Kersten Peldschus MD, Presenter: Research grant, Guerbet SA, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France

Mareike Hamdorf, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Philippe Robert, Abstract Co-Author: Consultant, Guerbet SA

Gerhard B. Adam MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Christoph U. Herborn MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The purpose of this study was to compare the new high-relaxivity Gd-chelate P1152 (Guerbet Research) with clinically approved gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd-BOPTA, MultiHance®, Bracco Diagnostics Inc.) for contrast-enhanced MR angiography in rabbits at magnetic field strengths of 1.5T and 3.0T.

Six New Zealand white rabbits underwent MR-angiography of the abdominal vasculature with both contrast agents on clinical 1.5T and 3.0T MR systems in random order and separated by 3 days between the contrast administrations. Both contrast agents were applied at a dose of 0.1 mmol Gd/kg. A conventional knee coil was used for data acquisition. The protocol consisted of native and contrast-enhanced 3D FLASH sequences (TR = 4.3 ms, TE=1.6 ms, FA = 30°, 0.52 x 0.69 x 0.8 mm). Data acquisition was performed up to 10 minutes after contrast administration. Image analysis included determination of CNR (abdominal aorta/lumbar muscle) and assessment of image quality during the first-pass arterial phase in respect of visualization of the abdominal aorta and its branches on a 5-point scale.

At both field strengths CNR of P1152 (first-pass arterial phase, 1.5T: 50.1±5.6; 3.0T: 114.2±12.7) proved to be statistically significantly higher as compared to MultiHance® (first-pass arterial phase, 1.5T: 36.9±4.6; 3.0T: 72.4±15.3) with both p-values <0.05. The decrease of CNR within 10 minutes after contrast injection was similar for both contrast agents at 1.5T and 3.0T with a lowering of 81.3 % and 76.9 % for P1152 and 87.7 % and 83.7 % for Gd-BOPTA, respectively. The CNR increase at 3.0T compared to 1.5T revealed a factor of 2.6±0.2 for P1152 and 2.3±0.3 for Gd-BOPTA. Image quality was judged excellent for both contrast agents at either field strength without amounting to a statistically significant difference (1.5T: P1152 4.8±0.4, Gd-BOPTA 4.5±0.5 and 3.0T: P1152 4.8±0.4, Gd-BOPTA 4.8±0.4).

Comparison of P1152 and Gd-BOPTA in rabbits demonstrated the ability of a new high relaxivity Gd-Chelate to provide higher image contrast for MR angiography at 1.5T and 3.0T than conventional high-relaxivity contrast agents.

The new high relaxivity Gd-based MR contrast agent P1152 holds promise to improve MR angiography.

Peldschus, K, Hamdorf, M, Robert, P, Adam, G, Herborn, C, Comparison of the New High-relaxivity Gd-chelate P1152 with Gd-BOPTA for Contrast-enhanced MRA in Rabbits at 1.5 T and 3.0 T.  Radiological Society of North America 2008 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, February 18 - February 20, 2008 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2008/6011902.html