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Improvement of image quality of non‐invasive coronary artery imaging with magnetic resonance by the use of the intravascular contrast agent Clariscan™ (NC100150 injection) in patients with coronary artery disease
Author(s) -
Klein Christoph,
Schalla Simon,
Schnackenburg Bernhard,
Bornstedt Axel,
Hoffmann Volker,
Fleck Eckart,
Nagel Eike
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.10317
Subject(s) - medicine , coronary artery disease , coronary arteries , magnetic resonance imaging , contrast (vision) , artery , image quality , nuclear medicine , magnetic resonance angiography , radiology , angiography , artificial intelligence , computer science , image (mathematics)
Purpose To assess the feasibility of Clariscan™, an intravascular contrast agent, for free breathing, navigator assisted, high resolution, three‐dimensional‐magnetic resonance coronary angiography (MRCA) in patients, as extracellular contrast agents are unfavorable for the improvement of image quality. Materials and Methods MRCA was performed in 10 patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD) with (1–5 mg Fe/kg body weight) and without contrast agent. Results Compared to unenhanced images, Clariscan™ did not improve signal‐to‐noise (SNR) or contrast‐to‐noise ratios (CNR) compared to fat or myocardium in the proximal parts of the coronary arteries. However, when analyzing the peripheral parts (>4 cm from origin), CNR fat and CNR myo improved up to a factor of 1.81 and 5.85, respectively, at a dose of 3 mg Fe/kg body weight, while SNR did not reach statistical significance. The visible length of the coronary arteries was improved from 49 ± 18 mm to 73 ± 33 mm. The proximal diameter was reduced from 3.6 ± 0.8mm to 3.2 ± 0.8 mm, representing more closely the diameter of 3.1 ± 0.7 mm measured by quantitative coronary angiography. Of 11 significant stenoses (>50%), eight were identified in the enhanced compared to six in the unenhanced images. Conclusion The use of Clariscan™ at a dose of 2–3 mg Fe/kg body weight improves image quality of three‐dimensional‐MRCA, especially in the peripheral segments, and, thus, the diagnostic accuracy for the detection of CAD. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2003;17:656–662. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.