Fluoroscopic contrast-enhanced MR angiography with a magnetization-prepared steady-state free precession technique in peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

Abstract

The objective of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of intraarterial (IA) near-real-time contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) with a frame rate of 1.3 frames per second in seven patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). For optimized background suppression, a modified 2D steady-state free precession (SSFP) technique with magnetization preparation and mask subtraction was developed. The femoropopliteal and infrapopliteal arteries were covered in two separate steps. Acceptable contrast-to-noise ratios were obtained, and road maps were reconstructed from the same data set. Mastering IA near-real-time CE-MRA, including road map reconstruction, with an SSFP technique in the lower extremity of patients with PAOD is an important building block toward successfully performing endovascular catheter MR-guided interventions.