Gadolinium-free MR in coarctation-can contrast-enhanced MR angiography be replaced?
Peter I Kalmar1, Martin Koestenberger2, Robert Marterer3
1Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Medical University of Graz, LKH-Univ. Klinikum Graz, Austria; Department of Radiology, Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Medical University of Graz, LKH-Univ. Klinikum Graz, Austria.
Insights
Cine MRI and gadolinium-free MRA offer equivalent vessel size monitoring to contrast-enhanced MRA in coarctation of the aorta patients. These noninvasive techniques provide comparable measurements and signal-to-noise ratios, with only voxel size differing significantly.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Medical Physics
- Radiology
Background:
- Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) requires regular monitoring of vessel dimensions.
- Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (ce-MRA) is a standard but invasive imaging technique.
- Noncontrast magnetic resonance techniques offer potential for less invasive assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare vessel measurements, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and voxel size between contrast-enhanced and noncontrast MRI techniques in CoA patients.
- To evaluate the efficacy of cine MRI and gadolinium-free MRA against ce-MRA for assessing aortic dimensions.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 39 patients diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta.
- Vessel size, SNR, and voxel size were analyzed across three MRI sequences: cine MRI, gadolinium-free MRA (Gd-free MRA), and ce-MRA.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were observed in vessel size measurements or SNR between the evaluated MRI techniques.
- A significant difference (P<.001) was found in voxel size across the imaging modalities.
- Voxel size varied, but this did not impact the accuracy of vessel dimension or SNR assessment.
Conclusions:
- Cine MRI and Gd-free MRA provide equivalent vessel size monitoring compared to ce-MRA in patients with coarctation of the aorta.
- These noncontrast techniques are less invasive alternatives for routine monitoring of vessel dimensions in CoA.
- The findings support the use of noninvasive MRI methods for improved patient management in coarctation of the aorta.
Objective:
To determine the difference in vessel measurements, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and voxel size between contrast-enhanced and noncontrast magnetic resonance techniques in patients with coarctation of the aorta (CoA).
Materials And Methods:
In 39 patients, vessel size, SNR, and voxel size were compared in cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), gadolinium-free magnetic resonance angiography (Gd-free MRA), and contrast-enhanced MRA (ce-MRA).
Results:
There was no significant difference in measurement and SNR, but there was a significant difference in voxel size (P<.001).
Conclusions:
Our results show that, in CoA patients, monitoring of vessel size using cine MRI and Gd-free MRA is equivalent to ce-MRA while being less invasive.
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