Acquiring Hyperpolarized 129Xe Magnetic Resonance Images of Lung Ventilation

Hyperpolarized Xe MRI comprises a unique array of structural and functional lung imaging techniques. Technique standardization across sites is increasingly important given the recent FDA approval of Xe as an MR contrast agent and as interest in Xe MRI increases among research and clinical institutions. Members of the Xe MRI Clinical Trials Consortium (Xe MRI CTC) have agreed upon best practices for each of the key aspects of the Xe MRI workflow, and these recommendations are summarized in a recent publication. This work provides practical information to develop an end-to-end workflow for collecting Xe MR images of lung ventilation according to the Xe MRI CTC recommendations. Preparation and administration of Xe for MR studies will be discussed and demonstrated, with specific topics including choice of appropriate gas volumes for entire studies and for individual MR scans, preparation and delivery of individual Xe doses, and best practices for monitoring subject safety and Xe tolerability during studies. Key MR technical considerations will also be covered, including pulse sequence types and optimized parameters, calibration of Xe flip angle and center frequency, and Xe MRI ventilation image analysis.