Gadofluorine-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of carotid atherosclerosis in Yucatan miniswine.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to determine whether gadofluorine, a paramagnetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, selectively enhances carotid atherosclerotic plaques in Yucatan miniswine.

METHODS:

Atherosclerotic plaques were induced in the left carotid arteries (LCA) of Yucatan miniswine (n=3) by balloon denudation and high cholesterol diet. T1-weighted MRI was performed before and 24 hours after gadofluorine injection (at a dose of 100 micromol/kg) to assess the enhancement of the balloon-injured LCA wall relative to healthy, uninjured right carotid artery (RCA) wall. Histopathology was performed to verify the presence and composition of the atherosclerotic plaques imaged with MRI.

RESULTS:

Gadofluorine was found to enhance LCA atherosclerotic lesions relative to RCA wall by 21% (P<0.025) 24 hours after contrast injection. Enhancement of healthy LCA wall relative to healthy RCA wall was not observed.

CONCLUSION:

Gadofluorine selectively enhances carotid atherosclerotic plaques in Yucatan miniswine. Gadofluorine appears to be a promising MR contrast agent for detection of atherosclerotic plaques in vivo.

• Authors: Ioannis Koktzoglou, Kathleen R Harris, Richard Tang, Bonnie J Kane, Bernd Misselwitz, Hanns-Joachim Weinmann, Biao Lu, Ashwin Nagaraj, Sanford I Roth, Timothy J Carroll, David D McPherson, Debiao Li
• Journal: Investigative radiology (Invest Radiol) Vol. 41 Issue 3 Pg. 299-304 (Mar 2006) ISSN: 0020-9996 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16481913 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Contrast Media
• Organometallic Compounds
• gadofluorine

Topics

• Animals
• Arteriosclerosis (pathology)
• Carotid Artery Diseases (pathology)
• Contrast Media (pharmacokinetics)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (methods)
• Organometallic Compounds (pharmacokinetics)
• Swine
• Swine, Miniature