Bolus-chase peripheral 3D MRA using a dual-rate contrast media injection

In this pilot study, using a standard 40 mL gadolinium. (Gd) chelate contra st dose, dual-rate (first 20 mL at 0.5 mL/sec; remaining 20 mL at 1.5 mL/se c) and fixed-rate (entire 40 mL dose at either 0.7 mL/sec or 2.0 mL/sec) in jection schemes for multistation, bolus-chase magnetic resonance angiograph y (MRA) were compared in normal volunteers. Signal-to-noise ratio, contrast -to-noise ratio, and physician preference were determined for nine arterial segments. At the terminal station (calf), the dual-rate contrast injection improved arterial signal and contrast compared with both fixed-rate inject ion schemes and improved subjective vessel appearance compared with the 2.0 mL/sec, but not the 0.7 mL/sec, fixed-rate scheme. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, In c.