Evaluation of experimentally induced renal hypoperfusion using iron oxide particles and fast magnetic resonance imaging.

RATIONALE AND

OBJECTIVES

Renal perfusion can be evaluated with first-pass study of superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIO). We applied this technique to a unilateral renal hypoperfusion model in rabbits.

METHODS

Turbo fast low-angle shot sequences (acquisition time = 440 msec), after bolus injection of SPIO (100-140 mumol/kg iron), were performed in two control groups (n = 5 in each) and one group (n = 5) with a left renal blood flow reduction caused by a surgical interrenal aortic ligature (140 mumol/kg iron). Qualitative and quantitative analysis using relative blood volume (rRBV), relative blood flow (rRBF), and mean transit time (MTT) were performed.

RESULTS

Signal changes were symmetric in control groups without significant differences between the kidneys. The experimental group showed a significantly delayed and less pronounced maximal reduction of signal related to a significantly decreased rRBF and increased rRBV and MTT in the left kidney (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

This study shows the effectiveness of a dynamic magnetic resonance study using SPIO to detect unilateral kidney perfusion reduction.