k trans as a quantitative indicator of calf muscle perfusion at peak exercise

Background Quantitative contrast enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) may be valuable for calf perfusion assessment in peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The Kety equation describes the dynamic relationship between the concentration of gadolinium (Gd) in tissue and in arterial blood. ktrans is the rate at which Gd enters the interstitial space and it is determined by blood flow (F) as well as the Gd extraction rate (E). We aimed to measure ktrans at peak exercise in healthy (NL) and PAD subjects.