Simplified Rapid Protocol for Assessing the Thoracic Aortic Dimensions and Pathology with Noncontrast MR Angiography

The International Journal of Angiology : Official Publication of the International College of Angiology, Inc
Megha VermaSenthil Kumar

Abstract

Contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) is limited by long acquisition time and contrast exposure in aortic emergencies. To compare the effcacy of dark blood (DB) and bright blood (BB) noncontrast sequences with the gold standard CE-MRA using a novel protocol for performing consistent thoracic aortic measurements and thoracic aortic pathologies identifications. A total of 66 patients with suspected or known thoracic aortic pathology who underwent CE-MRA underwent DB and BB imaging prior to CE-MRA for planning purposes. Aortic dimension was measured at 10 standard reference points in the ascending, arch, and descending aorta. Detection of aortic pathologies was recorded individually for each noncontrast sequence. When comparing the CE-MRA to the DB images and CE-MRA to the BB images, a majority of the measurement differences were less than or equal to 2 mm or resulted in no change of diagnostic class (95% for CE-MRA vs. DB and 96% for CE-MRA vs. BB). Of the patients who had major changes in diagnostic class (e.g., changes in two or three classes), the absolute measurements were not clinically significant in any given patient to warrant a change in management. Individually, the DB and BB sequences allowed for ac...Continue Reading

Citations

Feb 19, 2021·Journal of Clinical Imaging Science·Kelli MooreAmbarish P Bhat
Jul 29, 2021·The Indian Journal of Radiology & Imaging·Julie SenneAmbarish P Bhat

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