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Published on: April 12, 2017
3D coronary MR angiography at 1.5 T: Volume-targeted versus whole-heart acquisition
Hang Jin1, Meng-Su Zeng, Mei-Ying Ge
1Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University and Shanghai Medical Imaging Institute, Shanghai, China.
Insights
Volume-targeted coronary MRA offers higher contrast and image quality than whole-heart, despite longer total scan times. Whole-heart imaging provides better visualization of the posterior descending artery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Medical Physics
- Radiology
Background:
- Coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is crucial for non-invasive cardiac assessment.
- Optimizing acquisition techniques is essential for improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare volume-targeted acquisition with whole-heart acquisition in 1.5-T free-breathing 3D coronary MRA.
- To evaluate the trade-offs between these two techniques regarding image quality, scan time, and specific anatomical visualization.
Main Methods:
- 36 subjects underwent 1.5-T free-breathing 3D coronary MRA using both whole-heart and volume-targeted acquisitions.
- Comparable imaging parameters were used, and quantitative/semiquantitative data were statistically analyzed.
Main Results:
- Volume-targeted imaging demonstrated significantly higher apparent contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and improved vessel sharpness.
- While individual targeted scans were faster, the total scanning time for volume-targeted acquisition was longer.
- Whole-heart acquisition provided superior visualization of the posterior descending artery.
Conclusions:
- Both volume-targeted and whole-heart acquisitions have distinct advantages in 1.5-T navigator coronary MRA.
- The optimal choice depends on specific clinical objectives and priorities.
Purpose:
To compare volume-targeted acquisition with whole-heart acquisition in 1.5-T free-breathing 3D coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with parallel imaging.
Materials And Methods:
The major coronary arteries were imaged in 36 subjects using the whole-heart and volume-targeted acquisitions with comparable imaging parameters. The quantitative and semiquantitative data derived from these two acquisition methods were analyzed statistically, with P < 0.05 considered significant.
Results:
Both the right coronary artery (RCA) / left circumflex artery (LCX)- and the left main (LM) / left anterior descending (LAD)-targeted acquisitions had similar results in navigator efficiencies and apparent signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in comparison with whole-heart acquisition. Apparent contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the volume-targeted imaging was significantly higher than that of the whole-heart imaging. The imaging time required for a whole-heart scan was significantly longer than each of the RCA/LCX- and LM/LAD-targeted acquisitions. However, the sum of scanning times derived from volume-targeted imaging was significantly longer than that of whole-heart acquisition. Both RCA/LCX- and LM/LAD-targeted acquisition yield higher vessel sharpness and overall image quality in comparison with whole-heart acquisition. The lengths of the major coronary arteries were not significantly different for the whole-heart and volume-targeted approaches. The whole-heart method was obviously superior to the volume-targeted method in terms of visualization of the posterior descending artery.
Conclusion:
For current 1.5-T navigator coronary MRA, volume-targeted and whole-heart acquisitions have their own advantages and the choice of methods may vary in accordance with the different aims of clinical practice.
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