Effects of supplemental oxygen on cardiovascular magnetic resonance water proton relaxation time constant measurements (T1, T2 and T2)

To study, the effects of supplemental oxygen on the measurement of native cardiovascular water proton relaxation time constants using commercially available protocols. T1, T2 and T2* relaxation time constant mapping were performed in twelve volunteers at 1.5 T breathing room air and supplemental oxygen supplied by nasal cannula and a non-rebreather mask. Regions-of-interest were drawn for quantitative measurements in the bloodpool of each ventricle and atria as well as septal myocardium. The effects of supplemental oxygen were investigated statistically using a mixed model analysis of variance. Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility were assessed using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient and Coefficient of Variation. Blood T1 relaxation time constants in the left ventricle (T1 change = −241.0 ms) and left atrium (T1 change = −247.0 ms) decreased significantly in every subject after oxygen inhalation with a non-rebreather mask (p