3.0-T whole-heart coronary magnetic resonance angiography: comparison of gadobenate dimeglumine and gadofosveset trisodium

Abstract

Objective Gadolinium enhanced coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) at 3 Tesla appears to be superior to non-contrast methods. Gadofosveset is an intravascular contrast agent that may be well suited to this application. The purpose of this study was to perform an intra-individual comparison of gadofosveset and gadobenate for coronary MRA at 3 Tesla. Materials and Methods In this prospective randomized study, 22 study subjects [8 (36%) male; 27.9 ± 6 years; BMI = 22.8 ± 2 Kg/m2] underwent two studies using a contrast-enhanced inversion recovery three-dimensional fast low angle shot MRA at 3 Tesla. The order of contrast agent administration was varied randomly, separated by an average of 30 ± 5 days, using either gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd-BOPTA; Bracco, 0.1 mmol/Kg) or gadofosveset trisodium (MS-325; Lantheus Med, 0.03 mmol/Kg). Acquisition time, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of coronary vessels and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were evaluated. Results Of 308 coronary arteries and veins segment analyzed, overall SNR of coronary arteries and veins segments were not different for the two contrast agents (132 ± 79 for gadofosveset vs 135 ± 78 for gadobenate, p=0.69). Coronary artery CNR was greater for gadofosveset in comparison to gadobenate (73.5 ± 46.9vs. 59.3 ± 75.7 respectively, p=0.03). Gadofosveset-enhanced MRA images displayed better image quality than gadobenate-enhanced MRA images (2.77 ± 0.61 for gadofosveset vs. 2.11 ± 0.51, P<.001). Inter- and intra-reader variability was excellent (ICC > 0.90) for both contrast agents. Conclusion Gadofosveset trisodium appears to show slightly better performance for coronary MRA at 3T compared to gadobenate.

Cardiovascular imaging 2013 in the International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging

“…The stability of respiratory motion was found to influence image quality of free-breathing 2D black-blood coronary MRI [65]. Gadobenate dimeglumine and gadosveset trisodium were compared for 3T whole heart coronary MRA [66]. Godofosvest was found to show slightly better performance.…”

Cardiac MR Assessment of Coronary Arteries

“…Coronary MRA acquisition using 3 T was shown to be feasible in humans by Stuber et al [27]. A combination of gradient echo whole heart coronary MRA and gadolinium contrast administration at 3 T produces high-resolution coronary MRA with significantly improved image quality and diagnostic accuracy compared with those at 1.5 T [28,29].…”

“…Unlike the more widely used extracellular contrast material whose T1 shortening of the coronary arterial blood is only maintained during the first pass following administration, intravascular contrast material remains in the blood pool for a longer time and exhibits greater T1 shortening effects [8,9]. Raman et al [29] compared gadofoveset (0.03 mmol/kg), an intravascular contrast agent, to Gd-BOPTA (0.1 mmol/kg), an extracellular agent, for free-breathing 3D coronary MRA and reported that use of the intravascular contrast agent performed as well as, or slightly better than, the extracellular contrast agent at 3 T. Slightly albumin-binding contrast medium combines the benefits of both extracellular and intravascular agents as it remains in the blood for a relatively prolonged time with greater T1 shortening effect while maintaining late enhancement abilities [36,37]. Several studies have agreed on the ability of intravascular or slightly albumin-binding agents to improve arterial contrast on 3D gradient echo coronary MRA, particularly when used with an inversion-recovery pre-pulse [38][39][40][41][42].…”

Synthesis and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of biocompatible branched copolymer nanocontrast agents

“…With a high relaxivity and a long blood retention time, N2(Gd) nanoparticles could potentially be considered for application in magnetic resonance angiography at a low dose of gadolinium. 56,57 hydrophobic guest encapsulation…”