Contrast enhanced MR angiography for verification of atherosclerosis in rabbit models / 中国医学影像技术

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the feasibility of contrast enhanced-MRA (CE-MRA) in testifying atherosclerosis model of rabbits with Care-bolus. Methods A total of 24 female New Zealand rabbits were fed with high cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. The whole body arteries of rabbits were inspected with CE-MRA and Care-bolus technology at 1.5T MR scanner before and after high cholesterol diet, and the images were compared accordingly. The survival conditions of rabbits were observed 1 week after scanning, and then the arteries with appeared plaques and angiostegnosis level more than 50% were taken out, sliced and dyed. Results No rabbit died unexpectedly during the study. Before feeding with high cholesterol diet, the arteries were smooth and lumens uniformity. After feeding high cholesterol diet, the inner walls of all aorta became rugose. The lumen stenosis of 32 common carotid arteries, 10 superior mesenteric arteries and 36 renal arteries were more than 50%. Pathological slices showed that 100% vessel had plaques. Compared with pathological findings, CE-MRA exaggerated lumen stenosis level in 26.92%, but no more than 25%. Conclusion To testify atherosclerosis model of rabbits using CE-MRA with Care-blous technology is reliable, causing tiny trauma and good at animal survival rate.