Single-session magnetic resonance coronary angiography and myocardial perfusion imaging using the new blood pool compound B-22956 (gadocoletic acid) -: Initial experience in a porcine model of coronary artery disease

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate a new blood pool contrast agent, B-22956, for detecting myocardial perfusion abnormality and coronary artery stenosis by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 1 setting. Materials and Methods: Coronary artery atherosclerotic stenoses were created in 6 miniswine. Myocardial first-pass perfusion imaging was performed with a bolus injection of 0.015 mmol/kg B-22956 during pharmacologic stress followed by postcontrast coronary artery imaging after another injection of B-22956/1. The total doses for the 6 pigs were 0.1 mmol/kg (n = 3) and 0.15 mmol/kg (n = 3). Perfusion upslope maps were analyzed and MR coronary artery images were reviewed by 2 readers. Results: For all 6 pigs, the normalized upslopes of the perfusion curves were 0.83 +/- 0.12, 0.74 +/- 0.15, and 0.52 +/- 0.05 (P < 0.01 vs. normal) with normal or mild (< 50% area stenosis), moderate (< 50% and < 75%), and severe stenosis (> 75%), respectively. Mean signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in right coronary artery images improved 90% and 200%, respectively, with a total dose of 0.1 mmol/kg of B-22956. Excellent agreements (kappa = 0.82) were achieved for evaluating the grade of stenosis between MR postcontrast coronary artery images and histopathology by 2 reviewers. Conclusion: The MR blood pool contrast agent B-22956 demonstrated the ability for detecting myocardial perfusion abnormalities and coronary artery stenosis in 1 setting.