Coronary magnetic resonance angiography: Experimental evaluation of the new rapid clearance blood pool contrast medium P792

The signal-enhancing characteristics of a new monodisperse monogadolinated macromolecular MR contrast medium (P792) were evaluated for magnetic resona nce angiography (MRA) of the coronary arteries. A total of 15 cardiac exami nations were performed in pigs at 1.5 T using a 3D gradient-echo sequence. Images were acquired during breath-hold before and up to 35 min after IV in jection of Gd-DTPA (0.3 mmol Gd/kg), Gd-BOPTA (0.2 mmol Gd/kg), and P792 (1 3 mu mol Gd/kg). An increase in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 97% +/- 17%,108% +/- 37%, and 109% +/- 31 % in coronary arteries and of 82% +/- 19% , 82% +/- 24%, and 28% +/- 18% in myocardium, respectively, was measured du ring the first postcontrast acquisition. The blood-to-myocardium signal-dif ference-to-noise ratio (SDNR) was significantly higher for P792 than for th e other Gd compounds (P < .05) for up to 15 min after injection. Qualitativ e assessment showed that visualization of the coronary arteries and their b ranches was significantly better for P792 compared to the low-molecular Gd compounds (P < .05). The blood pool contrast medium P792 is well suited for MRA of the coronary arteries. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.