Feasibility study for implementing low-field MRI with SPIO nanoparticles for endovascular interventions: An alternative to X-ray guided techniques

Low-field magnetic resonance imaging (lf-MRI) using super-paramagnetic iron-oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles as contrast agent seems to be a promising radiation free alternative to guide endovascular interventions in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). We propose an innovative workflow on how to deploy lf-MRI during such an intervention and investigate in phantoms the achievable contrast and resolution levels. The results showed that this combination of lf-MRI with SPIO contrast has potential to guide endovascular interventions, but that high quality pre-operative imaging might be required in deployment of this technique.