Selective coronary artery plaque visualization and differentiation by contrast-enhanced inversion prepared MRI.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to evaluate the utility of contrast-enhanced coronary magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) for selective visualization and non-invasive differentiation of atherosclerotic coronary plaque in humans.


RESULTS
Nine patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) as confirmed by X-ray angiography and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) were studied by T1-weighted black blood inversion recovery coronary MRI before (N-IR) and after administration of Gd-DTPA (CE-IR). Plaques were categorized as calcified, non-calcified, and mixed based on their Hounsfield number derived from MDCT. With MDCT, a total of 29 plaques were identified, including calcified (n=6), non-calcified (n=6), and mixed calcified/non-calcified (n=17). On N-IR MRI, 26 plaques (90%) were dark, whereas three plaques (two non-calcified and one mixed) appeared bright. On CE-MRI, 13/29 (45%) plaques, 11 of which were mixed, one non-calcified, and one calcified showed contrast uptake. All others remained dark.


CONCLUSIONS
In this preliminary study, we demonstrate the potential utility of CE-IR MRI for selective plaque visualization and differentiation of plaque types. The observed contrast uptake may be associated with endothelial dysfunction, neovascularization, inflammation, and/or fibrosis.
Maintz
David
D
Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Muenster, Münster 48129, Germany. maintz@uni-muenster.de
Ozgun
Murat
M
Hoffmeier
Andreas
A
Fischbach
Roman
R
Kim
Won Yong
WY
Stuber
Matthias
M
Manning
Warren J
WJ
Heindel
Walter
W
Botnar
René M
RM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed
D003287:Contrast Media