Volume-targeted and whole-heart coronary magnetic resonance angiography using an intravascular contrast agent

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Medical Resonance Technology

Background:

• Coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is crucial for non-invasive assessment of coronary artery disease.
• Intravascular contrast agents enhance MRA visualization of coronary arteries.
• Comparing different MRA acquisition strategies is essential for optimizing diagnostic accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of volume-targeted coronary MRA (t-CMRA) and whole-heart coronary MRA (WH-CMRA) for visualizing coronary arteries.
• To evaluate image quality parameters, including vessel length and side branch visibility, between the two MRA techniques.
• To assess the impact of intravascular contrast agents on coronary MRA performance.

Main Methods:

• Six healthy subjects underwent both t-CMRA and WH-CMRA using a navigator-gated, free-breathing, cardiac-triggered 3D steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequence.
• An intravascular contrast agent (B-22956) was administered prior to both imaging sequences.
• Image quality was assessed by maximal visible vessel length, vessel sharpness, and visibility of coronary side branches.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in overall image quality were found between t-CMRA and WH-CMRA.
• WH-CMRA demonstrated significantly longer visible segments in the right coronary artery (RCA) and left circumflex coronary artery (LCX).
• WH-CMRA showed a significantly higher number of visible side branches for the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) compared to t-CMRA.

Conclusions:

• Both WH-CMRA and t-CMRA are effective coronary MRA techniques when using intravascular blood-pool agents.
• High spatial resolution WH-CMRA provides comparable vessel conspicuity to t-CMRA.
• WH-CMRA offers superior visualization of coronary vessel length and a greater number of visible side branches, enhancing diagnostic potential.