Measurements of Renal Perfusion and Oxygenation in Swine: Preliminary Results

INTRODUCTION Recent studies have demonstrated a link between the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents and the development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) [1]. Given growing concerns of developing NSF, it has become important to investigate non-contrast methods of evaluating renal function. We have developed an MRI perfusion technique employing arterial spin labeling (ASL) [2] that allows for the measurement of cortical blood flow in the kidneys without the use of contrast. The goal of this study was to correlate ASL perfusion measures of cortical blood flow with blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) MRI measures of oxygen bioavailability and vital signs during pharmacologic and physiologic alterations in renal blood flow.