Coronary magnetic resonance angiography using magnetization-prepared contrast-enhanced breath-hold volume-targeted imaging (MPCE-VCATS).
OBJECTIVE
Coronary artery x-ray angiography (XRA) is currently the gold standard for the assessment of coronary artery disease. A substantial minority of patients referred for coronary angiography have no significant coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study is to evaluate magnetization-prepared contrast-enhanced breath-hold volume-targeted imaging (MPCE-VCATS), a new 3-dimensional breath-hold coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) technique, in detecting hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenoses in a patient population, with XRA correlation.


METHODS
A total of 19 subjects who were referred for conventional coronary angiography were enrolled in the study. ECG-triggered MPCE-VCATS coronary artery scans were acquired for the left main coronary artery (LCA), left anterior descending (LAD), and right coronary artery (RCA). Coronary MRA and XRA results were compared.


RESULTS
The overall sensitivity, accuracy, and negative predictive value for diagnosing any hemodynamically significant coronary artery disease (> or =50% diameter reduction) was 91%, 80%, and 90%, respectively. The sensitivity of the technique in the LCA, LAD, and RCA was 100%, 100% and 78%, respectively. The negative predictive value of the technique was 100%, 100%, and 71%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
MPCE-VCATS is a promising technique for coronary artery imaging. It has a relatively high sensitivity as well as a high NPV. The results of the study may indicate a future role for the technique in obviating the need for some patients to undergo XRA.
Yang
Carina W
CW
Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA. cfung@alum.mit.edu
Carr
James C
JC
Francois
Christopher J
CJ
Shea
Steven M
SM
Deshpande
Vibhas S
VS
Meyers
Sheridan N
SN
Beohar
Nirat
N
Finn
J Paul
JP
Li
Debiao
D
D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012119:Respiration; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity