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Optimization of a blood pool contrast agent injection protocol for MR angiography
Author(s) -
Robert Philippe,
Violas Xavier,
Santus Robin,
Le Bihan Denis,
Corot Claire
Publication year - 2005
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.20324
Subject(s) - medicine , protocol (science) , angiography , bolus (digestion) , nuclear medicine , gadolinium , pharmacokinetics , contrast (vision) , radiology , surgery , computer science , pathology , pharmacology , materials science , alternative medicine , artificial intelligence , metallurgy
Purpose To design an ideal first‐pass profile for MR angiography (MRA) by optimizing a multiphasic injection protocol based on two experimental animal models. Materials and Methods An equivalent contrast‐enhanced (CE) MRA injection protocol was developed with controlled injection modalities (injection rate, volume, and dose) in rabbits and pigs. P792, a blood pool contrast agent, was injected in 17 male New Zealand rabbits and five farm pigs with variable injection schemes (mono‐ and multiphasic). From the gadolinium (Gd) blood concentration data, a simulation of an MR acquisition was performed to evaluate the impact of such an injection protocol on MR arterial signal and to select the best injection protocol. Results An empirical relationship between the arterial peak concentration and the injection parameters was found in the rabbits and pigs, allowing precise prediction of the first‐pass profile. Of the four injection scheme strategies tested (standard bolus and bi‐, tri‐, and multiphasic injection protocols), the multiphasic “ramp” injection protocol provided the most optimal contrast agent pharmacokinetics with a durable plateau of concentration. Conclusion Ramp injection protocol provides an optimized first‐pass profile for CE‐MRA. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2005;21:611–619. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.