Coronary artery imaging: 3D segmented k-space data acquisition with multiple breath-holds and real-time slab following

The purpose of this work was to develop a multiple-breath-hold (BH) Imaging method for coronary arteries in which a segment of k-space is acquired in each BH. The goal was to increase the resolution, or the signal-to-noise ra tio (SNR) and coverage, of three-dimensional-(3D)-BH volume-targeted scanni ng (VCATS). To correct for slab position differences, a real-time slab foll owing technique using navigator echoes for motion detection was used. Sixte en normal volunteers were Imaged to compare the method with a single-BH sca n. Results showed that higher resolution, or larger coverage and higher SNR , were achieved by the multiple-BH method without respiratory motion artifa cts. In conclusion, 3D segmented k-space data acquisition with multiple-BHs and real-time slab following is a promising approach for extending the cap abilities of VCATS further. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.