Magnetic particle imaging angiography of the femoral artery in a human cadaveric perfusion model.

Background: Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) allows for radiation-free visualization of tracers without background signal. With the first human-sized interventional MPI scanner being recently developed, the aim of the present study was to test its performance for guiding of endovascular procedures in a realistic perfusion model.

Methods: Three fresh-frozen cadaveric legs were prepared to establish continuous circulation in the superficial femoral artery via introducer sheaths in the inguinal and infragenicular region. To facilitate vessel visualization, a mixture of a MPI tracer (Resotran® or Perimag®) and X-ray contrast agent was injected under continuous extracorporeal perfusion and imaged simultaneously with MPI angiography and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as reference.

Results: The MPI scanner integrates seamlessly into the standard operating procedures in the angiography suite and simultaneous imaging with DSA and MPI is feasible. The MPI scanner detects a tracer bolus of 2 ml Perimag® or 1.5 ml Resotran®. Imaging results are consistent and reproducible in three cadaveric leg phantoms.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates, that the recently developed human-sized MPI scanner facilitates reliable radiation-free image guidance for peripheral vascular interventions in the superficial femoral artery with a tracer approved for use in humans.