Huidong Gu1, Feng Zhang1, Yanfeng
Meng1, Bensheng Qiu1, Xiaoming Yang1
1Image-Guided Bio-Molecular
Intervention Researchers, Department of Radiology, Institute for Stem Cell
and Regenerative Medicine; University of Washington School of Medicine,
Seattle, WA, United States
MRI
is becoming a useful imaging tool for the diagnosis and treatment
atherosclerotic arteries. To date, there are no reports on intracoronary MRI,
which requires the placement of a small sized (usually 0.014-inch in
diameter) endovascular MR coil into the coronary arteries. This study
demonstrates the first attempt on the development of intracoronary 3.0T MRI
technology. The combo imaging system with simultaneous use of the 0.014-inch
Nitinol loopless antenna and two surface coils can function in a clinical
3.0T MR scanner. These results have established the groundwork towards in
vivo intracoronary 3.0T MRI and intracoronary interventions under 3.0T MRI
guidance.