Author/Authors :
Reimann, Carolin Charite–Universitatsmedizin Berlin - Corporate Member of Freie Universitat Berlin - Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin - and Berlin Institute of Health - Chariteplatz - Berlin, Germany , Brangsch, Julia Charite–Universitatsmedizin Berlin - Corporate Member of Freie Universitat Berlin - Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin - and Berlin Institute of Health - Chariteplatz - Berlin, Germany , Ole Kaufmann, Jan Charite–Universitatsmedizin Berlin - Corporate Member of Freie Universitat Berlin - Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin - and Berlin Institute of Health - Chariteplatz - Berlin, Germany , Adams, Lisa C Charite–Universitatsmedizin Berlin - Corporate Member of Freie Universitat Berlin - Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin - and Berlin Institute of Health - Chariteplatz - Berlin, Germany , Onthank, David C Lantheus Medical Imaging - North Billerica, USA , Robinson, Simon P Lantheus Medical Imaging - North Billerica, USA , Botnar, Rene M Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile - Santiago, Chile , Collettini, Federico Charite–Universitatsmedizin Berlin - Corporate Member of Freie Universitat Berlin - Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin - and Berlin Institute of Health - Chariteplatz - Berlin, Germany , Makowski, Marcus R Charite–Universitatsmedizin Berlin - Corporate Member of Freie Universitat Berlin - Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin - and Berlin Institute of Health - Chariteplatz - Berlin, Germany
Abstract :
The aim of this study was to test the potential of a new elastin-specific molecular agent for the performance of contrastenhanced first-pass and 3D magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), compared to a clinically used extravascular contrast agent
(gadobutrol) and based on clinical MR sequences. Materials and Methods. Eight C57BL/6J mice (BL6, male, aged 10 weeks)
underwent a contrast-enhanced first-pass and 3D MR angiography (MRA) of the aorta and its main branches. All examinations
were on a clinical 3 Tesla MR system (Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany). The clinical dose of 0.1 mmol/kg was administered in both probes. First, a time-resolved MRA (TWIST) was acquired during the first-pass to assess the arrival and
washout of the contrast agent bolus. Subsequently, a high-resolution 3D MRA sequence (3D T1 FLASH) was acquired. Signal-tonoise ratios (SNRs) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were calculated for all sequences. Results. The elastin-specific MR probe
and the extravascular imaging agent (gadobutrol) enable high-quality MR angiograms in all animals. During the first-pass, the
probes demonstrated a comparable peak enhancement (300.6 ± 32.9 vs. 288.5 ± 33.1, p > 0.05). Following the bolus phase, both
agents showed a comparable intravascular enhancement (SNR: 106.7 ± 11 vs. 102.3 ± 5.3; CNR 64.5 ± 7.4 vs. 61.1 ± 7.2, p > 0.05).
Both agents resulted in a high image quality with no statistical difierence (p > 0.05). Conclusion. The novel elastin-specific
molecular probe enables the performance of first-pass and late 3D MR angiography with an intravascular contrast enhancement
and image quality comparable to a clinically used extravascular contrast agent.
