In vivo evaluation of an intravascular receiver coil for MRI at 1.0 Tesla

Background: Evaluation of the applicability of intravascular radiofrequency receiver coils by means of a pig in-vivo-experiment for the detection of vessel wall structures at 1.0 Tesla. Materials and methods: The intravascular receiver coil was constructed according to a well evaluated single-loop-design, which was mounted onto a balloon catheter for angioplasty. Under fluoroscopy control the balloon catheter was placed in the common carotid artery of a porcine. Images were obtained in a 1.0 Tesla clinical scanner using a fast-spin-echo-, a gradient-echo- and a high resolution spin-echo-sequence. Histological examinations were obtained to detect any vessel wall damage associated with the use of the receiver coil. Results: High qualtity images with a resolution up to 0.16*0.12 mm(2) could be acquired in aquisition times of about 5 minutes. Subtle intra- and extra-vascular structures such as the balloon, irregularities of the vessel wall or bordering structures could be visualized The histological examination showed no vessel damage due to the application of the int avascular receiver coil. Conclusions: The application of intravascular receiver coils for the visualization of the vessel wall is feasible at 1.0 Tesla without histologically detectable trauma to the vessel wall.