scholarly journals Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography Using a Novel Elastin-Specific Molecular Probe in an Experimental Animal Model

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolin Reimann ◽  
Julia Brangsch ◽  
Jan Ole Kaufmann ◽  
Lisa C. Adams ◽  
David C. Onthank ◽  
...  

Objectives. The aim of this study was to test the potential of a new elastin-specific molecular agent for the performance of contrast-enhanced first-pass and 3D magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), compared to a clinically used extravascular contrast agent (gadobutrol) and based on clinical MR sequences. Materials and Methods. Eight C57BL/6J mice (BL6, male, aged 10 weeks) underwent a contrast-enhanced first-pass and 3D MR angiography (MRA) of the aorta and its main branches. All examinations were on a clinical 3 Tesla MR system (Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany). The clinical dose of 0.1 mmol/kg was administered in both probes. First, a time-resolved MRA (TWIST) was acquired during the first-pass to assess the arrival and washout of the contrast agent bolus. Subsequently, a high-resolution 3D MRA sequence (3D T1 FLASH) was acquired. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were calculated for all sequences. Results. The elastin-specific MR probe and the extravascular imaging agent (gadobutrol) enable high-quality MR angiograms in all animals. During the first-pass, the probes demonstrated a comparable peak enhancement (300.6 ± 32.9 vs. 288.5 ± 33.1, p>0.05). Following the bolus phase, both agents showed a comparable intravascular enhancement (SNR: 106.7 ± 11 vs. 102.3 ± 5.3; CNR 64.5 ± 7.4 vs. 61.1 ± 7.2, p>0.05). Both agents resulted in a high image quality with no statistical difference (p>0.05). Conclusion. The novel elastin-specific molecular probe enables the performance of first-pass and late 3D MR angiography with an intravascular contrast enhancement and image quality comparable to a clinically used extravascular contrast agent.

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Correa Londono ◽  
Nino Trussardi ◽  
Verena C. Obmann ◽  
Davide Piccini ◽  
Michael Ith ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The native balanced steady state with free precession (bSSFP) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) technique has been shown to provide high diagnostic image quality for thoracic aortic disease. This study compares a 3D radial respiratory self-navigated native MRA (native-SN-MRA) based on a bSSFP sequence with conventional Cartesian, 3D, contrast-enhanced MRA (CE-MRA) with navigator-gated respiration control for image quality of the entire thoracic aorta. Methods Thirty-one aortic native-SN-MRA were compared retrospectively (63.9 ± 10.3 years) to 61 CE-MRA (63.1 ± 11.7 years) serving as a reference standard. Image quality was evaluated at the aortic root/ascending aorta, aortic arch and descending aorta. Scan time was recorded. In 10 patients with both MRA sequences, aortic pathologies were evaluated and normal and pathologic aortic diameters were measured. The influence of artifacts on image quality was analyzed. Results Compared to the overall image quality of CE-MRA, the overall image quality of native-SN-MRA was superior for all segments analyzed (aortic root/ascending, p < 0.001; arch, p < 0.001, and descending, p = 0.005). Regarding artifacts, the image quality of native-SN-MRA remained superior at the aortic root/ascending aorta and aortic arch before and after correction for confounders of surgical material (i.e., susceptibility-related artifacts) (p = 0.008 both) suggesting a benefit in terms of motion artifacts. Native-SN-MRA showed a trend towards superior intraindividual image quality, but without statistical significance. Intraindividually, the sensitivity and specificity for the detection of aortic disease were 100% for native-SN-MRA. Aortic diameters did not show a significant difference (p = 0.899). The scan time of the native-SN-MRA was significantly reduced, with a mean of 05:56 ± 01:32 min vs. 08:51 ± 02:57 min in the CE-MRA (p < 0.001). Conclusions Superior image quality of the entire thoracic aorta, also regarding artifacts, can be achieved with native-SN-MRA, especially in motion prone segments, in addition to a shorter acquisition time.


Diagnostics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Aman Saini ◽  
Alex Wallace ◽  
Hassan Albadawi ◽  
Sailendra Naidu ◽  
Sadeer Alzubaidi ◽  
...  

Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a chronic, debilitating disease with a significant global burden. A number of diagnostic imaging techniques exist, including computed tomography angiography (CTA) and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CEMRA), to aid in PAD diagnosis and subsequent treatment planning. Due to concerns of renal toxicity or nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) for iodinated and gadolinium-based contrasts, respectively, a number of non-enhanced MRA (NEMRA) protocols are being increasingly used in PAD diagnosis. These techniques, including time of flight and phase contrast MRA, have previously demonstrated poor image quality, long acquisition times, and/or susceptibility to artifacts when compared to existing contrast-enhanced techniques. In recent years, Quiescent-Interval Single-Shot (QISS) MRA has been developed to overcome these limitations in NEMRA methods, with promising results. Here, we review the various screening and diagnostic tests currently used for PAD. The various NEMRA protocols are discussed, followed by a comprehensive review of the literature on QISS MRA to date. A particular emphasis is placed on QISS MRA feasibility studies and studies comparing the diagnostic accuracy and image quality of QISS MRA versus other diagnostic imaging techniques in PAD.


1998 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 579-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. O. M. Johansson ◽  
H. K. Ahlström

Purpose: to determine the correlation between dose rate and T1 in blood at Gd-enhanced MR angiography (MRA) Material and Methods: A test dose of contrast agent was used to calculate the time delay between injection and arrival in the abdominal aorta. the dose rate was expressed as ml · kg b.w.−1 · s−1. the correlation between dose rate and T1 was determined by varying the dose rate while keeping the scanning and infusion times constant. the signal intensity in the abdominal aorta was measured during the first pass of Gd and compared with markers of known T1 values Results: A correlation between dose rate and T1 in blood was obtained Conclusion: A Gd dose rate of 0.01 ml · kg b.w.−1 · s−1 gives a T1 in blood of 100 ms. This can be used to calculate the optimal pulse sequence for contrast-enhanced MRA


2011 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clifton R. Haider ◽  
Stephen J. Riederer ◽  
Eric A. Borisch ◽  
James F. Glockner ◽  
Roger C. Grimm ◽  
...  

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