Gadobenate Dimeglumine in MRI of Acute Myocardial Infarction: Results of a Phase III Study Comparing Dynamic and Delayed Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging With EKG, 201Tl SPECT, and Echocardiography

Cherryman GR, Pirovano G, Kirchin MA. Gadobenate dimeglumine in MRI of acute myocardial infarctionresults of a phase III study comparing dynamic and delayed contrast enhanced imaging with EKG, Tl SPECT, and echocardiography. Invest Radiol 2002;37:135–145. RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. To evaluate the safety and utility of gadobenate dimeglumine as a magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agent in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS. One hundred three patients with acute MI received intravenous bolus gadobenate dimeglumine (0.05 mmol/kg) during MR examination. Dynamic and delayed T1-weighted spin-echo postcontrast images were compared with precontrast images, EKG, resting Tl SPECT and echocardiography. RESULTS. Gadobenate dimeglumine was well tolerated. Dynamic imaging with gadobenate dimeglumine was more sensitive (72% vs 56%) than delayed spin echo imaging (P < 0.001). No difference in specificity was seen (98% vs 99%). Tl SPECT was a sensitive (96%) test, but was not specific (63%). Echocardiography was not sensitive (32%), but was specific (92%). CONCLUSION. The intravenous use of gadobenate dimeglumine, at a bolus dose of 0.05 mmol/kg, is safe in patients with an acute MI. Dynamic contrast enhanced MR imaging has moderate sensitivity and high specificity for demonstrating infarct.