NC100150-Enhanced 3D-SPGR MR Angiography of the Common Carotid Artery in a Pig Vascular Stenosis Model

Purpose: NC100150 is a new type of ultra-small iron oxide (USPIO) blood pool agent. the aim of this study was to compare NC100150-enhanced MR angiography (MRA) to time-of-flight (TOF) MRA, phase-contrast (PC) MRA, and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in experimental stenoses in pigs, and furthermore to determine the optimal dose of the contrast agent. Material and Methods: An experimental stenosis of the right and left common carotid artery (CCA) was applied surgically in 6 Yorkshire pigs. DSA was performed as the gold standard, followed by 3D-TOE 3D-PC, and NC100150-enhanced MRA. Results: Eleven stenoses of the CCA were successfully applied. the degree of the stenosis, determined by NC100150-enhanced MRA, did not differ significantly from DSA, whereas TOF and PC MRA underestimated it. the image quality of the NC100150-enhanced MRA was superior to both TOF and PC MRA. the optimal dose of NC100150 was 5–6 mg Fe/kg, since higher doses did not further increase signal-to-noise ratio or contrast-to-noise ratio. There was a linear relationship between blood relaxation rate and contrast dose. Conclusion: NCl00150-enhanced MRA has the potential for quantification of carotid stenoses and provides an alternative to DSA. the optimal dose of NC100150 was 5–6 mg Fe/kg.