Figure 17

Schematic illustration of an extracellular Gd- based contrast agent kinetics within the myocardial tissue. Following intravenous administration, the extracellular Gd-based contrast agent enters the microvascular network of the myocardium via arterial inflow (left). It is extravasated into the interstitial fluid (extravascular extracellular space) and gradually washed out back into the venous outflow (right) and removed from the body via glomerular filtration. Areas with an increased volume of interstitial space will present a larger distribution volume for the incoming contrast agent, but importantly pathological tissues such as myocardial scar, may also display slower extravasation rates as well as delayed re-absorption (wash out) of contrast agent into the vascular space.