Peripheral magnetic resonance angiography with a multi-compartment curved leg wrap for thigh compression

A curved urethane rf-welded leg wrap with multi-compartment inflation was developed for optimal thigh compression to suppress venous enhancement during peripheral magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). In 49 patients with suspected peripheral vascular disease, bilateral thigh leg wraps were inflated to 60 mm Hg just prior to mask imaging of 3D bolus chase peripheral MRA at 1.5 T using 45 mL gadolinium contrast agent. The time from contrast arrival in the abdominal aorta to venous enhancement in the calf was measured by repeating the calf station at approximately 30 second intervals until venous contamination was observed. The mean time to venous enhancement with thigh compression was 108 +/- 35 s, ranging from 40 to 181 s. In 64 out of 98 legs (65%), veins did not enhance even after repeating the calf station 3 times. In 10 legs (10%), venous enhancement was identified on the first phase of the calf station including 2 legs with cellulitis. However, the enhancing veins tended to be superficial and did not substantially interfere with visualization of calf arteries. This preliminary experience with a curved multi-compartment leg wrap for thigh compression shows high quality MRA with a long window of arterial enhancement and a minimum of venous contamination.