Equilibrium Phase MR Angiography Using New Blood Pool Contrasts: Experimental Study in Rabbits

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of three experimental blood pool contrast agents for equilibrium phase magnetic resonance angiography. Materials and Methods: MR angiography was performed in 21 rabbits before and 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 minutes and 24 hours after the injection of gadolinium-based blood pool contrast agents (Gadomer-17, Gadofluorine M,) and superparamagnetic iron oxide blood pool agent (Ferucarbotran). 3D TOF SPGR images of the thoracic and abdominal aorta (and involving the renal arteries) were obtained. The signal difference-to noise ratios (SDNRs) were measured over time in the aorta. These images were then compared to that of images with Gd-DTPA. Results: MR angiography with the three blood pool agents yielded excellent visualization results of the rabbit abdominal aorta. At the same dose, the three agents provided a significant increase of the aorta-to-tissue SDNR in comparison with that achieved with the Gd-DTPA (a 250% increase for Gadomer-17, a 124% increase for Gadofluorine and a 88% increase for Ferucarbotran). The SDNRs using Ferucarbotran especially showed continuously increasing values to 30 minutes after the injection of contrast agent. Conclusion: The three blood pool agents were found to be very useful contrast agents for equilibrium phase MR angiography.