Optimization of realtime adaptive navigator correction for 3D magnetic resonance coronary angiography

Breathing motion artifacts reduce the quality of MR coronary artery images. Real-time adaptive navigator correction with different correction factors (0%, 30%, 60%, 80% of diaphragmatic displacement) was used to correct for r espiratory motion in 3D coronary artery imaging. Significant improvements o f image quality were achieved by adaptive motion correction in comparison w ith conventional navigator gating. A close correlation between the correcti on factor, which yielded optimal image quality, and cardiac displacement re lative to diaphragmatic displacement was found. The quality of coronary art ery imaging can be improved using real-time adaptive navigator correction. Correction factors have to be adjusted for each segment of the coronary art eries and for each patient. Magn Reson Med 42:408-411, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley -Liss, Inc.