Coronary MR imaging using free-breathing 3D steady-state free precession with radial k-space sampling.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the potential of free-breathing 3D steady-state free precession (SSFP) imaging with radial k-space sampling for coronary MR-angiography (MRA), coronary projection MR-angiography and coronary vessel wall imaging.


METHODS
A navigator-gated free-breathing T2-prepared 3D SSFP sequence (TR = 6.1 ms, TE = 3.0 ms, flip angle = 120 degrees, field-of-view = 360 mm(2)) with radial k-space sampling (384 radials) was implemented for coronary MRA. For projection coronary MRA, this sequence was combined with a 2D selective aortic spin tagging pulse. Coronary vessel wall imaging was performed using a high-resolution inversion-recovery black-blood 3D radial SSFP sequence (384 radials, TR = 5.3 ms, TE = 2.7 ms, flip angle = 55 degrees, reconstructed resolution 0.35 x 0.35 x 1.2 mm(3)) and a local re-inversion pulse. Six healthy volunteers (two for each sequence) were investigated. Motion artifact level was assessed by two radiologists.


RESULTS
In coronary MRA, the coronary lumen was displayed with a high signal and high contrast to the surrounding lumen. Projection coronary MRA demonstrated selective visualization of the coronary lumen while surrounding tissue was almost completely suppressed. In coronary vessel wall imaging, the vessel wall was displayed with a high signal when compared to the blood pool and the surrounding tissue. No visible motion artifacts were seen.


CONCLUSIONS
3D radial SSFP imaging enables coronary MRA, coronary projection MRA and coronary vessel wall imaging with a low motion artifact level.
Spuentrup
E
E
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, Technical University of Aachen, Germany. spuenti@rad.rwth-aachen.de
Katoh
M
M
Stuber
M
M
Botnar
R
R
Schaeffter
T
T
Buecker
A
A
Günther
R W
RW
D000328:Adult; D016477:Artifacts; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D012016:Reference Values