Peripheral MRA with k-space segmentation and blood-pool contrast agent

The purpose of this study was to perform high-resolution contrast-enhanced peripheral multistation magnetic resonance angiography using a new blood-pool contrast agent (gadofosveset trisodium; Vasovist) while suppressing venous signal by using an acquisition scheme with k-space segmentation.

Multistation peripheral magnetic resonance angiography with Vasovist was performed in 20 patients with known peripheral arterial occlusive disease. The k-space of the three-dimensional data sets was segmented such that the central parts were acquired during the first pass of the blood-pool agent, while the peripheral parts were acquired in the steady state. A third magnetic resonance angiographic data set acquired using the conventional technique served as comparison for venous overlay. Two radiologists blindly compared vessel sharpness, conspicuity, and venous contamination. Furthermore, a semiautomatic program to compare edge sharpness was used. Results were compared by means of Wilcoxon's signed rank sum test.

Comparison of vessel sharpness revealed statistically significant differences in favor of the fused data sets in all three stations. Arteries were depicted more sharply in the fused images and over longer parts, while veins were almost completely suppressed.

Peripheral contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography with first-pass and steady-state k-space segmentation using a blood-pool contrast agent proved feasible and provided high-resolution data with sharp delineation of the arteries while reducing venous contamination.