Intraarterial versus IV gadolinium injections for MR angiography: quantitative and qualitative assessment of the infrainguinal arteries

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to quantitatively and qualitatively compare 3D intraarterial (IA) gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography (IA MRA) versus the standard of reference of MR angiography, 3D IV gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography (IV MRA), in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) for use during catheter-based MR-guided endovascular interventions. CONCLUSION: IA MRA provides image quality of the infrainguinal arteries in PAOD patients comparable to IV MRA with a significantly improved assessment of the infrapopliteal arteries due to reduced venous contamination. Further benefits of IA MRA include usage of only very low doses of gadolinium and simplified bolus timing.