Navigator-gated coronary magnetic resonance angiography using steady-state-free-precession: Comparison to standard T2-prepared gradient-echo and spiral imaging

Elmar Spuentrup, Arno Buecker, Matthias Stuber, Rene Botnar, Trung Hieu Nguyen, Peter Börnert, Christian Kölker, Rolf W. Günther

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rationale and Objectives. Recent developments of magnetic resonance imaging enabled free-breathing coronary MRA (cMRA) using steady- state-free-precession (SSFP) for endogenous contrast. The purpose of this study was a systematic comparison of SSFP cMRA with standard T2-prepared gradient-echo and spiral cMRA. Methods. Navigator-gated free-breathing T2-prepared SSFP-, T2-prepared gradient-echo- and T2-prepared spiral cMRA was performed in 18 healthy swine (45-68 kg body-weight). Image quality was investigated subjectively and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and vessel sharpness were compared. Results. SSFP cMRA allowed for high quality cMRA during free breathing with substantial improvements in SNR, CNR and vessel sharpness when compared with standard T2-prepared gradient-echo imaging. Spiral imaging demonstrated the highest SNR while image quality score and vessel definition was best for SSFP imaging. Conclusion. Navigator-gated free-breathing T2-prepared SSFP cMRA is a promising new imaging approach for high signal and high contrast imaging of the coronary arteries with improved vessel border definition.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)263-268
Number of pages6
JournalInvestigative radiology
Volume38
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Contrast
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Coronary magnetic resonance angiography
  • Coronary vessel
  • Motion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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