Quantitative Digital Subtraction Angiography Research Articles

Quantitative Digital Subtraction Angiography Measurement of Arterial Velocity at Low Radiation Dose Rates.

Quantitative digital subtraction angiography (qDSA) has been proposed to quantify blood velocity for monitoring treatment progress during blood flow altering interventions. The method requires high frame rate imaging [~ 30 frame per second (fps)] to capture temporal dynamics. This work investigates performance of qDSA in low radiation dose acquisitions to facilitate clinical translation. Velocity quantification accuracy was evaluated at five radiation dose rates in vitro and in vivo. Angiographic technique ranged from 30 fps digital subtraction angiography ( at the interventional reference point) down to a 30 fps protocol at 23% higher radiation dose per frame than fluoroscopy ( ). The in vitro setup consisted of a 3D-printed model of a swine hepatic arterial tree connected to a pulsatile displacement pump. Five different flow rates (3.5-8.8mL/s) were investigated in vitro. Angiography-based fluid velocity measurements were compared across dose rates using ANOVA and Bland-Altman analysis. The experiment was then repeated in a swine study (n = 4). Radiation dose rate reductions for the lowest dose protocol were 99% and 96% for the phantom and swine study, respectively. No significant difference was found between angiography-based velocity measurements at different dose rates in vitro or in vivo. Bland-Altman analysis found little bias for all lower-dose protocols (range: [- 0.1, 0.1]cm/s), with the widest limits of agreement ([- 3.3, 3.5]cm/s) occurring at the lowest dose protocol. This study demonstrates the feasibility of quantitative blood velocity measurements from angiographic images acquired at reduced radiation dose rates.

Shortened Cerebral Circulation Time Predicts Resistance to Obliteration in High-Flow Brain Arteriovenous Malformations After Stereotactic Radiosurgery.

Treatment selection for brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) is complicated by BAVM size, location, and hemodynamics. Quantitative digital subtraction angiography is used to quantify the hemodynamic impact of BAVMs on cerebral circulation. This study investigated the association between cerebral circulation time and the complete obliteration (CO) rate of BAVMs after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). We analyzed the data of 143 patients who underwent SRS for BAVMs between January 2011 and December 2019 in our institute. Their pre-SRS magnetic resonance imaging and angiography images were analyzed to acquire BAVM characteristics and quantitative digital subtraction angiography parameters. Modified cerebral circulation time (mCCT) was defined as the time difference between the bolus arrival time of the ipsilateral cavernous internal carotid artery and that of the parietal vein, as determined from the lateral view of images obtained using digital subtraction angiography. Cox regression with hazard ratios and Kaplan-Meier analyses were conducted to determine the associations between the parameters and BAVM CO after SRS. Of the 143 patients, 101 (70.6%) achieved BAVM CO. According to the multivariate analyses, an increased mCCT (hazard ratio: 1.24, P = .041) was the independent factor associated with BAVM CO after adjustment for age, sex, hemorrhagic presentation, a BAVM volume of >5 cm3, and a margin dose of >18 Gy. Individuals with an mCCT of ≤2.32 s had a lower 36-month probability of BAVM CO than did those with an mCCT of >2.32 s (44.1% ± 6.8% vs 63.3% ± 5.6%, P = .034). The hemodynamic impact of high-flow BAVM demonstrated by a shortened mCCT is associated with a lower BAVM CO rate after SRS.

Quantitative Analysis of Hemodynamic Changes in Branch Arteries Covered by Flow Diverters.

Understanding post-treatment hemodynamic alterations and their association with the patency of covered branch arteries is limited. This study aims to identify hemodynamic changes after flow diverter stenting and investigate their correlation with the patency status of covered branch arteries. All patients treated with pipeline embolization device for anterior cerebral artery aneurysms at our center between 2016 and 2020 were screened for inclusion. Quantitative digital subtraction angiography was used to analyze changes in hemodynamic parameters pre- and post-stenting. The patency status of covered branch arteries after stenting was categorized as either patent or flow impairment (defined as artery stenosis or occlusion). A total of 71 patients, encompassing 89 covered branch arteries, were enrolled. Flow impairment was observed in 11.2% (10/89) of the branches. The mean transit time and full width at half maximum (FWHM) in covered branches were significantly prolonged post-stenting (P = .004 and .023, respectively). Flow-impaired branch arteries exhibited hemodynamic shifts contrary to those in patent branch arteries. Specifically, flow-impaired branches showed marked reductions in time to peak, FWHM, and mean transit time (decreases of 32.8%, 32.6%, and 29%, respectively; P = .006, .002, and .002, respectively). Further multivariate analysis revealed that reductions in FWHM in the branches (odds ratio = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95-0.99, P = .007) and smoking (odds ratio = 14.5, 95% CI: 1.39-151.76, P = .026) were independent predictors of flow impairment of covered branches. Pipeline embolization device stenting can cause a reduction in blood flow in branch arteries. Compared with patent branches, flow-impaired branches exhibit an increase in blood flow velocity after stenting. Smoking and ΔFWHM in the covered branches indicate flow impairment.

311 Rupture-Risk Stratifying Patients With Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations Using Quantitative Hemodynamic Flow Measurements

INTRODUCTION: Up to 60% of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) present with an intracranial hemorrhage, however, noninvasive neuroimaging has increasingly diagnosed incidental AVMs. AVM management depends on weighing the lifetime rupture risk against the risks of intervention. Although AVM rupture risk relies primarily on angioarchitectural features, measuring hemodynamic flow is gaining traction. An accurate understanding of AVM hemodynamic flow parameters will help stratify patients by rupture risk and select treatment plans. METHODS: The literature was reviewed for articles that quantified AVM flow. RESULTS: Quantitative digital subtraction angiography (QDSA), 4D spin-labeled magnetic resonance angiography (4D-SL-MRA), and 4D-Flow magnetic resonance imaging (4D-Flow-MRI) studies measure relative flow; 3D phase-contrast MRI (PC-MRI) studies measure relative and true flow; and quantitative MRA (QMRA) studies measure true flow. QDSA studies have correlated increased rupture risk with prolonged venous outflow, however there are mixed findings with respect to arterial inflow. Similarly, a higher AVM inflow-to-outflow ratio has been associated with greater rupture risk in studies using PC-MRI. 4D-SL-MRA studies, on the other hand, have demonstrated a lower time-to-peak draining-vein-to-feeder-artery ratio in patients with AVM rupture. Finally, 4D-Flow-MRI studies have shown inconsistent findings whereas QMRA studies have found no significant associations between AVM hemodynamic flow parameters and rupture risk. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative hemodynamic studies on the relationship between AVM flow and rupture risk have not reached a clear consensus; however, the preponderance of data suggests that higher arterial inflow and lower venous outflow in the AVM nidus contribute to increased hemorrhagic risk. Future studies should consider using larger sample sizes and standardized definitions of hemodynamic parameters to reach a consensus. In the meantime, classic angioarchitectural features may be more strongly correlated with AVM rupture than the amount of blood flow.

Overloaded transnidal pressure gradient as the hemodynamic mechanism leading to arteriovenous malformation rupture: a quantitative analysis using intravascular pressure monitoring and color-coded digital subtraction angiography

BackgroundThe hemodynamics of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) may have implications for hemorrhage. This study aimed to explore the hemodynamics of ruptured AVMs by direct microcatheter intravascular pressure monitoring (MIPM) and...

Quantitative Assessment of Hemodynamics Associated With Embolization Degree in Brain Arteriovenous Malformations.

Grading systems, including the novel brain arteriovenous malformation endovascular grading scale (NBAVMES) and arteriovenous malformation embocure score (AVMES), predict embolization outcomes based on arteriovenous malformation (AVM) morphological features. The influence of hemodynamics on embolization outcomes remains unexplored. In this study, we investigated the relationship between hemodynamics and embolization outcomes. We conducted a retrospective study of 99 consecutive patients who underwent transarterial embolization at our institution between 2012 and 2018. Hemodynamic features of AVMs were derived from pre-embolization digital subtraction angiography sequences using quantitative digital subtraction angiography. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the significant factors associated with embolization outcomes. Complete embolization (CE) was achieved in 17 (17.2%) patients, and near-complete embolization was achieved in 18 (18.2%) patients. A slower transnidal relative velocity (TRV, odds ratio [OR] = 0.71, P = .002) was significantly associated with CE. Moreover, higher stasis index of the drainage vein (OR = 16.53, P = .023), shorter transnidal time (OR = 0.15, P = .013), and slower TRV (OR = 0.9, P = .049) were significantly associated with complete or near-complete embolization (C/nCE). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting CE was 0.87 for TRV, 0.72 for NBAVMES scores (ρ = 0.287, P = .004), and 0.76 for AVMES scores. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting C/nCE was 0.77 for TRV, 0.61 for NBAVMES scores, and 0.75 for AVMES scores. Significant Spearman correlation was observed between TRV and NBAVMES scores and AVMES scores (ρ = 0.512, P < .001). Preoperative hemodynamic factors have the potential to predict the outcomes of AVM embolization. A higher stasis index of the drainage vein, slower TRV, and shorter transnidal time may indicate a moderate blood flow status or favorable AVM characteristics that can potentially facilitate embolization.

Motion-compensation approach for quantitative digital subtraction angiography and its effect on in-vivo blood velocity measurement.

Quantitative monitoring of flow-altering interventions has been proposed using algorithms that quantify blood velocity from time-resolved two-dimensional angiograms. These algorithms track the movement of contrast oscillations along a vessel centerline. Vessel motion may occur relative to a statically defined vessel centerline, corrupting the blood velocity measurement. We provide a method for motion-compensated blood velocity quantification. The motion-compensation approach utilizes a vessel segmentation algorithm to perform frame-by-frame vessel registration and creates a dynamic vessel centerline that moves with the vasculature. Performance was evaluated in-vivo through comparison with manually annotated centerlines. The method was also compared to a previous uncompensated method using best- and worst-case static centerlines chosen to minimize and maximize centerline placement accuracy. Blood velocities determined through quantitative DSA (qDSA) analysis for each centerline type were compared through linear regression analysis. Centerline distance errors were relative to gold standard manual annotations. For the uncompensated approach, the best- and worst-case static centerlines had distance errors of and , respectively. Linear regression analysis found a high -squared between qDSA-derived blood velocities using gold standard centerlines and motion-compensated centerlines () with a slope of 1.15 and a small offset of . The use of static centerlines resulted in low coefficients of determination for the best case () and worst-case () scenarios, with slopes close to zero. In-vivo validation of motion-compensated qDSA analysis demonstrated improved velocity quantification accuracy in vessels with motion, addressing an important clinical limitation of the current qDSA algorithm.

Quantification of Iliac Arterial Blood Velocity in Stenotic Phantom and Porcine Models Using Quantitative Digital Subtraction Angiography

PurposeTo assess the feasibility of using quantitative digital subtraction angiography (qDSA) to quantify arterial velocity in phantom and porcine stenotic iliac artery models. Materials and MethodsVarying degrees of stenoses (mild, <50%; moderate, 50%–70%; and severe, >70%) were created in a silicone iliac artery phantom using vessel loops. Two-dimensional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed, with velocities calculated using qDSA. qDSA velocities were compared with flow rates and velocities measured with an ultrasonic flow probe. Two-dimensional DSAs of the common and external iliac arteries were then performed in 4 swine (mean weight, 63 kg) before and after a severe stenosis (>70%) was created in the iliac artery using 3-0 silk suture. Peak systolic velocities on pulsed wave Doppler ultrasound (US) before and after stenosis creation were correlated with the qDSA velocities. Pearson correlation, linear regression, and analysis of variance were used for analysis. ResultsIn the phantom study, ultrasonic probe velocities positively correlated with downstream qDSA (r = 0.65; P < .001) and negatively correlated with peristenotic qDSA velocities (r = −0.80; P < .001). In the swine study, statistically significant reductions in external iliac arterial velocity were noted on US and qDSA after stenosis creation (P < .05). US and qDSA velocities strongly correlated for all flow states with both 50% and 100% contrast concentrations (r = 0.82 and r = 0.74, respectively), with an estimated US-to-qDSA ratio of 1.3–1.5 (P < .001). qDSA velocities with 50% and 100% contrast agent concentrations also strongly correlated (r = 0.78; P < .001). ConclusionsIn both phantom and swine stenosis models, changes in iliac arterial velocity could be quantified with qDSA, which strongly correlated with standard-of-care US.

Interleaved x-ray imaging: A method for simultaneous acquisition of quantitative and diagnostic digital subtraction angiography.

Flow altering angiographic procedures suffer from ill-defined, qualitative endpoints. Quantitative digital subtraction angiography (qDSA) is an emerging technology that aims to address this issue by providing intra-procedural blood velocity measurements from time-resolved, 2D angiograms. To date, qDSA has used 30 frame/s DSA imaging, which is associated with high radiation dose rate compared to clinical diagnostic DSA (up to 4 frame/s). The purpose of this study is to demonstrate an interleaved x-ray imaging method which decreases the radiation dose rate associated with high frame rate qDSA while simultaneously providing low frame rate diagnostic DSA images, enabling the acquisition of both datasets in a single image sequence with a single injection of contrast agent. Interleaved x-ray imaging combines low radiation dose image frames acquired at a high rate with high radiation dose image frames acquired at a low rate. The feasibility of this approach was evaluated on an x-ray system equipped with research prototype software for x-ray tube control. qDSA blood velocity quantification was evaluated in a flow phantom study for two lower dose interleaving protocols (LD1: and LD2: ) and one conventional (full dose) protocol ( . Dose was measured at the interventional reference point. Fluid velocities ranging from 24 to 45cm/s were investigated. Gold standard velocities were measured using an ultrasound flow probe. Linear regression and Bland-Altman analysis were used to compare ultrasound and qDSA. The LD1 and LD2 interleaved protocols resulted in dose rate reductions of -67.7% and -85.5%, compared to the full dose qDSA scan. For the full dose protocol, the Bland-Altman limits of agreement (LOA) between qDSA and ultrasound velocities were [0.7, 6.7] cm/s with a mean difference of 3.7cm/s. The LD1 interleaved protocol results were similar (LOA: [0.3, 6.9] cm/s, bias: 3.6cm/s). The LD2 interleaved protocol resulted in slightly larger LOA: [-2.5, 5.5] cm/s with a decrease in the bias: 1.5cm/s. Linear regression analysis showed a strong correlation between ultrasound and qDSA derived velocities using the LD1 protocol, with a of , a slope of and an offset of cm/s. Similar values were also found for the LD2 protocol, with a of , a slope of and an offset of cm/s. The interleaved method enables simultaneous acquisition of low-dose high-rate images for intra-procedural blood velocity quantification (qDSA) and high-dose low-rate images for vessel morphology evaluation (diagnostic DSA).

Measurement of the Tumor-to-Normal Ratio for Radioembolization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Prospective Study Comparing 2-Dimensional Perfusion Angiography, Technetium-99m Macroaggregated Albumin, and Yttrium-90 SPECT/CT

PurposeTo calculate the preradioembolic tumor-to-normal (T:N) ratio in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using 2-dimensional (2D) perfusion angiography and compare it with that calculated using technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin (99mTc MAA) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT). Materials and MethodsThis prospective single-arm study enrolled 15 participants with HCC who underwent 2D perfusion angiography immediately before the enrollment and with the microcatheter located at the same location as 99mTc MAA injection, after which SPECT/CT was performed. Quantitative digital subtraction angiography was used to calculate the area under the curve for the tumor and normal hepatic parenchyma and subsequently calculate the T:N ratio. The T:N ratio was calculated from the 99mTc MAA SPECT/CT and post–yttrium-90 bremsstrahlung SPECT/CT using dosimetry software. ResultsThe mean participant age was 64.1 years ± 9.8, and the study included 14 (93%) men and 1 (7%) woman. The mean tumor size was 4.1 cm (SD ± 2.4), and all participants received segmental treatments with glass microspheres. The mean T:N ratio calculated by 99mTc MAA SPECT/CT was 2.28 (SD ± 0.89) vs 2.25 (SD ± 0.99) calculated by 2D perfusion angiography (P = .45). For the 13 participants who underwent selective internal radiation therapy (transarterial radioembolization), there was no significant difference between the T:N ratios calculated by 2D perfusion angiography and post-90Y SPECT/CT (2.25 [SD ± 1.05] vs 1.91 [SD ± 0.39]; P = .12). ConclusionsThe T:N ratio calculated by 2D perfusion angiography correlated well with that calculated by 99mTc MAA SPECT/CT.

Angiography-based hemodynamic features predict recurrent ischemic events after angioplasty and stenting of intracranial vertebrobasilar atherosclerotic stenosis

ObjectivesTo assess the predictive value of hemodynamic features for stroke relapse in patients with intracranial vertebrobasilar atherosclerotic stenosis treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) using quantitative digital subtraction angiography (q-DSA).MethodsIn this retrospective longitudinal study, patients with intracranial vertebrobasilar atherosclerotic stenosis and who underwent PTAS treatment between January 2012 and May 2020 were enrolled. The q-DSA assessment was performed before and after PTAS. ROIs 1–4 were placed along the vertebral artery, proximal and distal basilar artery, and posterior cerebral artery; ROIs 5–8 were in 5 mm and 10 mm proximal and distal to the lesion, respectively. Relative time to peak (rTTP) was defined as the difference in TTP between ROIs. Cox regression analyses were performed to determine risk factors for recurrent stroke.ResultsA total of 137 patients (mean age, 62 years ± 10 [standard deviation], 83.2% males) were included, and 26 (19.0%) patients had stroke relapse during follow-up (median time of 42.6 months [interquartile range, 19.7–60.7]). Preprocedural rTTP4-1 (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 2.270; 95% CI 1.371–3.758; p = 0.001) and preprocedural rTTP8-5 (adjusted HR = 0.240; 95% CI 0.088–0.658; p = 0.006) were independently associated with the recurrent stroke. These hemodynamic parameters provided an incremental prognostic value for stroke relapse (AUC, 0.817 [0.704–0.931]; the net reclassification index, 0.431 [0.057–0.625]; and the integrated discrimination index, 0.140 [0.035–0.292]).ConclusionsIn patients with intracranial vertebrobasilar atherosclerosis treated with PTAS, preprocedural prolonged TTP of the target vessel and shortened trans-stenotic TTP difference were associated with stroke relapse. Q-DSA-defined hemodynamic parameters provided incremental predictive value over conventional parameters for stroke recurrence.Clinical relevance statementQuantitative DSA analysis enables intuitive observation and semi-quantitative evaluation of peri-therapeutic cerebral blood flow. More importantly, quantitative DSA–defined hemodynamic parameters have the potential for risk stratification of patients with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.Key PointsSemi-quantitative angiography-based parameters can reflect pre- and postprocedural subtle changes in blood flow in patients with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.Although angioplasty procedures can significantly improve blood flow status, patients with more restricted baseline blood flow still show a higher risk of stroke recurrence.Angiography-based hemodynamic features possess prognostic value and can serve as clinical markers to assess stroke risk of patients with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.

Peri-therapeutic multi-modal hemodynamic assessment and detection of predictors for symptomatic in-stent restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting.

This study performed multi-modal hemodynamic analysis including quantitative color-coded digital subtraction angiography (QDSA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to delineate peri-therapeutic hemodynamic changes and explore the risk factors for in-stent restenosis (ISR) and symptomatic ISR (sISR). Forty patients were retrospectively reviewed. Time to peak (TTP), full width at half maximum (FWHM), cerebral circulation time (CCT), angiographic mean transit time (aMTT), arterial stenosis index (ASI), wash-in gradient (WI), wash-out gradient (WO) and stasis index were calculated with QDSA and translesional pressure ratio (PR) and wall shear stress ratio (WSSR) were quantified from CFD analysis. These hemodynamic parameters were compared between before and after stent deployment and multivariate logistic regression model was established to detect predictors for ISR and sISR at follow-up. It was found that stenting generally reduced TTP, stasis index, CCT, aMTT and translesional WSSR while significantly increased translesional PR. ASI decreased after stenting, and during the mean follow-up time of 6.48 ± 2.86 months, lower ASI (<0.636) as well as larger stasis index were corroborated to be independently associated with sISR. aMTT showed a linear correlation with CCT before and after stenting. PTAS not only improved cerebral circulation and blood flow perfusion but also changed local hemodynamics significantly. ASI and stasis index derived from QDSA were proved to play a prominent role in risk stratification for sISR. Multi-modal hemodynamic analysis could facilitate intraoperative real-time hemodynamic monitoring and help the determination of the end point of intervention.

Rupture-related quantitative hemodynamics of the supratentorial arteriovenous malformation nidus.

The hemodynamics of a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) nidus may be closely related to clinical presentation. The authors of this study aimed to explore the hemorrhagic quantitative hemodynamic indicators of the nidus through quantitative digital subtraction angiography (QDSA). The quantitative hemodynamic parameters were generated from QDSA. Three data sets were used to explore independent quantitative hemodynamic indicators associated with AVM rupture. The training data set was exploited to discover independent quantitative hemodynamic indicators of AVM rupture by performing univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The authors plotted receiver operating characteristic curves to validate the diagnostic performance of the hemorrhagic hemodynamic indicators using the training and two external validation data sets. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was adopted to verify the predictive power of these risk indicators of future hemorrhage in the external prospective validation data set. A total of 151 patients were included in this study, 91 in the training set and 30 in each of the two validation sets. A higher stasis index and slower transnidal relative velocity (TRV) of the nidus were significantly correlated with AVM rupture. The areas under the curve (AUCs) of the stasis index (nidus) were 0.765 and 0.815 and those of the TRV (nidus) were 0.735 and 0.796, respectively, in the training and retrospective external validation sets. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis confirmed the validity of the stasis index and TRV in predicting future rupture risk in the prospective validation data set (p = 0.008 and 0.041, respectively, log-rank test). A higher stasis index (nidus) and slower TRV (nidus) in QDSA were associated with AVM rupture and were effective indicators of future hemorrhage, suggesting that the core mechanisms underlying AVM rupture could be intravascular blood stasis and occlusive hyperemia of the nidus.

Angiosome-directed endovascular intervention and infrapopliteal disease: Intraoperative evaluation of distal hemodynamic changes and foot blood volume of lower extremity.

ObjectivesTo evaluate foot blood volume and hemodynamics and explore whether quantitative techniques can guide revascularization.Materials and methodsA prospective single-center cohort study included thirty-three patients with infrapopliteal artery occlusion who underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) between November 2016 and May 2020. The time-to-peak (TTP) from color-coded quantitative digital subtraction angiography (CCQ-DSA) and parenchymal blood volume (PBV) were used to evaluate the blood volume and hemodynamic changes in different regions of the foot before and after the operation.ResultsAfter the intervention procedure, the overall blood volume significantly increased from 25.15 ± 21.1 ml/1,000 ml to 72.33 ± 29.3 ml/1,000 ml (p < 0.001, with an average increase of 47.18 ml/1,000 ml. The overall TTP decrease rate, postoperative blood flow time significantly faster than those preoperatively, from 22.93 ± 7.83 to 14.85 ± 5.9 s (p < 0.001, with an average decrease of 8.08 s). Direct revascularization (DR) resulted in significant blood volume improvement than compared with indirect revascularization (IR) [188% (28, 320) vs.51% (10, 110), p = 0.029]. Patients with DR had a significantly faster blood flow time than those with IR [80% (12, 180) vs. 26% (5, 80), p = 0.032]. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) of the affected extremity also showed an significant change from 0.49 ± 0.3 to 0.63 ± 0.24 (p < 0.001) after the intervention. The relative values of ΔTTP and ΔABI showed a weak correlation (r = −0.330).ConclusionsThe quantitative measurement results based on PBV and CCQ-DSA techniques showed that the overall blood volume increased significantly and that the foot distal hemodynamics were significantly improved after endovascular treatment. DR in the ischemic area could r improve foot perfusion.

Abstract No. 363 Characterizing blood velocities in a porcine stenotic iliac artery model using quantitative DSA

Quantitative 2D digital subtraction angiography (qDSA) is a postprocessing technique that leverages the inherent pulsatility in arterial blood to quantify blood velocity1. It has been correlated with intravascular Doppler and 4D Flow MRI in normal porcine iliac arteries and was used to quantify velocities in a stenotic iliac artery phantom model2-3. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of using qDSA to quantify blood velocity in an in vivo porcine stenotic iliac artery model.

Abstract No. 361 Low dose quantitative DSA for intraprocedural calculation of blood velocities

Quantitative 2D digital subtraction angiography (qDSA) can be used to quantify blood velocity during interventions. Currently, qDSA is limited by radiation doses associated with the high frame rates required for blood velocity quantification. This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of qDSA utilizing lower dose DSA images in phantom and in vivo porcine models.

Shortened cerebral circulation time correlates with seizures in brain arteriovenous malformation: a cross-sectional quantitative digital subtraction angiography study.

Seizure is the most common clinical presentation in patients with nonhemorrhagic brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) and it influences their quality of life. Angioarchitectural analysis of the seizure risk for BAVMs is subjective and does not consider hemodynamics. This study aimed to investigate the angioarchitectural and hemodynamic factors that may be associated with seizure in patients with BAVMs. From 2011 to 2019, 104 patients with supratentorial BAVMs without previous hemorrhage or treatment were included and grouped according to the initial presentation of seizure. Their angiograms and MRI results were analyzed for morphological characteristics and quantitative digital subtraction angiography (QDSA) parameters. Modified cerebral circulation time (mCCT) was defined as the difference between the bolus arrival time of the ipsilateral cavernous internal carotid artery and the parietal vein on lateral DSA. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for BAVMs presenting with seizure. The seizure group had shorter mCCT (1.98 s vs. 2.44 s, p = 0.005) and more BAVMs with temporal location (45% vs. 30.8%, p = 0.013), neoangiogenesis (55% vs. 33%, p = 0.03), and long draining veins (95% vs. 72%, p = 0.004) than did the nonseizure group. Shorter mCCT (OR: 3.4, p = 0.02), temporal location (OR: 13.4, p < 0.001), and neoangiogenesis (OR: 4.7, p = 0.013) were independently associated with higher risks of seizure, after adjustments for age, gender, BAVM volume, and long draining vein. Shorter mCCT, temporal location, and neoangiogenesis were associated with epileptic BAVMs. QDSA can objectively evaluate hemodynamic changes in epileptic BAVMs. • Quantitative digital subtraction angiography may be used to evaluate the hemodynamic differences between brain arteriovenous malformations presenting with and without seizure. • BAVMs with temporal location, neoangiogenesis, and shortened cerebral circulation time were more likely to present with seizure.

Imaging Markers Associated With Radiation-Induced Changes in Brain Arteriovenous Malformations After Radiosurgery.

Radiation-induced changes (RICs) in brain tissue, seen as increased perinidal T2-weighted hyperintensity on MRI, are commonly observed in patients with brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) within 2 years after Gamma Knife (Elekta) radiosurgery (GKRS). To explore the imaging markers associated with RICs in patients with BAVMs. We retrospectively included 106 treatment-naïve patients with BAVMs who received GKRS alone between 2011 and 2018 and had ≥24 months of clinical and MRI follow-up. Pre-GKRS angiography and MRIs were analyzed for morphological characteristics and quantitative digital subtraction angiography parameters. RIC severity was categorized as mild (grade I), moderate (grade II), or severe (grade III). Firth logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the associations between the parameters and RICs. Among the 106 patients, 83 (78.3%) developed RICs, with 16 categorized as grade I, 62 as grade II, and 5 as grade III. RICs were symptomatic in 19 patients (17.9%). In multivariable models, BAVMs with a volume of >5 cm3 (odds ratio [OR]: 4.322, P = .024) and neoangiogenesis on angiography before treatment (OR: 3.846, P = .029), and thrombus within nidus or drainage vein on follow-up MRI (OR: 3.679, P = .001) were independently associated with grade II or III RICs. Symptomatic RICs were more likely to develop in basal ganglia or brainstem. Large BAVMs and neoangiogenesis were associated with moderate to severe RICs in treatment-naïve patients with BAVMs. Our findings may assist with the complication risk assessment for these patients.

Quantitative evaluation of hemodynamics after partial embolization of brain arteriovenous malformations

BackgroundTo explore the hemodynamic changes after embolization of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) using quantitative digital subtraction angiography (QDSA).MethodsWe reviewed 74 supratentorial AVMs that underwent endovascular embolization and performed a quantitative hemodynamic...

Abstract No. 84 Comparison of qDSA with a time-of-arrival–based method for determining velocity in a porcine iliac artery model

Quantitative digital subtraction angiography (qDSA) is a recently developed 2D-DSA post-processing tool that can be used to calculate velocities in an artery-of-interest using multiple spatial and temporal points from an entire contrast injection. qDSA has been previously shown to correlate with 4D Flow MRI and intravascular Doppler. While time-of-arrival (TOA)-based methods are commercially and clinically available, they rely on a single spatial point at a particular time. This study aimed to compare velocities calculated using qDSA with a TOA-based method in a porcine iliac artery model. Thirty-three 2D-DSA acquisitions (30fps) were performed in 7 female domestic swine (∼54kg) with a 4 French catheter placed in the common iliac artery using 1.5-3 mL/s injection rates for 8 seconds. The vessel length divided by the difference in TOA of contrast was used to derive blood velocities in the common, external, and internal iliac arteries. Blood velocities were also calculated with qDSA using a shifted least squares method on the contrast-attenuation curves. The two methods were then compared with descriptive statistics, paired t-test, Pearson correlation, and Bland-Altman. Of 99 data points, one was excluded because TOA difference could not be detected. Mean blood velocities with the TOA-method versus qDSA were 39.7 ± 23.3 versus 45.6 ± 20.5 cm/s in the common (n = 33), 26.5 ± 12.2 versus 23.9 ± 9.5 cm/s in external (n = 32), and 27.6 ± 12.0 versus 34.5 ± 12.7 cm/s in internal iliac (n = 33) arteries. The two methods provided significantly different velocities based on the paired t-test (P< 0.05) and were moderately correlating (Pearson r = 0.42, P< 0.05). A Bland-Altman plot showed the TOA method to have a bias of -3.45 cm/s (95% LOA: -40.2 to 33.3), underestimating higher velocities ( >50 cm/s) with a higher degree of uncertainty. In a porcine iliac artery model, TOA-based blood velocities moderately correlated with those calculated using qDSA while TOA method underestimated higher velocities.