MR-guided balloon angioplasty of stenosed aorta: in vivo evaluation using near-standard instruments and a passive tracking technique.
The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of magnetic resonance (MR)-guided balloon angioplasty of a stenosed aorta on an open low-field magnet using a passive tracking technique. Visualization of vessels and position of instruments were realized by using a fast low-angle shot (FLASH) sequence. Catheters and guidewire were prepared for susceptibility-based MR visualization. Standard balloon catheters were inflated with diluted gadolinium, and nitinol guidewires were modified by incorporation of iron oxide markers into their walls. After validation on a flow phantom, balloon angioplasty was performed on an in vivo model of arterial stenosis. Creation of abdominal aorta stenosis was realized in five piglets. MR-guided balloon angioplasty of the aorta was performed with success in all but one. In one of them, stent implantation was achieved in the descending aorta. Balloon angioplasty using a passive tracking technique is a simple concept that can be realized with near-standard instruments and any MR imaging system. This represents an advance toward MR-guided vascular interventions in the future.
Godart
F
F
Department of Cardiology, University of Lille, 59037 Lille cedex, France. f-godart@chru-lille.fr
Beregi
J P
JP
Nicol
L
L
Occelli
B
B
Vincentelli
A
A
Daanen
V
V
Rey
C
C
Rousseau
J
J
D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D015607:Stents; D013552:Swine