Abstract
Purpose
To implement a double‐inversion bright‐blood coronary MR angiography sequence using a cylindrical re‐inversion prepulse for selective visualization of the coronary arteries.
Materials and Methods
Local re‐inversion bright‐blood magnetization preparation was implemented using a nonselective inversion followed by a cylindrical aortic re‐inversion prepulse. After an inversion delay that allows for in‐flow of the labeled blood‐pool into the coronary arteries, three‐dimensional radial steady‐state free‐precession (SSFP) imaging (repetition/echo time, 7.2/3.6 ms; flip angle, 120°, 16 profiles per RR interval; field of view, 360 mm; matrix, 512, twelve 3‐mm slices) is performed. Coronary MR angiography was performed in three healthy volunteers and in one patient on a commercial 1.5 Tesla whole‐body MR System.
Results
In all subjects, coronary arteries were selectively visualized with positive contrast. In addition, a middle‐grade stenosis of the proximal right coronary artery was seen in one patient.
Conclusion
A novel T1 contrast‐enhancement strategy is presented for selective visualization of the coronary arteries without extrinsic contrast medium application. In comparison to former arterial spin‐labeling schemes, the proposed magnetization preparation obviates the need for a second data set and subtraction. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;27:913–917. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.