Detection of Coronary Vulnerable Plaque With Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (T9M)

Detection of Vulnerable Plaque With Coronary Vessel Wall MRI: Contrast Enhanced MRI With Gadofosveset MS-325.

MRI has the ability to visualize the arterial vessel wall. Wall thickening and atherosclerotic plaque components can be visualized in the carotid arteries and the aorta. Previous studies also demonstrated the ability of MRI to visualize the coronary vessel wall. The ultimate goal of coronary vessel wall imaging is to detect vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque thereby. This might prevent complications, e.g., chest pain (angina) or myocardial infarction. The goal of this study was to validate MRI of the coronary vessel wall by comparing it to intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), to detect atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary vessel wall and to look at the uptake of the albumin-binding contrast agent gadofosveset in atherosclerotic plaques. The main hypothesis is that due to the albumin binding characteristics, uptake of the contrast agent will take place in the more vulnerable plaques compared to less vulnerable plaques. MRI will be compared to X-ray coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound, two techniques currently considered as the standard of reference for imaging of the coronary arteries and vessel wall.

0.03 mmol/kg bodyweight of gadofosveset will only once be administered during MRI procedure via an intravenous catheter

Inclusion Criteria: scheduled X-ray angiography for known coronary artery disease, valvular disease or chest pain with unknown origin age > 18 yrs and < 90 yrs Informed consent Exclusion Criteria: arrhythmia hemodynamic unstable patients contra-indications for (contrast-enhanced) MRI age < 18 yrs or > 90 yrs

Gerretsen S, Kessels AG, Nelemans PJ, Dijkstra J, Reiber JH, van der Geest RJ, Katoh M, Waltenberger J, van Engelshoven JM, Botnar RM, Kooi ME, Leiner T. Detection of coronary plaques using MR coronary vessel wall imaging: validation of findings with intravascular ultrasound. Eur Radiol. 2013 Jan;23(1):115-24. doi: 10.1007/s00330-012-2576-1. Epub 2012 Jul 11.