Experimental renal artery embolization in a combined MR imaging/angiographic unit

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to use a combined x-ray angiography and MR imaging (XMR) system to manipulate intraarterial catheters and monitor the deposition of gadolinium (Gd)-impregnated embolic microspheres in vivo in a canine kidney model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven anesthetized dogs (18-28 kg) were studied. The renal arteries were catheterized under fluoroscopic guidance. Renal blood flow rates were assessed with velocity-encoded cine MR imaging before and after renal artery embolization with Gd-impregnated microspheres (300-500 and 500-700 mum in size). The particles were injected in vivo into 14 canine renal arteries under fast dynamic T1-weighted MR imaging guidance at one frame per second. Postembolic microsphere distributions were assessed with MR imaging and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). RESULTS: Gd-impregnated microsphere injection into the renal arteries was successful in all animals. Renal enhancement due to the deposition of the particles persisted for at least 1 hour after the injection. The distribution of MR signal enhancement in the kidneys differed for the smaller versus the larger microspheres. The 300-500-mum microspheres deposited preferentially in the outer cortical regions, whereas the 500-700-mum microspheres preferentially deposited in the medulla and inner cortex. Renal blood flow was significantly reduced after the administration of both the 300-500-mum microspheres (from 3.9 to 1.0 mL/min/g) and the 500-700-mum microspheres (from 3.5 to 0.2 mL/min/g).