Repeatability of Regional Lung Ventilation Quantification Using Fluorinated (19F) Gas Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Rationale and Objectives: To assess the repeatability of global and regional lung ventilation quantification in both healthy subjects and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using fluorinated (F-19) gas washout magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in free breathing. Material and Methods: In this prospective institutional review board-approved. study, 12 healthy non-smokers and eight COPD patients were examined with F-19 dynamic gas washout MR imaging in free breathing and with lung function testing. Measurements were repeated within 2 weeks. Lung ventilation was quantified using( 19)F gas washout time. Repeatability was analyzed for the total lung and on a regional basis using the coefficient of variation (COV) and Bland-Altman plots. Results: In healthy subjects and COPD patients, a good repeatability was found for lung ventilation quantification using dynamic F-19 gas washout MR imaging on a global (COV < 8%) and regional (COV < 15%) level. Gas washout time was significantly increased in the COPD group compared to the healthy subjects. Conclusion: F-19 gas washout MR imaging provides a good repeatability of lung ventilation quantification and appears to be sensitive to early changes of regional lung function alterations such as normal aging.