Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography with biodegradable (Gd-DTPA)-cystamine copolymers: comparison with MS-325 in a swine model.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of (Gd-DTPA)-cystamine copolymers (GDCC), a novel biodegradable intravascular polydisulfide-based macromolecular gadolinium(III) contrast agent, for first-pass and steady-state contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in a swine model. A breath-hold background-suppressed 3D MRA of the thorax was performed for first-pass imaging and repeated every 10 min after GDCC injection to monitor the tissue enhancement time course. A navigator-gated 3D MRA of the coronary arteries was performed during steady state following the first-pass imaging. Imaging with intravascular agent MS-325 approximately 1 h after GDCC injection was also included for comparison. Experimental results indicated that GDCC provided significant blood signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement, approximately 1633% for first-pass and 33% for steady-state contrast-enhanced MRA. Compared to MS-325, GDCC provided similar blood enhancement for first-pass and steady-state imaging but with a different tissue enhancement time course. The blood SNR enhancement half-time was 10 +/- 6 min for GDCC and 46 +/- 33 min for MS-325. GDCC provided less enhancement in the liver, bone growth plates, and muscle than MS-325.