Dynamic contrast-enhanced 3D breath hold MRA using a multiple variable orientation slab acquisition

With the conventional 3D MR angiographic sequences, it is difficult to prescribe multiple phases in different orientations, though multiple phases may be prescribed in the same orientation as the initial scan. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was performed in which three slabs were prescribed in different orientations and were acquired in a sequential measurement. A fixed delay of 8 s between the slabs was used to prepare patients to hold their breath for subsequent measurements. All subjects tolerated the entire breath hold examination. The results were easily reproducible and yielded high-resolution 3-dimensional images in various planes.