NC100150-enhanced 3D-SPGR MR angiography of the common carotid artery in a pig vascular stenosis model. Quantification of stenosis and dose optimization.
OBJECTIVE
NC100150 is a new type of ultra-small iron oxide (USPIO) blood pool agent. The aim of this study was to compare NC100150-enhanced MR angiography (MRA) to time-of-flight (TOF) MRA, phase-contrast (PC) MRA, and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in experimental stenoses in pigs, and furthermore to determine the optimal dose of the contrast agent.


METHODS
An experimental stenosis of the right and left common carotid artery (CCA) was applied surgically in 6 Yorkshire pigs. DSA was performed as the gold standard, followed by 3D-TOF, 3D-PC, and NC100150-enhanced MRA.


RESULTS
Eleven stenoses of the CCA were successfully applied. The degree of the stenosis, determined by NC100150-enhanced MRA, did not differ significantly from DSA, whereas TOF and PC MRA underestimated it. The image quality of the NC100150-enhanced MRA was superior to both TOF and PC MRA. The optimal dose of NC100150 was 5-6 mg Fe/kg, since higher doses did not further increase signal-to-noise ratio or contrast-to-noise ratio. There was a linear relationship between blood relaxation rate and contrast dose.


CONCLUSIONS
NC100150-enhanced MRA has the potential for quantification of carotid stenoses and provides an alternative to DSA. The optimal dose of NC100150 was 5-6 mg Fe/kg.
Røhl
L
L
Department of Neuroradiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
Ostergaard
L
L
Simonsen
C Z
CZ
Vestergaard-Poulsen
P
P
Sørensen
L
L
Bjørnerud
A
A
Saebø
K B
KB
Gyldensted
C
C
D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D000818:Animals; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D005260:Female; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D007501:Iron; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D010087:Oxides; D013552:Swine
D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D010087:Oxides; C097921:ferumoxtran-10; D007501:Iron; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide