This study aimed to image atherosclerotic plaques in the aortas of Apo E deficient mice using MRI. To visualize the aorta, contrast agent was injected into mice both while inside and outside of the MRI scanner. Respiratory gating was used to reduce motion artifacts from breathing by intubating mice and providing ventilation. Initial scans showed the aorta but further refinement is needed, including decreasing the dose of iron contrast agent to improve image resolution without excessive signal loss. Future plans include ECG gating to reduce cardiac motion and starting similar studies in rabbits.

1. MICE MRIMICE MRI
New Data

2. AIMSAIMS
This study is for imaging aortic
atherosclerotic plaques in Apo E deficient
mice
In addition to study of Apo E
atherosclerotic mice this effort is meant to
provide necessary technical experiences for
rabbit study soon to be approved and
transferred to Galveston

4. MRIMRI
withwith
Contrast (Magnevist)Contrast (Magnevist)
In order to be sure that we are looking to
the aorta,we decided to inject contrast
media
We had to inject Magnevist to mouse while
inside the magnet, so we tried to cannulate
femoral vein, jugular vein, intracardiac
approach

5. In order to decrease the motion effect of
respiration,we had to use respiratory gated
MRI
To have respiratory gating,we needed to
Intubate the mouse and use ventilation

29. The MR Image characteristicsThe MR Image characteristics
Coil:5 and 9cm
Field of view:6 cm
Matrix(nv):256
Spin Echo:Tr=2500,Te=12, Slice=17-24
Movi(while injecting the Gadelenium) :
Tr=200, Te= 5

30. 3/103/10

31. MRI Parameters forMRI Parameters for
Movi ImagesMovi Images
After injection of Magnivest
Tr=200, Te=5

33. Soft ware analysis to show theSoft ware analysis to show the
flow and find the aortaflow and find the aorta

37. Spin Echo Images:Spin Echo Images:
Tr=2500, Te=12Tr=2500, Te=12
nv=128nv=128

40. High resolution spin echoHigh resolution spin echo
imagesimages
Slice thickness :1.6 ,Gap:0.5Slice thickness :1.6 ,Gap:0.5
Tr=2500, Te=12, nv=256Tr=2500, Te=12, nv=256

42. 03/1303/13

48. 3/14mvcor3/14mvcor

50. Sems tranSems tran

54. SPIO InjectionSPIO Injection
With injection of Feridex with maximum
dose(3µmol/kg),we had some problems:
because of small blood content of mouse,
dilution wasn’t enough
It caused too much decrease in T2 , so
although we had approximately good
resolution, we think that by decreasing the
dose we can find better images

55. Future PlansFuture Plans
Injection of 40µmol/kg of Feridex
ECG gated MRI (we have the motion effect
of heart in chest region)
Starting rabbit study