Quiescent-Interval Single-Shot Magnetic Resonance Angiography May Outperform Carbon-Dioxide Digital Subtraction Angiography in Chronic Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease

Abstract

Nephroprotective imaging in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is often crucial. We compared the diagnostic performance of non-contrast Quiescent-interval single-shot magnetic resonance angiography (QISS MRA) and carbon-dioxide digital subtraction angiography (CO2 DSA) in chronic lower extremity PAD patients. A 19-segment lower extremity arterial model was used to assess the degree of stenosis (none, <50%, 50–70%, >70%) and the image quality (5-point Likert scale: 1-non-diagnostic, 5-excellent image quality). Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated for inter-rater reliability. Diagnostic accuracy and interpretability were evaluated using CO2 DSA as a reference standard. 523 segments were evaluated in 28 patients (11 male, mean age: 71 ± 9 years). Median and interquartile range of subjective image quality parameters for QISS MRA were significantly better compared to CO2 DSA for all regions: (aortoiliac: 4 [4–5] vs. 3 [3–4]; femoropopliteal: 4 [4–5] vs. 4 [3–4]; tibioperoneal: 4 [3–5] vs. 3 [2–3]; all regions: 4 [4–5] vs. 3 [3–4], all p < 0.001). QISS MRA out-performed CO2 DSA regarding interpretability (98.3% vs. 86.0%, p < 0.001). Diagnostic accuracy parameters of QISS MRA for the detection of obstructive luminal stenosis (70%