Magnetic resonance-guided placement of atrial septal closure device in animal model of patent foramen ovale.
BACKGROUND
Percutaneous closure of the patent foramen ovale (PFO) is usually performed under x-ray in combination with ultrasound guidance. We tested the feasibility of applying magnetic resonance (MR) guidance for percutaneous closure of PFO in an animal model, thus avoiding the disadvantage of ionizing radiation.


RESULTS
Real-time MRI with radial or spiral k-space filling (15 frames per second) on an interventional 1.5-T high-field whole-body system was exploited to examine the feasibility of MR-guided closure of the PFO in 7 piglets weighing approximately 14 kg. A specially designed prototype nonmagnetic closure device was introduced via the femoral vein. The short bore of the magnet and in-room monitors allowed for visualization and steering of the catheter with the loaded occluder. Catheterization of the left atrium and, finally, correct placement of the device was possible in all animals. Deployment of the device was depicted by real-time MR, and initial misplacement, which occurred in 2 animals, was easily detected and corrected.


CONCLUSIONS
Real-time MR guidance of PFO closure, without the use of ionizing radiation, is feasible in an animal model.
Clinic of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Technology Aachen, Aachen, Germany. buecker@rad.rwth-aachen.de
Arno
A
Buecker
Elmar
E
Spuentrup
Ralph
R
Grabitz
Franz
F
Freudenthal
Eberhard G
EG
Muehler
Tobias
T
Schaeffter
Joop J
JJ
van Vaals
Rolf W
RW
Günther
D000818:Animals; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D013552:Swine