Improved peripheral MRA using multi-velocity-encoding phase contrast-enhanced MRA techniques

Phase contrast MR angiography (PC-MRA) depends on phase shifts caused by bl ood flow. Generally, PC sequences employ one VENC (velocity-encoding) value for each encoded spatial direction to optimize the signal in major vessels during peak systolic flow. We compared a mono- (30) with a multi- (20/30/4 5) VENC-PC-MRA technique in 10 patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. In all patients, the multi-VENC-PC sequence enhanced the vascular signal in vessels with very different how velocities in one measurement. La rge fields-of-view can be measured in a relatively short examination time t o obtain an overview of the peripheral arterial system of the patient when contrast-enhanced MRA is not possible.