Abstract #0269

Breukmann F, Ladd M, Kaiser G, Stock F, Eggebrecht H, Kuehl H, Aker S, Quick H, Zenge M

Real-time MRI guided endovascular stent-graft placement for therapy of experimental aortic dissection in a pig model has been evaluated. Dissections of the descending thoracic aorta were successfully created under x-ray in 8 domestic pigs. Subsequent stent-graft implantation was performed under rtMRI guidance. In 7/8 pigs, rtMRI permitted: 1) safe navigation from the iliac arteries to the thoracic aorta, 2) precise positioning, and 3) successful deployment of the stent-grafts. Post-interventional MRI demonstrated correct stent-graft positioning and complete false lumen obliteration as confirmed by necropsy. Besides pre-interventional evaluation and procedure guidance, MRI permits immediate post-interventional anatomic and functional evaluation of procedure success.