title: Gadolinium enhanced MR imaging of vascular stents.
abstract: The feasibility of obtaining in-plane magnetic resonance (MR) vascular images in the presence of a vascular stent and the value of infusing an MR contrast agent during imaging was assessed. Coronal and sagittal MR imaging at 1.5 T was performed on six dogs with tantalum aortic stents using single-section gradient echo (GRE) imaging and MR angiography techniques before and during intravenous infusion of gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA). In-plane gradient echo (GRE) imaging and MR angiography clearly showed flow within the stented vessel as increased signal, with a minimum amount of stent-related artifact. Infusion of Gd-DTPA significantly increased the signal of flowing blood and allowed for better delineation of the stented aortic lumina. Our results demonstrate that in-plane GRE imaging and MR angiography can potentially be used as noninvasive methods for evaluating vascular patency in the presence of MR-compatible endovascular devices. In addition, Gd-DTPA infusion during MR vascular imaging clearly enhances the definition of flowing blood in the lumina of stented vessels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Teitelbaum
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Carvlin
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Barth
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Savin
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Strecker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003287:Contrast Media; D004285:Dogs; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D011859:Radiography; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D015607:Stents; D014654:Vascular Patency
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA