High-Resolution Real-Time Spiral MRI for Guiding Vascular Interventions in a Rabbit Model at 1.5T

Purpose: To study the feasibility of a combined high spatial and temporal resolution real-time spiral MRI sequence for guiding coronary-sized vascular interventions. Materials and Methods: Eight New Zealand White rabbits (four normal and four with a surgically-created stenosis in the abdominal aorta) were studied. A real-time interactive spiral MRI sequence combining 1.1 1.1 mm2 in-plane resolution and 189-msec total image acquisition time was used to image all phases of an interventional procedure (i.e., guidewire placement, balloon angioplasty, and stent-ing) in the rabbit aorta using coronary-sized devices on a 1.5 T MRI system. Results: Real-time spiral MRI identified all rabbit aortic stenoses and provided high-temporal-resolution visualiza-tion of guidewires crossing the stenoses in all animals. Angioplasty balloon dilatation and deployment of coronary-sized copper stents in the rabbit aorta were also success-fully imaged by real-time spiral MRI. Conclusion:Combining high spatial and temporal resolution with spiral MRI allows real-time MR-guided vascular inter-vention using coronary-sized devices in a rabbitmodel. This is a promising approach for guiding coronary interventions. Key Words: interventional MRI; real-time MRI; spiral MRI; vascular disease; MR angiograph