Abstract TP35: Estimation of Red Blood Cells in the Thrombus Using MRI. A Phantom Study with Predetermined Thrombus Components

Background and Purpose: Better understanding about thrombus composition seems necessary, as treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is focus on clot chemical dissolution and mechanical extraction. We propose to evaluate whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can differentiate white from red clots and estimate red blood cells percentage (RBC%) using clots with predetermined components and an index based on MRI signal intensity (SI). Material and Methods: 5 clots (A=100% fibrin, B=80% RBC, C=50% RBC, D=20% RBC, E=unknown) were fixed in gelatin-manganese solution and studied by: high-resolution 3D T1-weighted (T1MPR), T2-weighted turbo spin echo (T2TSE), T2-weighted gradient echo (T2GE), susceptibility weighted (SWI), fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). SI index was calculated with clot SI and gelatin SI. Statistical analysis compared RBC-clots to fibrin-clot SI index and the correlation of RBC% and SI index in each MR...