MR-guided endovascular interventions: a comprehensive review on techniques and applications

• Published in: European radiology Vol. 18; no. 4; pp. 645 - 657
• Main Authors: Kos, Sebastian, Huegli, Rolf, Bongartz, Georg M., Jacob, Augustinus L., Bilecen, Deniz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.04.2008; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Angioplasty; Angioplasty - methods; Animals; Biopsy; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Contrast agents; Contrast Media - administration & dosage; Diagnostic Radiology; Equipment Design; Humans; Image Enhancement - methods; Imaging; Internal Medicine; Interventional Radiology; Magnetic fields; Magnetic Resonance Angiography - instrumentation; Magnetic Resonance Angiography - methods; Magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Interventional - instrumentation; Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Interventional - methods; Medical imaging; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neuroradiology; Radiation; Radiology; Scanners; Stents; Ultrasound; Vascular Diseases - therapy; Vascular-Interventional; Visualization; Endovascular intervention; Device tracking; MR angiography; Real-time MRI
• ISSN: 0938-7994; 1432-1084
• DOI: 10.1007/s00330-007-0818-4

The magnetic resonance (MR) guidance of endovascular interventions is probably one of the greatest challenges of clinical MR research. MR angiography is not only an imaging tool for the vasculature but can also simultaneously depict high tissue contrast, including the differentiation of the vascular wall and perivascular tissues, as well as vascular function. Several hurdles had to be overcome to allow MR guidance for endovascular interventions. MR hardware and sequence design had to be developed to achieve acceptable patient access and to allow real-time or near real-time imaging. The development of interventional devices, both applicable and safe for MR imaging (MRI), was also mandatory. The subject of this review is to summarize the latest developments in real-time MRI hardware, MRI, visualization tools, interventional devices, endovascular tracking techniques, actual applications and safety issues.