title: Three-dimensional magnetic resonance coronary angiography using a new blood pool contrast agent: initial experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this feasibility study was to assess the effect of a new blood pool contrast agent on magnetic resonance coronary angiography (MRCA) in patients suspected of having coronary artery disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine patients referred for diagnostic x-ray coronary angiography in the evaluation of chest pain underwent MRCA using a thin-slab three-dimensional (3D) breath-hold segmented gradient echo technique at 1.5 T before and after intravenous administration of feruglose, a new blood pool contrast agent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 36 coronary arteries, including 15 stenoses were evaluated. Overall agreement of visually assessed stenoses > 50% was 86%. The mean signal-to-noise ratio in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) did not change significantly after contrast administration, a relative improvement of 1.2 +/- 0.4 (p = 0.1), whereas the mean contrast-to-noise ratio of blood to myocardium improved by 3 +/- 2 (p = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A thin-slab 3D breath-hold scan combined with feruglose allows rapid localization and coverage of the proximal coronary arteries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. wlf.bedaux@vumc.nl
authors.forename: Willemijn L F
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Bedaux
authors.forename: Mark B M
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Hofman
authors.forename: Piotr A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Wielopolski
authors.forename: Carel C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: de Cock
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Matthijs
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oudkerk
authors.forename: Pim J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: de Feyter
authors.forename: Albert C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: van Rossum
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007501:Iron; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010087:Oxides
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D010087:Oxides; D007501:Iron