In-Stent Lumen Visualization Using Intravascular MRI and a BSSFP Sequence

Guillaume Gilbert¹, Gilles Soulez¹, Gilles Beaudoin¹

In this abstract, the use of an intravascular loopless antenna is investigated as a way to reduce radiofrequency shielding for an improved visualization of the vessel lumen inside a metallic vascular stent. Measurements are performed on a dedicated vascular phantom using a bSSFP sequence. In comparison to traditional surface MRI, the use of the intravascular antenna is shown to lead to an improved lumen visualization as a result of the intrinsically higher sensitivity of the intravascular antenna and a reduction of the radiofrequency shielding of the stent during signal reception.