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[Experimental evaluation of superparamagnetic iron oxide particles in pulmonary MR angiography]
C Nolte-Ernsting1, G Adam, A Bücker
1Klinik für Radiologische Diagnostik, Universitätsklinikum, RWTH Aachen.
Purpose:
Initial experimental results of contrast-enhanced pulmonary MR angiography using the new superparamagnetic iron oxide blood pool agent FeO-BPA.
Method:
Pulmonary MRA was performed in 7 domestic pigs using a cardiac-triggered coronal T1-weighted FFE-Sequence before and up to 90 minutes after contrast injection obtained on a 1.5 T magnet with a standard gradient equipment. A dose of 4 mg Fe/kg bodyweight was used for MRA. The images were qualitatively assessed and compared with X-ray i.v.-DSA.
Results:
The injection of FeO-BPA allows the acquisition of unsaturated in-plane images of the pulmonary vascular tree down to the first order subsegmental branches including vessel diameters of approximately 1.5 mm. In the normal non-occluded vasculature, no signal void is seen in the TE range of 2.8-5.5 ms secondary to exceeding susceptibility effects which are caused by the iron oxide accumulation. Even 90 minutes after injection of FeO-BPA, assessment of the pulmonary vasculature is still satisfactory.
Conclusions:
In the animal experiment, the use of the blood pool agent FeO-BPA provides detailed pulmonary angiograms even on a magnet with a conventional gradient system. The major advantage is the comfortable diagnostic window of > 1.5 hours which also portends its utility for future MR-guided pulmonary interventions.
Insights
New superparamagnetic iron oxide blood pool agent FeO-BPA enables detailed pulmonary angiography in pigs. This agent provides a long diagnostic window for enhanced pulmonary vascular imaging.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Vascular Imaging
Background:
- Pulmonary angiography is crucial for diagnosing various cardiopulmonary conditions.
- Conventional methods like X-ray i.v.-DSA have limitations.
- Development of advanced contrast agents for Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) is ongoing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the initial experimental results of contrast-enhanced pulmonary MRA using a novel superparamagnetic iron oxide blood pool agent, FeO-BPA.
- To assess the feasibility and efficacy of FeO-BPA in visualizing the pulmonary vascular tree.
Main Methods:
- Pulmonary MRA was performed in 7 domestic pigs using a cardiac-triggered coronal T1-weighted FFE-Sequence on a 1.5 T magnet.
- Contrast-enhanced imaging was obtained before and up to 90 minutes after injection of FeO-BPA (4 mg Fe/kg bodyweight).
- Images were qualitatively assessed and compared with X-ray i.v.-DSA.
Main Results:
- FeO-BPA facilitated unsaturated in-plane images of the pulmonary vascular tree down to first-order subsegmental branches (approx. 1.5 mm diameter).
- No signal void was observed in the normal vasculature within the tested TE range (2.8-5.5 ms), indicating minimal susceptibility effects.
- Satisfactory assessment of the pulmonary vasculature was possible up to 90 minutes post-injection.
Conclusions:
- The blood pool agent FeO-BPA enables detailed pulmonary angiograms even with conventional gradient systems.
- A significant advantage is the extended diagnostic window of over 1.5 hours.
- FeO-BPA shows potential utility for future MR-guided pulmonary interventions.