Multiphase cardiac-gated gradient echo MR projection angiography of lower extremity vascular occlusive disease

Thirty-five patients with lower-extremity vascular occlusive disease underwent multiphase cardiac-gated gradient echo MR projection angiography (MRA), and the results were compared with those of contrast angiography. The aorta was imaged in 14 cases, iliofemoral arteries in 18 cases, and femoropopliteal arteries in 28 cases, MRA depicted 88% of common iliac, 86% of external iliac, 88% of common femoral, 79% of superficial femoral, 86% of popliteal, and 69% of infrapopliteal arteries that were normal. MRA depicted 100% of common iliac, 86% of external iliac, 100% of common femoral, 95% of superficial femoral, 100% of popliteal, and 81% of below-knee arterial occlusions. False-positive occlusions were detected in 20% of common iliac, 22% of external iliac, 38% of common femoral, 17% of superficial femoral, 50% of popliteal, and 25% of below-knee arteries. MRA depicts lower-extremity vascular occlusive disease but may overestimate the degree of stenosis or occlusion