First‐pass contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance angiography in humans using ferumoxytol, a novel ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO)‐based blood pool agent

Abstract

Purpose:To evaluate the feasibility of first-pass contrastenhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) using ferumoxytol in humans. Materials and Methods:First-pass and equilibrium phase MRA were performed using ferumoxytol in one healthy volunteer and 11 patients with a fast three-dimensional spoiled gradient recalled (SPGR) pulse sequence. The examined vessels included carotid arteries, thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta, and peripheral arteries. A dose of either 71.6 mol Fe/kg (n ϭ 9), or 35.8 mol Fe/kg (n ϭ 3) was used. Based on a phantom study, the agent with initial concentration of 537.2 mol Fe/mL was diluted by either four-fold (134.3 mol Fe/mL) or eight-fold (67.1 mol Fe/ mL) for first-pass MRA.Results: All subjects completed their studies without adverse events. First-pass MRA showed selective arterial enhancement, with both arterial and venous enhancement on delayed acquisitions. Selective venous enhancement could be obtained by subtraction of arterial phase images from equilibrium phase images. The findings in ferumoxytol MRA were consistent with the results of original vascular tests. Conclusion:Our preliminary experience supports the feasibility of first-pass MRA with ferumoxytol. Satisfactory arterial enhancement during first-pass imaging is obtained with injection of diluted contrast agent. With ferumoxytol, arteries and veins can be selectively depicted in a single exam.

Magnetic resonance imaging of experimental atherosclerotic plaque: Comparison of two ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide

“…Ferumoxytol is currently undergoing phase 2 clinical testing for different indications (19,20). Most recently, ferumoxytol has been successfully evaluated as blood-pool contrast agent for first-pass MRA in healthy volunteers and patients for various vascular territories allowing for a selective display of arteries and veins in a single exam (21).…”

Functional MRI of the kidney: tools for translational studies of pathophysiology of renal disease

“…One such agent, MS-325 (EPIX Medical, Cambridge, MA), has completed phase III clinical trials (67). Ferumoxytol (Advanced Magnetics, Cambridge, MA) is an ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide agent currently undergoing phase II clinical trials as a potential intravascular contrast agent (37,76).…”

Vascular Inflammation in a Growing Iliac Artery Aneurysm

“…Ferumoxytol-enhanced MRA offers a solution to each of these problems associated with CTA. Typically MRA is not used in the setting of patients with renal failure because of the association of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, but ferumoxytol is safe for use in these patients [4,30]. MRA in general has no associated ionizing radiation and so is preferable in younger patients [31].…”