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To compare T₁ values of blood and myocardium at 1.5T and 3T before and after administration of Gd‐DTPA‐BMA in normal volunteers, and to evaluate the distribution of contrast media between myocardium and blood during steady state.

Ten normal subjects were imaged with either 0.1 mmol/kg (N = 5) or 0.2 mmol/kg (N = 5) of Gd‐DTPA‐BMA contrast agent at 1.5T and 3T. T₁ measurements of blood and myocardium were performed prior to contrast injection and every five minutes for 35 minutes following contrast injection at both field strengths. Measurements of biodistribution were calculated from the ratio of ΔR₁ (ΔR_1myo/ΔR_1blood).

Precontrast blood T₁ values (mean ± SD, N = 10) did not significantly differ between 1.5T and 3T (1.58 ± .13 sec, and 1.66 ± .06 sec, respectively; P > 0.05), but myocardium T₁ values were significantly different (1.07 ± .03 sec and 1.22 ± …