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

TY - JOUR

T1 - Navigator-gated coronary magnetic resonance angiography using steady-state-free-precession - Comparison to standard T2-prepared gradient-echo and spiral imaging

AU - Spuentrup, E

AU - Buecker, A

AU - Stuber, M

AU - Botnar, R

AU - Nguyen, T H

AU - Bornert, P

AU - Kolker, C

AU - Gunther, R W

PY - 2003/5/1

Y1 - 2003/5/1

N2 - 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

AB - 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

U2 - 10.1097/00004424-200305000-00004

DO - 10.1097/00004424-200305000-00004

M3 - Article

VL - 38

SP - 263

EP - 268

JO - Investigative Radiology

JF - Investigative Radiology

IS - 5

ER -