Captopril MR renography in a swine model: toward a comprehensive evaluation of renal arterial stenosis.

Abstract

To test the feasibility of captopril magnetic resonance (MR) renography and to validate the technique in an animal model of renal arterial stenosis. Seven pigs with induced renal arterial stenosis were studied. MR renography was performed with a T1-weighted approach by using three-dimensional fast imaging with steady-state precession, or FISP, sequences after administration of a bolus of 0.1 mmol of gadopentetate dimeglumine per kilogram of body weight. Captopril was administered to improve the specificity. The results demonstrate that differences in renographic curves and indices are observed only if an anatomically substantial stenosis, typically a diameter reduction of more than 70%, is present and captopril is administered. In this preliminary experience in an animal model, captopril MR renography provided data consistent with expectations based on conventional renographic results.