Fresh blood imaging of the peripheral vasculature: an emerging unenhanced MR technique

Area of Science:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Vascular Imaging

Background:

• Increasing demand for non-contrast Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) techniques.
• Need for safer MRA methods, particularly for patients with renal impairment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the technical aspects of performing lower extremity MRA using fresh blood imaging.
• To illustrate sample cases of this novel MRA technique.

Main Methods:

• Utilizes an ECG-gated fast spin-echo sequence.
• Acquires images during both systolic and diastolic phases.
• Employs a subtraction technique to differentiate arterial flow and generate angiographic images.

Main Results:

• Successfully differentiates fast systolic arterial flow from slower diastolic flow.
• Produces angiographic images without exogenous contrast material.
• Demonstrates feasibility for lower extremity MRA.

Conclusions:

• Fresh blood imaging is a novel, unenhanced MRA technique with promising early clinical trial results.
• Anticipated to be invaluable for patients with impaired renal function.
• Requires further technical refinement for distal vessel assessment and patients with arrhythmias or impaired cardiac function.