Standardized MR protocol for the evaluation of MRA sequences and/or contrast agents effects in high-degree arterial stenosis analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relative role of high resolution (spatial or temporal) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) sequence and of contrast agent properties in the evaluation of high-degree arterial stenosis.


METHODS
We qualitatively and quantitatively studied both 50 and 95% (300 microm diameter) stenosis of a 6 mm arterial phantom with two contrast agents (CA), Gd-DOTA (r(1)=2.9 mM(-1) s(-1)) versus P760 (r(1)=25 mM(-1) s(-1)) at several CA concentrations, including arterial peak concentration after injection of either a single or double dose of CA, using either a high temporal (booster) or high spatial (HR) resolution 3D MRA sequences. Experimental data were then compared to theoretical data.


RESULTS
With the 3D HR sequence, both visual and quantitative analysis were significantly better compared to the 3D booster sequence, at each phantom diameter. Quantitative analysis was significantly improved by injection of a double versus a single dose of each CA (Gd-DOTA or P760), primarily in high degree stenosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Combined MRA spatial resolution and high CA efficiency are mandatory to correctly evaluate high degree stenosis.
Marchand
Bruno
B
Laboratoire Creatis, UMR 5515, INSA 502, 69621 Vileurbanne, France. bruno.marchand@voila.fr
Douek
Philippe C
PC
Robert
Philippe
P
Corot
Claire
C
Roux
Jean Pierre
JP
Adeleine
Patrice
P
Hernandez-Hoyos
Marcela
M
Cremillieux
Yannick
Y
Orkisz
Maciej
M
Canet
Emmanuelle
E
D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011786:Quality Control; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C120577:gadolinium compound P760; C050823:gadolinium 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetate