Characterization of Coronary Plaque Using MPRAGE at 3T MRI : Comparison with MDCT and IVUS Findings

Yoshiaki Morita¹, Naoaki Yamada¹, Reiko Fujiwara², Yasuhide Asaumi², Hiroki Sakamoto², Teruo Noguchi², Suzu Kanzaki¹, Masahiro Higashi¹, Hiroaki Naito¹

In carotid plaque, it is widely known that T1WI high signal is associated with complicated plaque (AHA type IV) and recent cerebrovascular events. In this study, we evaluated the characterization of coronary plaque using inversion-recovery-based 3D T1-weighted imaging (alternatively known as magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition with gradient-echo {MPRAGE}) compared with the CT and IVUS findings that are related to vulnerable plaque in previous studies. Hyperintense plaque on MPRAGE was strongly associated with low CT density, positive remodeling, ultrasound attenuation and increase in lipid area on IB-IVUS. The results suggest that MPRAGE has a potential as marker for plaque vulnerability.