Perfusion MRI for monitoring therapy effects in experimental chronic limb ischemia

Abstract

Angiographic techniques such as DSA, CTA or MRA are limited to the display of macroscopic vasculature only. New therapeutic regimens in peripheral artery disease that are currently under investigation though may result in substantial differences in limb perfusion only due to changes at the microvascular level, which can only be readily displayed by perfusion imaging. Because of the non-invasiveness and the lack of ionizing radiation MRI seems to be an ideal method for perfusion imaging. Initial data indicate that perfusion MRI provides a useful tool for the evaluation of peripheral ischemia and for monitoring of therapeutic effects.