Gadolinium-enhanced, vessel-tracking, two-dimensional coronary MR angiography: single-dose arterial-phase vs. delayed-phase imaging.
The purposes of our study were to investigate the benefits of using a single dose of an extracellular contrast agent for coronary magnetic resonance angiography (CMRA) and to determine the relative benefits of arterial-phase vs. delayed-phase image acquisition. The right coronary artery was imaged in 10 healthy adults using a breath-hold, two-dimensional fast gradient echo pulse sequence designed for vessel tracking (multiphase, multislice image acquisition). Pre- and postcontrast CMRA was performed. Postcontrast imaging consisted of arterial- and delayed-phase CMRA following a 15 mL bolus (single dose) of contrast media and of delayed-phase imaging following a cumulative 45 mL contrast dose (triple dose). Contrast-enhanced CMRA provided a significantly higher (P < 0.001) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) than noncontrast CMRA. CNR was highest for single-dose arterial-phase CMRA (13.1 +/- 4.5) and triple-dose delayed-phase CMRA (13.0 +/- 4.8), followed by single-dose delayed-phase CMRA (8.4 +/- 3.5) and noncontrast CMRA (4.2 +/- 1.8). Single-dose arterial-phase CMRA provided the best visualization of the distal right coronary artery and was preferred for blinded physician assessments. We concluded that utilization of a single dose of extracellular contrast media improves CMRA, especially if timed for arterial-phase imaging. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2001;13:682-689.
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Department of Radiology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4799, USA. vho@usuhs.mil
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D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA