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

Due to SNR constraints, current "bright-blood" 3D coronary MRA approaches still 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. This suggests that the extension of black-blood coronary MRA with a 3D imaging technique would allow for a further signal increase, which may be traded for an improved spatial resolution. Therefore, a dual-inversion 3D fast spin-echo imaging sequence and real-time navigator technology were combined for high-resolution free-breathing black-blood coronary MRA, Inplane image resolution below 400 mum was obtained. Magn Reson Med 45:206-211, 2001, (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.