Contrast-enhanced mri imaging of atherosclerotic lesions of the aortic wall

   Aim of the study. To analyze MR tomographic imaging features of atherosclerotic lesions of the aorta, with a paramagnetic contrast enhancement, in patients with extensive atherosclerosis and old acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

   Material and methods. The patients population comprised 33 patients with multiple atherosclerosis and old transmural AMI of the left ventricle. As control group eight patients with tumor pathology of the thorax were employed, without evidence of clinically significant atherosclerosis of the same age range. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced study (paramagnetic in standard dose of 0.1 mmol / kg BW) and index of enhancement (IE) of T1-weighted images was calculated as the ratio of intensities over the aortic wall on contrast and initial MRI studies. Geometric diameter and wall thickness of the aorta at the level of accumulation of contrast-paramagnetic material were also determined.
   Results and discussion. In 25 (76 %) patients with extensive atherosclerosis and old AMI IE of the atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic wall in all cases was over 1.14 (mean 1.17 ± 0.13), far more than increasing of intensity in the control group. In eight patients (24 %) the lack of accumulation of contrast-paramagnetic material in the aortic wall was noted. Types of accumulation of contrast paramagnetic was assigned as a local or diffuse accumulation syndrome, depending on the length and circularity of the lesions. A local syndrome of accumulation was found in 15 patients, with IE = = 1.09 ± 0.06, aortic diameter and wall thickness at the level of accumulation of contrast equal to 2.66 ± 0.35 cm and 0.5 ± 0.13 cm, respectively. Diffuse type of accumulation was found in 10 patients in this case IE = 1.26 ± 0.13 aortic diameter and the wall thickness at the accumulation of contrast are 2.4 ± 0.34 cm and 0.53 ± 0.11 cm, respectively. In the control group no significant accumulation of contrast paramagnetic material in the aortic wall was observed, IE did not exceed 1.04 (mean 1.01 ± 0.02).

   Conclusion. Contrast-enhanced MRI allows to visually and quantitatively assess pathology of aortic wall in atherosclerosis.

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