[Acquisition of Pulmonary Vein and Left Atrium with Trigger Angiography Non-contrast Enhanced MRI in Diastolic Phase]

The aim of this study was to compare the image quality and the visibility of trigger angiography non-contrast enhanced (TRANCE) in diastolic phase and 3D balanced steady-state free precession (3D SSFP) sequences for the evaluation of pulmonary vein (PV) and left atrium (LA).

About 10 volunteers underwent TRANCE and 3D SSFP imaging on 1.5 T MRI. Axial images were reconstructed and regions of interest were positioned on the right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV), right inferior pulmonary vein (RIPV), left superior pulmonary vein (LSPV), left inferior pulmonary vein (LIPV), LA, and left atrial appendage (LAA). Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between each part and muscle were calculated and compared between two sequences. The two observers independently scored the image quality of each image on the basis of PV, LA, and LAA anatomy and contour using a five-point scale, which scores were averaged and compared.

CNRs on RSPV, RIPV, LSPV, LIPV, LA, and LAA were significantly higher in TRANCE sequence compared with 3D SSFP sequence. On visual assessment, TRANCE showed significantly higher scores in RSPV, RIPV, LSPV, LIPV compared with 3D SSFP sequence.

TRANCE provides higher image quality in PVs and LA compared with 3D SSFP on 1.5 T MRI. On visual assessment, TRANCE provides better visibility of PVs anatomy and contour compared with 3D SSFP.