Improved peripheral MRA using multi-velocity-encoding phase contrast-enhanced MRA techniques.
Phase contrast MR angiography (PC-MRA) depends on phase shifts caused by blood flow. Generally, PC sequences employ one VENC (velocity-encoding) value for each encoded spatial direction to optimize the signal in major vessels during peak systolic flow. We compared a mono-(30) with a multi-(20/30/45) VENC-PC-MRA technique in 10 patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. In all patients, the multi-VENC-PC sequence enhanced the vascular signal in vessels with very different flow velocities in one measurement. Large fields-of-view can be measured in a relatively short examination time to obtain an overview of the peripheral arterial system of the patient when contrast-enhanced MRA is not possible.
Goyen
M
M
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Essen, Germany.
Heuser
L J
LJ
D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*