[Comparison of gradient-echo and steady state free precession sequences for 3D-navigator MR angiography of coronary arteries].
OBJECTIVE
Purpose of our study was to compare the image quality of 3D-navigator steady state free precession (SSFP) and gradient echo (GE) sequences for magnetic resonance coronary angiography (MRCA) in volunteers and patients.


METHODS
Following informed consent 8 volunteers and 12 patients were included into this study. In all subjects a 3D navigator MRCA of the right and the left coronary artery was performed with a SSFP (TR 3.9 ms, TE 1.7 ms, FA 65 degrees, bandwidth 540 Hz) and a GE (TR 5.8 ms, TE 2.2 ms, FA 25 degrees, bandwidth 200 Hz) sequence using a 1.5 T-MR-System (Magnetom Sonata, Siemens Erlangen). The slice thickness was 1.5 mm and the in-plane resolution was 0.9 x 0.7 mm (2) for all measurements.


RESULTS
The blood pool showed a significantly (p < 0.01) higher signal intensity on SSFP images (147 +/- 36) compared to GE images (103 +/- 36). Although noise increased with SSFP (9.3 +/- 1.4 versus 5.3 +/- 0.9), the contrast-to-noise ratio between myocardium and the coronaries was significantly (p < 0.01) higher on SSFP images (7.8 +/- 3.7 versus 3.4 +/- 3.3). The CNR between the coronaries and the epicardial fat showed no significant differences (12 +/- 5 versus 13 +/- 4).


CONCLUSIONS
The 3D-navigator SSFP sequence is a promising new technique for MRCA which improves the contrast between the coronaries and the myocardium and shortens the data acquisition compared to gradient-echo imaging.
Barkhausen
J
J
Universitätsklinikum Essen, Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Germany. joerg.barkhuasen@uni-essen.de
Hunold
P
P
Jochims
M
M
Eggebrecht
H
H
Sabin
G V
GV
Erbel
R
R
Debatin
J F
JF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
Vergleich von Gradienten-Echo und steady state free precession Sequenzen zur 3D-Navigator-MR-Koronarangiographie.