SHILO: Simultaneous High/Low Spatial/Temporal Resolution Dual-Imaging Acquisition for Improved Parameters Quantification in Dynamic Contrast Enhanced (DCE) MRI of Atherosclerosis

Claudia Calcagno¹, Sarayu Ramachandran, Venkatesh Mani, Melanie Kotys², Stefan Fischer², Zahi Adel Fayad

DCE-MRI has recently been applied to quantify and characterize atherosclerotic plaques neovessels as a marker of plaque inflammation and vulnerability. Despite initial encouraging results, many challenges still hinder accurate quantification of plaque neovasculature. Building upon recent technical improvements in myocardial perfusion, here we develop a novel dual-imaging sequence (SHILO, Simultaneous High Low) for DCE-MRI of atherosclerosis, thus overcoming some of the challenges of this application. In this preliminary study, we successfully demonstrated the use of SHILO for accurate AIF sampling, and adequate spatial resolution images for vessel wall acquisition in both atherosclerotic rabbits and human subjects.