Simultaneous real-time visualization of the catheter tip and vascular anatomy for MR-guided PTA of iliac arteries in an animal model.

Purpose: To examine the feasibility of simultaneous MR real-time active tip tracking and near real-time depiction of the vascular anatomy for percutaneous angioplasty of iliac arteries under MR guidance.

Materials And Methods: Nine surgically created stenoses of external iliac arteries in pigs were dilated with MR-compatible balloon catheters (Cordis, Roden, The Netherlands). These catheters were equipped with a microcoil for active tracking of the catheter tip with an in-plane update rate of 10 positions per second.