Feasibility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Pulmonary Artery Stenting in a Commercial Wide-Bore 0.55-T Scanner

Real-time pulmonary artery (PA) stenting under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance may eliminate radiation exposure during complex vascular interventions. This study evaluated the feasibility of performing PA stenting in a swine model using a commercially available 0.55-T MRI system with ferumoxytol-enhanced imaging. Ten juvenile pigs underwent attempts at MRI-guided PA stent deployment using stainless-steel balloon-expandable stents. Stenting was successful in 7 animals, with all successes achieved after switching from femoral to external jugular venous access. Real-time gradient echo imaging provided sufficient visualization for catheter navigation, device delivery, and stent deployment. Postdeployment phase contrast imaging demonstrated flow continuity, minimal artifact, and trivial pressure gradients across the stent (0.2 ± 0.12 mm Hg). Peak velocities increased by 21.2 ± 7.0 cm/s distal to the stent, confirming preserved patency. These findings demonstrate the technical feasibility of CMR-guided PA stenting at 0.55-T and support the potential for future radiation-free PA interventions.