A simple catheter-vessel model for MR assessment of drug distribution in arteries and optimization of catheter design for intraarterial infusion therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy of a new catheter-vessel model for MRI to evaluate drug distribution and to optimize catheter design for intraarterial infusion therapy


METHODS
The model consisted of a hepatic artery simulant tube through which blood simulant water flowed continuously and a water cistern. Catheters were inserted into the tube and a gadolinium contrast medium was injected at rates suitable for angiographic or computed tomographic evaluation and commensurate with the clinical drug infusion rate. Axial images of the tube were obtained with a 0.2-T scanner and gradient echo technique. Preliminary studies and catheter tests were conducted. The points at which drug and water were completely mixed were defined as the site with uniform enhancement nearest the catheter tip.


RESULTS
Flip angle and gadolinium concentrations were optimized at 90 degrees, and at 62.5 and 500 mM for the high and low infusion rates, respectively. Drug distribution near the catheter tips was clearly visualized. The drug was mixed in shorter distances via the slit side-hole than the end- or side-hole catheters, and the smaller diametrical than the larger at either rate.


CONCLUSIONS
This model appeared to be effective for evaluation of drug distribution and optimization of catheter design.
Yoshikawa
Takeshi
T
Department of Radiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunokicho, Chuoku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan. yoshikawa@0816@aol.com
Uchida
Koji
K
Ohno
Yoshiharu
Y
Hirota
Shozo
S
Nakamura
Tomonori
T
Yoshizako
Takeshi
T
Ishida
Jun
J
Kitagaki
Hajime
H
D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005682:Gadolinium; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D003287:Contrast Media; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; C062402:gadoteridol; D005682:Gadolinium