Fachartikel

X-ray micro computed tomography (µCT) is able to provide 3D data of the vascular system of whole organs and small animals with capillary resolution. Current contrast agents suffer from drawbacks when used for capillary resolution imaging of whole organs ex vivo: Angiography contrast agents are insufficiently retained within the vasculature for long duration high-resolution imaging, while vascular casting resins require extensive practice and technically challenging procedures in order to provide consistent filling of the vasculature. In this work, we developed a crosslinkable polymeric contrast agent that combines the reliable perfusion of the hydrophilic angiography contrast agents with the permanent retention and contrast of the hydrophobic vascular casting resins. It features high molecular weight, low viscosity, high iodine content and can be crosslinked by aldehyde fixation. We demonstrate the potential of the contrast agent with capillary-resolution imaging of a brain hemisphere and vascular imaging of an entire mouse using transcardial perfusion.