Gadolinium-free MR in coarctation—can contrast-enhanced MR angiography be replaced?

ObjectiveTo determine the difference in vessel measurements, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and voxel size between contrast-enhanced and noncontrast magnetic resonance techniques in patients with coarctation of the aorta (CoA).Materials and methodsIn 39 patients, vessel size, SNR, and voxel size were compared in cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), gadolinium-free magnetic resonance angiography (Gd-free MRA), and contrast-enhanced MRA (ce-MRA).ResultsThere was no significant difference in measurement and SNR, but there was a significant difference in voxel size (P < .001).ConclusionsOur results show that, in CoA patients, monitoring of vessel size using cine MRI and Gd-free MRA is equivalent to ce-MRA while being less invasive.