Free-breathing 3D steady-state free precession coronary MR angiography with radial k-space sampling: comparison with cartesian k-space sampling and cartesian gradient-echo coronary MR angiography--pilot study.
The authors compared radial steady-state free precession (SSFP) coronary magnetic resonance (MR) angiography, cartesian k-space sampling SSFP coronary MR angiography, and gradient-echo coronary MR angiography in 16 healthy adults and four pilot study patients. Standard gradient-echo MR imaging with a T2 preparatory pulse and cartesian k-space sampling was the reference technique. Image quality was compared by using subjective motion artifact level and objective contrast-to-noise ratio and vessel sharpness. Radial SSFP, compared with cartesian SSFP and gradient-echo MR angiography, resulted in reduced motion artifacts and superior vessel sharpness. Cartesian SSFP resulted in increased motion artifacts (P <.05). Contrast-to-noise ratio with radial SSFP was lower than that with cartesian SSFP and similar to that with the reference technique. Radial SSFP coronary MR angiography appears preferable because of improved definition of vessel borders.
Spuentrup
Elmar
E
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, Aachen University of Technology, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52057 Aachen, Germany. spuenti@rad.rwth-aachen.de
Katoh
Marcus
M
Buecker
Arno
A
Manning
Warren J
WJ
Schaeffter
Tobias
T
Nguyen
Trung-Hieu
TH
Kühl
Harald P
HP
Stuber
Matthias
M
Botnar
Rene M
RM
Günther
Rolf W
RW
D000328:Adult; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012119:Respiration