Improvement of image quality of non-invasive coronary artery imaging with magnetic resonance by the use of the intravascular contrast agent Clariscan (NC100150 injection) in patients with coronary artery disease.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of Clariscan, an intravascular contrast agent, for free breathing, navigator assisted, high resolution, three-dimensional-magnetic resonance coronary angiography (MRCA) in patients, as extracellular contrast agents are unfavorable for the improvement of image quality.


METHODS
MRCA was performed in 10 patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD) with (1-5 mg Fe/kg body weight) and without contrast agent.


RESULTS
Compared to unenhanced images, Clariscan did not improve signal-to-noise (SNR) or contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) compared to fat or myocardium in the proximal parts of the coronary arteries. However, when analyzing the peripheral parts (>4 cm from origin), CNR(fat) and CNR(myo) improved up to a factor of 1.81 and 5.85, respectively, at a dose of 3 mg Fe/kg body weight, while SNR did not reach statistical significance. The visible length of the coronary arteries was improved from 49 +/- 18 mm to 73 +/- 33 mm. The proximal diameter was reduced from 3.6 +/- 0.8mm to 3.2 +/- 0.8 mm, representing more closely the diameter of 3.1 +/- 0.7 mm measured by quantitative coronary angiography. Of 11 significant stenoses (>50%), eight were identified in the enhanced compared to six in the unenhanced images.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of Clariscan at a dose of 2-3 mg Fe/kg body weight improves image quality of three-dimensional-MRCA, especially in the peripheral segments, and, thus, the diagnostic accuracy for the detection of CAD.
Klein
Christoph
C
Internal Medicine/Cardiology, German Heart Institute Berlin, Germany. klein@dhzb.de
Schalla
Simon
S
Schnackenburg
Bernhard
B
Bornstedt
Axel
A
Hoffmann
Volker
V
Fleck
Eckart
E
Nagel
Eike
E
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D003911:Dextrans; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010087:Oxides / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D010087:Oxides; C097921:ferumoxtran-10; D007501:Iron; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide