Dual mechanisms for change in myocardial signal intensity by means of a single MR contrast medium: dependence on concentration and pulse sequence.

To determine whether gadodiamide injection can provide sufficient enhancement on both T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo magnetic resonance (MR) images of the heart and skeletal muscles, anesthetized rats were divided into five groups. Groups 1-3 received 0.1 (n = 9), 0.3 (n = 8), or 0.5 (n = 8) mmol/kg gadodiamide injection, respectively, and T1-weighted images were obtained. Groups 4 and 5 received 0.3 or 0.5 mmol/kg gadodiamide injection, respectively, and T2-weighted images were obtained. Gadolinium concentration was measured in myocardium by means of inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. On T1-weighted images, the 0.1 and 0.3 mmol/kg doses produced a dose-dependent increase in myocardial signal intensity proportional to gadolinium concentration. A dose of 0.5 mmol/kg, which correlated with higher gadolinium concentration and did not further increase myocardial signal intensity, prolonged the imaging window. On T2-weighted images, the 0.3 mmol/kg dose caused a transient decrease in myocardial signal intensity; the 0.5 mmol/kg dose produced greater and persistent loss of signal intensity. In conclusion, the changes in signal intensity induced by gadodiamide injection depend on the dose, pulse sequence, and type of tissue.