Three-dimensional high-resolution fast spin-echo coronary magnetic resonance angiography

Due to SNR constraints, current "bright-blood" 3D coronary MRA approaches s till suffer from limited spatial resolution when compared to conventional x -ray coronary angiography, Recent 2D fast spin-echo black-blood techniques maximize signal for coronary MRA at no loss in image spatial resolution. Th is suggests that the extension of black-blood coronary MRA with a 3D imagin g technique would allow for a further signal increase, which may be traded for an improved spatial resolution. Therefore, a dual-inversion 3D fast spi n-echo imaging sequence and real-time navigator technology were combined fo r high-resolution free-breathing black-blood coronary MRA, Inplane image re solution below 400 mum was obtained. Magn Reson Med 45:206-211, 2001, (C) 2 001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.