Preliminary evaluation of EVP 1001-1: a new cardiac-specific magnetic resonance contrast agent with kinetics suitable for steady-state imaging of the ischemic heart.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the potential of a novel manganese-based magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agent, EVP 1001-1 for the evaluation of myocardial ischemia.


METHODS
MR imaging with EVP 1001-1 was performed on 6 Yorkshire pigs, and T1 relaxation times were calculated. One animal served as a control, 2 were subjected to an acute coronary artery occlusion and 3 provided a model of chronic ischemia.


RESULTS
Administration of the agent in the control and acute coronary occlusion model demonstrated a short plasma half-life (approximately 1.5 minutes) and rapid myocardial uptake in nonoccluded regions, with long retention times in the myocardium (>1 hour) and no evidence of redistribution. In the chronic ischemia model, differential enhancement was observed between normal and ischemic tissue, particularly under dobutamine-induced stress.


CONCLUSIONS
These properties suggest the use of EVP 1001-1 for steady-state imaging of myocardial perfusion. Contrast administration could be performed under stress conditions outside the scanner, with high-resolution MR images reflecting the stress condition acquired after the stress has subsided.
D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008345:Manganese / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D023421:Models, Animal; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine
D003287:Contrast Media; C483739:EVP 1001-1; D008345:Manganese