Blood pool agent strongly improves 3D magnetic resonance coronary angiography using an inversion pre-pulse

The ability of a blood pool contrast agent to enhance MR coronary angiograp hy was defined. The proximal coronary vessels of pigs were imaged before an d after administration of Gd-DTPA bound covalently to bovine serum albumin (0.2 mmol/kg), The contrast agent resulted in a reduction of the blood T-1 value to 33 +/- 5 msec, as determined in vivo with a Look-Locker technique. Both 2D and 3D imaging techniques were performed. An inversion pulse suppr essed the signal of nonblood tissue postcontrast. After contrast agent admi nistration, in the 3D data set the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of blood and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of blood to myocardium were improved by fact ors of 2.0 +/- 0.2 and 15 +/- 8, respectively (P < 0.05). Postcontrast, the 3D acquisition was superior to the 2D technique in terms of spatial resolu tion, SNR of blood, and CNR of blood to myocardium, The high contrast of th e 3D data set allowed for direct and rapid display of coronary arteries usi ng a "closest vessel projection." (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.