Catheter-directed gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography

In the setting of MRI-guided endovascular interventions, catheter-directed Gd-enhanced MRA offers many of the same capabilities as conventional x-ray DSA. Local injections permit rapid depiction of blood vessels and help guide interventions. The primary benefit of IA injections is significant reduction of administered contrast-agent dose compared with conventional IV injections. Another major benefit is facilitated background suppression, including that of adjacent vascular beds. As MRI guidance methods improve, catheter-based Gd injections should gain expanded use in clinical practice.