The fibrin-specific MR contrast agent EP-2104R allowed for selective visualization of all left atrial clots with a high contrast-to-noise ratio (29.7+/-8.0) in a swine model.
Does the fibrin-specific contrast agent EP-2104R improve visualization of left atrial clots on MRI in a swine model?
The fibrin-specific MR contrast agent EP-2104R enables selective, high-contrast visualization of left atrial clots in a preclinical swine model.
BACKGROUND: The detection and differentiation of intracardiac masses is still challenging and may include neoplasms and thrombi. The aim of this study was the investigation of a targeted, fibrin-specific contrast agent (EP-2104R) for molecular targeted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of left atrial clots. METHODS AND RESULTS: Chronic human thrombi were surgically implanted in the left atrial appendage of 5 swine. Molecular MRI was performed with a navigator-gated, free-breathing, cardiac-triggered 3D inversion-recovery, black-blood, gradient-echo sequence before and after systemic administration of 4 micromol/kg EP-2104R. MR images were analyzed by 2 investigators, and the contrast-to-noise ratio was calculated. Location of clots was confirmed by autopsy, and the gadolinium concentration in the clots was assessed. Before contrast agent administration, thrombi were not visible on black-blood MR images. After contrast administration, all atrial clots (n=5) were selectively visualized as white spots with a high contrast-to-noise ratio (clot/blood, 29.7+/-8.0). The gadolinium concentration in the clots averaged 74+/-45 micromol/L. CONCLUSIONS: The fibrin-specific MR contrast agent EP-2104R allows for selective and high-contrast visualization of left atrial clots by means of molecular targeted MRI.
Spuentrup et al. (Tue,) conducted a other in Left atrial clots (n=5). EP-2104R vs. Before contrast agent administration was evaluated on Visualization of atrial clots and contrast-to-noise ratio. The fibrin-specific MR contrast agent EP-2104R allowed for selective visualization of all left atrial clots with a high contrast-to-noise ratio (29.7+/-8.0) in a swine model.