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Improved three‐dimensional free‐breathing coronary magnetic resonance angiography using gadocoletic acid (B‐22956) for intravascular contrast enhancement
Author(s) -
Paetsch Ingo,
Huber Michael E.,
Bornstedt Axel,
Schnackenburg Bernhard,
Boesiger Peter,
Stuber Matthias,
Fleck Eckart,
Cavagna Friedrich,
Nagel Eike
Publication year - 2004
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.20099
Subject(s) - medicine , right coronary artery , circumflex , nuclear medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , artery , coronary arteries , gadolinium , contrast (vision) , image quality , magnetic resonance angiography , coronary angiography , radiology , materials science , artificial intelligence , myocardial infarction , computer science , metallurgy , image (mathematics)
Purpose To evaluate gadocoletic acid (B‐22956), a gadolinium‐based paramagnetic blood pool agent, for contrast‐enhanced coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in a Phase I clinical trial, and to compare the findings with those obtained using a standard noncontrast T2 preparation sequence. Materials and Methods The left coronary system was imaged in 12 healthy volunteers before B‐22956 application and 5 ( N = 11) and 45 ( N = 7) minutes after application of 0.075 mmol/kg of body weight (BW) of B‐22956. Additionally, imaging of the right coronary system was performed 23 minutes after B‐22956 application ( N = 6). A three‐dimensional gradient echo sequence with T2 preparation (precontrast) or inversion recovery (IR) pulse (postcontrast) with real‐time navigator correction was used. Assessment of the left and right coronary systems was performed qualitatively (a 4‐point visual score for image quality) and quantitatively in terms of signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), vessel sharpness, visible vessel length, maximal luminal diameter, and the number of visible side branches. Results Significant ( P < 0.01) increases in SNR (+42%) and CNR (+86%) were noted five minutes after B‐22956 application, compared to precontrast T2 preparation values. A significant increase in CNR (+40%, P < 0.05) was also noted 45 minutes postcontrast. Vessels (left anterior descending artery (LAD), left coronary circumflex (LCx), and right coronary artery (RCA)) were also significantly ( P < 0.05) sharper on postcontrast images. Significant increases in vessel length were noted for the LAD ( P < 0.05) and LCx and RCA (both P < 0.01), while significantly more side branches were noted for the LAD and RCA (both P < 0.05) when compared to precontrast T2 preparation values. Conclusion The use of the intravascular contrast agent B‐22956 substantially improves both objective and subjective parameters of image quality on high‐resolution three‐dimensional coronary MRA. The increase in SNR, CNR, and vessel sharpness minimizes current limitations of coronary artery visualization with high‐resolution coronary MRA. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:288–293. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.