Compared with echocardiography, MR imaging revealed three additional thrombi in the left ventricle; these thrombi were confirmed at surgery. All 15 thrombi appeared as filling defects on early contrast-enhanced inversion recovery turbo FLASH MR images. Only seven thrombi were detected on HASTE images, and 10 thrombi were seen on trueFISP images. Four thrombi showed enhancement 10-20 min after contrast material injection and were characterized as organized clots. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced inversion recovery turbo FLASH sequences were superior to dark-blood-prepared HASTE and trueFISP cine MR images in revealing intracardiac thrombi. Compared with transthoracic echocardiography, MR imaging was more sensitive for the detection of left ventricular thrombi. The characterization of thrombi may be used to predict the risk of embolism, which is higher for subacute clots than for organized thrombi.