Three-dimensional breathhold SSFP coronary MRA: A comparison between 1.5T and 3.0T

• Published in: Journal of magnetic resonance imaging Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 206 - 212
• Main Authors: Bi, Xiaoming, Deshpande, Vibhas, Simonetti, Orlando, Laub, Gerhard, Li, Debiao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.08.2005
• Subjects: 3T MRI; Adult; Cohort Studies; Coronary Angiography - methods; coronary arteries; Coronary Vessels - pathology; Feasibility Studies; Female; high-field imaging; Humans; Image Enhancement; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; magnetic resonance angiography (MRA); Male; Respiration; Sensitivity and Specificity; three-dimensional
• ISSN: 1053-1807; 1522-2586
• DOI: 10.1002/jmri.20374

Purpose To assess the feasibility of three‐dimensional breathhold coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) at 3.0T using the steady‐state free precession (SSFP) sequence, and quantify the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) gains of coronary MRA from 1.5T to 3.0T using whole‐body and phased‐array cardiac coils as the signal receiver. Materials and Methods Eight healthy volunteers were scanned on 1.5T and 3.0T whole‐body systems using the SSFP sequence. Numerical simulations were performed for the SSFP sequence to optimize the flip angle and predict signal enhancement from 1.5T to 3.0T. Coronary artery images were acquired with the whole‐body coil in transmit‐receive mode or transmit‐only with phased‐array cardiac coil receivers. Results In vivo studies of the same volunteer group at both field strengths showed increases of 87% in SNR and 83% in CNR from 1.5T to 3.0T using a whole‐body coil as the signal receiver. The corresponding increases using phased‐array receivers were 53% in SNR and 92% in CNR. However, image quality at 3.0T was more variable than 1.5T, with increased susceptibility artifacts and local brightening as the result of increased B0 and B1 inhomogeneities. Conclusion Coronary MRA at 3.0T using a three‐dimensional breathhold SSFP sequence is feasible. Improved SNR at 3.0T warrants the use of coronary MRA with faster acquisition and/or improved spatial resolution. Further investigations are required to improve the consistency of image quality and signal uniformity at 3.0T. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2005;22:206–212. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.