Magnetic resonance angiography of the normal canine heart and associated blood vessels

Abstract

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) images of the normal canine heart and associated blood vessels were obtained from two mature Beagle dogs. Fast spin-echo sequence MRA images were taken with a 1.5 T magnet and a human thorax coil. Relevant vascular structures were identified and labelled on maximum intensity projection reconstructions of 3D gadolinium-enhanced MRA and anatomical dissections with vascular latex injection taken from the right and the left thoracic walls and the base of the heart. These images should provide useful reference material for clinical studies of the canine heart.