Improved in-stent lumen visualization using intravascular MRI and a balanced steady-state free-precession sequence.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the ability of an intravascular magnetic resonance (MR) loopless antenna to reduce the radiofrequency shielding of a vascular stent during signal reception as a way to improve the visualization of the in-stent lumen.


METHODS
Using a balanced steady-state free-precession (bSSFP) sequence and a dedicated vascular phantom, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) inside the lumen of a stent is evaluated as a function of the nominal flip angle and compared with the results obtained for a reference vessel without a stent. All experiments are performed using successively an intravascular loopless antenna and surface arrays coils. Using an optimized protocol, in vitro in-stent restenosis visualization and quantification experiments are performed to evaluate the validity of an approach using an intravascular antenna and cross-sectional images to depict a vascular lesion inside a stent.


RESULTS
The use of a loopless antenna effectively eliminates the radiofrequency shielding effect of the stent during signal reception. Furthermore, using a bSSFP sequence with a carefully chosen nominal flip angle, an equally good blood SNR can be obtained inside and outside the stent. Results of in vitro in-stent restenosis quantification measurements using the proposed method illustrate the benefits arising from the use of the intravascular antenna.


CONCLUSIONS
In the perspective of MR-guided vascular interventions, the presented results illustrate that the use of an intravascular antenna can significantly facilitate imaging inside a vascular stent. Potential applications include the monitoring of stent deployment as well as visualization and quantification of in-stent restenosis during an intervention.
Gilbert
Guillaume
G
Département de Radiologie, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Hôpital Notre-Dame, 1560 Sherbrooke Est, Montreal, Qc, Canada.
Soulez
Gilles
G
Beaudoin
Gilles
G
D000465:Algorithms; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009716:Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015607:Stents; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*