Author/Editor		Kozak, M; Mikac, U; Blinc, A; Serša, I
Title		Lysability of arterial thrombi assessed by magnetic resonance imaging
Type		članek
Source		VASA
Vol. and No.		Letnik 34
Publication year		2005
Volume		str. 262-5
Language		eng
Abstract		Background: lntravascular thromhi change in time due to retraction and organization, which is reflected in the appearance of magnetic resonance images of clots. We have hypothesized that MRl has the potential to improve patient selection for thrombolytic treatment. The aim of our study was to analyze occlusive arterial thrombi with MRl, and to correlate the MRI parameters with the therapeutic outcome in patients with occlusive atherothrombotic disease of the superficial femoral artery who were treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis by streptokinase. Patients and methods: We included l3 patient.s with subacute (2 weeks to 3 months old) occlusive arterial thrombi and 4 patients with chronic (more than 6 months old) arterial occlusions. We measured the MRl signal intertsity on gradient echo images of 98 axial slices of the subacute occiusive thrombi and in 45 slices of 4 chronic thrombi. Following MRl, the patients with subacute history were treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis. Results: Thrombolysis was successful in ll/13 patients. The norrmalized MR1 signal intensity was significantly higher in the unsuccessfully treated thrombi than in the successfully treated thrombi (1.10 +- 0.08 vs. 0.72 ± 0. l7, p < 0.003), but the subacute and chronic thrombi did not differ in signal intensity. Conclusions: High .signal intensity of arterial thrombi on gradient echo MRl might predict resistance to thrombolytic therapy.
Descriptors		ARTERIAL OCCLUSIVE DISEASES MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING THROMBOLYTIC THERAPY STREPTOKINASE TREATMENT OUTCOME