Gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography (Gd-MRA) of thoracic vasculature in an animal model using double-dose gadolinium and quiet breathing.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography (Gd-MRA) imaging protocol for the assessment of thoracic vessels using double-dose gadolinium and quiet breathing. An animal model was used to simulate imaging in infants and young children.


METHODS
Six baboons (Papio anubis), mean weight 5.7 kg, were sedated and intubated. After the injection of double-dose Gd-DTPA (0.2 mmol/kg) through a peripheral vein, a coronal spoiled 3D gradient-echo volume acquisition was obtained during quiet breathing. Two radiologists reviewed the images for visualization of aortic arch, brachiocephalic vessel origins, pulmonary arteries (central, upper lobe and descending branches), and pulmonary veins (upper and lower).


RESULTS
Visualization was excellent for the aortic arch, brachiocephalic vessel origins, and pulmonary arteries, including the hilar branches. Visualization was excellent for the lower and right upper pulmonary veins and fair for the left upper pulmonary vein. There was excellent agreement between radiologists.


CONCLUSIONS
Imaging of thoracic vessels with Gd-MRA using double gadolinium during quiet breathing was effective in our animal model. The advantages of this technique include a short imaging time and depiction of vascular segments--branches of pulmonary arteries and intraparenchymal segments of pulmonary veins--not optimally visualized with other non-invasive imaging techniques.
Hernandez
R J
RJ
Section of Pediatric Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0252, USA. rjhm@umich.edu
Strouse
P J
PJ
Londy
F J
FJ
Wakefield
T W
TW
D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D016121:Brachiocephalic Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D023421:Models, Animal; D010215:Papio; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012119:Respiration; D013909:Thorax / Q000098:blood supply*
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA