title: Improved MR images of arterial specimens by submersion in trichlorotrifluoroethane.
abstract: MR images of ex vivo arterial specimens immersed in 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (R-113) have improved signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio. R-113 has no hydrogen atoms, so it yields no proton signal; hence, the contrast between the specimen and its background is maximized. SNR is maximized because (i) R-113 is nonconductive so that coil loading and inductive noise are minimized, and (ii) the volume susceptibility of R-113 closely matches that of water and tissue so that T2* effects are minimized. Short-term submersion of porcine aortas in R-113 was found to have no significant effect on the artery's hydration level, relaxation time, tensile strength, and structure or quantity of elastin, collagen, or smooth muscle cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Rutt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects; D064227:Chlorofluorocarbons, Ethane; D005617:Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D064227:Chlorofluorocarbons, Ethane; D005617:Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane; C005850:1,1,1-trichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane