Assessment of vasculature using combined MRI and MR angiography.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare combined cine gradient-recalled echo MRI and MR angiography with conventional angiography in the evaluation of the pulmonary vascular supply in patients with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect, and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries.


METHODS
Eleven patients who underwent both MRI and conventional angiography were retrospectively reviewed. Contiguous 2D cine gradient-recalled echo images (TR range/TE, 30-80/4.8; flip angle, 20 degrees or 30 degrees ) and 3D MR angiographic images (TR range/TE range, 3.8-5.0/1.3-2.0; acquisition time, 13-32 sec) using gadopentetate meglumine (0.1-0.2 mmol/kg) were obtained. The presence, size, and course of the pulmonary arteries (main, right, left) and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (>/= 5 mm) were determined. Presence of minor collateral arteries (< 5 mm) was also noted. Results were compared with findings at conventional angiography.


RESULTS
MRI showed all main (n = 4) and branch (n = 17) pulmonary arteries found at conventional angiography and showed the pulmonary confluence in five of six cases. MRI showed all major aortic collaterals (n = 22) with a highly significant correlation between MRI and conventional angiography measurements (r = 0.84, p < 0.001 [95% confidence interval, -0.35 to 0.40]). One coronary artery collateral was not shown on MRI examination. At MRI, 12 of 14 major and four of seven minor brachiocephalic artery collaterals were shown. MRI showed more minor aortic collaterals than angiography (22 vs 18 vessels, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Combined cine gradient-recalled echo MRI and MR angiography is a reliable method for imaging pulmonary vascular supply in patients with these disorders. Additional prospective studies comparing MRI and conventional angiography may determine whether routine preoperative conventional angiography is required.
Roche
Kevin J
KJ
Department of Radiology, New York University Medical Center, Tisch Hospital, IRM-236, 560 First Ave., New York, NY 10016, USA.
Rivera
Rafael
R
Argilla
Michael
M
Fefferman
Nancy R
NR
Pinkney
Lynne P
LP
Rusinek
Henry
H
Genieser
Nancy B
NB
D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology; D001027:Aortography; D002648:Child; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D005260:Female; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D018633:Pulmonary Atresia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies