ADVANCES IN VASCULAR ECHOPLANAR IMAGING

Magnetic resonance (MR) angiography is emerging as an increasingly use ful tool for the noninvasive evaluation of the cardiovascular system. Ultrafast echoplanar imaging (EPI) data acquisition strategies are bec oming more widely available. When applied to MR angiography, the assoc iated reduction in data collection time allows breathheld acquisitions of entire vascular territories, as well as the exploitation of short- lived flow-enhancing measures. This paper describes technical aspects of EPI, its implementation into vascular imaging sequences, and associ ated artifacts. This is followed by a discussion of potential EPI MRA applications in the carotid and renal arteries, the portal venous syst em, and arteries and veins of the lower leg.