Comparison of the quality of lower limb magnetic resonance angiographies performed with different paramagnetic contrast agents in relation to body mass index and ejection fraction.

AIM To compare the quality of magnetic resonance angiographies (MRAs) performed with different contrast agents and to evaluate the effect of body mass index (BMI) and ejection fraction (EF) on the quality of these MRAs. MATERIALS AND METHODS 120 patients between the age of 43 and 86 years were subjected to MRAs with different contrast agents (Gadobutrolum, Dimeglumini gadobenas, Gadofosveset trisodium). Each patient's BMI was calculated, and EF was established using MR examination of the heart. Objective evaluations of the quality of the MRAs were done using abdominal fat-to-aorta enhancement ratio (FAR) comparisons. This ratio was then correlated with the patient's BMI and EF. Subjective evaluations of the quality of the MRAs were done by 5 blinded evaluators. Correlation analysis and analysis of variance were used for statistical assessement. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference in FAR for any of the contrast agent groups. There was a mesoscale correlation between a patient's BMI and FAR. However, no correlation was found between the EF and FAR for any of the contrast agent groups. The results of the subjective evaluation showed that there was no statistical difference in the quality of MRAs regardless of the contrast agent used. CONCLUSION Subjectively there was no statistically significant difference in the quality of the MRAs. Irrespective of the type of contrast used or the patient's EF, the lower the BMI of a patient the higher the signal enhancement and hence the better the quality of the MRA produced in that patient.